By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
RESPECT was the key word at the Casey Multi-faith Network’s sixth annual gathering earlier this month.
The night, held at Nossal High School, included a range of performances from various international and religious groups as each person involved learned more about other cultures, and continues to do so.
Network member and former president Pam Mamouney said the theme ‘respect’ was chosen for this year’s gathering after working closely with the City of Casey’s MultiPride program.
“I attend initiatives for the Casey Cardinia refugee settlement program and am very interested in the MultiPride program,” she said.
“Teachers were finding that students from different cultures were clashing with each other and in helping to put these groups together we are stopping the fighting.”
The annual gathering was a night full of song and dance, with performances from Buddhist singers, Sikh singers, Cook Islander dancers and many other arrangements.
Casey councillors Mick Morland and Geoff Ablett also attended the night which showcased the great work the Multi-faith Network does for different cultures within the community.
Ms Mamouney established the Casey network over six years ago, having recognised a need for it after also being a long-time member of Greater Dandenong’s network.
She said the 2013 annual gathering was a re-affirmation of the network’s influence on the community.
“There was a standing ovation at one point, everyone loved it, I loved it,” Ms Mamouney said.
“We are overcoming these tensions and everyone is becoming a lot more tolerant.
“We are getting there.”
