Over 80 people — from Parramatta, Fairfield, Liverpool and surrounding areas — attended the Welcome Dinner at Casula Power House on March 9, hosted by Liverpool Migrant Resource Centre and Liverpool City Council.
The Welcome Dinner Project aims to connect newly arrived migrants and refugees with established Australians, creating connections through commonalities, food and the sharing of a meal.
Guests shared the story behind the dishes they had brought and then began to share food, laughter and recipes, from dolmathes to selections of rices, salads and curries.
A delicious rocky road made its way from table to table and the smells of multicultural cooking are sure to be lingering still.
Guests shared their delight at having such a wonderful dinner, meeting new friends, trying new foods and learning new words in multiple languages.
When asked to describe how they were feeling at the end of the night, popular responses included ‘happy, ‘excited’ and ‘very full’.
By the end of the evening the air was full of laughter and chatter, of smiling farewells and hugs goodbye.