Mercy Health to Celebrate What Makes Australia Special This Harmony Day

Cultural diversity and heritage will be celebrated on Harmony Day by staff and residents at the Claremont-based not-for-profit aged care home, Mercy Place Mont Clare.

The aged care home, which employs more than 100 staff, has a team of carers who hail from more than a dozen different countries, including Africa, Japan, Nepal, India, Indonesia, England, Scotland and the Philippines.

Mercy Place Mont Clare Service Manager, Surabh Nair, said Harmony Day - which is held each year on March 21 – provides a great opportunity to celebrate cultural diversity within the aged care community.

“Our cultural diversity is one of our greatest strengths and is at the heart of who we are,” says Mr Nair. “Not only does it make Mercy Place Mont Clare a great place to live, but it also makes Australia a wonderful country for us all to call home.

“Our residents at Mercy Place Mont Clare, along with staff, embrace Harmony Day. All people who migrate to Australia bring with them some of their own cultural and religious traditions, as well as taking on many new traditions. Collectively, they have enriched our nation, and they have certainly enriched our own community at Mercy Health.”

Harmony Day, celebrates Australia’s cultural diversity and promotes values of inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone, which align with Mercy Health’s values of compassion, hospitality, respect, innovation, stewardship and teamwork.

Staff and residents will celebrate the day with a special barbecue lunch, with staff attending in their traditional national costumes, which comprise saris, kimonos and even a Scottish kilt.

“Our home is almost like a small United Nations and our entire team totally respects the reasoning behind Harmony Day, which is a day of cultural respect for everyone who calls Australia home,” adds Mr Nair.

“At Mercy Health, we think it’s important to create opportunities for our staff and residents to experience other cultures in a fun and inclusive way.”

Harmony Day on March 21 celebrates Australia’s cultural diversity and promotes values of inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone.

Find out more about Mercy Health.