Harmony event gives taste of diversity

It was a cultural melting pot at the East Pilbara Arts Centre as hundreds of people gathered for the annual Long Table of Harmony events.

More than 300 people came together to taste dishes from 11 cultural groups and enjoy an evening of entertainment on Saturday, March 17.

Shire of East Pilbara president Lynne Craigie said the Long Table of Harmony illustrated how culturally diverse Newman had become and underscored the essence and meaning of Harmony Week.

“If Harmony Week is all about encouraging everyone to experience, explore and appreciate WA’s wealth of cultural, religious, linguistic and ethnic diversity, then we have it all in Newman,” she said.

“We are thrilled that the Long Table continues to become more popular each year and sincerely thank those who have worked so hard to make the evening successful and so memorable.”

To work off the meal, participants got up and danced thanks to performances from Brazilian percussion and dancing act SambOzzy, followed by stunning moves on the pole and floor by Newman Dance Company.

East Winds mesmerised the crowd with a vibrant blend of multicultural sounds including a Japanese didgeridoo player, Iranian percussionist and Estonian vocal gymnast. Children were entertained by the Newman Youth Centre and Rustic Pathways volunteers with face painting, a bouncy castle and pinata.