Mercy Health Celebrates What Makes Australia Special on Harmony Day

Cultural diversity and heritage will be celebrated on Harmony Day next week by staff and residents at a local not-for-profit aged care home, Mercy Place Cairns (Bethlehem).

The aged care home, which employs more than 140 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 Cairns (Bethlehem) Service Manager, Zubair Coovadia, 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 Coovadia. “Not only does it make Mercy Place Cairns a great place to live, but it also makes Australia a wonderful country for us all to call home.

“Our residents, along with our 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, this diversity has enriched our nation, and has certainly enriched our own community at Mercy Health.”

Harmony Day on March 21 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 by creating an artwork from the handprints of everyone at the home, which will then be displayed as a reflection and signal of unity and inclusion at the facility.

“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.”

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