The Australian Sports Commission is proud to be a supporter of Harmony Day. Sport is a universal language and offers the opportunity for Australians to engage and connect with people of all cultural backgrounds. It brings communities together and provides inspiration for other people to become involved. This year’s Harmony Day theme recognises the important role that sport plays in shaping Australia’s culture.

We are working in partnership with the sports sector to provide opportunities for all Australians to participate in sport. Whether it’s as an official, coach, volunteer or player – there are so many different ways that everyone can play, engage and inspire through sport.

The AFL is proud to support Harmony Day because we believe our game reflects Australia's cultural diversity. As the son of migrants, Australian football gave me an opportunity to connect with the community. It brings together people, young and old, regardless of their cultural background. Football gives them a common cause, a common pursuit and a common language.
See: Harmony Hero Bachar Houli

Cricket Australia is dedicated to making cricket a truly inclusive sport by catering to the diverse needs of Australia’s population through specialised programs and pathways. We are a proud supporter of Harmony Day and the activities that help to bring all people together to strengthen our communities. Irrespective of your age, gender, religion, or cultural background, cricket is a game for you!
See: Harmony Hero Lisa Sthalekar

Harmony Day is a reminder that we are all part of the one team. For over a century Rugby League has cut across social barriers to bring together supporters and participants from all walks of life and all backgrounds – and that is why we encourage all fans to show their support for the Harmony Day campaign.

Harmony Day celebrates the way we can all live together, respecting the individual talents and backgrounds that are the keys to success in any team.
See: Harmony Hero Hazem El Masri

Football has a unique position in that it is a sport that is played in every country around the world. It can be said that Football is a universal language that helps break down cultural divides and allows people of all nations and backgrounds to share a common passion. With our nation having such a diverse, multicultural composition, the faces of Australia are the faces of Football.

Football Federation Australia is proud to support Harmony Day 2012 and encourages all Australians to embrace the celebration of cultural diversity in our community.
See: Harmony Hero Craig Foster 

Netball Australia is extremely proud to be a supporter of Harmony Day. As Australia’s leading female sport, netball strives to deliver fair, safe, inclusive, respectful and supportive environments for all Australians. We believe that netball offers the enjoyment of participation, a sense of belonging and life-long involvement no matter whether that’s as a player, coach, official, administrator, volunteer or fan.

Netball Australia and the State Netball Associations are committed to leading social change, strengthening and building capacity and capability in communities, and providing innovative and sustainable netball programs to empower women and girls. We look forward to playing our part in promoting the values of Harmony Day.
See: Harmony Hero Mo’onia Gerrard

Play by the Rules is proud to be a supporter of Harmony Day and its aim to encourage everyone, regardless of their background, to take part in a sporting activity.

Whether participating competitively or having fun with friends recreationally, sport can be such a vibrant and fun part of life – and something that all participants and spectators should be able to do in a safe, fair and inclusive environment.

Sport offers an opportunity for people from diverse backgrounds to come together and interact on a social level. It breaks down barriers in a unique way by encouraging participation, inclusion and enhances community harmony.

We encourage all Australians to get behind this year’s key message and ‘Play, engage and inspire’.

Australia is recognised as one of the most multicultural countries in the world and initiatives like Harmony Day and A Taste of Harmony provide all Australians with the opportunity to celebrate our great cultural diversity.

Immigration has been such a significant and successful part of our development as a nation. It’s easy to lose sight of just how remarkable it is that we live relatively peacefully amid this wonderful melting pot of cultures, beliefs and traditions.

This March, I encourage everyone to get involved whether it is joining a local community event, hosting a lunch in your workplace to introduce colleagues to the food of your culture or taking part in a debate in your school on what cultural diversity means to you.

Our cohesive, culturally diverse society is something for which we should all feel proud and definitely well worth celebrating.
See: A Taste of Harmony

The partnership between DIAC and SBS for Harmony Day is a very natural one, marrying our passion and expertise in football with our desire to promote a more inclusive Australian society through our joint project – The Harmony Game. Football is an obvious choice for Harmony Day because it is the world game; it can be played by all ages, anywhere, anytime.

It’s a healthy and inclusive way to promote a better understanding of diversity and social inclusion in Australia.
See:
Harmony Hero Craig Foster
The Harmony Game

Harmony Day is naturally linked to the Australian Human Rights Commission’s goals.  Respect for human rights is the cornerstone of strong communities in which everyone, regardless of their background, can make a contribution and feel included.

The partnership between the Australian Human Rights Commission and the Department of Immigration and Citizenship on the National Anti-Racism Partnership Strategy further highlights the message for all Australians - to celebrate a sense of belonging for everyone and to promote community participation, inclusiveness and respect.

It is fitting then that the Commission supports a day that observes the nation’s greatest celebration of diversity.
See: National Anti-Racism Partnership and Strategy

Red Cross is proud to continue our support of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship to encourage young people and schools to celebrate Harmony Day.  As an organisation that embraces diversity and respects cultural, racial and religious differences, we are delighted to be continuing a partnership that promotes these values.

Red Cross encourages and supports the development of strong relationships between people from different cultural backgrounds through our everyday work. This is the particular focus of our Y Challenge – celebrating diversity program. By participating in Harmony Day with Red Cross Y Challenge, young people can change their communities and their country by helping to build a more harmonious and inclusive society.
See: Red Cross Y Challenge

Girl Guides Australia is proud to once again support Harmony Day. The enduring message, Everyone Belongs, is in keeping with our purpose of enabling young girls and women from all walks of life to have fun, develop friendships and build life skills. We want all young girls to become confident, self-respecting and responsible community members.

Our program is underpinned by diversity and equality.  As we reach out to  communities, we hope to welcome a new generation of girls and young women from a full range  of backgrounds and  cultures. Our team of volunteers will also grow to reflect our diverse and multicultural society. With 2012 marking our  eight year of support for Harmony Day, we look forward to once again playing a part in promoting the values of a culturally diverse and inclusive society.

As a member of the global Scouting movement based on acceptance and friendship, Scouts Australia has enthusiastically supported Harmony Day since 2000. Scouting is committed to peace and youth development, and since our foundation 104 years ago, we have done this by embracing the diversity of those we share this planet with. Participating in Harmony Day activities is an excellent opportunity for Scouts Australia's Youth Members to learn about others and to demonstrate our principles to the wider community. We are delighted to be involved again.

2012 marks the fourth year of Unisys's support of Harmony Day. We feel very privileged to partner the Department of Immigration and Citizenship in promoting and celebrating Harmony Day. As a services company, people are our business. That's why at Unisys, ‘everyone belongs’ is a core belief and we recognise the value of each individual's unique set of life experiences, ideas, perspectives and skills. We look forward to strengthening our relationship with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship and supporting Harmony Day for many years to come.

Harmony is one of life’s sacred and special things. It makes the world go round. We embrace, nurture and encourage harmony within our workplace. We couldn’t be prouder to put our support behind the Harmony Day Campaign so the message of harmony can spread across Australia in 2012.

Local Government Managers Australia (LGMA) has been an ongoing supporter of Harmony Day and continues to promote participation by Australian local government, which is directly responsible for delivering programs and activities that give real meaning to everyone belongs.

Councils are a significant provider of sporting facilities – recreation centres, swimming pools, courts, grounds and ovals. The 2012 Harmony Day theme is Sport and the importance Sport plays in celebrating our cultural diversity.

Councils are a natural partner to this year’s Harmony Day and will contribute greatly to its success.