Celebrating culture, connection and harmony at integratedliving
Honouring culture, diversity and belonging across our community.
Harmony Week includes Harmony Day on 21 March. This is the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. It invites us to celebrate some of the key qualities that make Australia vibrant, including inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone.
Across our organisation, team members bring these values to life every day. Their stories reflect the rich cultural diversity that shapes our community and the meaningful ways they create connection with clients.
Crafting connection through creativity
Sky – Digital Support Officer
Originally from England, Sky arrived in Australia seven years ago and felt instantly at home. Now a proud permanent resident, she sees Harmony Week as a reminder of kindness, safety and community.
Sky creates belonging in her work by truly getting to know our clients. She remembers their stories, celebrates their milestones and builds genuine rapport. She also founded the Crafting Circle within the Digital Dialogue program, a weekly gathering where clients share handmade creations and explore global craft traditions.
This year, the group has been “touring the world” learning about ancient crafts and cultural heritage. For Sky, it’s been “phenomenal to learn and chat together about so many of the world's artisans.”
Welcoming clients with respect and warmth
Saba – Exercise Physiologist
Saba’s Iranian–Persian heritage taught her the importance of hospitality, community and respect.
Harmony Week holds special meaning for Saba as it coincides with Nowruz, the Persian New Year which is a celebration of renewal and unity. As part of this tradition, families prepare a Haft‑Seen, a symbolic table setting featuring seven items beginning with the letter “S” in Farsi. Each element represents themes like health, growth, love and prosperity, reflecting the spirit of spring and new beginnings.
The image shows Saba with a traditional Haft‑Seen table, honouring her culture and the meaning of Nowruz.
Saba creates belonging in her work by ensuring every client feels heard, supported and valued. Through patience, encouragement and genuine interest, she builds a safe environment where each client can thrive.
Building connection beyond language
Jane – Activity Centre Coordinator
Born in England and raised in Australia, Jane values Harmony Week as a celebration of cultural diversity and welcoming community.
Jane creates belonging across our community by offering respect to all clients and ensuring they know how integral each of them is to our Centres and the communities they form.
Recently, Jane and the team have supported Liudmila, a new client from Russia who speaks very little English, to settle in and feel welcome. Through translation apps, lots of gestures and shared kindness, Liudmila has already found her place. Jane enjoys seeing this inclusiveness in action.
Celebrating culture through story, dance and care
Meredith – Psychologist
With deep Scottish roots, Meredith grew up surrounded by highland dancing, bagpipes and community celebrations. To her, Harmony Week is about openly sharing cultural joy and living together with acceptance.
As a psychologist, Meredith creates belonging by honouring each client as the expert of their own story. She adapts her approach to suit each person’s cultural background, fostering a therapeutic space built on openness, equality and a celebration of identity.
Her work with clients from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds reflects Meredith's belief that “every culture enriches the way we understand each other.”
Honouring heritage and building cultural pride
Nicole – Activity Officer
Nicole’s cultural background incorporates both Welsh roots and early Irish-Australian settler history. For Nicole, Harmony Week is a time to appreciate the diversity within each of our integratedliving Centres.
Nicole creates belonging among our clients by learning about each person's heritage and life experiences. She enjoys seeing these shared stories strengthen connection and foster a sense of cultural pride and appreciation within the group.
Creating comfort through connection
Tracey – Activity Officer
With Irish heritage in her family tree, Tracey sees Harmony Week as a chance to share, include and uplift one another.
Tracey's approach to belonging at work is warm and intuitive. She greets clients with genuine care, connecting through shared memories and fostering friendships within the Centre.
Tracey's situational awareness helps each client find their place among like‑minded peers.
Turning stories into connection
Rachelle – Activity Centre Team Leader
Rachelle’s Australian background is woven with Italian and English ancestry. For Rachelle, Harmony Week is a reminder that we don’t just live side by side, we connect through understanding.
Rachelle encourages her team to explore each client’s story, culture and traditions. Through initiatives like “trips around the world”, clients revisit meaningful places from their past, sparking conversation, pride and belonging.
Rachelle believes that when we understand someone’s 'why', prejudice has no room to grow.
Bringing people together through shared experiences
Rebekah – Activity Officer
With Danish heritage in her family, Rebekah sees Harmony Week as a celebration of inclusivity, belonging and shared stories.
Rebekah designs activities that bring clients together. She encourages participation and listens deeply. Her goal is simple – to ensure every person feels seen, respected and part of the group.
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A shared commitment to inclusiveness
Across so many different roles and regions, our team members embody the spirit of Harmony Week. We thank each of them for the care they show in celebrating cultural diversity, fostering respect and creating spaces where everyone feels they belong.
Their stories remind us that belonging isn’t created through grand gestures, but through everyday acts of listening, learning and connecting.
This Harmony Week, we honour the cultures, histories and experiences that shape our community and the efforts to bring it into everyday life across all our community.