Cultural Diversity Week 2023
Celebrate the global flavours of Port Phillip
Come Southside and take your tastebuds on a tour around the world!
Visit our online map to explore great places to eat across the City.
Visit old favourites and discover new flavours.
Support our multicultural communities and share the important role that food plays in preserving traditions.
Our competition has closed but you can still access the map to find great local venues.
Children's activities in our libraries
Cultural Diversity Week programs have finished but there are still heaps of events happening across our library service for school holidays and beyond.
Visit Port Phillip Library Service for details.
Distant Shores
Carlisle Street Arts Space to Friday 12 May 2023.
Distant Shores is a moving exhibition showcasing the work of Melbourne-based photographer Morganna Magee developed in collaboration with participating members of the local migrant and refugee communities. The exhibition combines portrait photography, family photos and written testimony to tell the story of cultural heritage through the lens of the migrant experience.
The exhibition also features paintings by Abouk Giir, Anahita Diba, Humaira Fayazi, Rahila Zeesham and Tadros Hanna reflect their cultural heritage, interests and concerns. Most of the participants are involved with Space2b Social Design, a social enterprise fostering community inclusion that supports new migrants to become financially independent.
Visit Carlisle Street Arts Space - City of Port Phillip for more information.
Morganna Magee, Rahila (detail), 2022
Workshop: Henna Art with Anudeepa
Thursday 13 April from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm
Carlisle Street Art Space, St Kilda Town Hall, 99A Carlisle Street, St Kilda
Mehndi is a temporary body tattoo drawn on the arms, hands and feet. The mehndi mixture is made from a ground paste or powder from the leaves of the Henna plant. In India, the henna / mehndi paste is used to reduce body temperature during the summer season. It is a tradition to apply mehndi on both the bride and bride groom’s hands, legs and the sole of their feet to maintain a cool temperature.
In this workshop participants will be guided by Anudeepa on how to create a beautiful mehndi on their hands or arms. Anudeepa will provide various designs or you can create your own. All materials will be provided.
This is a free workshop. Bookings are required as placed are limited.
Book at Henna Art with Anudeepa https://www.trybooking.com/CHHUP
Meet the Artists
Saturday 22 April from 2:30 to 3:30 pm
Carlisle Street Art Space, St Kilda Town Hall, 99A Carlisle Street, St Kilda
Distant Shores sees Melbourne-based photographer Morganna Magee combine portrait photography, family photos and written testimony to tell the story of cultural heritage through the lens of the migrant experience.
The exhibition also features artworks by five of the participants involved in this project. Each artist has created works reflecting their cultural heritage, interests and concerns. Please join Abouk Giir, Anahita Diba, Humaira Fayazi, Rahila Zeeshan and Tadros Hanna in conversation with guest curator Anna Monea as they discuss their artworks and influences.
This is a free event. Bookings are required at:
Distant Shores Meet the Artists https://www.trybooking.com/CHIYT
Workshop: Japanese Sashiko Sewing with Maoko Carroll
Thursday 27 April from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm
Carlisle Street Art Space, St Kilda Town Hall, 99A Carlisle Street, St Kilda
Sashiko is a traditional Japanese embroidery style which dates back to the Edo period (1615 – 1868). There are five main types of Sashiko, which follow geometric patterns. In this 2-hour workshop, Maoko will show you how to make a Japanese Sashiko pincushion to take home. Enjoy the quiet moment of having nothing in mind, but to simply stitch and find the result of a beautiful pattern called Komezashi (Rice Stitch).
All materials will be provided.
This is a free workshop. Bookings are required as places are limited. Book at Japanese Sashiko Sewing with Maoko Carroll https://www.trybooking.com/CHHVT
Welcome postcards
Pick up one of our welcome postcards from Assist counters or Port Phillip libraries and share them with your new neighbours.
Visit our Community Directory to find out more about these and other groups and services in the City of Port Phillip.
Awards of recognition
We are acknowledging and celebrating our 22 multicultural seniors groups in recognition of their contributions in enabling and supporting a dynamic diverse community. The awards will be presented by the Mayor, followed by performances and morning tea.
The groups being recognised are:
Clockwise from top left: Galini, Ensemble Nostalgia, Astry and Yachad.
- Albert Park/South Melbourne Senior Citizens Club
- Association of Former Inmates of the Nazi Concentration Camps and Ghettos from the Former Soviet Union
- Eremia Greek Senior Citizens Club
- Ethnic Discussion Club
- Galini Greek Elderly Citizens Association of Port Melbourne
- Healthy Tourism Senior Citizens Club ‘Vigor’ and Ensemble Nostalgia
- Lemnian Community of Victoria Elderly Citizens Club
- Lotus Choir
- Multicultural Nature Guides Inc.
- Nadezhda Russian Senior Citizens Club
- Golden Age Clubs, NCJW (Vic) Community Services
- New Life Association Inc
- ‘Astry’ Polish Senior Citizens Club St Kilda Inc
- Port Melbourne Greek Community
- Port Melbourne Greek Community Senior Citizens Club
- RCTVA Sputnik
- Russian Singing Hearts Choir
- ‘Olympia' South Melbourne Greek Women’s Club
- Shalom Association
- St Kilda Greek Group
- Victorian Association of World War Two Veterans from the Ex-Soviet Union
- Yachad Senior Citizens Club
Multicultural Peace Day
This event featured stalls, music, performances and more!
It was coordinated by the International Women’s Peace Group and HWPL and supported by the City of Port Phillip Multicultural Advisory Committee.
