Harmony Week: Everyone Belongs
Harmony Week is about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone.
In 2022, Harmony Week will be celebrated from 21-27 March.
Our shared Australian values of respect, equality and freedom go beyond our different cultures, and are what makes Australia such a great place to live.
Discover a treasure trove of resources celebrating inclusiveness, respect, and a sense of belonging for everyone, available at Western Downs Libraries!
For kids
Why I Love Australia: Celebrating Australia in Children’s Very Own Words by Daniel Howarth (2019)
This beautiful book combines endearing things said by children about Australia, with fun illustrations of cute Australian animals.
Yakanarra Song Book: About Our Place in Wolmajarri and English by Jessie Wamarla Moora (2016)
In this fabulous book are 14 songs: 10 in Wolmajarri language and 4 in English, all beautifully illustrated by kids from Yakanarra Community School. There are songs about how the Wolmajarri come to Yakanarra, and their special places. Animals, birds, sounds they make. Hunting, fishing, collecting bush food, and more. Sung to tunes of well-known classics, the songs were written to help kids at Yakanarra speak Wolmajarri, but this is a book to be treasured and enjoyed by all.
Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes by Mem Fox and Helen Oxenbury (2009)
As everyone knows, nothing is sweeter than tiny baby fingers and chubby baby toes… From 2 of the most gifted picture book creators of our time, here is a celebration of babies and the joy they bring all over the world! A perfect read-aloud picture book, full of warmth and appeal. Bonus: also available as a Take-Home Kit.
Respect by Aunty Fay Muir and Sue Lawson (2020)
A tender, thoughtful story reminding us to respect others and respect ourselves.
This beautiful picture book is part of the Our Place series, which welcomes children to culture.
We Are All People by Zanni Louise (2021)
Whoever we are, whatever we do, however we think, we know this is true: That we are all people, some big and some small, sharing a world big enough for us all. A joyful celebration of difference and all the important things that unite humanity.
For everyone
Welcome to Country: a Travel Guide to Indigenous Australia by Marcia Langton (2018)
A comprehensive, curated guidebook to Indigenous Australia and the Torres Strait Islands. Discover insights into Indigenous languages and customs, history, native title, art and dance, storytelling, and cultural awareness and etiquette for visitors. Includes directory of Indigenous tourism experiences, organised by state or territory, covering galleries and festivals, national parks and museums, communities open to visitors, plus tours and performances. Essential reading for anyone travelling Australia who wants to learn more about the culture that has thrived here for over 50,000 years. Also offers the chance to enjoy tourism opportunities that will show you a different side of our fascinating country – one that remains dynamic, and is filled with openness and diversity.
Cousins by Patricia Grace (2021)
Mata, Makareta, and Missy, three Maori cousins, once shared a magical childhood moment. They have since followed separate and very different paths, yet their struggles offer insightful glimpses into the lives of contemporary New Zealand women. Patricia Grace’s keen eye records the psychological, cultural, and political circumstances that color and circumscribe their worlds in this engaging, compassionate story. Bonus: also available on DVD at Western Downs Libraries.
Sand Talk: How Indigenous Thinking Can Save the World by Tyson Yunkaporta (2019)
What happens when global systems are viewed from an Indigenous perspective? How does it affect the way we see history, money, power and learning? Could it change the world? This remarkable book is about everything from echidnas to evolution, cosmology to cooking, science and spirits to Schrodinger’s cat. Tyson Yunkaporta looks at global systems from an Indigenous perspective. He asks how contemporary life diverges from the pattern of creation. How does this affect us? How can we do things differently?
Disney Pixar’s Coco [DVD] (2018)
Despite his family’s generations-old ban on music, Miguel dreams of becoming an accomplished musician like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz. Desperate to prove his talent, Miguel finds himself in the colorful Land of the Dead after a mysterious chain of events. Along the way, he meets charming trickster Hector. Together, they set off on an extraordinary journey to unlock the real story behind Miguel’s family history.
People of Peace: 40 Inspiring Icons by Sandrine Mirza (2018)
Dreamers, leaders, teachers… meet 40 amazing advocates for peace! From Martin Luther King’s dream, to Gandhi’s protest, to Nelson Mandela’s struggle, discover how each of these people dedicated their lives to making the world a better place in their own peaceful way. Learn how these heroes from history changed the world in this inspiring book, packed with hundreds of incredible facts. Who will you choose as your hero?
Language Resources