They had one message for everyone, it was to be a day that brought together Ballarat residents from varied backgrounds. 

The call out worked, with more than 30 people attending Saturday’s community day at the Delacombe Community Hub.

A range of activities and foods from a number of different cultures, which traditionally brought people together, were clear winners in the minds of local attendees.

Baha’i and Ballarat local spiritual assembly chairperson Kevan Pitcher said the activities, which were aimed at people of all ages and backgrounds, were a chance for people to come together.

“It’s about community building … to make the community we live in, the state we live in, the country and world a better place,” he said.

“You don’t have to be the same or believe in the same things, it’s about unity.”

He said the day was also about providing locals with a glimpse at the community building activities hosted in Delacombe on a weekly basis.

“The aim of each of these programs is twofold; it’s about aiding our own individual development and empowering us to serve our neighbourhoods using the Baha’i principals as the driving force,” Mr Pitcher said.

“The beauty in it all is that it does’t matter what belief system you have, as long as you have a desire to better your community.

“What we then see is a diverse group of people gathering together and contributing to this process of community building in their own way – whether as a participant, a children’s class teacher, a parent or an assistant – and then giving back to society. it’s really heartwarming.” 

The Ballarat Baha’i Community host a number of free activities, including playgroups, children’s classes featuring craft, prayer, songs and play, youth groups and adult study circles, every Saturday between 10.30am and 11.30am at the Delacombe Community Hub, Doug Dean Reserve.

www.bahaiballarat.org.au