Aboriginal cooking, a Chinese sword dance, a petting zoo and more
Schools
More than 250 students and their families and friends have come together for the second successive year at an Adelaide school to show that in a currently fractured world, differences can be a great strength.
Cultures including India, Argentina, Colombia, Brazil, the Philippines, Ireland, Lebanon, Italy, Chinese, Aboriginal Australia and more were celebrated at St Raphael’s School in Parkside on Saturday March 22.
Standouts included free food tastings and cooking demos from families – including one from school principal Emma Fowler on Boandik Aboriginal cooking – and a Chinese sword dance performance, Chinese paper craft workshops, lion dancers, capoeira and a petting zoo.
“It’s a privilege to share my Boandik stories and Aboriginal cooking with our community – it opens up conversations about history, respect and caring for Country in a really tangible way,” said Ms Fowler.
Hundreds of dollars were raised by the Parents and Friends association although most activities – family-shared tastings, demos petting zoo and workshops etc – were free and which helped foster a feeling of community belonging.
Fun at the fair on March 22.
Principal Fowler was adamant the day was more than just an event.
“It’s a significant statement on multicultural belonging in South Australia. It showcases how everyday Australians – from First Nations to global migrants – build understanding and joy together.
“At St Raphael’s, we believe that when we come together and share our stories, we create understanding and belonging for every child and family.”
Community events coordinator Katrina Tucker said the school wanted to create a fair that felt like Adelaide at its best, “welcoming, colourful and relaxed, where you can taste something new, meet someone new and still feel completely at home”.
