Federal Member for Banks, David Coleman MP, and the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Social Services, Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells, today visited Hannans Road Public School, Riverwood to celebrate the kick-off of the FIFA World Cup and the release of The Harmony Game Schools’ Pack.
“The rich diversity of our community will definitely be on show over the coming weeks as we all follow the World Cup,” Mr Coleman said.
“It was great to talk to the students this morning. They are excited about the Cup and the opportunity to learn about all the different cultures participating in it”.
Senator Fierravanti-Wells, who has responsibility for Multicultural Affairs and Settlement Services, said, “The Harmony Games Schools’ Pack provides an opportunity to strengthen the spirit of Harmony Day, every day. The release of the Pack with its football themed activities is particularly timely as the FIFA World Cup kicks off in Brazil”.
“Like the World Cup we represent the diversity of nations in Australia. A total of 7.5 million people have migrated to Australia since 1945 and today around 45 per cent of Australians were born overseas or have a parent who was.”
“In March, the Australian Government, in partnership with SBS and Football Federation Australia, announced a one off investment to deliver the programme as a Harmony Day initiative,” Senator Fierravanti-Wells said.
Hannans Road Public School is one of the 7,900 Australian primary schools distributed with the Harmony Games Schools Pack, a resource for teachers to educate and encourage students. It allows schools to take ideas about diversity and cultural identity from the football field to the classroom and into the wider community.