Moreton Bay Multicultural Fiesta Celebrations and Moreton Bay Region Lunar New Year Festival are just some of the record number of 211 multicultural celebrations in 2021, sharing in more than $1.5 million from the Queensland Government’s Celebrating Multicultural Queensland program, aimed at furthering inclusion, harmony and unity.

Member for Pumicestone Ali King welcomed the funding for the local events.

“Our community takes great pride in its diversity and these events have the capacity to bring us even closer together,” she said.

Member for Morayfield Mark Ryan said the region was enriched by people with backgrounds from right across the globe, making it a wonderful place to live.

“I am proud to be part of a government that supports multicultural events through the Celebrating Multicultural Queensland program,” Mr Ryan said.

Member for Pine Rivers Nikki Boyd encouraged Queenslanders to get out to as many events as possible in 2021 to celebrate the state’s diversity.

“Many of these celebrations have become important fixtures on our social calendars,” Ms Boyd said.

“They are not only great fun with vibrant colour, music, performances and food, they also play an important role in strengthening cross-cultural understanding and inclusion.”

Member for Bancroft Chris Whiting said 2021 was going to be an exciting year after so many had been cancelled this year due to the pandemic.

“Under COVID Safe measures, successful staging of multicultural events in 2021 will further help Queensland unite and recover,” he said.

Member for Redcliffe Yvette D’Ath said she was excited to see so many favourite festivals and events returning to the region for next year.

“It is vital that we come together safely and celebrate our cultural diversity, which is undoubtedly one of Queensland’s greatest strengths,” Ms D’Ath said.

Multicultural Affairs Minister Leanne Linard said Queensland was home to people from 220 countries and territories who spoke more than 180 languages and identified with more than 110 faiths.

“There’s no doubt Queensland’s diversity is a success story and is a cause for celebration,” she said.

Local organisations to receive funding include:

• Moreton Bay Region Industry & Tourism Limited will receive $10,000 for the Moreton Bay Region Lunar New Year Festival
• Woodfordia Inc. – $10,000 for Folklines Multicultural Programme
• Aiga Samoa Association North Brisbane Inc – $5,000 for Annual Samoa Independence Celebration and Family unity with multicultural connections
• Brisbane North Chinese Association Inc – $5,000 for Dragon Boat Festival and $8,000 for Harvest Moon Festival
• Multicultural Association of Caboolture and Surrounds Inc – $8,000 for Moreton Bay Multicultural Fiesta Celebrations
• Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia Consolidated Trust – St. Andrew’s Bribie Island Retreat and Recreation Centre – $5,000 for Bribie OPA Greek Festival
• World Arts & Multi-Culture Inc. – $6,000 for Taiwan Culture Festival in celebration of Lunar New Year

A total of 211 events will receive funding ranging from $2,000 to $20,000 in 2021.

For more information about the Celebrating Multicultural Queensland program and successful applicants: www.dlgrma.qld.gov.au/cmq-progra