Harmony Week (17–23 March) was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our multicultural communities and the importance of inclusion. While the week has ended, our commitment to diversity and belonging continues year-round. We’re proud to champion initiatives that foster harmony, connection and unity across our venues in Australia and New Zealand.

To highlight this ongoing commitment, we’re sharing some incredible initiatives that showcase how our teams create welcoming and inclusive spaces for all.

Our teams at Ascot Vale Leisure Centre and Keilor East Leisure Centre, for example, introduced Belgravia Foundation’s ‘All In’ program in late 2024. The ‘All In” program aims to build swim instructors’ confidence and capacity to welcome, support and include people of diversity into Belgravia Leisure’s aquatic experiences; ultimately increasing participation.

The need for this program was identified at the venue’s community network forum and through consultation with CALD (Culturally and Linguistically Diverse) groups in the region. 

At Belgravia Leisure, we prioritise fostering a diverse workforce and promoting a culture of respect and acceptance. One inspiring example is team member Samer Kamal’s journey,  (now an assistant Venue Manager at Stromlo in ACT) who participated in our annual Workforce Diversification Survey. This survey is a chance for team members to share confidential personal information to allow Belgravia Leisure to learn more about our collective identity, ultimately to operate successfully in different locations and foster a workplace culture that embraces diversity and inclusivity. 

Belgravia Foundation is also proud to celebrate the remarkable success of the Refugee and Migrant Swimming Project, an initiative at Gungahlin Leisure Centre in ACT which has transformed water safety and swimming education for Canberra’s refugee and migrant communities. Running since 2021, the latest program again provided free, trauma-informed water safety and swimming lessons aimed at not only teaching lifesaving skills but fostering social cohesion and supporting diverse communities.

Lastly, Moree Artesian Aquatic Centre has recently hosted an event which saw the Moree community come together to mark the 60th anniversary of the historic 1965 Freedom Ride. The Freedom Ride is considered a turning point in the fight for Aboriginal rights in Australia.

This event is a powerful example of how our venues can serve as places of learning, healing and unity, ensuring that history is honoured and a brighter, more inclusive future is built together.  

We make it a priority to participate in important community events that promote social cohesion such as Harmony Week, Cultural Diversity Week, IDAHOBIT and NAIDOC Week. We are dedicated to fostering connections and building bridges within our diverse communities. 

As we continue our commitment to inclusion and diversity beyond Harmony Week, we encourage our staff, members and communities to celebrate and embrace the richness of our differences every day. Together, let’s keep working towards a more harmonious and inclusive future for all.

You can learn more about our social inclusion commitment here or see more on the Belgravia Foundation website.  

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