| Temple Square is always beautiful in the springtime. Gardeners work to prepare the ground for General Conference. © 2012 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. | 1 / 2 |
People across Victoria recently came together to celebrate the heritage of Pacific Islanders in Melbourne at a Polynesian Cultural Festival held April 28th at the Narre Warren Stake (diocese) of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Guests enjoyed cultural displays of Polynesian clothing and art and viewed music and dance performances representing the Cook Islands, Tonga, Hawaii, Samoa, and Fiji.
A banquet of traditional Polynesian foods was also served to everyone's enjoyment.
According to the 2011 Census there are over 125,000 Pacific Island-born people and over 480,000 New Zealand-born people living in Australia. A significant percentage of the 151,000 plus membership of the Church in Australia is Polynesian or of Polynesian descent.
Festival organiser Tofiga Tuigamala said, "This event brings people of diverse backgrounds together in unity by learning about the different cultures, food, designs and materials."
"Sharing cultures, food and talents help us to know we are all one," adds Tofiga.
Members of the Gippsland, Maroondah, and Braeside Stakes also contributed to and participated in the Polynesian Cultural Festival.