QUEENSLAND SHOWDOWN TO PROMOTE CULTURAL HARMONY

Multicultural Affairs Queensland and the Queensland Roar FC are teaming up again for this Friday’s football match at Suncorp Stadium.

Multicultural Affairs Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr said following the success of the Queensland Roars Against Racism showdown, this week’s match against Wellington Phoenix will go a long way to promoting the stand against racism.

“It’s great to this A-League match on the Queensland Multicultural Festival program supporting cultural diversity and anti-racism,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.

“On the night there’ll be 22 Maioha Maori Haka Dancers led by Jack Berryman in what is guaranteed to be a crowd pleaser,” she said.

“No doubt musicians and Queensland Multicultural Award winners Sam Okoth and Nii Armah will be drumming up a storm during the curtain-raiser entertainment.

“The curtain raiser itself will involve two Brisbane State high schools, Earnshaw State College V Kedron State High School, who have been taking part in a Refugee Program.

The Refugee Program is a partnership between the Queensland Roar FC, Brisbane City Council and Education Queensland and involves six schools who are using football to break down barriers.

Ms Nelson-Carr said the match was a great lead-in to the 2007 Queensland Multicultural Festival which is on next Sunday, October 14, at Roma Street Parkland.

“The Festival will be a great showcase featuring music, film, craft, storytelling, photography, cultural heritage and activities for kids as well as mums and dads,” she said.

The Festival, now in its fourth year, was developed by the Queensland Government to highlight the importance of cultural diversity in the Smart State.

It has drawn crowds totalling more than 120,000 people since the inaugural Festival was held in 2004.

For further information on the 2007 Queensland Multicultural Festival Events, visit www.multiculturalfestival.qld.gov.au

Media contact: Minister’s Office 3235 4280