To truly embrace cultural diversity, Australia needs to celebrate its indigenous people. 

That is belief of the outgoing executive officer of the central Victorian organisation supporting migrants and refugees.

Noemi Cummings, of Loddon Campaspe Multicultural Services, said it was amazing how many countries were represented in the population of Bendigo and its surrounds.

But she said society was preoccupied with the ‘visible migrants’ – people such as herself, she said.

“They don’t see, for example, the Canadians, the Dutch, the Scottish…” Ms Cummings said. 

“I just wonder whether we have a problem with our DNA, as a nation. Whether we are really accepting of differences.

“We need to be colour blind. People who are white also are migrants.” 

And people who weren’t of Anglo-Saxon appearance were also Australian, she observed.

Ms Cummings reflected on how history had, and was continuing to, influence Australia’s identity and its attitudes and actions on inclusion and acceptance.

Bendigo and District Aboriginal Co-operative deputy chief executive officer Baydon Widdicombe said there was scope for further discussion within the central Victorian community about cultural diversity.

“The whole thing about cultural diversity is inclusion, so actually listening to everyone’s point of view,” he said.

“Even within the Aboriginal community, there are different cultures.”

He said more than 60 Aboriginal languages were still in use.

“There were hundreds,” Mr Widdicombe said. 

He stressed the importance of a culturally safe environment for the community to discuss topics such as diversity – an issue that dominated conversation at a forum last week in Bendigo about the vision for a free and cosmopolitan city of the future. 

While such conversations might be controversial, Mr Widdicombe said he personally felt the community had become more inclusive. 

“It’s an individual thing,” he said. 

“You can’t comment on how everyone feels.”

City of Greater Bendigo partnerships manager Steven Abbott reiterated the need for open, respectful dialogue about cultural diversity following last week’s La Trobe University Bold Thinking event.

“The City of Greater Bendigo wants to be one of the most liveable communities around, and cultural inclusion and social cohesion is really important for a city to be liveable,” he said. 

The region, and the state, is in the midst of a week of festivities celebrating cultural diversity.

An interfaith forum and dinner and an AFL football and netball come and try day will take place in Bendigo on Thursday. 

Friday’s celebrations will take on a Bollywood theme, while the weekend will be a time for culturally-inspired craft activities.

The festival culminates in a family fun day at Rosalind Park from 11am – 4pm on Sunday.