The main street of Healesville came to life Saturday 5 November with exciting music, food stalls, colourful performances by Bollywood dancers and singers, as the Rotary Club of Healesville hosted Diwali – The Festival of Lights.
The event was a first of its kind event for Healesville held at the Community Popup, outside the Memo.
Diwali, known as the ‘festival of lights’, marks the victory of good over evil, light over darkness, and the beginning of a new year in Hindu tradition.
The theme of Diwali remains the same for everyone, which is to come together and have fun.
Diwali is also all about brightness and colour.
Healesville Rotary created a festive atmosphere with plenty of dances and other cultural performances to symbolise hospitality and prosperity for the Diwali celebrations, which take place over late October to early November each year.
While Diwali is traditionally a Hindu celebration, this event brought together people from all backgrounds and cultures.
It also featured performances from Indigenous acts such as Yeng Gali Mullum – an Indigenous reconciliation choir from Mullum Mullum Indigenous Gathering Place.
The event was officially opened with an acknowledgment of country by Aunty Irene Norman from Yeng Gali Mullum, which was followed by Cindy McLeish MP, who joined Healesville Rotary President Vinay Kumar in lighting the flame to officially open the festival.
The event also was praised by Aaron Violi MP, Federal member for Casey, who also spoke briefly during the program.
