Welcome to Diversity Week 2011. This year’s theme is “People, power and potential”. Diversity Week is dedicated to bringing people together to celebrate difference and diversity whilst acknowledging and valuing the diverse communities Macquarie interacts with, especially in our local community.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Steven Schwartz and alumna, refugee and now SBS reporter Yalda Hakim will launch and welcome you to Diversity Week. Come and join the festivities!

1:30pm: Welcome to country with Jacinta Tobin
1:45pm: Welcome to your University with Vice-Chancellor Professor Schwartz
1:55pm: Address by Yalda Hakim, reporter with SBS and Macquarie University alumna
2:15pm: Address by Tahmina Ansari, current Macquarie University student
2:30pm: Light refreshments

All welcome.

One of the many ways science serves art is by generating research-based knowledge for the diagnosis, preservation and conservation of art and cultural heritage. This lecture focuses on the photonic sciences in providing tools to diagnose and treat conservation problems. Examples include the laser scanning and laser cleaning of the statue of David, and early stage research on conservation problems in Aboriginal bark paintings and other artefacts unique to Australia being carried out at Macquarie University.

Professor Deb Kane from the Department of Physics and Astronomy has been over a broad range of areas in laser physics, incoherent light sources, and the application of these lasers and sources in spectroscopy, optical metrology, communications and interactions with materials.

All welcome. Light refreshments available.

“The smoking ceremony is based on the traditional ceremonies that were practised by Aboriginal peoples in former times. Our ancestors were big believers in spirits, and smoking ceremonies were performed to assist in driving off any bad spirits that may have attached themselves to you on your travels by putting yourself through the smoke before entering another’s camp. We use it today as a cleansing or healing ceremony to help rid us of any bad or negative energies that we may bring with us before we sit down for a gathering.”
– Chris Tobin.

All welcome.

Be inspired by our Indigenous students, cadets, trainees and staff profiles screening in the Central Courtyard.

All welcome.

Come and listen to Indigenous students talking about their experiences at Macquarie University. The Aboriginal and Torres Island Strait Islander Society will provide a barbecue lunch.

All welcome.

By 31 July, the Productivity Commission will hand their final report to the Government on the proposed National Disability Insurance Scheme. By law, the Government must give its response to the report by 23 November.

The DisabiliTEA will be held simultaneously with disability organizations across Australia to raise awareness of the proposed scheme and provide information to the public of the potential implications for this new approach to support for people with disabilities.

All welcome.

Learn the traditional technique of plaiting using all natural materials sourced from Darug country in creating your own bracelet. The workshop will be presented by Darug elder Uncle Lex. All materials will be supplied. Book early as session places will be limited.

Contact Rhonda Davies at rhonda.davies@mq.edu.au or call (02) 9850 7437 to reserve your place.

Christina Mimmochi and Cathy Rytmeister will entertain us with songs from culturally diverse places and times. Their songs tell of life, struggle, liberation and celebration from all over the world, reminding us that regardless of background and beliefs we find common ground in laughter, tears, love and a yearning for freedom.

All welcome.

Filmmaker Robert Kenner lifts the veil on the food industry, exposing the highly mechanised underbelly that has been hidden from the consumer with the consent of the various government regulatory agencies. Professor Peter Radan from the Department of Law will provide a short introduction.

All welcome.

Macquarie University Allies and friends are invited to hear from three students who recently attended from the National Queer Collaborations conference for a report on their findings. The University’s contribution to the international ‘It Gets Better’ project will also be screened. Enjoy an afternoon tea and catch up with other allies.

All welcome. To attend, RSVP to Daniel O’Neill at daniel.oneill@mq.edu.au or on (02) 9850 7380.

The Community IFTAR dinner is a chance to bring the very diverse Macquarie community together for a night of dialogue,sharing and food. The dinner is held during the most holy month of the Islamic year, Ramadan.

To book your place at the dinner, please email registrations@affinity.org.au or call (02) 9702 0789 by 29 July 2011.

In partnership with the Ethnic Communities' Council of New South Wales, these awards recognise the significant contribution individuals and groups make to our diverse Australian culture. Awards will be presented by NSW State Premier, The Hon Barry O'Farrell, Macquarie University Vice-Chancellor Professor Steven Schwartz, Pro–Vice Chancellor Professor Gail Whiteford, and ECC Chair Jack Passaris OAM.

This event is invitation only. For more information, contact Anna King at anna.king@mq.edu.au or call (02) 9850 9703.

A fun Diversity Week event for Faculty of Business and Economics students. Improve your conversation skills, meet new friends – international and local – and maybe meet some you like – perhaps even a real date? This event offers opportunities only limited by your imagination! Formula One enthusiasts…definitely YOU!

All welcome.

Come along to the Women’s Room for an ‘open house’. Meet Zoe, the Women’s Room coordinator and MUSRA Women’s Rep. You can also check out the library and the various resources available. Meet other staff and students, relax and stay for a cuppa. There will be an official launch later in the year, but this is a chance to find out about this service and say hello!

All welcome.

Taste your way around the world from the comfort of the Central Courtyard! Macquarie University’s cultural student groups will put on a feast of delicious treats for you to sample. Come to the MUSRA table and get a ‘food passport’ for a gold coin donation. All proceeds will go to charity.

