A multicultural park in Liverpool would bring the community together, says Councillor Nathan Hagarty.
The Labor councillor says such a park would celebrate all cultures in Liverpool, including that of the local Indigenous community.
“As a vibrant and diverse community, Liverpool is the face of multicultural Australia,’’ says Cr Hagarty.
“Our residents come from all corners of the earth and we have a proud Indigenous history.
“Each of us celebrates our individual culture and heritage with a spirit of inclusivity – we do as a community, with friends, family and neighbours.
“What better way to celebrate that fact than a public park in Liverpool – a place open to the whole community, for the whole community.
“The multicultural park will celebrate all of Liverpool – our people and our stories,’’ says Cr Hagarty, who is also chair of Western Sydney Multicultural Resource Centre and director at Settlement Services International.
Liverpool Council voted to proceed with the proposal for a multicultural park at its September 30 meeting.
A report to council said the idea of a multicultural park was developed after a Serbian youth group suggested the creation of a park in Liverpool to celebrate the contribution of Serbian Australians.
The Serbian Orthodox Youth Association (SOYA) received letters of endorsement form MPs both State and Federal, Labor and Liberal, the report stated.
Liberal councillor Tony Hadchiti who moved the motion – Cr Hagarty was the seconder – told the council that while a multicultural park was the right way forward, the SOYA contribution deserved to be acknowledged.
Cr Hagarty agrees: “I didn’t think it was appropriate to have a park specifically for Serbian Australians, but that initial idea spurred the concept of a Liverpool multicultural park,’’ he told the South West Voice.
“I’ve been entirely clear from the beginning, that this was to be an inclusive park,’’ Cr Hagarty said.
No site has been confirmed yet, but Liverpool Council are currently master planning a number of major parks.
It’s likely the multicultural park would be located on one of those sites.
