Multicultural March

For generations, people from myriad cultures and traditions have been drawn to NSW. Each wave of migration, with its own challenges and successes, has contributed immensely to the social, cultural and economic prosperity of the State, and helped to make contemporary NSW the multicultural success story it is today.  

The NSW Government recognises that the people of NSW, regardless of background, are entitled to maintain and practise their cultural heritage, traditions and language within the law, and free from discrimination.

The key to our success has been maintaining Australian democratic values. Recognising and embracing the humanity that is common to us all, that transcends race, ethnicity and religion, is what brings us together as Australians.  Our values engender a spirit of generosity between and among peoples, embed a sense of belonging within the community, and make it possible for every citizen to work towards community wellbeing and unity. Multicultural March is an opportunity for all the people of NSW to demonstrate respect and acceptance of one another and a unified commitment to Australia and its future through shared values.

The NSW Government celebrates cultural diversity and promotes the sharing of values that afford respect for, and the acceptance of, all people. The Government has decided to make a special effort to promote its multiculturalism and strength during the month of March.  Harmony Day is widely celebrated across the community on 21 March and the NSW Government will help support these events by bringing them all together under one banner.

And we want you to design the banner!  The Community Relations Commission For a multicultural NSW is holding a competition, open to every resident of NSW, to design a banner promoting the month of March as a time to celebrate the unique diversity of NSW.  An independent panel will choose four designs to be made into banners to be displayed prominently on the streets of Sydney.

We’re looking for creative, inspiring and above all, eye-catching designs for banners that promote the unique diversity of NSW and promote the strength of our multicultural communities together.

Guidelines and specifications

Banners must adhere to the following specifications:

Size and Format: Banners will be 4.5m high and 1.5m wide so keep your design simple, colourful and bold.  Your entry should not be this size!  You need to submit a scaled down design in an electronic format but bear in mind that it will be blown up.

Text: The words ‘Multicultural March’ must appear somewhere in the design and be easy to read. However, the text need not be the dominant motif in the banner.  We encourage entrants to be imaginative, creative and inspiring. 

The Community Relations Commission and NSW Government logos will be added prior to production of the winning banners.

Key dates

Call for entries opens: 28 March 2012

Call for entries closes: 30 June 2012

Judging: July 2012

Winner announced: National Multicultural Marketing Awards, November 2012

Banners displayed at key locations in Sydney: 24 February – 24 March 2013

Prizes

Winners:  Each winner will receive $1 000 cash prize and be presented with their own banner and those of their co-winners.

Judging Panel

An independent panel will be convened to award the prizes. The Panel’s decision will be final. 

Judging criteria

• Creativity
• Originality
• How well the banner addresses the theme
  
  

Other details

Entries should be sent electronically to bannercompetition@crc.nsw.gov.au. The body of the email should include a brief statement (50 words max) explaining the work and how it promotes Multicultural March and embraces the themes of celebration, diversity, unity and respect.  

All submitted entries will be the property of the Community Relations Commission For a multicultural NSW.  Winning entrants grant the CRC permission to use and reproduce the banner for a range of purposes relevant to the work of the Commission. The CRC assumes all entries are original and the work of the entrant(s).

For further information contact: bannercompetition@crc.nsw.gov.au

Banner designs should be emailed to bannercompetition@crc.nsw.gov.au by 5.00 pm 30 June 2012. Late entries will not be accepted under any circumstances.