What started as a dream to showcase the cultures in Northern Southland became a reality on 6th December, but still has a wee way to go before the real dream is reached.

Head of Humanities at Northern Southland College (NSC), Dinesh Naidu, had “run a cultural night” on his to-do list for 2022.

His big dream is to showcase all the cultures present in Northern Southland but he’s happy to have started with baby steps with Maori items from Northern Southland Kindergarten, Just Four Kids, Lumsden Primary School and Northern Southland College.

There were a few more groups organised to perform but, whether it was the time of the year, or cold feet, they pulled out so it was a short but talented performance on the night followed by shared kai.

Mr Naidu was pretty pleased with the result of the evening.

“We’d like to make it an annual event to celebrate the diverse Lumsden Community so we plan to have it earlier in the year next year. Maybe coincide with the Matariki celebration” said Naidu.

Unfortunately, Northern Southland College’s principal, Mr Pete Wilkinson was unwell on the night and unable to attend but Lumsden Primary School’s principal, Mrs Danella Smallridge was there to support her students and the other performers.

“I loved the community feel” she said “watching the preschoolers was priceless. My students enjoyed seeing the NSC students. It was great to come together as a community”.

Lumsden pre-schoolers take to the stage. Photo: Bruce Lee

It was definitely a popular event with several generations of families attending. Obviously, the way to get an audience is to make sure to have some cute preschoolers up on stage - they definitely stole the show with their cuteness.

Next year’s planning is already underway and everyone involved is hoping to attract more cultural groups to attend so that we can celebrate the very diverse community at Lumsden.

Further down the track they are hoping to run a Northern Southland Polyfest type celebration but, for now, baby steps are fine.