On 26 January 1788, the First Fleet of 11 ships carrying 1,500 people arrived in Sydney Harbour. Since then Australia has grown to a population of almost 23 million people, with immigrants from 200 different countries and more than 270 nationalities.

Today, more than 20 per cent of Australians are foreign born and more than 40 per cent are of mixed cultural origin. Australians speak 226 languages - after English, the most popular are Italian, Greek, Cantonese and Arabic.

This rich cultural diversity is reflected in it's food encompassing Mediterranean flavours,the tantalising spices of Asia, Africa and the Middle East and Bush Tucker from Australia's own backyard on offer. This melting pot of cultures is also evident in the many colourful festivals held throughout the year, from Samba and Capoeira at Bondi’s Brazilian South American festival, to the dragon parade during Chinese New Year or the lively Piazza during the annual Italian celebrations. As a nation, Australians embrace a rainbow of religious belief and one can find Catholic and Anglican churches, Hindu, Sikh and Buddhist temples, mosques and synagogues lining the streets.

Australia is shaped by these cultures, the languages spoken and customs practiced and each community makes a valuable contribution to the nation, enhancing and sustaining the diverse way of life and life's balance.