This year, Harmony Day the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination both fall on March 22, and the Shoalhaven is celebrating with a free screening of the movie 'The Merger'.

The Australian comedy-drama tells the story of an Aussie Rules club under threat in the small town of Bodgy Creek. 

Its only chance of survival appears to be the recruitment of players from refugee and migrant communities, but some members are sceptical. 

Illawarra Multicultural Services, Shoalhaven City Council and Local District Health organised the event.

Other organisations supporting the event include Bay and Basin Amnesty, Settlement Services International, Multicultural Communities Council Illawarra and AFL South Coast.

An Illawarra Multicultural Services spokesperson said they hoped the movie would spark conversation.

"There has been a significant and steady increase in the number of refugees and people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities, that are choosing to settle in the Shoalhaven," they said.

"The screening will be followed by an open conversation on the issues highlighted by the film around cultural diversity and its impact on the building of community."

Free food and refreshments will be provided.

Pre-booking required: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/harmony-day-event-celebrating-cultural-diversity-in-the-shoalhaven-tickets-56460087642

There are some fascinating statistics about Australia’s diversity that can be good conversation-starters:

Nearly half (49 per cent) of Australians were born overseas or have at least one parent who was

We identify with over 300 ancestries

Since 1945, more than 7.5 million people have migrated to Australia

85 per cent of Australians agree multiculturalism has been good for Australia

Apart from English, the most common languages spoken in Australia are Mandarin, Arabic, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Italian, Greek, Tagalog/Filipino, Hindi, Spanish and Punjabi

More than 70 Indigenous languages are spoken in Australia.

These facts are taken from ABS 2016 Census Data. Check out the Australian Bureau of Statistics website.