The Multicultural Festival is just a week away and the committee is still looking for 21-year-olds to get involved and also wants suggestion for who should jump out of a celebratory cake.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
On the 21st anniversary of the festival, president Tony McGrady said each year the festival celebrated a particular country through their music, dancing, culture, food and drink and the ambassador of that country usually attended.
“This year it will be different, we are having a 21st birthday party. Glencore will provide a huge birthday cake and during the official proceedings we will have somebody jump out of the cake,” Mr McGrady said.
“We are looking for the public of Mount Isa to suggest which local person or Identity should be given the honour of jumping out of the cake.”
Mr McGrady said they were also wanting as many people as possible who will be having their 21st birthday this year to participate in the Grand Parade at the Festival.
“The Festival will have amazing international food, a café and bar, a $10,000 draw, raffles, cent sales, kids games, jumping castle, glow products and lots more,” he said.
“Every time a patron buys something from one of the stalls they will receive a ticket and later in the evening a ticket will be drawn and the winner will receive $1000 – they must be present to win.”
The Festival will be on Friday September 2 at the Good Shepherd Church grounds in Stanley St starting at 6pm.
The Festival will be opened by Grace Grace, state Minister for Multicultural Affairs and staff from the Federal Department of Immigration will be available for discussions with the public.
If you have any suggestions to who should jump out of the birthday cake, email them to us at nwseditorial@fairfaxmedia.com.au.
Mr McGrady said the festival started 21 years ago when Fr Mick Lowcock hit on the idea of celebrating multiculturism in Mount Isa.
“In the 50s and 60s Mount Isa Mines had a proud boast that their workforce contained people from 52 different countries.”
“These included two Eskimos and community offered the hand of friendship to these people who had left war torn Europe following the second world war in search of a new life for themselves and their families.” Mr McGrady said.
“In later years we have received a large influx of families from the Philippines, New Zealand, the Indian sub continent and Africa.”
Derek Barry
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
