Thousands of Inner West residents will come together for a major celebration of multiculturalism and the migrant communities who have helped build modern Australia.
The BBQ for Multiculturalism will be held at Ashfield Park on Sunday 18 October, bringing together ethnic organisations, faith groups, sporting clubs and local residents for a day of music, cultural performances, speakers, children's activities and a free community BBQ.
Federal Member for Reid, Sally Sitou MP, and Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne will help lead the celebration, with other prominent speakers to be announced in coming weeks.
Set in the heart of one of Australia's most culturally diverse communities, the event will celebrate the generations of migrants whose contributions have enriched the Inner West and helped shape the nation.
Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne said:
“Our Inner West community knows that multiculturalism works because we live it every day. Migrant communities have made the Inner West stronger, more vibrant and more successful.”
“Migrant communities have made the Inner West strong, vibrant and successful. The culture of mutual respect that we have built here in our neighbourhoods has spread across the nation and made Australia one of the world's great multi-ethnic democracies.
“Recent attempts to tear down multiculturalism have left many in our communities fearful. Many people are worried that the contributions their families have made to Australia over generations are being undermined and disrespected.
“The best response to this challenge is for Sydneysiders to come together, celebrate our diversity and show why multiculturalism works.
“Together we will celebrate our diversity, our shared values and the migrants who helped make Australia the country it is today.”
Cailey Thurlow, Coordinator of Sydney's Picnic for Peace and Social Justice Facilitator at the Justice and Peace Office, Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney, both supporting the event, said:
“At Sydney's Picnic for Peace, we see firsthand how communal gatherings, food and storytelling unify us across cultures and build genuine peace and understanding.”
“This work stands on First Nations Country, where gathering, sharing food and yarning have long been ways of building connection, resolving conflict and strengthening community.
“We should be striving to continue this. Multiculturalism is the foundation to a great Australia, and we should be celebrating our differences instead of fuelling further division.
“Sydney's Picnic for Peace is proud to stand alongside Inner West Council in showing what that looks like in action.”
Performers include:
- Ryka Ali – First Nations performer
- Vietnamese Language School – cultural performance
- Shaoxing Chinese Opera
- Ukrainian Refugee Choir
Activities:
- Magic Yellow Bus
- Face Painting
- Free BBQ
- Indigenous-led workshops
- Information stands from local Inner West community groups
Background: The Inner West enjoys a strong multicultural heritage, from post-war Italian and Greek migration and Portuguese settlement in Petersham during the 1960s, to Vietnamese refugees after the Vietnam War and later Chinese and South Asian migration that enriched Ashfield and surrounding suburbs. The Inner West stands as one of Australia's most successful examples of multiculturalism.
For media enquiries please contact Heath Gilmore, heath.gilmore@innerwest.nsw.gov.au