Food passports are your key to sampling all the food on offer, and you get a stamp for every food you taste. Get all the stamps to enter the draw for CASH PRIZES!

While you eat, our talented students will be performing on the main stage, so grab a plate, make yourself comfortable and enjoy the show!

All welcome.

Coulourfest is Australia’s first and only national film festival dedicated to the works of culturally diverse Australian filmmakers. Screening in three cities, five venues and with a total of eight sessions, Coulourfest is the up and coming festival worth checking out! Colourfest presents a session of 10 short films featuring the best of culturally diverse Australian screen content. Join us to celebrate the best of film, culture and expression representing the realities and dreams of all Australians.

All welcome. To attend, RSVP to Daniel O’Neill at daniel.oneill@mq.edu.au or on (02) 9850 7380.

Come and watch Macquarie University’s culturally diverse student groups compete in the inaugural MUSRA Multicultural Cup. See the talent that your Univeristy has to offer in this five-a-side tournament, with student competitors from some of our most involved cultural student groups. Spectators are encouraged to cheer their favourite team, and stick around for the Final and trophy presentation.

All welcome.

This photographic exhibition highlights the images and statements of Greek-Australian women’s successes, failures, hopes and dreams. Their personal experiences reveal an Australia of challenges, a Greece of memory, and a faith in the unfolding of a potentially unlimited future.

Some storied will surprise, none will disappoint: from the personal insights of actors Mary Coustas and Zoe Carides and filmmaker Anna Kokkinos to the uncelebrated triumphs of a 1930s Australian national springboard champion and Australia’s only female pearl lugger operator. The poignancy of their struggles, losses and successes exposes the powerful human desire which we all cradle, but often fail to realise – the desire “for a better life”.

The exhibition will comprise framed images and associated oral captions together with a multimedia presentation. It will run from 1 – 15 August 2011.

All welcome.

Dance and music are intrinsically but not exclusively human pursuits; both allow us to express our emotions and cognitions, and communicate with our friends, family and wider social groups.

This event is a celebration of the diversity of dance, and will feature performances from members of the University and wider community, from preschoolers to baby boomers. A highlight will be a showcase presentation of indigenous dance to the accompaniment of traditional instruments such as the didgeridoo and clapsticks by artists from Descendance, a premier Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Dance Theatre.

All welcome.

Find out how women in science at Macquarie University us social media to improve their career options and for research collaborations. A panel of six researchers including staff and HDR students will explain their use of social media and then answer your questions.

All welcome. Register to attend at http://secure.mq.edu.au/forms/view.php?id=117

Grab some friends and come to the Sports Hall to try wheelchair basketball and celebrate the first anniversary of the international cluster bomb ban.

World-class wheelchair basketballer Tina McKenzie, a recent Macquarie graduate, will speak about sport and her disability. She’ll be joined by Lorel Thomas, national coordinator of the Australian Network to Ban Landmines and Cluster Munitions. Lorel will talk about the impact of cluster bombs on ordinary people worldwide and Australia’s role in advocating for change.

Wheelchair sports NSW will demonstrate wheelchair basketball and you will have the opportunity to play a game.

Whether you are interested in sport, disability, human rights disarmament or just having some fun, there will be something for you.

All welcome. Hot chocolate and croissants provided.

Have your recipe cooked by a television Masterchef during this live Diversity Week cooking demonstration! To enter, visit www.facebook.com/onetable

All welcome.

A showcase of ten-minute presentations by FBE staff telling their stories of migration, residency and multiculturalism. Supported by images, the stories will appeal to a broad range of audiences. Students will find these stories interesting, relevant and inspiring.

All welcome.

A free community night of fun, wine and song guaranteed to warm up any chilly winter! Showcasing our own Macquarie student songsters (many of whom work professionally) and highlighting the well-known ‘I SING ON THE CAKE”, under the directorship of the wonderful Stuart Davis of SingUp fame.

All welcome but registration required. Places are limited so book early by contacting Kate Wilson at kate.wilson@mq.edu.au or on (02) 9850 7471. (Tables of 10 also available.)

http://www.myspace.com/isingonthecake

Talking Technologies, sponsored by Quantum technologies will showcase a range of assistive technologies that provide text-to-speech, speech-to-text, large print, specialised mark-up for learning disabilities etc. This workshop will provide the opportunity for both hands-on experience and the opportunity to discuss the technologies with both Quantum Technologies and MQAS staff.

Talking Technologies is a  workshop that will be suitable for:

• students who find reading either difficult or stressful
• academic staff who want ot learn more about the technologies their students are using
• parents and carers who want to ask questions about technologies that may assist their family or friends
• community members who are interested in new developments in technology.

All welcome.

The Courtyard Challenge is based on the historic Great Court Run held at Trinity College, Cambridge, UK; this year the title of Champion is back up for grabs.

There will be a series of races across a range of categories, which will celebrate our diverse campus and draw attention to the AIME program. Once a new champion is decided, the event will conclude with an awards ceremony, accompanied by a BBQ and entertainment.

All welcome.

www.campuslife.mq.edu.au/courtyardchallenge

Giant human boardgames in the Central Courtyard, with prizes and refreshments!

All welcome.