Filmmaker Arman Merchant has created a short film about Parramatta's food culture, commissioned by Diversity Arts Australia. Titled Flavours of Parramatta, the film uses cinematic visuals to present the area's culinary diversity. Merchant, an award-winning cinematographer and director based in Sydney, said the project aimed to represent diversity through an authentic point of view. The film was made through the Creative Pathways Parramatta program, which supports artists from diverse backgrounds. It has been completed and colour-graded for social media distribution.
NSW Premier Chris Minns joined members of the Hindu community and other dignitaries for a Deepavali celebration in Sydney. The event was held at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Hindu Mandir and Cultural Precinct and hosted by the Hindu Council of Australia. Politicians Donna Davis and Daniel Mookhey also attended. Actor and model Saroni Roy later praised the event on social media, describing Deepavali as the Festival of Lights. She linked the celebration to Hindu Heritage Month and called for peace and understanding between communities.
Greek Cypriot community advocate Constantine Pagonis has received a Council on the Ageing Victoria Senior Achiever Award. The honour was presented on Tuesday, 20 October, as part of the 2026 Victorian Senior of the Year Awards. Pagonis has spent more than 40 years as a volunteer, mentor and advocate for culturally diverse communities. He has served on the Welcoming Cities governance committee since 2015 and edited a newsletter for the Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria. He also volunteers to digitise historical records at the Australian Jazz Museum.
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The Offbeat Sari, a touring exhibition by London's Design Museum, opens at Liverpool Powerhouse on 7 November and runs until 4 April 2027. Admission is free. It features more than 50 sari designs that explore contemporary fashion, new materials and identity. The exhibition coincides with the return of Liverpool City Council's Starry Sari Night, which moves to the Powerhouse this year. Liverpool Mayor Ned Mannoun said the event recognises the city's Indian and South Asian communities.
Labor MP Bisma Asif has visited Gurmat Vidyala Brisbane, where students are learning Punjabi and keeping their mother tongue alive. Asif spoke to students about her path into Parliament and the value of kindness. She met Anmol, a student who wants to become a space scientist and work at NASA. Asif said society must guard against hatred and division, and that families, schools and communities all have a role in teaching children respect and acceptance. She described Australia's diversity as one of its greatest strengths.
A Greek Australian community forum in Brunswick, Melbourne, discussed the future of multiculturalism in Victoria ahead of the state election on 28 November. Speakers from several parties and migrant organisations took part. George Lekakis, chair of Victoria’s Multicultural Review, outlined its 41 recommendations. Greens MP Anasina Gray-Barberio said only seven had been adopted by the Labor government. Liberal candidate Theo Zographos did not attend and no replacement was found. The organisers plan to continue the conversation beyond the election.
The editor's grandfather, a writer, died in August after a stay at Southern Cross Care Onkaparinga Lodge. Before his death he wrote down the names of more than 51 staff and the greetings they spoke in their languages. The editor thanks the team for the joy they brought him. The editorial also previews stories on migrant communities, including the Albanian community, Polish settlers and First Nations culture. It urges readers to share their own stories and reflect on the diversity that makes South Australia a wonderful place to live.
One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce has warned Australia could face violent unrest similar to riots reported in France. Speaking on 2GB, he said Australia needs a tougher approach to immigration and a shared national culture rather than an emphasis on multiculturalism. He argued that migrants who arrive without sufficient scrutiny could bring problems, and cited the Bondi attack as proof that such violence could occur at home. Mr Joyce also questioned whether French President Emmanuel Macron was capable of handling the unrest.
Journalist George Megalogenis has released Three Shocks: Who We Are Becoming in the 21st Century, a book on how Australia has changed since the turn of the century. He argues that a majority-migrant population and the rise of women in the workforce have reshaped the country's politics. He also examines the instability of Australia's ties with the United States and China. The reviewer describes the book as a detailed and well-crafted account of modern Australia. The book is published by Penguin.
Residents in the southern NSW town of Griffith are building art from local citrus for the town's annual spring festival. More than 100,000 oranges and grapefruits from local growers have gone into 60 sculptures on display in the Griffith CBD. Fruit is washed and waxed to keep its shine, and it will be juiced after the 14-day event. Jone Laweloa has built a Fijian house from oranges to honour his heritage, reflecting the town's many cultures. Griffith City Council's tourism manager says the festival celebrates the town's creativity, agriculture and community spirit.
Turkish migrant Serif Kaya came to Canberra in 1980 after a bus trip led him to explore the city alone. He later became the owner of Ottoman Cuisine, one of the capital's best-known restaurants. Kaya says migrants should mix with the wider community rather than live in enclaves, and that shared meals help people understand one another. He introduced many Australians to Turkish cuisine, and his customers have included several former and current prime ministers. Kaya says he feels at home in both Turkey and Canberra.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has rejected the idea that Australia was built on a single culture, praising the country's multicultural makeup. Speaking to the Federation of Ethnic Communities' Councils of Australia conference at Parliament House, he said many communities had added to the nation's identity. He did not directly name Pauline Hanson or One Nation, but his remarks responded to her June call for Australia to become a monoculture. Albanese said migrants contribute to health care, business and the economy. He also announced an $85.2 million investment in migration skills recognition reform.
Portarlington will host its second annual Greek Festival on 1 November, with more than 100 stalls and a range of entertainment. Organiser Alexandra Dascarellos says the event aims to bring people together and celebrate Greek Australian and wider multicultural culture. City of Greater Geelong mayor Stretch Kontelj will open the festival, which includes Greek-themed stalls, children's activities, live music and belly dancing. The festival runs from 10am to 5pm at the W.G. Little Reserve and inside the Seniors Community Hall and Parks Hall. Entry is by donation.
Con Pagonis OAM, Michael Constantine Zervos OAM and Krisoula Pavlidis have been named among the 2026 inductees to the Victorian Multicultural Honour Roll. The trio were recognised for their lifetime of service and leadership. The honour was presented as part of the 2026 Victorian Multicultural Awards for Excellence. Multicultural and Multifaith Victoria, which coordinates the awards, said the inductees had made a lasting impact on the state.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has urged Australians not to take multicultural harmony for granted. Speaking to community leaders at the FECCA2026 National Conference in Canberra, he said cultural and religious diversity remains one of the country's strengths. He said maintaining social cohesion requires continued effort. FECCA chief executive Prerana Mehta said the three-day gathering, held at Parliament House and Old Parliament House, would recognise migrant contributions. Mehta said debates about migration numbers, housing and cost of living should not diminish the value of multiculturalism.
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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says economic pressures should not be exploited for anti-immigration rhetoric. In a speech to the Federation of Ethnic Communities' Councils of Australia, he will argue that migrant communities are essential and have added to the nation's prosperity. Albanese said Australia's heart is multicultural. His remarks follow rising support for One Nation in opinion polls, with leader Pauline Hanson urging a monoculture. The Coalition and One Nation have both proposed lower migration numbers, while Labor has set a higher net overseas migration target.
New migrants feel they contribute strongly to the economy but are anxious they are not fully embraced, according to a report by the Centre for Independent Studies. Construction firms are calling for changes to skilled migration to ease workforce shortages. In Adelaide, glazier business owner Tom Hartley says he has struggled to find qualified staff. Master Builders South Australia's Melinda Maher says visa processing delays are still leaving employers waiting for approved workers.
