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The Colours of the World Multicultural Festival was a major project undertaken by AIAA which resulted in a beautiful Festival day being held in Byron Bay on 28 January 2006. The project was funded by the Work For the Dole Program. As part of the project participants interviewed each other about their interest in the project, multiculturalism and Indonesia:

KELLY

Kel grew up in Sydney, and lived there until she was about 15; she then travelled around Australia…..
Kel enjoys the beach, is a surfer and loves horse riding. She has studied some Naturopathy at Lismore Uni and was excited about working on this project because of the opportunities to further her learning. The areas she would like to branch into are photography, video editing, web design, and learning more about multiculturalism……
Indonesia according to Kel is a place made up of a number of different islands all of which have beautiful and creative people, which value religion and make good food.
Multiculturalism means to Kel different cultures living together and learning from one another.

 

 

BRADLEY SCHNIERER

Brad comes from the Byron Shire. His family is predominately from Australia with relations from Hungary and his mother's side being Islanders, Schneider meaning rope maker. Although Brad hasn’t been to Indonesia, his experience of the country comes from the media and word of mouth, from which he has found it to be a peaceful race with a love of country. Brad understands multiculturalism as the learning of other peoples cultures,who they are, where they’re from and what they are interested in. The Festival project offered him new practical skills and a better understanding of his immediate community.

 

 

 

 

CRYSTAL

Crystal comes from Nambucca Heads and lives near Byron Bay. Crystal loves being on the beach, it's very important to her. She has an interest in massage and healing. Crystal is interested in event management and hopes to gain experience during her time at AIAA. Crystal thinks Indonesian people are a beautiful people and have a beautiful culture but would love to learn more about the country. To Crystal multiculturalism means embracing diversity and respect for other cultures.

 

 

 

 

 

JEN

Jen grew up in Old Grevillea, which is an old saw-milling town about half an hour from Kyogle. Earlier this year she lived in Cairns for 4 months before moving to Byron Bay where she has become involved with the AIAA.
By volunteering with the AIAA Jen hoped to learn more about different cultures, digital photography, computer programs such as Photoshop and the organisation of festivals.
While at primary school she studied the Indonesian language for 6 years and hopes to travel there one day.
Jen’s understanding of multiculturalism is people from different cultures working together cooperatively for the same goal – peace.

 

 

 

 

 

 

VERA

Vera was born in Sydney, grew up near, and went to school in Nimbin, and has lived in this area.She learned about Indonesia in school. In this project, she’s interested in learning about other people’s cultures, and about photography, video-making, and painting. For her, multiculturalism means people’s cultures accepting each other, and learning about each other.

DALE

Multiculturalism means to Dale the coming together of different people, sharing of cultures and breaking down barriers, but also finding common ground and appreciating each other. Dale came from 5th Generation Australian originating from Scotland. Whitcroft meaning Weatfarmers. Dale grew up in Melbourne and moved to the North Coast seven years ago. Dale believes Indonesia is a potentially peaceful people with a great appreciation of family and culture. In this project Dale was interested in meeting and learning new things from new people, opening up to new ideas and learning how other cultures exist and live.

 

 

 

 

RAMI

Rami was born in Sydney and grew up in New Guinea where he had many multicultural experiences. Rami knows that in Indonesia there are many different and diverse cultures, with some people wanting independence from Indonesia. Rami's experience of Indonesia is mainly through media and politics. In 1969-1970 Rami was in Papua New Guinea when Indonesia took over West Papua. Rami felt afraid of Indonesia and now wants to meet and get to know some Indonesians personally. Rami has been interested in learning event management skills and sharing with Indonesians and successfully contributing to manifesting the multicultural festival.