Children from the Carlton Primary School came together with their families and the Carlton Football Club last week, in a show of solidarity against racism.

The Club hosted a sausage sizzle at the foot of the Carlton High Rise Estates, as children painted banners and played ball with Carlton’s Simon White.

Carlton’s Fan Development and Diversity Coordinator Doug Stevenson said most of the children are from migrant and refugee backgrounds.

“The kids are making banners for the broader community to spread key messages around the theme that there’s no room for racism in our community,” Stevenson said.

“Food brings everyone together – it doesn’t matter where you come from, food talks. So we’re getting everyone together to promote acceptance with a friendly, positive vibe.”

The Carlton Football Club’s relationship with families in the high-rise apartments dates back almost 25 years. Bec Harris, the Community Learning Coordinator from Carlton Primary, said the Club’s support means a great deal to the families because racism remains a real issue in their daily lives.

“It’s a huge issue for these kids, even just walking here today I was with a little boy who told me the kids who live near him tease him about his religion and the colour of his skin,” Harris said.

“So the message I want to give that child, and the others, is that across Australia you’ve got people standing with you who think that behaviour is not ok – as a community we say that is not ok.”