Despite the threatening, ominous weather, the sun came out for Access’ Harmony Day event ‘Bridging Cultures’, on March 24. The inaugural festival, held at Mabel Park State School celebrated the cultural diversity of Logan City, which is home to 217 of the 300 nationalities that have settled in Australia. The event saw the whole community come together with between 4000 and 5000 people attending over the course of the afternoon.

The free family festival was held in partnership between Access, the Queensland State Government, Australian Council for the Arts, Logan City Council, BEMAC and Arts Queensland, and featured global food stalls, free rides and activities for children, face painting, a petting zoo, prizes, fireworks and some of South-East Queensland’s finest music acts. Federal Member for Rankin Jim Chalmers, Logan City Mayor Luke Smith and councillors Laurie Koranski, Steve Swenson and Russell Lutton were among dignitaries who attended the festival.

Access CEO Gail Ker OAM said the Bridging Cultures Festival was about promoting a city rooted in unity, belonging and respect.

“From the oldest continuous culture of our first Australians to our newest arrivals from around the world, Logan’s cultural diversity is one of our greatest strengths and is at the heart of who we are,” Ms Ker said.