Festival showcases the flavour of Townsville’s thriving communities

Townsville residents have come together at the 2018 Townsville Food Festival to celebrate multiculturalism and hear about the Palaszczuk Government’s efforts to create safe, healthy and better connected communities.

Speaking at the festival today (14 April), Minister for Communities Coralee O'Rourke said she was delighted to be a part of a community event that was bringing people together and encouraging harmony and inclusion.

“Townsville is a diverse community made up of people from a rich variety of cultural, linguistic and religious backgrounds,” Mrs O’Rourke said.

“This festival is a great opportunity to showcase some beautiful foods and flavours, while at the same time, building a more inclusive city.”

The Townsville Food Festival has been held at JCU’s Sir George Kneipp Auditorium.

Mrs O’Rourke said supporting all Queenslanders to be engaged and empowered in their communities was one of the government’s highest priorities.

“That’s why we are driving a plan to create thriving communities that put people’s needs first,” she said.

“Here in Townsville, we already have a number of examples of how we’re achieving thriving communities.

“This includes The Oasis Townsville project that will provide a one-stop-shop of social and employment support for our large defence community in this region.

“This hub will be the backbone organisation to tackle important community issues such as social isolation, suicide, domestic violence, homelessness and unemployment.”

The Townsville Food Festival has been organised by the Townsville Islamic Society (TIS), and has received funding from the Queensland Government’s We Are Queensland small grants program.

These grants support projects that encourage social cohesion by linking families or connecting neighbours and communities.

ENDS

Media Contact: Benjamin Mulcahy 0419 562 389