Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Communities
Camden Council's Strategic Plan, Camden 2025, has accessibility strategies in place to ensure language, literacy and cultural diversity are not barriers to accessing Council Information and Services.
Council is committed to developing and implementing a social, cultural and recreational plan that recognises diverse and changing lifestyles through the Camden Community Plan 2004 - 2009.
Camden's Community Profile
In the most recent ABS 2006 Census of Population and Housing, 7624 persons (15.5%) of Camden's population were born overseas, with 3925 (8%) identified as coming from Non English Speaking Backgrounds. The top 10 Countries of Birth are United Kingdom, New Zealand, Italy, China, Malta, Germany, Philippines, South Africa, Ireland and Lebanon.
In the Camden LGA 4505 people (9.2%) speak a language other than English at home, with the top 10 languages being Italian, Spanish, Arabic, Cantonese, Croatian, Maltese, Serbian, Greek, Filipino (Tagalog) and German.
To view Camden's full Community Profile please click here.
For further information, please contact Denise Pritchard, Community Project Officer on 4645 5009 or email.
This section includes information on:
Living in Harmony Projects
This project is supported by the Australian Government through the Department of Immigration and Citizenship. The Australian Government is committed to addressing issues of cultural, racial and religious intolerance by promoting respect, fairness inclusion and a sense of belonging for everyone.
The projects will run over a two year period to plan, develop and implement an integrated, whole of area community harmony strategy. The strategy involves working with a variety of stakeholder to engage resident in old and new areas of the LGA in place based, intercultural activities and events.
The aim of each activity or event will be to promote respect and tolerance of difference and to facilitate social integration, cohesion, participations and a sense of belonging to community.
Projects include:
- School Community Harmony Project
- Interfaith Activities
- Mosaic Public Art Project
- Quilting workshops and exhibition
- Living Libraries Program
- Town Farm Sound and Light event
School Community Harmony Project
All schools in the Camden LGA have been invited to hold events or activities during the week prior to Harmony Day. Activities might include:
- Arts, crafts and textiles
- Drama or music
- Literature, story telling or essay writing
- Food or sport
- Guest speakers or inter school activities
Council is able to offer a limited amount of financial support to schools. For more information, please contact Denise Pritchard on 4645 5009 or email
Interfaith Activities
This project aims to encourage dialogue and promote understanding between people of different faiths. An interfaith gathering is proposed for Saturday March 21- Harmony Day. For more information, please contact Denise Pritchard on 4645 5009 or email
Harmony Day
Every year on 21 March, Harmony Day is held nationally as part of the Commonwealth Government's ‘Living in Harmony' initiative, providing an opportunity for all Australians to celebrate living in a culturally diverse society, to say no to racism and to re-commit to the values of harmony. This is an ideal opportunity for the Camden community to come together to celebrate and recognise its cultural diversity.
The overarching theme of Harmony Day is You + Me = Us, which emphasises the inclusiveness of Harmony Day and its relevance to all Australians. Orange ribbons are worn on Harmony Day as a symbol of commitment to community harmony.
2008 is the fifth year that Harmony Day celebrations will be held in Camden, and is a celebration of the success of multiculturalism in our local community and a reconfirmation of our commitment to the principles of multiculturalism for the future.
For more information or to be involved in Harmony Day Celebrations in 2008 please contact Denise Pritchard, Community Project Officer on 4645 5009 or email.
Chinese Market Garden Committee
The Chinese Market Garden community is located in a small pocket in rural north of the Camden LGA. It is part of wider Sydney basin market garden community.
The Chinese Market Garden Committee is an on-going project in partnership between Camden Council, Camden Community Connections, Benevolent Society , Macarthur Diversity Services Inc., Mission Australia, Sydney South West Area Health Service and surrounding Primary Schools in the area.
Programs initiated through the Committee include:
- Ongoing English classess
- Field trips
- Women's Health Days
- Open Days
- 'Little Pandas' playgroup
- Training courses for safe use of pesticides
For more information, or to be involved in the Chinese Market Garden Committee, please contact Denise Pritchard, Community Project Officer on 4645 5009 or email.
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