IT WAS one of the darkest chapters in Tamworth’s history.
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In 2006, under the unblinking gaze of the national media, Tamworth Regional Council (TRC) fanned the flames of racism by refusing to resettle five Sudanese refugee families.
In an instant, the home of country music became a byword for “redneck”.
Fast forward eight years and while Tamworth is not quite a model of multicultural harmony yet, it’s added a few squares to its patchwork quilt of cultures.
An estimated 80 different cultural groups are now represented in our city, among them Russians, Indians, Botswanans, Nepalese, Indians, Thai, Iraqis and Burmese.
Their contribution to the fabric of our community, particularly in the medical, meat-processing and hospitality fields, should not be underestimated.
We can only hope that in pubs and loungerooms across Tamworth the debate has moved on from “should we accept them?” to “how do we make them feel more accepted?”
On humanitarian grounds and as global citizens, we have a fundamental obligation to help the desperate and displaced.
Not only should we welcome these people to live among us, but we should make that transition as smooth as possible.
That’s where the passion and perseverance of people like Eddie Witham comes in.
Mr Witham yesterday announced Fiesta La Peel – supported by TRC – an annual festival showcasing the city’s cultures.
This is an opportunity to show that while many are now proud Australians, our overseas-born residents are equally as proud of where they have come from.
Events like this remind us that when we make an effort to connect, our cultural diversity can be one of our greatest strengths.
It’s not just a chance to experience the sights and tastes of foreign cultures, but to remind us we are all at heart so similar.
The festival will highlight those universal themes of food, family, fun and a genuine interest in making this community a more compassionate place.
And if that’s not worth celebrating, nothing is.