NSW Premier Chris Minns has championed the importance of maintaining cultural traditions in Australia, telling families at Sydney’s Canterbury-Bankstown Children’s Festival that the country did not need to become a “monoculture”.
The annual festival was held at Playford Park in Padstow last Sunday, bringing together children and families from a wide range of cultural backgrounds for a day of performances, activities and community celebrations.
Addressing the crowd, Minns said Australians could remain connected to their cultural heritage while sharing a strong commitment to the country.
“I don’t think it would be good for Australia [to be a monoculture] – as long as you love Australia, you are loyal to Australia with respect for the cultural traditions,” he said.
“We come from different places around the world and yet we are the best country on earth.”
NSW Premier Chris Minns.
The Premier said it was particularly encouraging to see younger generations maintaining connections with their heritage.
“It is wonderful to see the kids with so much respect for their own cultural traditions,” he said.
“This festival is a wonderful example of the unique culture we have here in the Bankstown area but also how wonderful Australia is.”
The Canterbury-Bankstown event is part of the long-running Children’s Festival initiative founded by Thuat V. Nguyen AM. The organisation has staged 43 festivals across Sydney over almost three decades, with the events centred on bringing children from different cultural communities together.
Festival president Tuan M. Dang said the celebration extended beyond the music, dance and performances on stage.
“Today we celebrate more than music, dance and performance. We celebrate friendship, respect, diversity and harmony,” Dang said.
“Children and families from many different cultural backgrounds come together today to share, learn from one another and celebrate what makes our community so special.”
He said children remained at the heart of the festival and its mission.
“Most importantly this festival is for our children. Their smiles, happiness and friendships remind us why we continue this wonderful tradition. Let us celebrate together, make new friendships and create beautiful memories for our children.”
Federal Assistant Minister for Citizenship, Customs and Multicultural Affairs Julian Hill also addressed the gathering, highlighting the role multicultural festivals can play in strengthening connections between generations and communities.
“Festivals like this spark joy, inspire young people to learn about different cultures and create lasting connections across generations and communities,” Hill said.
“They help ensure children feel a sense of belonging and pride in who they are.”
The gathering comes amid a broader NSW Government push to support multicultural festivals, with the state announcing $2.5 million this month for councils to stage major multicultural events in 2027 and early 2028.