Community Diversity F
We were delighted to have so many diverse groups from our community come
together at our 2016 Community Diversity Festival on 27 August - a glorious sunny
day.
We had performances by the ACT Taoist Tai Chi Society, Con Brio (a choir), the IPRs
(a band), the Scottish Country Dancers, the Ancient Arts Fellowship, and two sets of
buskers - the Mini Majuras, and Callum & Renee.
We screened a 30 minute compilation of short videos entitled “Walk in My Shoes:
digital stories by Muslim women in Canberra”, and that was followed by Madeleine
Lacroix in conversation with one of the digital story-tellers, Sarwat Maqbool.
We listened to oral histories when Joel Swadling interviewed Jeff Bishop, Don
Erickson and Liz Bishop - three people who have had long connections with
St Margaret’s and with Hackett.
There were information stalls operated by Hackett Community Association, Hackett
Neighbourhood Watch, Tuckerbox, Meg’s Toybox, Embroiders Guild, Ancient Arts
Fellowship, SEE-Change, Paperworks Inc., and National Seniors.
There was a display and sale of artworks and cards by the Stepping Stones For Life
Friday Art Group. There were paintings by Robin Bennett, Pam Kelly and Lyn Ferguson; photographs by Brian Stewart and Brian Rope; and decorated eggs by Alison
and Trevor Allen.
There were also food stalls offering various treats - Majura Mountain scouts BBQ
and soft drinks, Ross Walker Lodge Pide/Pizza slices, and St Margaret’s soups,
cakes, slices, pavlova, tea and coffee.
There were numerous ACT politicians from various parties taking the opportunity to
communicate with voters ahead of the forthcoming ACT election.
And, last but not least, Don’s Bric-a-Brac sold an extensive range of
second-hand clothes and goods in support of Tuckerbox.
The Festival featured a welcome to Country by indigenous Elder Jeanette (Nin)
Phillips and was officially opened by the ACT Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander Affairs, Minister for Children and Young People, Minister for Disability,
Minister for Small Business and the Arts, & Minister for Veterans and Seniors, Mr
Chris Bourke, MLA.
St Margaret's News
8
September 2016