Cross-faith engagement takes on a colourful hue in Perth

Western Australian Divisional Public Relations Secretary Warren Palmer and Nigel Pitkin at the Holi Festival of Colour on 17 March.

BY KIRRALEE NICOLLE 

Perth Salvation Army staff members got an immersive taste of multicultural engagement when they were invited to attend an annual Holi Festival.

The community event is known worldwide as the ‘festival of colours’, with attendees marking the arrival of spring in India and the triumph of good over evil by throwing coloured powder on one another.

Members of Perth Punjab community organisation Kingz Multicultural Club this year invited The Salvation Army to be involved in their Festival, which was held on 17 March in Bennett Springs, Western Australia.

Some of the colour and excitement from the day.

Community Fundraising Relationship Manager Nigel Pitkin said the event was the friendliest, happiest and most inclusive he had ever attended.

“It was awesome to see a few thousand people there just dancing and enjoying life,” he said. “They were just so welcoming and so friendly.”

The festival featured a Salvation Army marquee and donation bins, and Nigel said the Kingz Multicultural Club was keen to continue collaborating with the Salvos in future.

Nigel Pitkin with representatives from Kingz Multicultural Club at the Holi Festival of Colour on 17 March.

Western Australian Divisional Public Relations Secretary Warren Palmer and Nigel Pitkin at the Holi Festival of Colour on 17 March.