A vibrant team of St James College students and staff joined thousands of Queenslanders for Multicultural Australia’s Luminous Lantern Parade, the state’s largest celebration of multiculturalism and community spirit.

With many St James students born overseas or from refugee backgrounds, events like Luminous embody the college’s Edmund Rice tradition and its touchstones of inclusive community, justice and solidarity. These opportunities allow students to take real action, build community, and contribute to a more cohesive society.

Founded in 2007 as a modest candle-light march, the parade now winds through South Bank Parklands, launching Multicultural Queensland Month in a blaze of colour, music and messages of welcome.

In the lead-up to the walk, students and staff gathered to decorate paper lanterns and rehearsed percussion rhythms that would soundtrack their walk.

St James College Art Therapist Sue Cameron said this year’s march was “particularly special” because the college teamed up with the Romero Centre, a Brisbane organisation that offers hospitality, English classes, housing and employment support to people seeking asylum.

“Teaming up with the Romero Centre gives students real-world examples of community and advocacy in action, as well as avenues for ongoing service,” Ms Cameron said.

The Romero Centre relies on community support to continue its work. To contribute, visit https://romerocentre.org.au/ge...