Cultures come together at Fusion Festival

Living libraries, bush tucker barbecues, storytelling and dancing will be just some of the activities on offer as part of Southern Cross University’s annual Fusion Festival, from September 6 to 9.

Activities are planned at the Lismore, Coffs Harbour and Gold Coast and Tweed Heads campuses for the Festival, which celebrates cultural diversity at the University and in the wider community. The theme is 'UNIty in diVERSITY: the coming together of cultures and communities'.

Julie Porter, equity and diversity officer, said the Fusion Festival was free and open to all members of the public.

“We have a wonderful range of activities planned across our campuses to celebrate the diversity of our staff and students, and in our communities. We are really encouraging members of the community to come and join in the activities,” Ms Porter said.

“We want to foster an increased understanding of different cultures and enhance communal harmony through interaction in various forms - from cultural to social, intellectual and sporting events.”

A highlight of this year’s Fusion Festival is a photographic competition, with the theme UNIty in diversity ‘embracing generations’.

The winner of the competition will be announced at the official opening of the Fusion Festival at the Lismore campus on Monday, September 6, from 4pm. The photos will remain on display in the Lismore campus library and at Coffs Harbour and the Gold Coast for the remainder of the week.

Highlights of the program include:

Lismore campus

Monday, September 6, 4pm: Official opening, Lismore campus library.

Tuesday, September 7, 11am to 2pm, SCU Plaza: activities will include a showcase of international costumes, international tea tasting, Bundjalung dances and songs and Japanese dancers. From 12pm to 1pm, enjoy international food tasting and a bush tucker barbecue. The Lismore Living Library will also be held in Student Services lounge. 6pm to 9pm: Mixed-Up Reels Fusion Film Night, Whitebrook theatre.

Wednesday, September 8, noon to 1pm: Thai Chi with Jim Hobbs.

Coffs Harbour

Tuesday, September 7, 11.45am – 12.30pm: official opening, games and activities, Masterchef BBQ competition – D block theatre.

Wednesday, September 8: 10am to 3pm – Living Library in the Sacred Garden; 11.45am to 1pm – lion dance, henna competition and Masterchef BBQ competition, D Block theatre.

Thursday, September 9: 11.30am to 12.30pm – Culture costume parade and lunchtime games, D Block; 12.30pm Japanese tea ceremony, Sacred Garden.

Gold Coast and Tweed Heads

Thursday, September 9: 1.30pm - opening of English Language Centre, SCU Riverside campus, Brett Street, Tweed Heads; 2pm- Fusion Food Festival, SCU Riverside campus foyer; 4pm – Fusion Photographic Exhibition, Gold Coast campus library balcony.

For the full program visit: www.scu.edu.au/fusion