Our Cultural Tapestries is a community led project co-created by the We Belong community leaders. Through this project, we invite students from all walks of life to come together, celebrate diversity and strengthen connections on the Northern Beaches. We hope to inspire a deeper sense of belonging and understanding, by highlighting how each person’s story forms an important part of the rich tapestry of our community.
This project has 2 engaging elements. A work-booklet aimed at early high school students, as well as video presentations from 4 local community members who each share a unique story that celebrates the diverse and inclusive nature of the Northern Beaches.
Start by reading stories from local community members, who each have a unique story to tell. As you work through the booklet, you’ll have the opportunity to explore your own heritage and connect with elders and other knowledge holders in your community. By uncovering stories and traditions from your personal history, you can better appreciate the cultural threads that weave together to form our shared identity.
The questions and activities in this workbook are designed to guide you, but feel free to complete them at your own pace.
Take your time, reflect on your thoughts and enjoy this journey of discovery.
Workbook
If you would like printed copies, please reach out to bettertogether@northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au
Videos
What do music, flowers, and fabric have to do with community? Christine uses simple, beautiful metaphors to explore how diversity makes our world richer, more vibrant, and more connected. Drawing from personal experience and cultural wisdom, it’s a heartfelt reflection on unity, belonging and the power of embracing our differences.
In the heart of Nepal, a centuries old tradition continues, where a young girl is chosen to embody a goddess and unite 2 faiths. Shree shares the ancient tradition of the Kumari, the Living Goddess, exploring how ancient rituals can evolve with compassion and care. It’s a moving reflection on unity, reverence, and the importance of protecting both tradition and the wellbeing of children.
Eleonora’s story touches on her personal experiences of sacred ceremonies and global journeys, demonstrated through music, dance and creativity. Rooted in rhythm, culture, and connection, it’s a deeply personal reflection on identity, belonging, and the wisdom gained through a well-travelled life. A celebration of movement, music, and multicultural learning, this story invites us to embrace our shared humanity and evolve together as one world family.
Recognising our innate yearning to belong, this story explores the concept of beauty in ancient Vietnamese culture and how it has shaped the identity and history of its people. An shares the tradition of dyeing teenage girls’ teeth black, a practice that endured for thousands of years, drawing on her grandmother’s experiences. An reflects on how cultural beauty standards evolve, inviting us to consider how these traditions resonate with contemporary ideas of beauty in Australia and around the world.
Proudly funded by the NSW Government through the NSW Social Cohesion Grants for Local Government.
