Tony Lupton - News
Boost for local community groups
State Labor Member for Prahran, Tony Lupton, joined with the Minister Assisting the Premier on Multicultural Affairs, James Merlino, and Member for Albert Park, Martin Foley, to announce $123,650 in Brumby Government grants to strengthen and celebrate cultural diversity.
“Through these grants the Brumby Government is showing its commitment to encouraging our multicultural communities to maintain and share their unique identities” Mr Lupton said.
Mr Lupton said that 47 community groups in the local community would receive funds from the Community Grants Program for organisational support, to hold festivals and events and for community projects.
“Victorians take great pride in our diversity, the latest grants provide an important boost for our local community groups” Mr Lupton said.
“Community groups contribute to the success and dynamism of our multicultural society.
“The grants recognise the importance of supporting organisations that bring people together and celebrate the fantastic diversity our community” he said.
Funding for groups in this round of the Community Grants Program includes:
- $18,900 to support a range of Festivals and Events;
- $28,350 for Organisational Support, providing vital funds to cover operational costs associated with running community groups;
- $13,000 towards Strengthening Multicultural Communities through projects and initiatives run by community organisations; and
- $63,400 for Buildings and Facilities Improvements, Educational Programs and Promoting Harmony through Multifaith and Interfaith and Women Creating Harmony grants.
Among the recipients was the Jewish Museum of Australia, which received $10,000 to host a Harmony Day with 40 students from different backgrounds, bringing their stories, beliefs and songs to create a mural collage of drawings, objects and photographs at the museum.
The Tibetan Community of Australia (Victoria) also received a grant to organise a celebration for the Dalai Lama's birthday, to include a day of singing, dancing and religious ceremonies.
The Victorian Government has increased funding for the Victorian Multicultural Commission Community Grants Program from $750,000 in 1999 to $4.6 million per year.
