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Community Leaders
Celebrating Unity, Culture and Successful African Australians!
Invitation to Participate in the Africa Day Australia 2015 Activities
The Africa Day Melbourne Organising Committee cordially invites you to speak at the Africa Day Australia Families
Forum on the 16th May, 2015; 9:30am at the Kaleide Theatre, RMIT University. The State Minister for Finance and
Multiculturalism Robin Scott has confirmed speaking at the event. The forum kicks off a week of activities marking
the celebration of the founding of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), now called the African Union (AU) on
25thMay, 1963. This date is celebrated annually, around the globe as African Liberation Day, in partnership with the
United Nations, the African Union, Non-Government and community organisations, see http://www.africaday.info/.
In Victoria and across all other states in Australia, like most of the world, this symbolic date provides a platform for
all African Australians, together with mainstream society to celebrate Africa’s rich cultural diversity and its benefits
to multiculturalism and social cohesion. Many African Australian community leaders, business people, artists and
individuals are making significant contributions to the spiritual, moral, cultural, social and economic lives of their
communities and the broader community. This should be celebrated, encouraged and acknowledged. In the past
three years Africa Day Melbourne, (Victoria) has been successfully celebrated and it is getting bigger and bigger. See
website –http://www.africadayaustralia.org.
Africa Day is the single most important and symbolic date for all Africans all over the world. Please pass this on to
your communities and encourage them to participate in any of the activities listed below which are spread all over
Victoria. The activities will culminate with a GALA DINNER where we are aiming to showcase the best of ourselves.
We have created tables for each country that you can encourage your communities to book into which will have
your flag flying alongside. We would like to see all African countries represented. Tickets are available from our
website www.africadayaustralia.org or http://www.trybooking.com/HHOL
The following is the list of activities to celebrate Africa Day Australia;
1) African Australian Families Forum- Sat 16th May, 2015, 9:30am-4;00pm, Kaleide Theatre, RMIT with
the following discussions themes;
a. Empowering African Australian Families; Sharing Successes and Challenges. The family as the core
building block of a successful community. Conflicts and violence within the family.
b. The Changing face of African Australian Youth. Education, employment, health, sexuality, engagement
and disengagement with family, community and mainstream society
State Minister of Finance and Multiculturalism, Robin Scott to give a keynote speech.
2) Africa Day Sports Festival – Sun 17th May 2015 at Springers Leisure Centre in Keysborough,
Dandenong. This is a family friendly day uniting African communities and fostering wider community
harmony and integration through sports and cultural activities. Among the several sports to be enjoyed are
basketball, netball, athletics (5 km walk or run), Africa Day Soccer Cup and Australian football
competitions. Food stalls, artefacts and clothes stalls will also be available. This family oriented event also
presents ‘kid’s zone’ with jumping castle, face painting among other activities tailored for kids.
City of Dandenong Mayor will be the guest of honour
3) Africa’s Got Talent – Sat 23rd May 2015, 12:00- 3:30pm at the DRUM in Dandenong. Performing arts
competition, open to young emerging African Australian artists. This event has proven hugely popular over
the last two years. Last year Africa’s Got Talent received coverage by major To confirm your attendance or
that of your group please reply to this email or ring the numbers shown below.
Celebrating Unity, Culture and Successful African Australians!
4) Africa Day Gala Dinner – Sat 23rd May from 6:30-11pm at the Peninsula, Docklands. Following the
success of the last three years, this year’s Gala Dinner evening promises to be even bigger and better. A
great night of celebrations to culminate the week long activities. A virtual cultural tour of the rich diversity
of Africa while enjoying a sumptuous African themed 3 course dinner in the docklands surrounds. See our
website http://www.africadayaustralia.org for more details
Federal Member for Melbourne Hon Adam Bandt and State Member for Melbourne Ellen Sandell will
attend.
Our hope is to make Africa Day a permanent, vibrant and exciting part of national social and cultural calendar. We
hope you will be able to fit this day within your busy schedule.
Kindest regards,
Africa Day Organising Committee
Stephen Sibanda (President) 0448535977
Partner and Supporting Organisations
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Victoria Multicultural Commission
Universal Peace Federation
North Melbourne Football Club
Zimbabwe Community in Australia, Victoria Inc
Nigerian Society of Victoria
Ethiopian Community
Eritrean Community
Djibouti
Uganda Community in Victoria
New Hope Foundation
VICSEG
FARREP
Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health
Centre for Multicultural Youth
South East Women’s Network
DREAM CASTOR
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Women’s Federation for World Peace (WFWP)
South African Community in Victoria
Celebrate African Australians, Victoria Chapter
Sudanese Community
Zambian Community in Victoria
City of Melbourne
Africa Think Tank
Carers of Africa
Malawi Community
City of Greater Dandenong
Victoria Police
Melbourne Consular Corps
Adam Bandt’s Office
Afro-Australian Student Organisation
Incubate Foundation
RMIT University