workplace diversity

Tessa is Australian, as are her parents, grandparents and great grandparents. Her father’s ancestors came from Scandinavia.

Catherine’s parents moved to Australia from China in the early 1990s. They met in English class where they fell in love. Despite growing up in two different cities and speaking two different dialects, Shanghainese and Cantonese, the unification of China during the Cultural Revolution enabled them to converse in a common tongue – Mandarin.

Emma was born in Australia and grew up in Melbourne with her three brothers.  Her father’s ancestors were from Ireland, with a large family of Fays (including a couple and their six sons) first arriving in Port Melbourne on a ship from Liverpool in 1864.  Her mother’s ancestors were also Irish. 

Ayca is from Istanbul in Turkey and both her parents are Turkish. There is also some Greek blood, with some family members two generations back on her mother’s side hailing from Thessaloniki in Northern Greece.  Her father’s parents have Mongolian heritage but always lived in Turkey.

Angel was born in Sydney, New South Wales and currently lives in Mt Druitt. Her mother is Aboriginal, her ancestors originating from the Gamilaraay/Kamilaroi Tribe in Moree NSW. Her father is Fijian and most of his family still live in Fiji.

Gilad’s family history is complicated. There is a mix of cultures including French, Israeli, Lithuanian, Polish and Tunisian with both of his parents being migrants.

Camera shy Cristina was not at all keen on having her photo taken by Ed. It took a serious amount of coaxing. Eventually sweet natured Cristina gave in, and started to share details of her family history. 

As one of Australia’s major clothing retailers employing over 4,300 staff (Besties) from a range of different backgrounds, Best and Less has a firm commitment to cultural diversity, involving each of its 196 stores, Support Centre and Distribution Centre in over 400 A Taste of Harmony events.

Australia Post has been taking part in A Taste of Harmony for 10 years, since the campaign’s inception, so it goes without saying that the organisation has some great advice to share when it comes to keeping staff engaged year after year.