HORSHAM residents from around the world have come together to celebrate Christmas with Oasis Wimmera.
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People from Nepal, Japan, Korea, Turkey, Burma, India and China gathered at May Park on Saturday December 14 for a party to mark the festive season.
The event was co-hosted by Wimmera Development Association's Wimmera Settlement Service and the Rotary Club.
Oasis Wimmera president Anubha Jalla Das said for other cultures, Christmas was just one of many festivals during the year and the emphasis was on celebrating as a community.
"I have noticed people in the Wimmera see Christmas more as a time when Santa comes to bring presents, so we try to make sure our events focus less on religion," she said. "It is one big party."
"When you look at the people who come to our events you see a picture of real diversity and joy."
Mrs Jalla Das migrated to Australia from India and said Christmas was a sacred time for her.
"It is about the coming of Christ," she said.
She said if she was in Horsham on December 25 she would go to Harvest Church and have lunch with her family.
Hserwah Tokyaut from Horsham's Karen community said she would celebrate Christmas with her family and friends at Horsham's St John Anglican Church.
"We are going to Church for the Christmas eve midnight service this year," she said. "It is a big community celebration."
Mrs Tokyaut said her family would have a meal together and sing carols at other people's houses in Karen.
"I like all the Christmas songs," she said.
Horsham Islamic Welfare Association president Mahabubur Mollah said Muslims in Horsham didn't celebrate Christmas but would have a party with family and friends.
"It is a festive season," he said. "A time to get together."
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