"We are a nation of migrants and there is no place for hate in our society. Every Australian, whatever their heritage, deserves to feel safe and welcome."

Those words from Julian Hill, the Assistant Minister for Citizenship, Customs and Multicultural Affairs, sparked a huge round of applause at Friday night's celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Multicultural Communities Council of the Illawarra (MCCI). He said it wasn't lost on him that this year also marks the 50th anniversary of the Whitlam Government introducing Australia's Racial Discrimination Act.

Attended by more than 400 people at the University of Wollongong's Great Hall, the spirit of peace, connectedness and caring was a far cry from the ugly scenes on Australia's streets a week ago today when tens of thousands of people rallied against 'mass immigration' in Australia.

"An attack on any one of us for our identity is an attack on Australia, which diminishes us all," Julian Hill told the MCCI celebration dinner. "Racism of course exists in every human society on the planet. But it is very sad that some of our fellow Australians are so scared of people who are different to them. And that other, who may be decent people, with legitimate concerns, are being misled and misused by the far right through these events.

"How we, as leaders, act and react to such events though, contributes to social cohesion."

Despite the angry scenes and words of a week ago, Mr Hill said "we can be optimistic and proud. The overwhelming majority of Australians love our multicultural character.

"To me, an Australian is anyone committed to our country and our democratic institutions, and to the basic principle of mutual respect for their fellow Australians; who may be very, very different in their heritage, beliefs or identity.

"Social cohesion doesn't imply that everyone agrees or thinks the same. It's about mutual respect and accepting that we have more in common than we have differences as Australians, while disagreeing agreeably at times.  

"In acknowledging the traditional owners, the Dharawal People, the assistant minister said: "I will state a simple truth: for thousands of years, our ancient continent has always been a multicultural land."

In response to the hostility seen at last Sunday's 'March for Australia' rallies, the Multicultural Communities Council of the Illawarra sent a strong, supportive message to their 62 local organisations.

It's the view of a small minority

The message, co-signed by MCCI Chair Ken Habak OAM and CEO Chris Lacey, said those taking part in the anti-immigration rallies "represent a very small minority of the Australian community".

"As a regional peak body whose purpose is to support migrants and former refugees, to represent multicultural associations, and to promote the principles of multiculturalism, these marches are deeply troubling for us all."

They certainly didn't distract from an evening of great celebration on Friday night. Multicultural community leaders have expressed their disappointment at the images seen.

"Let us be clear that in modern Australia, multiculturalism is the very fabric of our society and integral to our national identity," MCCI's leaders said. "In the most recent Scanlon Foundation report on Mapping Social Cohesion, 85 per cent of Australians agree with the view that multiculturalism is good for Australia. A similar figure agrees with the view that migrants have improved Australian society by bringing new ideas and cultures to our nation."

The MCCI called on their membership to not be upset by last weekend's events.

"While these views represent a minority opinion in the Australian community, they also serve to refocus our efforts as a regional peak body... to recommit ourselves to a continued purpose of pursuing a cohesive society that embraces, celebrates, and values our diversity."

Rallies 'don't represent the true spirit of Australia'

Multicultural community leaders in the Illawarra have also responded to the 'March for Australia' rallies.

Yossra Aboulfadl said: "I came to Australia 21 years ago with the hope of belonging, contributing and raising my family in a country that prides itself on fairness and diversity. As an immigrant, watching those rallies was deeply painful. To see people rallying against migrants, many of whom have escaped war, poverty, or persecution, felt like a rejection of the very values that make this country strong.

"But at the same time, I have felt tremendous support here. I come from a highly educated family, and like so many immigrants in Australia, whether health professionals, engineers or teachers, we have been embraced and respected in our communities. We are part of the fabric of this country and at the core of building it," Yossra said.

"Personally, I serve my community as a pharmacist, and I feel grateful for the kindness and solidarity of so many Australians. Even though these rallies represent an ugly minority, they still reflect a part of this nation, and they remind us that there is important work we must do to stand up against racism and ignorance.

"Migration enriches Australia, it is not a threat. The ugly voices on the streets might be loud, but I believe they don't represent the true spirit of this nation.”

Weaponising the Australian flag

Franca Facci, the chair of the Illawarra Migration Heritage Project, said: "It's hard for me not to take this personally and I feel really anxious, about how these types of protests unravel all the good that has been done.

"I'm not happy because these people say they're proud Australians, yet they've imported all this vile language and hatred from overseas. These are people who see themselves as privileged white people who have never been classed as 'the other' in their lives.

"I get particularly angry about them weaponising the Australian flag. We always hear people saying the diggers fought under that flag, so we didn't have to suffer under fascism and hatred. Yet that's what we saw at the weekend under our flag.

"It's awful what's happening and hard not to be emotive when you see those sorts of scenes."

Franca said perhaps the protestors should be reminded that they all came from somewhere else. "White people invaded this country which was occupied by the First Nations people."

The Illawarra Flame will present a full wrap of the highlights of the MCCI 50th anniversary dinner in the days ahead. Watch this space.