Toowoomba celebrates its diversity in one special weekend

TOOWOOMBA has often been labelled a town bereft of identity outside of our traditional draw card, the Carnival of Flowers.

Takatsuki and St Alban's under 12's. Friendly football games between Japanese teams from Takatsuki and Toowoomba taking palce this weekend at Middle Ridge Park. August 2018. Picture: Bev Lacey

TOOWOOMBA has often been labelled a town bereft of identity outside of our traditional draw card, the Carnival of Flowers.

But I believe the weekend proved just how wrong those critics are with the Garden City playing host to two events that celebrated identity and culture.

First up was the visit of residents from Toowoomba's Japanese sister city Takatsuki.

Included among those visitors were several young football teams.

Often considered a great "unifier" I am constantly amazed by how much sport - in this case football - can bring cultures together and celebrate their differences at the same time.

I've played in plenty of football teams over the years and always found great joy in talking to players from other countries because it changed the way I looked at the game I loved playing.

A joy I'm sure you would've seen in all the players at Middle Ridge Park at the weekend.

And then of course there was yesterday's Toowoomba Languages and Cultures Festival.

You'd be hard-pressed to find an event that acknowledges, encourages and celebrates diversity, identity and culture more than the festival.

Now in its 13th year the festival is something we can all enjoy.

If you haven't attended one I highly recommend you go in 2019.

Originally published as Toowoomba celebrates its diversity in one special weekend