Cultural Celebrations at Fresh Hope Communities

Celebrating events that are core to the cultures of many of our residents, as well as our staff, across Fresh Hope Communities builds a sense of connection and belonging.  

Recently some of our staff and residents came together to create lavish spreads of delicious food and dressed in colourful cultural dress to the background of joyful music and even some dance performances celebrating two festivals—Diwali and Dashain at our Ashwood, Coffs Haven, Rhodes Hub and Green Hills Care Services.    

Ashwood Residential Care Service 

This year’s Diwali celebration at Ashwood was spectacular as we celebrated across both Crawford and Shaw House, the festival brought together staff, residents, their families, and even the Rhodes Hub team for a joyous occasion full of light, music, food, and togetherness. 

The excitement amongst staff and residents started days before the actual event as the decorations went up, and they waited eagerly for everyone at Ashwood to come together in celebration. As I walked in the lounge areas, I could hear Residents and staff discussing about the celebration and were looking forward to wearing their traditional outfit on the day.  

On the day of celebration, it was lovely to see staff and residents wearing their traditional outfits sitting and chit chatting together. There was a table full of traditional food which included not only Indian dishes such as curries and sweets but also other cultural food. The diverse menu reflected the richness of the cultures and backgrounds of the people who call Ashwood home. 

We enjoyed lunch with performances from the talented Ashwood staff including vibrant dances and singing which demonstrated that Diwali is more than just the light and the food—it’s about connecting with one another through music, dance, and celebration. 

What made this year’s Diwali even more special was the participation of the residents and their families and having some team from Rhodes office. There was a sense of inclusion and togetherness, with residents and their loved ones joining the staff in dancing and singing.  

Diwali at Ashwood had once again given us opportunity to celebrate togetherness, connection, and the unique bonds that tie the Ashwood community together.  

Anjee Seeckun, Residential Services Manager 

Coffs Haven Residential Care Service 

We celebrated with our Indian and Nepali team bringing us a wonderful lunch for the residents and staff at Coffs Haven to celebrate Diwali. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this special event. 

Susan McLennan, Residential Services Manager 

Green Hills Residential Care Service  

A huge thank you to everyone for your participation in our Diwali celebrations. Your efforts made the event truly special! 

A special thank you to Bal for her fantastic speech, which gave us all a deeper understanding of the meaning and traditions of Diwali. The cultural dress, dancing, delicious food, and the effort everyone put into the celebration created a warm and vibrant atmosphere that brought us all together. 

Thank you all for making Diwali such a memorable day for our community!  

Shannon Fitzgerald, Residential Services Manager  

Green Hills also celebrated around the Nepalese festival of Dashain, which was also a wonderful opportunity to come together and learn about another culture.

Diwali, or Dipawali, is India‘s biggest and most important holiday of the year, celebrated around the world. The festival gets its name from the row (avali) of clay lamps (deepa) that Indians light outside their homes to symbolize the inner light that protects from darkness. 

Dashain is one of the most important and widely celebrated festivals in Nepal, symbolising the victory of good over evil. During the festival, people wear traditional attire, participate in rituals such as the tika blessing for prosperity and protection and enjoy traditional food. Celebrations also include dancing, music, and flying kites. Dashain is a time of joy, unity, and cultural expression, bringing families and communities together to celebrate. It typically lasts for 15 days, with the main celebrations focusing on family gatherings, blessings, and cultural traditions.