Mercy Health Celebrates Harmony Day

From India to Indonesia and everywhere in between, the dozens of different cultures that make up Mercy Health will be celebrated when the not-for-profit aged care organisation celebrates its cultural heritage this week. 

Harmony Day, which is held each year on March 21, celebrates Australia’s cultural diversity and promotes values of inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone.  These align with Mercy Health’s values of compassion, hospitality, respect, innovation, stewardship and teamwork.

The day’s inclusive multicultural message rings strong at Mercy Place Mandurah, where staff and residents represent more than a dozen different countries from all over the world.

Team members will kick off the celebrations with a special morning tea organised by staff, who will be talking to residents about the traditions found in their home countries, with staff attending in their national costumes, while also bearing dishes from their countries of birth.

Mercy Place Mandurah Service Manager, Christina Venables, said Harmony Day gave residents and staff an opportunity to celebrate their diversity and heritage.

“Our residents at Mercy Place Mandurah, along with our staff, really embrace Harmony Day; we think it’s important to create opportunities for both our staff and residents to experience other cultures in a fun and inclusive way," Ms Venables says.

“Our home is almost like a small United Nations as we have people from a range of countries, all of whom are looking forward to seeing each other in their traditional dress, whether that’s kimonos, saris, Hawaiian grass skirts or even Aussie shorts and bush hats.

“I think our whole team really respects the reasoning behind Harmony Day, which is one of hospitality and respect for each other, and these are also some of our important values at Mercy Health.”

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