2026 Global Vibes: Reflect Respect Celebrate
Monday 26 January from 11am to 3:30pm
Supported by the National Australia Day Council for the fifth year in a row, Australian South Sea Islanders (Port Jackson) are proud to Reflect Respect Celebrate a vibrant 26 January 2026 activation at the Rumulicious Mediterranean outdoor restaurant and café in Pirrama Park.
Join us in honouring our First Nations local communities, multiculturalism, and the strength of cultural diversity through the act of inclusiveness and diversity co-designed community programming.
This one-day mini-fest brings together Persian belly dancing, First Nations truth telling, artistry, music, yarning circles, custom-weaving, and a fusion of cuisines, creating an experience that deepens community understanding through stories, shared plates, music and customary practices. It is a space to reflect, respect, and celebrate Australia’s resilience.
Working alongside the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community of the local Sydney area, the event will be held at the scenic Sugar Wharf in Pirrama Park. Uncle Mark Merriman and Mike Butler from Sydney Harbour Elders will open with an Acknowledgement of Country and share cultural knowledge about the significant site of Pirrama Park.
The program will then welcome Maryam Azady, owner of Rumulicious, who will share her success story as a local migrant business owner and offer words of welcome to guests.
Performances will feature a rich intercultural blend of First Nations and ASSI cultural dance expressions by Tessarna, Tameeka & Josh, merging with Middle Eastern belly dancing by Amira, accompanied by the sounds of HeShyy.
A yarning session hosted by MC Lachlan Barker-Kennedy with Lorna, Kaiya and Shola, and a cultural exchange finished highlighting a Persian dance finale.
Must register. Restaurant is open after 3:30pm for dinner and you can view fireworks.