Concert and Dinner at Civic Centre
On Friday night, 27 March 2026, over 200 visitors enjoyed a concert at the Camden Civic Centre, celebrating Camden’s rich cultural tapestry, food, music, and unforgettable performances.
Camden Council invited local residents to ‘ share a meal, enjoy diverse cultural performances and connect with neighbours from all walks of life’. (Camden Council 2026a)
The cultural concert is the fourth year of the Multicultural March celebrations in the Camden LGA. There was a program of 9 events throughout Multicultural March. (Camden Council 2026b)
The first Camden Cultures Concert and Dinner was held on Friday, 17 March 2023 at Julia Reserve Community Centre in Oran Park. (Camden Council 2023)
The 2026 concert and dinner were just one part of the celebration, and within the month was Harmony Week, Monday 16 to Sunday 22 March, with the theme ‘Everyone Belongs’. This ‘reinforces the importance of embracing multiculturalism and ensuring all people feel valued, regardless of their background’. (Camden Council 2026b)
Harmony Day, an initiative of the Federal Government, on Saturday 21 March, is a chance for all Australians to celebrate our cultural diversity, stand against racism and reaffirm the values of respect, inclusion and belonging. (Camden Council 2026b)
Multicultural Reference Group
The Cultural Concert and Dinner had six performances and was sponsored by the Camden Council Multicultural Reference Group. The reference group consists of eight community members, five organisational members, and three councillors.
Two of the primary objectives of the Multicultural Reference Group are
(1) Educate/build capacity, provide support and direction to Council staff regarding building community cohesion and resilience in the Camden Local Government Area (LGA)
(2) Support Council to plan, organise, implement and evaluate cultural, recreational and social activities/events that promote and support cultural diversity, awareness and acceptance
The reference group was formed in 2008 after the Camden LGA attracted international media attention following an application to build an Islamic school just outside the township on the Burragorang Road. The ensuing moral panic over the development application sparked enormous controversy in the local and national media.
According to Ryan Al-Natour
Two conservative anti-Muslim groups from outside the local area joined the cause, and several non-local politicians were involved in campaigning against the school. (Al-Nateur 2013)
The controversy raged for two years from 2007 to 2009, with the federal government providing funding to create the Camden Council Multicultural Reference Group.
Camden Mayor, Counsellor Theresa Fedeli
Mayor Theresa Fedeli said
“We are so incredibly lucky to have such a beautiful and diverse community here in Camden,” she said.
“Our residents have ancestry from more than 128 different cultural backgrounds; they hail from more than 99 birthplaces across the world; speak more than 85 languages in our homes; and observe more than 40 different religions.
“The contributions all these different cultures, religions and traditions have had on our local community and indeed on the country as a whole is immeasurable. We have all benefitted from our differences that come together so beautifully.” (Camden Council 2026b)
Mayor Fedeli maintains
“Multicultural March is all about promoting inclusion, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone,” she said.
“Events like this shine a spotlight on the stories, meals, music, traditions and customs of the many beautiful cultures that call Camden home, as well as some incredible local talent. (Camden Council 2026a)
Dance Performances
Each dance performance was met with enthusiastic audience applause, whistles, and cheers.
Kwetu 4 Communities, a group set to perform traditional African dances and drumming
Kwetu 4 Communities, a non-government organisation that promotes cultural understanding and trauma healing. At Kwetu 4 Communities, we bring over 15 years of experience in promoting cross-cultural partnerships and community transformation. (Kwetu4communities.org 2025)
Carey Academy of Irish Dance
The Carey Academy of Irish Dance (also known as Carey South West Academy) is a successful Irish dancing school based in Smeaton Grange and Wollongong, NSW. They offer classes for all skill levels, from beginner to National Championship, catering to ages 18 months and up. (Facebook)
Raunakaan Bhangra Group, light up the stage with Punjabi folk dancing
Raunakaan Bhangra Group is a vibrant Punjabi folk dance group based in Sydney, known for energetic performances at community events like Diwali at Powerhouse Castle Hill and Cultural Carnivale. They promote the Punjabi cultural legacy and offer Bhangra classes for children and adults in areas such as Emerald Hills and Oran Park. (Facebook)
Polish Folklore Ensemble – Podhale.
The Podhale Polish Folklore Ensemble is a community song-and-dance group based in Sydney, Australia, established in 2009 to promote Polish cultural traditions. Located in Canley Vale, the ensemble specialises in authentic dances from 25 Polish regions, including highland dances, and serves junior, middle, and senior groups. (Facebook)
Grupo Folclorico Alerce, which is a South American dance group.
