Harmony Week 2025: Finding connection and harmony in walking together

Harmony Week (17-21 March 2025) offered a time to celebrate diversity and how the simple act of walking can bring together people living in Australia from all different backgrounds. This year’s theme was ‘everyone belongs’, highlighting the importance of inclusiveness and respect that can foster a sense of belonging for everyone.

The stories featured below paint a beautiful picture of the rich cultural diversity of many Heart Foundation Walking participants and how the simple act of walking can bring communities together.  

Brilliant Support Walking Group (Rostrevor, South Australia)

Walk organiser: Jill

"Our local community is a multicultural community with people from all over the world and everyone is welcome to join us.  The walkers also encourage their friends, neighbours and family to join our group and walkers are of English, Welsh, Asian, Greek, Italian, Canadian, Iranian, Polish, Holland  backgrounds

I foster the group by welcoming them each morning as friends and family. Introduce new walkers to the group and make them welcome. I treat everyone equally but also treat people as to who they really are. 

I don’t put any pressure on my walkers and always enforce that we are a free group. The walk is for them. 

Will you be celebrating Harmony Week?  If so, how will you do this?  
We will be walking together, share a morning tea together and wearing something orange for Harmony Week. March also coincides with our 16th year of walking together!"

*Jill (pictured right) was also awarded an award of recognition in 2023 in the South Australian Governors Multicultural Awards in the Senior Volunteer category in recognition for her work within the community (including her group the Brilliant Support Walking Group) 
 

STEPS Multicultural Walking Group (Casuarina, Northern Territory)

Walk organiser: Natalia

"Our walking group, in collaboration with STEPS Casuarina, has been an incredible opportunity to bring people together from various backgrounds. It's more than just a walk; it's about connecting, sharing experiences, and practicing English while enjoying the beautiful Casuarina area. This group has allowed people from diverse cultures to come together, celebrate diversity, and create meaningful connections. 

Some of our participants are from Indonesia, China, Sudan, Congo, Middle East, Colombia, Argentina, France, Australia, etc.  

As the walk organiser, I make sure that the group fosters a sense of inclusivity by encouraging everyone to participate and engage in conversations, helping them practice English, make new friends and have breakfast together.

The fun, non-competitive environment where we explore different areas and share experiences creates a welcoming space for everyone, no matter their background.   The experience has been incredibly rewarding, and it’s been amazing to see how the walking group has brought people together. The enthusiasm from the participants has been overwhelming, and many students are eager to continue walking together"

*Natalia (left) and Yiemi on their first walk with the group

Aitken Hill Walk and Talk (Aitken Hill, Victoria)

Walk organiser: Wafa

"We meet at Aiken Hill Community Centre where all are welcome to stay for a cuppa and a chat after the walk.  It is a friendly, multicultural group. We all walk and talk and have fun. We have people from Indian, Asian, Greek and Italian backgrounds (and)

we walk and talk about our countries, and I tell the walkers about all the good things about living in Australia, that we may not have had access to in our own countries of origin. 

It is a fun group. I promote the group by carrying copies of the group flyers during the walks, and giving them out to any walkers who walk by, inviting them to join the group.  I also drop off flyers in letter boxes in my area" 

Rooty Hill Multicultural Walking Group (Plumpton, New South Wales)

Walk organiser: Gladyss

"Rooty Hill Multicultural Walking Group is a walking group that invites the individuals from different walks of life within our local community which aims to promote health and wellbeing and most of all to promote inclusion and diversity.
As a walk organiser, I organised various activities or special events for the walkers mostly women such as Get Healthy Program, Mother’s Day event, International Women’s Day and Family Christmas Party.

They were encouraged to bring their cultural food to share to everyone in the group. They are given the opportunity to share their ideas and to make friends with other walkers"

Will your group celebrate Harmony week this year?
Yes, the group will be celebrating this special event, the Harmony Week. We will be promoting this event not only for the walkers, but also inviting everyone who would like to join this exciting event to promote inclusion and diversity while promoting a healthier and a happier community.

Point Cook Activity Group (Point Cook, Victoria)

Walk organiser: Bev

"I am 82 years young and originally from Warrnambool. Not knowing many people in Point Cook when I retired, I decided to start a Coffee Group, which grew into a Craft Group, then a Walking Group and lastly a Seniors Group. All are part of the Point Cook Learning Centre. The Walking Group walk every weekday. To encourage new walkers, we distribute pamphlets while we walk. Many of the new walkers go on to join our other groups. 

Food and culture are a large part of our gatherings. Presently, of the 22 walkers, I am the only Australian born Australian, all the others are internationally born Australians.

We eat out weekly, lunching at restaurants, and at my home I host several international lunches where everyone brings food from their culture.

I am so lucky to have a group of people who are caring and very thoughtful to each other, as well as who look after me. They love coming to our Groups because of the happiness and companionship between us, what else can we ask for, at any age".