Living in Harmony project activities
The Living in Harmony Federal Project 2004 consisted of the following activities:
USQ Harmony Day
USQ Harmony Day is organised by the Multicultural Centre on an annual basis to celebrate the unity we have as a culturally diverse society. The event received local support from various community groups and included activities such as music, an international fashion show, singing, dancing, a martial arts exhibition and international food stalls.
Recreation day
Recreation day was held on 26 March 2004. Representatives from various religious groups including the Toowoomba Islamic Society, Toowoomba Sudanese Community, St Theresa's Catholic Parish, St Luke's Anglican Parish, and members of the South Toowoomba Bowls Club were invited to attend a friendly game of lawn bowls. Recreation Day provided the opportunity to foster informal conversation between community groups.
Youth forum
A Youth Forum was conducted on 8 April 2004 and featured wide community representation from various religious and multicultural groups. Speakers included representatives from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints; Church of Christ; and The Anglican Church. Regional minority religions including Buddhism, Hinduism and Islam also participated in the forum's program.
Public seminar
A public seminar was held on 12 April 2004 and featured a presentation by prominent Sociologist, Emeritus Professor Jerzy Zubrzycki CBE, AO. Toowoomba Mayor, Councillor Dianne Thorley attended the event along with the following religious representatives: Vicar General of the Catholic diocese of Toowoomba Father Peter Dorfield; the Anglican Archdeacon of the Downs, the Venerable Fred Ailwood; Uniting Church Chairperson for the Downs, the Reverend Paul Jensen; Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Toowoomba Bishop Mr Jared Young; and Ms Julia Lieu representing The Venerable Master Kung of the Pure Land Learning College.
Academic forum
An academic forum was held on 13 April 2004 to foster the sharing of experiences of religion, peace and cultural diversity. The forum was attended by representatives from the University's academic and professional staff, and members of the Toowoomba Refugee and Migrants Support Centre (TRAMS). Key speakers included Emeritus Professor Jerzy Zubrzycki CBE AO and Professor of Asian Studies, Don McMillen.
Academic and public seminar
This seminar was held on 18 May 2004. Keynote speaker, Dr Terryl Givens, Professor of Literature and Religion, at the University of Richmond, Richmond Virginia, USA, delivered an address titled 'Chimeras of Boundless Grandeur: Religion, Romance and Mary Shelly's Frankenstein'. Dr Givens presentation was a comparative interpretation of the plight facing all religions in modern society with Shelly's classic Frankenstein.
Believing Women from a Culture of Peace
On Wednesday 11 August 2004 women from different religious and ethnic backgrounds attended two forums in Toowoomba to explore some of the stereotypes surrounding religious traditions in today's world. The forums allowed further dialogue between women representing tradition of Islam and Christianity. After the forum women brought a meal to share with the recent refugees at the Toowoomba Refugee and Migrant Support Centre.
Islamic Open Day
The Islamic Open Day was held in Toowoomba on Saturday, 14 August 2004, Sunday, 9 September 2006 and most recently on Saturday, 18 August 2007 at the USQ Islamic Centre. The event was also supported by the Islamic Council of Queensland. The Open Day gave an opportunity to Muslims and the wider community to mix and talk to members of the Muslim community.
Specific cultural activities during Open Day included:
For futher information on this event and the Islamic Society of Toowoomba Inc, please contact Associate Professor Shahjahan Khan on +61 9 4631 5532 or Mr William Conwell, Manager, USQ Multicultural Centre on +61 7 4631 1678.