Our story

Remembering our past. Building our future.

Hazara Cultural Association brings remembrance, cultural pride and practical care together. In Melbourne, we create spaces to honour our history, celebrate who we are and support the communities we call home.

At Dandenong’s Drum Theatre, our Hazara Genocide Memorial brought together a full auditorium to remember lives lost and reflect on generations of persecution, displacement and enduring trauma. Sharing these histories helps younger generations understand their roots and carries the call for dignity and justice forward.

We also recognise connections between Hazara experiences and those of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples: dispossession, the struggle to protect culture, and the enduring importance of land, identity and belonging. With respect for our distinct histories, we stand in solidarity with First Nations peoples in their pursuit of recognition, self-determination and justice. Listening to one another strengthens our shared commitment to dignity and cultural survival.

That same resilience becomes joy at Hazara Culture Day. Even in heavy rain, families filled Dandenong Park with colourful dress, music and connection. As co-leaders of Fusion Festival during Refugee Week, we also celebrate alongside other communities, sharing stories and building friendships across cultures.

We stand with Hazara women, including those in Herat, and support their right to safety, education and a voice in their own future. Here in Australia, our members turn solidarity into practical help: in 2026, HCA reported assisting more than 1,500 people with Census forms, including people from Hazara, Tajik, Afghan and Iraqi Arab backgrounds.

From remembering together to celebrating together and helping one another, our purpose is simple: keep our culture thriving and help every person feel they belong.