Hindu Sri Vakrathunda Vinayagar Temple in The Basin suburb of Melbourne will get its own HINDU COMMUNITY HUB thanks to a $1.5 million funding promise by Ministers Alan Tudge and Jason Wood.
For years Basin Ganesha Temple is a focal point for Hindus across Victoria with more than 75,000 devotees attending it annually. Hindu community leaders have been trying to get a centre built nearby where they can gather, socialise and share their culture.
Federal Member for Aston Alan Tudge has announced that a re-elected Morrison government will help make this a reality. The Hindu Community Hub will be a place of learning, friendship and support for Hindus in Victoria and a great asset to the local community.
“The Basin Temple is a wonderful part of the local community. It is the largest granite temple in the southern hemisphere and the oldest traditional Hindu Temple in Victoria,” Mr Tudge said.
“The Hindu community in Australia has grown significantly over the last thirty years becoming two per cent of the total population of Australia. In Victoria, Hinduism is the fastest growing religion with approximately 134,000 Hindus living in the state,”
said Mr Tudge
“Some of the temple’s key festivals attract over 1,000 devotees at any one time and on some important days over 3,000 devotees will visit the temple,” he added.
Federal Member for Deakin and Assistant Treasurer Michael Sukkar said, “The funding will allow for the Hindu community to thrive and strengthen its presence in the local area.”
“We are very pleased to be able to provide $1.5 million for the creation of a Hindu Community Hub here in Melbourne. This Hub will meet the cultural and social needs of the Hindu community and I look forward to seeing the community continue to flourish.”
Minister Sukkar said.
Assistant Minister Jason Wood told The Australia Today, “Hindu Community members work hard and support the growth of Australia. Their social and cultural needs are unique and re-elected Morrison government will provide the Hub they need desperately.”
“I am sure it will serve our Victorian community well in the years to come.”
added Minister Wood.
Shan Pillai President of Basin Ganesha Temple management committee told The Australia Today, “We have been in existence for 30 years serving the community but it’s the first time any government has made a funding commitment to our temple.”
“It’s really something for us, from bottom of my heart all I can say is big thank you as the Hindu Hub is a big need for us.”
explained Mr Pillai.
The proposed Hub will serve Melbourne Hindu communities from countries such as India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, Nepal, Bhutan, Mauritius, Bangladesh, Fiji, Brunei, South Africa and Kenya.
$700,00 for a new kitchen facility for a new home for Sikh Volunteers Australia
The new Sikh Volunteers Australia’s (SVA) Kitchen and Community Centre Project in Langwarrin was short of $700,000 despite the generosity of the community of Melbourne.
However the Assistant Minister for Multicultural Affairs Jason Wood announced the good news that re-elected Liberal Morrison Government will provide $700,000 in funding to help build a new kitchen facility at their new home at Langwarrin.
Minister Jason Wood said, “The selflessness of our multicultural community is inspiring. Sikh Volunteers Australia are our champions who have been the first to help those in need. Their service needs recognition, and this funding is just one way to show our support at a Federal level for their tireless work.”
“SVA’s new home will not only serve as a place for the free food services but will also serve as a centre to support family violence victims, vulnerable youth and other volunteer organisation’s from the South-East of Melbourne”.
added Mr Wood.
Sikh Volunteers Australia (SVA) is a not-for-profit volunteer organisation that has been at the forefront of serving the community, particularly during the awful bushfires and pandemic. SVA’s dedicated team of volunteers aim to reduce distress in the community by providing daily free hot meals to the disadvantaged.
Liberal Candidate for Holt Ranj Perera is a staunch supporter of Sikh Volunteers Australia.
Mr Perera told The Australia Today, “I’m proud to be associated with Sikh volunteers given how much they have done for the wider Australian community in times of need.”
“I look forward to working with them on future projects which will benefit the South-East of Melbourne, particularly in the Holt electorate,”
said Mr Perera.
SVA’s new Kitchen and Community Centre Project will also be a place for their ongoing community services, volunteers’ activities, events, and celebrations.
The Liberal Morrison Government always backs community organisations that are our champions in time of need. SVA is at the heart of serving those in need across Victoria.
Liberal Candidate for Dunkley Sharn Coombes who was also present at the announcement said, “I have advocated strongly for a new kitchen facility for the Sikh Volunteers in Langwarrin. This is understandably a priority project of mine locally.”
Every Victorian should be proud of the support the Sikh’s have provided our community. This kitchen facility will be a great asset for the entire Victorian community but particularly for the people of Dunkley.”