Last year, South Australia’s Proclamation Day was commemorated on Dec 28. This occasion was made more memorable due to the presentation of the new Governor’s Civics Awards to primary and secondary students.

Last year we shared the essay that then Year 7 student, Sasindu Maheepala wrote on the topic, ‘Why is an understanding of diversity in Australian society important to our future? ‘ See below for Sasindu’s award winning entry.

The ceremony was a very proud moment for Sasindu and his family (his grandmother, mother Vihara, sister Diyasha and brother Ramindu) and for me as his principal. Pictured above is Sasindu with his family and the  governor of South  Australia, Hieu van Le. Pictured below, Sasindu with the Premier, Steven Marshall and Amanda Wilson, mayor of the city of Holdfast Bay.

On a sad note, Sasindu’s dad, Kalinga was not able to be there as he has been stranded in Angola since the outbreak of COVID early last year. I am sure that he has seen many photos of the event and felt a great sense of pride from afar. We wish Kalinga a speedy and safe return home to his family and Unley Primary School.

We congratulate Sasindu for taking on this challenge and in recognising how our diversity strengthens us as a community. We are sure that he will continue his great work at Glenunga International High School this year.

 

Why is an understanding of diversity in Australian society important to our future?

“Our ability to reach unity in diversity will be the beauty and the test of our civilization.”

Mahatma Gandhi

The beauty of a rainbow lies in the blend of different colours, as the beauty of a nation lies in the diversity of its people. As Gandhi once said, our capability to achieve ‘unity in diversity’ will be the test that challenges our civilization. Diversity is the understanding between human beings that we are unique and that we are different. It is recognizing the differences in our races, genders, ages, beliefs and the many differences between individual living beings. Diversity helps our economy, businesses and schools because diversity is different, but is the only similarity between all human beings.

Australia is extremely attractive to migrants because of its diversity. People looking for a better home and a brighter future for their children, look for multiculturally diverse countries. The Australian Human Rights Commission reports that the migrant contribution to the Australian economy is more than 10 billion dollars in their first decade in Australia. Migrants also contribute to cultural diversity, weaving a colourful mosaic in Australian society. This cultural mosaic makes Australia a rich treasure trove of talent, a vibrant mix of beliefs and ideas which brings a constant influx of new ideas and innovations. Cultural diversity also provides a competitive advantage in attracting international students. Education is the fourth largest export in Australia, contributing over $17 billion dollars each year to the Australian economy. A diverse community also brings a diverse range of foods. Australia is fortunate to be the host to different types of cuisine from all over the world, thus appealing to international tourists. This is because we have a diverse range of people.

Embracing diversity in workplaces creates a new generation of new ideas. Not just cultural diversity, but diversity between different people. Diversity has already helped many companies around the world, such as Google. The CEO of Google, Sundar Pichai, is an Indian who studied and grew up in India. It was because Google embraced diversity and accepted Sundar Pichai as a student, that he is now the CEO of Google and has contributed to Google, making Google as successful as it is now. When companies embrace diversity, they will succeed. Even though we are all human, we do not think in the same way. This is why making workplaces in Australia diverse will benefit us all.

Schools such as Glenunga International High School produce some of the most academically successful people in Australia, because it is diverse. Diversity makes everyone feel included. According to the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework, children achieve better outcomes when their diverse strengths, interests and cultural practices are understood and supported. Respecting diversity is vital for children to develop a strong sense of self identity. Equity and diversity are linked to children developing a strong sense of belonging and wellbeing. This helps them to become effective and confident communicators, and involved learners. Children’s quality learning experiences set them up for academic success in later life. This benefits them and their country. This is why diversity will help us young Australian succeed in our future, making our parents and our country proud.

Diversity has benefited the Australian community much, helping the indigenous people of Australia, the First Nation’s people, be recognized and allowing them and migrants from other countries across the world, be recognized as equal citizens. The more diverse we become, the better a place Australia becomes.

Together as a diverse society we stand strong, but divided we fall. Diversity in our society helps our economy. This benefits everyone in Australia. Embracing diversity in workplaces have helped many businesses and companies succeed, making all employees not feel discrimination even though everyone is different. We must continue to embrace differences in Australian schools so that all students feel a strong sense of belonging and so that all people will be treated the same way and be recognized as equals, so that we can succeed, like we already are, today and tomorrow. As a child of migrants, I want to make my parents and my new country proud, because I feel included and because I belong. I may be different, as all people are different to one another, but I feel like I am equal to everyone else, and that is what I believe all people who live in Australia should feel, so that we can all contribute to making Australia great.

“We are one, but we are many
And from all the lands on earth we come
We’ll share a dream and sing with one voice
I am, you are, we are Australian”