The purpose of this circular is to highlight the Government's commitment to accommodate the culturally diverse nature of the public sector workforce.

Chief Executives are asked to distribute the attached list of Days of Religious Significance for Multicultural NSW for the Year 2001. The Ethnic Affairs Commission of New South Wales has provided this information.

Chief Executives are also asked to remind managers and supervisors to be sensitive and accommodating of the needs of employees in accessing their leave entitlements and flexible work hours for the purposes of observing religious duties. Further details are contained in Chapter 6, Section 13 of the Personnel Handbook (October 2000 Electronic edition) website:http://www.dpc.nsw.gov.au

Any enquiries regarding this matter may be directed to Donna Vaughan on 9228 5077.

C. Gellatly
Director-General

DAYS OF RELIGIOUS SIGNIFICANCE FOR MULTICULTURAL NEW SOUTH WALES FOR THE YEAR 2001
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JANUARY
6 Christmas Day (Armenian), Epiphany (Orthodox)
7 Christmas (Orthodox)
24 Xin Nian or Tet or Lunar's New Year (Chinese/Vietnamese Buddhist)
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FEBRUARY
25 Pilgrimage to Mecca (Islam)
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MARCH
6 Eid al-Adha or Feast of Sacrifice (Islam)
9 Purim (Jewish)
21 Naw Ruz (Baha'i/Iranian)
27 Islamic New Year (Islam)
29 Ascension of Baha'u'llah (Baha'i)
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APRIL
5 Ashura or Martyrdom of Iman Hussein (Islam)
8-15 Pesach or Passover (Jewish)
13 Vaisakhi (Sikh), Good Friday (Armenian/Christian/Orthodox)
15 Easter (Armenian/Christian/Orthodox)
22 Ridvan (Baha'i)
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MAY
7 Vesak Day - Buddha's Birth, Enlightenment, Passing away of the Buddha (Buddhist)
23 Declaration of the Bab (Baha'i)
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JUNE
5 Birth of the Prophet (Islam)
9 Martyrdom of the Bab (Baha'i)
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JULY
15 Vu Lan (Chinese/Vietnamese Buddhist)
21 Vassa-Rains Retreat begins (Buddhist)
29 Tisha B'av (Jewish)
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AUGUST
12 Krishna-Janmashtami or Birthday of the Lord Krishna (Hindu)
22 Ganesh Chaturthi (Hindu)
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SEPTEMBER
18-19 Rosh Hashanah (Jewish)
27 Yom Kippur (Jewish)
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OCTOBER
2 Succot, The Festival of Tabernacles (Jewish)
3 Pavarana - Rains Retreat ends (Buddhist)
10 Simchat Torah Rejoicing of the Law (Jewish)
16 Prophet's ascension to heaven (Islam)
17-26 Saraswati Puja (Hindu)
20 Birth of the B'ab (Baha'i)
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NOVEMBER
12 Birth of Baha'u'llah (Baha'i)
14 Deepavali or Festival of Lights (Hindu)
17 Ramadan (Islam)
30 Birth of Guru Nanak (Sikh)
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DECEMBER
10-17 Chanukah (Jewish)
17 Eid al-Fitr (Islam)
25 Christmas (Christian/Orthodox)