University of Melbourne students and community partners come together for Carlton Harmony Day
Carlton Harmony Day connected academic learning and community impact with University of Melbourne students co-convening the event with local partners for the fourth year in a row.
The event, held on Saturday 28 March at Carlton Primary School in Melbourne, celebrated diversity and unity. The annual event is a civic and community collaboration between the University and the Carlton Community Network, which comprises over 50 local agencies and services.
Six students from the Executive Master of Arts program led the planning and delivery of the event as part of their capstone project. Under the guidance of Dr Anna Kosovac, they took on all aspects of project management, from budgeting to coordinating performers. The experience allowed the students to apply their academic knowledge while building practical skills in a real-world setting.
Executive Master of Arts student Matta Luo, Project Lead of the organising committee, said the experience was a significant part of his degree.
“I’ve never organised an event like this before, so for me it’s been an important, life-changing opportunity that has enriched my studies and will definitely help in my future work,” he said.
Young children moved between activities led by students, staff and volunteers, taking part in activities that celebrated cultural diversity and wellbeing. Picture: David Darlington
Students from the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences (MDHS) also took part in the event, with 38 students in audiology, optometry, oral health therapy and speech pathology providing public health information to local community members.
The University’s involvement in Carlton Harmony Day paved the way for a new multidisciplinary outreach program, which held its first session last Tuesday at Our Place Carlton, where MDHS students, supervised by practising clinicians, delivered eyes, ears and mouth screenings for preschool children. The initiative will help improve access to healthcare through community engagement and collaboration and, due to popular demand, a second session is being planned.
Raven Rogers-Wright, a long-time Carlton resident, said the event has become a special celebration for the suburb.
"This is what community truly is - people from all walks of life and cultures coming together to celebrate and share with each other. Whether it's food, music or information, there's so much joy in seeing everyone in one space," she said.
She also highlighted the value of the University’s involvement.
"I've always admired how the University of Melbourne participates so closely with us here in Carlton. It's an honourable thing to do, and it shows our local kids what's possible for their own futures.”
The day also featured a performance by students from the Faculty of Fine Arts and Music’s Chinese Ensemble, showcasing traditional instruments including the dizi, sheng, erhu and guzheng, and highlighting the richness of cultural expression through music.
The University of Melbourne’s Chinese Ensemble performed several pieces showcasing traditional instruments. Picture: David Darlington
As Carlton Harmony Day continues to expand its reach, it exemplifies how academic-community collaboration fosters inclusion and participation, and offered access to additional support services.
Professor Sara Wills, University of Melbourne Pro Vice-Chancellor (Culture and Engagement), said the initiative reflects the University’s role as an active partner in the local community.
“We’re part of the community, so it’s important for us to show up and be part of it. This is about being a good neighbour and creating opportunities for students to engage meaningfully with the community,” Professor Wills said.
“At a time when there’s a lot of polarisation, events like this create space for people to come together, share their cultures and connect, and to tell their stories as part of a diverse, multicultural city like Melbourne."