Harmony Week 2026 – ACH Group workforce celebrates
Harmony Week (16–22 March), including Harmony Day on 21 March, is a meaningful time for ACH Group’s multicultural workforce.
With 1,900 employees representing 71 nationalities, our team represents cultures from around the globe. Harmony Week is an opportunity to recognise our diversity and continue building understanding and respect for one another.
As part of Harmony Week, a group of staff shared their cultural heritage and what they value most about sharing it with others. We’re delighted to introduce staff from across our services and teams and invite you to learn more their culture.
Laxmi Upadhyaya
Customer Service Coordinator, ViTA Residential Care Home
Where were you and your family born? My family and I were born in Nepal, but my daughter was born in Australia.
What is one tradition, food, or celebration from your culture that you love sharing with others? Dashain is the biggest and most important festival in Nepal. During Dashain, families come together to celebrate, receive blessings from elders, and enjoy special foods. Elders put tika (a mixture of rice, yogurt, and vermilion) on the forehead of younger family members and give them blessings for health, happiness, and success.
A traditional food often prepared during this festival is Sel Roti, which is a sweet, ring-shaped fried bread made from rice flour. Families prepare and share it with relatives and neighbours during celebrations.
Mani Singh
Senior Care Manager, Milpara Residential Care Home
Where were you and your family born? I was born in Northern India
What is one tradition, food, or celebration from your culture that you love sharing with others? A tradition I love is celebrating Diwali, the festival of lights.
It’s a time of joy, where families come together, light diyas, decorate their homes, and share sweets. It brings a feeling of happiness, positivity, and togetherness.
Mariela Montoya
Contracts Manager (Procurement) & Claims, Compliance Officer (Injury Management)
Where were you and your family born? I was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina’s capital city. My dad’s side has lived in Argentina for many generations. My mum’s side comes from Germany and Brazil. I came to Australia 10 years ago on holiday thinking I would never travel this far again, but life had other plans and I moved here six years ago.
What is one tradition, food, or celebration from your culture that you love sharing with others? In Argentina, one of the biggest traditions is drinking mate, a warm herbal drink made from yerba mate leaves. It’s served in a special cup filled with the dried leaves and sipped through a metal straw with a filter on the end. It tastes a little like green tea. It is usually shared among friends and family. Passing the mate around a circle is a simple way to slow down, chat, and enjoy each other’s company. Everyone shares the same straw. Wiping it is considered disrespectful! It is such a strong tradition that Argentina ran massive campaigns during Covid to encourage people not to share mate for a while. ‘Mate’ is not pronounced like the Aussie word “mate”. Instead, it’s pronounced “mah-teh”.
Fay White
Customer Support Officer, Home Care & Community
Where were you and your family born? Australia
What is one tradition, food, or celebration from your culture that you love sharing with others? Tradition: Growing up after swimming lessons on the beach we used to have fish n’ chips out of wrapped newspaper. Pieces of newspaper were torn off and that was your plate. Culture: We watched the Anzac parade in the city and then the men went off to watch the football and women & children sat on the lawns of the River Torrens having a picnic.
Food: Everyone loves the pasty slice that has been in our family for over 70 years
Salinda Lakmal
Senior IT Service Desk Analyst
Where were you and your family born? Sri Lanka
What is one tradition, food, or celebration from your culture that you love sharing with others? One tradition I truly love sharing from my Sri Lankan culture is celebrating the Sinhala and Tamil New Year, known as Avurudu. It usually falls in April and is a time filled with joy, family bonding, and meaningful rituals.
What makes it special is how everything is done at auspicious times—from lighting the hearth to preparing the first meal. Food plays a big part in this celebration, and I love introducing others to traditional sweets like kavum (oil cakes), kokis (crispy fried treats), and kiribath (milk rice), which symbolize prosperity and new beginnings. But more than the food, it’s the spirit of togetherness, sharing, and starting fresh that I enjoy sharing with others. It’s a beautiful reminder of gratitude, culture, and connection.
Nishani Dawnda
Customer Service Coordinator, Highercombe Residential Care Home
Where were you and your family born? Sri Lanka
What is one tradition, food, or celebration from your culture that you love sharing with others? Sri Lankan culture is rich in tradition, with clothing and food playing an important role in everyday life and special occasions. Traditional clothing for women often includes the elegant saree or the osariya, while men may wear a sarong paired with a shirt or a traditional outfit called a national suit. These garments are especially worn during festivals, weddings, and religious events, reflecting the country’s cultural heritage.
Sri Lankan cuisine is known for its bold flavors and use of spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, and curry leaves. Popular dishes include rice and curry, hoppers, kottu roti, and a variety of sambols. Food is often shared with family and guests, showing the importance of hospitality in Sri Lankan society.
About Harmony Week
Harmony Week is the celebration that recognises diversity and brings together people from all different backgrounds. It’s about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone.
Learn more about Harmony Week.
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