Who are you? Give us an overview of your ethnicity/heritage?
Hello there, I am Ainsley.
I’m a daughter, a mother, a professional data analytics consultant, I’m sporty, feisty and I love living life to the full and enjoying each day!
I was born in a suburb of Melbourne called Noble Park, over 41 years ago. My parents are from Belfast, Northern Ireland and they came over here to Australia in 1967. I have two older brothers and I am the youngest of three. I’ve always held a strong connection to my Irish heritage having been over to Northern Ireland many times over the past 41 years and developed strong connections with my relatives over there as well as a great understanding of where my parents grew up and why they made the mover over to a very unfamiliar place in Melbourne, Australia.
Name one thing you really passionate about and why?
I’m passionate about spending time with like minded individuals. Those that are not afraid to take a break from being serious and to really let their hair down and enjoy themselves. One of my sayings is that ‘Everyone needs a break from the seriousness of life’. So whether I am at work or on the tennis court, I will always make sure to have a laugh and get those around me having a laugh too. Maybe it’s the Irish in me coming out.
How has living in a multicultural society shaped who you are as an individual?
Absolutely, it has shaped me as an individual. Noble Park, growing up there, it was and still is a very multicultural place. I lived in a small court, that had Vietnamese, Polish and Italian families. And of course the schools I went to in the area were very diverse. I look at people as people and not where they come from or where their family is from. I think the ethnicity/heritage of someone, is what makes them so interesting and you learn so much from their culture. These are people whose parents and themselves were displaced from their country and had to come over here and start again and rebuild. But with them they brought the essence of where they came from, the food, the work ethic and resilience. And with that, they showed me fearlessness and that if given an chance, you can do anything.
My best friend in high school was from El Salvador. She was smart, passionate and creative and that rubbed off on me. Together, her and I went to the library at school, hired a video camera. During every week throughout year 12 we filmed everyone and captured so many memorable moments. At the end of the school year, we cut a 30 minute montage of year 12. We had a screening of the film one lunch time and charged everyone a dollar to come and watch. We made $80. And then, if someone wanted a cut of the film, we charged them $2 and BYO video tape. We had no idea how interested all the students would be but everyone loved it.
Therefore, my childhood friends, they set the foundation for how I am with others – accepting, inclusive and non-judgemental. Because, why limit yourself, close yourself off? So many great and good things can happen by removing those boundaries.
What aspects of Australia’s multicultural society do you find fascinating?
Multiculturalism is enriching for all. Be it delicious food to enticing dancing and music. We are so spoilt for choice in this city! Every weekend there is a festival of someone’s culture, where we can immerse ourselves and get into the spirit of their heritage. I love that about Melbourne, that it is a place that encourages and embraces a multicultural society.
What kind of experiences have you had when interacting with people whose cultural background differs from your own? Any key lessons from these experiences/encounters?
I find that it is always a positive experience and it is not something to be fearful of. It is an opportunity to learn about another person’s experience and perspective on life. When I was in high school, I had friends from Sri Lanker, Mauritius, El Salvador, Philippines, Turkey, Vietnam, Cambodia, Croatia and all of them have very close connections to their community and family and celebrating it with good food, music and dancing. Everyone was always welcoming and friendly. And I always try to do the same.
In your opinion, how can multiculturalism be used as a vehicle for positive change in our society?
It brings everyone together and enriches everyone’s human experience. To think outside the box, immerse themselves in a different culture, opens the mind, invigorates the soul. The more we promote it, the more every day people will have an opportunity to experience something outside of their daily grind.
What fun and interesting activities/events can we do/hold to aid in bridging the cultural gap thereby creating an inclusive society for all to enjoy?
Cultural awareness days like Family fun days consisting of music, culture, food and art. I play tennis with a lady who is Polish and every December, at Federation Square, they have the Polish festival. This lady mans a stall and cooks delicious polish sausages amongst other things and 1000s of people attend. Chinese New Year…we celebrate every January.
The Indian festival of Diwali, in October. And I must tell you, my daughters day care, they celebrate all these different cultural events throughout the year. Therefore, my daughter is learning from a very young age about different cultures.
