On March 21st, with Harmony Day festivities occurring around Australia celebrating this country’s many cultures, the weather was perfect, the venue was Cosgrove High School, and the game was soccer! Glenorchy City Council, as part of the ‘Diversity: We Are Who We Are’ project, partnered with Tasmania Police and Cosgrove High School to provide a ‘Harmony Day’ afternoon of sport and refreshments designed to strengthen bonds between Police and newly arrived Sudanese and Ethiopian residents. For many people from a refugee background, it was an opportunity to see Police in an entirely new light, and for Police members the afternoon was an opportunity to spend time with some of Glenorchy’s newest residents in a spirit of mutual enjoyment and learning.

On the field were two teams of fit young year 7/8 and year 9/10 Cosgrove students including Sudanese and Ethiopian members, playing against a team of ‘slightly older’ Tasmania Police with many dedicated staff on their day off, fortunately boosted by some young players from Burundi who had arrived in Australia just weeks ago.

A beaut barbeque cooked up by Police and Council staff finished off the day – oh and by the way, the combined Police team won both games!

Images from the game were captured by project photographer Lucia Rossi, and will contribute to the exciting Metro public transport poster campaign kicking off in August.

Two boys in high spirits at the Harmony Day soccer afternoon were Hamed Fofanah (left) and Zac Talbot (right), year 7, of Cosgrove High School.