March 21, 2025This week, Northern Health proudly celebrates Cultural Diversity Week, also known as Harmony Week.
Harmony Week, observed annually across Australia, is a time to recognise and embrace the rich cultural diversity that strengthens our communities. At Northern Health, we are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where staff, volunteers, and consumers from diverse backgrounds come together to provide and receive care with respect and understanding.
“As the major health service in the north, we are privileged to serve a multicultural community and to have a workforce that reflects this rich diversity,” said A/Professor Jason Cirone, Chief Allied Health Officer.
The week commenced with the launch of the 2025-2027 Cultural Responsiveness Plan, underscoring Northern Health’s ongoing commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Celebrating diversity across Northern Health
Throughout the week, staff enthusiastically embraced the spirit of Harmony Week through various activities celebrating cultural diversity. Teams decorated their workspaces, hosted gatherings, and shared food and cultural traditions. It was inspiring to see so many teams incorporating orange—the official colour of Harmony Day—into their celebrations.
Teams are encouraged to send photos of their Harmony Week celebration to TALSEnquiries@nh.org.au to go into the draw to win one of three prizes! The winners will be announced next week.
Displays were set up across all Northern Health sites under the theme “Everyone Belongs,” featuring recipes shared by staff, as well as pictures and quotes from staff and volunteers. A highlight at Northern Hospital was the vibrant artwork from Grade 4 students of St Peter’s Primary School in Epping. The children created colourful hot air balloons adorned with messages in their native languages and decorated with their national flags, symbolising unity and cultural pride.
The celebration extended to staff cafes, which featured a special Harmony Week menu showcasing international dishes and the colour orange. The library team also contributed by curating a collection of online resources on cultural diversity for staff to explore.
Community engagement through music and stories
A key highlight of the week was the Northern Health Community Choir’s uplifting performances in the front foyer of Northern Hospital and at Westfield Plenty Valley, bringing music and joy to the celebrations.
Additionally, Yue Hu, Director of Transcultural and Language Services (TALS) and Narrun Wilip-giin, shared her personal migration journey in a special episode of the “Visiting Hours” podcast, released during the week.
Reflections on the importance of cultural diversity
Staff, volunteers, and consumers shared their thoughts on the significance of Harmony Week and the role of cultural diversity in healthcare.
David Le, Manager at TALS, said, “Earlier this week, our team was presented with the Patient Experience Award nominated by Associate Professor Jaclyn Yoong, recognising the efforts of our staff and the valuable services we provide. At TALS, we are proud to be able to connect staff and patients and consumers together every day through our language services and promote a culturally diverse and inclusive environment. Bringing together people from all different backgrounds is a wonderful achievement.”
Dalal Sleiman, Consumer in the Cultural Responsiveness Subcommittee, shared, “Cultural Diversity Week provides an opportunity for people from different backgrounds to come together and share their unique food, language, music, dance, art, and traditional attire. This year’s theme, ‘Embrace The Journey, Shape Our Future,’ reminds us that by sharing our stories, we contribute to shaping a future that is inclusive, vibrant, and rich in culture.”
Careena Newcastle, Consumer Advisor on the Northern Health Community Advisory Committee, Hospital Without Walls, and Patient Watch Committees, said, “I come from a mixed Anglo-Indian background and enjoy cooking cuisines from British, Irish, and Portuguese cultures. On Sundays, I make coconut rice and beef meatballs, similar to korma or meatball curry. My message for Harmony Day is: Live for the day, eat, drink, and enjoy life to the fullest. The more people you have, the merrier the occasion!”
Emel Huseyin, Northern Health Consumer of Cypriot-Turkish background, reflected, “I love this country—clean, spacious, and filled with friendly people. In Australia, everyone has an opportunity to study, regardless of age. After 37 years, I returned to education, which has been a wonderful experience.”
Evan Bichara, Northern Health Consumer and active member of the Cultural Responsiveness Subcommittee, shared his experience, “When my wife and I attended physiotherapy classes at Northern Hospital and previously at Bundoora Centre, we felt immediate comfort seeing our Greek-Egyptian culture reflected in both fellow patients and staff. This representation strengthened patient-worker relationships, reduced misunderstandings, and allowed for more tailored care. The staff truly excelled in creating an inclusive and supportive environment.”
Celebrating Nooroz
Among the many cultural celebrations, Northern Health also marked Nooroz, a secular festival observed by diverse communities, including Iranians, Kurds, Azerbaijanis, and Central Asians. Based on the Iranian Solar Calendar, Nooroz signifies the arrival of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. This year, festivities start today, 21 March, and the TALS team celebrated with traditional Persian cuisine.
Thank you to everyone who participated in making Harmony Week a success. Let’s continue to celebrate and embrace diversity every day!
Pictured in featured image, TALS staff (L-R): Kire Stankovski, Yue Hu, Stefania Zen, Navneet Gill, Mira Jovanovic Dobos, Atira Marcus, Ines Rizkalla and Imad Hirmiz.
