Harmony Day offers a moment to pause and reflect on the people who make up our Ulton community. Each of us arrives with our own story, shaped by culture, family, heritage, traditions, and life experiences.
This year, several team members generously shared reflections about the celebrations, values, and memories that have shaped them. Their stories remind us that culture isn’t just something we celebrate once a year — it lives in the way we connect with family, the values we carry, and the small moments that bring people together.
For Nadeem, one of the most meaningful cultural celebrations is Eid-ul-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan, a month of fasting, reflection, discipline and spiritual focus.
Eid is a joyful moment, but it is also deeply connected to the values cultivated during the month leading up to it.
“Eid-ul-Fitr brings people together in a way that feels really genuine. After a month of fasting, everyone is in this shared mindset of gratitude and wanting to reconnect. The food, the visits, the sense of community — it all creates this atmosphere where people slow down and look out for one another.”
The celebration is a time when families and communities gather, share meals, and reconnect. But for Nadeem, the significance of Eid goes far beyond a single day.
“What I appreciate most is how Eid shines a light on values that are present all year round. The focus on generosity isn’t something that appears only on the day of celebration — it’s a continuation of a mindset that’s built throughout Ramadan and carried into everyday life.”
Acts of generosity, supporting those in need, contributing to feeding programs, or helping vulnerable members of the community, are central to the spirit of the celebration.
“For me, these traditions reflect kindness, giving without expecting anything back, and staying grounded in gratitude. Eid feels like a reminder of what truly matters — community, compassion, and making sure no one is left behind.”
For Ishanie, her cultural background is closely connected to the teachings of Buddhism, which she describes not simply as a religion, but as a guide for living.
“To me, Buddhism is a way of life. Around the world, many people practice mindfulness, kindness, compassion and gratitude without necessarily calling themselves Buddhists — and they don’t have to. That is the beauty of it.”
Rather than focusing on belief alone, the teachings encourage awareness of the present moment and living with intention.
“Buddhism teaches us to focus on the present moment and to do our best right now. That principle has shaped who I am today.”
These ideas influence the rhythm of Ishanie’s daily life. Each morning begins with a simple intention, wishing for a peaceful day for herself and for her three children.
“I tackle my daily tasks one by one, prioritising what truly needs attention right now. This focus brings me peace.”
Key teachings such as the Four Noble Truths help guide her understanding of life and challenges, reminding her that suffering often arises from attachment and that peace can be found through awareness and balance.
Traditional Buddhist observances also create space for reflection. On full moon days, known as Poya Days, Buddhists traditionally dress in white and spend time reflecting on teachings, meditating, and cultivating a peaceful mind.
While living in Australia means Ishanie doesn’t always observe these traditions in the same way as she might in Sri Lanka, the practice continues in quieter ways.
“I carry the practice into my everyday life — while cooking, ironing my children’s clothes, or in any quiet moment I can find. The practice is internal.”
At its heart, Buddhism emphasises compassion and interconnectedness — values Ishanie strives to carry into her everyday interactions.
“Even a small smile, a kind message, or a moment of patience can change someone’s day.”
Some of Ishanie cultrual backgrounds
For Kiandra, culture is closely tied to family stories and memories that stretch across generations.
Her great grandmother, affectionately known as Oma, is German, while her great grandfather was Polish. When Kiandra’s grandfather was just two years old, the family migrated to Australia, bringing their traditions and cooking with them.
Some of Kiandra’s favourite childhood memories centre around food and family gatherings, particularly at Christmas.
“I remember the cabbage rolls and dumplings. There was never a shortage of food, and Oma always made sure everyone ate.”
Those moments around the table created lasting memories of warmth, generosity, and laughter.
One particularly memorable moment came when Kiandra was seven years old.
“Oma gave me ice cream and strawberries for breakfast, lunch and dinner and said it was ‘good for you’ — in her German accent.”
While there weren’t necessarily formal traditions passed down, the memories themselves have become a cherished part of Kiandra’s connection to her heritage.
Today, she hopes to one day travel to Germany and Poland to see the places where her family story began.
Tiffany shared her connection to Aotearoa New Zealand and the cultural significance of traditions such as the Māori Haka.
The Haka is widely recognised for its powerful expression of strength, unity and identity. For many, it represents pride in heritage and a deep connection to land and community.
Tiffany also highlighted Hāngī, a traditional cooking method where food is prepared underground using heated stones, a communal experience that brings people together through food and shared tradition.
For her, the South Island of New Zealand remains a place deeply connected to heritage and culture.
While each story is unique, there are common threads that run through them all — family, kindness, community, reflection, and the values that shape how we live and interact with others.
These stories remind us that diversity is not just about where we come from. It’s about the perspectives, experiences, and humanity we bring to our workplace every day.
Harmony Day aligns closely with Ulton’s Human First value. When we take time to listen to one another’s stories and learn about different backgrounds and traditions, we deepen our understanding and strengthen our connections.
As Ishanie reflected, “Being kind and being open to learning about other cultures.”
Nadeem shared a similar sentiment: “Being kind, helpful, supportive, respectful and generous — always. Saying please and thank you has a much bigger impact than we think.”
In many ways, Harmony isn’t built through big gestures. It grows through small, everyday moments, kindness, curiosity, and a genuine willingness to understand one another.
Thank you to everyone who shared their stories so openly. They remind us that while our backgrounds may be different, our shared commitment to kindness, connection, and community is what truly brings us together.