RECORD BREAKING NUMBERS ATTEND THE HARMONY DAY CELEBRATIONS FOR 2018 REPORTS PAYCE DIRECTOR, DOMINIC SULLIVAN

"Held in the Morris Iemma Indoor Sports Centre, and now in its 12th year, the event attracted families and friends from many nationalities, along with dignitaries and special guests," Mr. Sullivan said.

Local Groups Showcase Spectacular Entertainment – Dominic Sullivan

"Guests were treated to spectacular entertainment by local cultural and community groups, including the Riverwood Chinese Dancing Group, the Vietnamese Dancing Group, the Greek Dancing Troupe and Korean dancers.

"Riverwood Primary School choir was once again invited to follow the Acknowledgement of Country ceremony with a rousing rendition of the song, "I am Australian," Dominic Sullivan continued.

"The Riverwood Community Choir and Wiley Park Public School choir also performed through the day."

Record Attendance at the 2018 Event – Dominic Sullivan

Dominic said that President of the Canterbury-Bankstown Harmony Group, Karl Saleh welcomed everyone and thanked the community for demonstrating its support of the event by turning up in record numbers.

"Representatives of federal, state and local governments included Federal MPs, David Coleman, Member for Banks and Tony Burke; State MPs, Mark Coure, Member for Oatley and Jihad Dib, Member for Lakemba; and Graeme Beattie, representing Canterbury-Bankstown City Council," he said.

"Local Harmony Day ambassador, Tony Burke announced the winners of the Harmony Day of the Year Award and presented Sheng Bin Liu and Zhaoli Huang with their awards.

"Certificates of Appreciation were also handed out to a number of worthy recipients for their contributions to the event, including local Riverwood resident, Bob Carr, founder of the local event," Mr Sullivan reported.

"I was pleased to accept an award on behalf of PAYCE for the company's long sponsorship of the event and community support.

"PAYCE is honoured to be a major supporter of one of the most important and popular community events in the area."

Harmony Day is a Wonderful Example – Dominic Sullivan

Dominic said it had been rewarding over the past six years to be associated with the annual event and enjoyed attending each year and meeting familiar and new faces and learning how much is being achieved.

"I congratulate to the organising committee led by Cr Karl Saleh and the band of volunteers for another successful Harmony Day event and to all the talented people who entertained and shared their traditional music, songs and dancing experiences with us," Dominic continued.

"Harmony Day is a wonderful example of what is achievable when we all join in together.

"Everyone can be involved and there is no better example than in Riverwood, where the concept of creating a connected, harmonious community has been embraced so successfully.

"A highlight of PAYCE's presence in Riverwood with the Washington Park residential project has been to see how the community spirit can been lifted by empowering individuals and groups to realise their potential," Dominic Sullivan added.