Splash of colour for statue

Staff members Jane Copeland and Esther Tobin help to wrap the statue of Sir Thomas Elder.
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Some of the many helpers on Harmony Day.
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Thursday, 21 March 2002

One of Adelaide's best-known statues - the sculpture of University of Adelaide benefactor Sir Thomas Elder at North Terrace - has taken on a colourful new look today (Thursday 21 March).

To celebrate Harmony Day, an orange wrap has been draped around the pedestal of the statue at Goodman Crescent Lawns in the University grounds. Harmony Day aims to promote inclusiveness, productive diversity, and community harmony and is coordinated by the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs. It coincides with the United Nations' International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

The University's International Student Centre, which is behind the "wrap", chose the statue of Sir Thomas Elder because of his early support for the University's vision of advancing knowledge, understanding and culture through scholarship, research, teaching and community service Elder made a gift of 20,000 pounds to the University on the passage of the Act of Incorporation in November 1874.

The theme of Harmony Day 2002 is 'You + Me = Us,' which reinforces the fact that Australian multiculturalism includes everybody. In addition to many programmed events throughout the country, the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs is supplying bolts of orange plastic wrap with the Harmony Day logo for wrapping around public structures.

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