Grupo Folclórico Alerce is a Sydney-based youth dance group established in May 2023, celebrating Chilean culture and traditions. Comprised of young Chilean-Australians, the group performs vibrant, traditional dances—including La Cueca—and live music, serving as a vital connection to their heritage in Australia. (Instagram)
Spirit of the Islands Dance Company, performing traditional Polynesian dances.
Spirit of the Islands Dance Company (Team Soti), founded in the mid-1990s, is Australia’s longest-running Polynesian entertainment group. They perform traditional and contemporary Pacific Island dances, featuring vibrant costumes,, music, and storytelling. (Instagram)
Reflections on the concert
The Indians in Australia Facebook page stated that the 2026 Camden Cultural Concert & Dinner was ‘truly something special’ and ‘ was a beautiful reminder of what Australia stands for’.
The Facebook page continued
Under one roof, we saw cultures come alive… From Polish traditions to Irish spirit, from the richness of African heritage to the colours and warmth of Indian culture – and so many more stories in between. Different languages. Different journeys. But one shared feeling: we all belong. In a world that often feels divided, nights like this bring us back to what really matters: Connection. Respect. Unity. This is the Australia we believe in. This is the community we are proud to be part of. Let’s continue to show up for each other, learn from one another, and celebrate the diversity that makes us stronger. (Indians in Australia 2026)
Camden Mayor Counsellor Theresa Fedeli said
What. A. Night. Camden Cultures had it all: incredible food, vibrant performances, amazing music… and yes, I somehow ended up on stage dancing (no regrets!). As part of Multicultural March, this event brings our community together to celebrate the cultures, traditions and stories that make Camden such a vibrant place to call home. From talented local performers to flavours from around the world, it’s a true celebration of inclusion, respect and belonging. Huge thank you to Camden’s Multicultural Reference Group, Community and Cultural Teams for such a fantastic night. (Mayor of Camden 2026)
Conclusion
The Camden Council Cultural Concert and Dinner was sponsored by the Camden Council Multicultural Reference Group. Given the controversy that caused the creation of the reference group in 2008, the cultural concert was a huge success.
The concert and dinner provided a safe space with shared values, created a sense of inclusion, and a trusting environment that strengthened relationships across different cultures. This environment fostered shared values and created a sense of belonging on the evening.
The performance groups shared their love of dance and were allowed to experience and share another culture. The aim of some dance troops was to share aspects of their homeland’s culture with a younger generation that has grown up in Australia.
The concert and dinner allowed the participants to share a sense of place and help build a community identity within the Camden LGA by creating a story of dance about the evening’s event. These types of events bridge cultural diversity by allowing an opportunity for others to display their culture through active citizenship.
The evening allowed participants to work together harmoniously toward the shared goal of entertainment and to have a good time. Each of the dances tells a story which, when brought together, creates another level of storytelling
Historian Andrea Gaynor argues that the history of a culture, here expressed in dance, can build bridges’ at a local level…that transcends divisions of race, ethnicity or income’ by creating stories. (Gaynor 2025)
References
Camden Council 2023. Let’s celebrate multiculturalism together. Media Release. Oran Park. Online at https://www.camden.nsw.gov.au/media-centre/latest-news/lets-celebrate-multiculturalism-together (Accessed 29/3/26)
Camden Council 2026a. Celebrating cultures in Camden. Media Release. Camden Council, Oran Park, 17 March. Online at https://www.camden.nsw.gov.au/media-centre/latest-news/celebrating-cultures-in-camden (Accessed 29/3/26)
Camden Council 2026b. Multicultural March is back for 2026. Media Release. Oran Park. 18 February. Online at https://www.camden.nsw.gov.au/media-centre/latest-news/multicultural-march-is-back-for-2026 (Accessed 20/3/26)
Gaynor, Andrea 2025. ‘Regenerative histories for troubled times’. History Australia v22, n4, pp526-527.
Indians in Australia 2026. Indians in Sydney Post. Facebook. 27 March. Online at https://www.facebook.com/Indians1nSydney/posts/tonight-something-truly-special-happened-in-camden-the-camden-cultures-dinner-co/1256329193271707/#?dbc (Accessed 29/3/26)
Kwetu4communities.org. (2025). Home. [online] Available at: https://kwetu4communities.org/ (Accessed 28 Mar. 2026).
Mayor of Camden 2026. Mayor of Camden, Cr Therese Fedeli and Camden Council. Facebook. 28 March. Online at https://www.facebook.com/crtheresefedeli (Accessed 29/3/26)
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