The Victorian Government is helping the Chinese Association of Victoria and the Shree Swaminarayan Temple celebrate culture and hold their events in a COVID-safe way for all locals to enjoy with close to $7,000 being provided by the Andrews Government to these two multicultural organisations. 

They are two of dozens of activities to be supported through the Government’s Multicultural Festivals and Events program, encouraging 148 community organisations across Victoria to get creative and move their events online. 

More than $800,000 will flow to those organisations, helping them to also build and develop their long-term digital capacity. 

Local Member for Bayswater, Jackson Taylor, announced the CAV and the Shree Swaminarayan Temple as some of the successful recipients locally. 

The CAV will be celebrating their Mid-Autumn Mooncake Festival online this year, while the Shree Swaminarayan Temple will be marking their annual Diwali and Ankoot Festival digitally for the first time. 

Events include the Vietnamese Community in Australia – Victoria Chapter’s Tet Lunar New Year Festival, the Wyndham Diwali and both the SalamFest Digital Edition and the African Music and Cultural Virtual Festival, which are expected to each attract 10,000 people. 

Expect to see many of Victoria’s favourite events go digital in the coming months as our multicultural and multifaith communities celebrate, commemorate and connect online. 

For the full list of successful recipients, visit: vic.gov.au/multicultural-festivals-and-events-program. 

Quotes attributable to Minister for Multicultural Affairs Ros Spence 

“We’ll be there for our multicultural and multifaith communities during this pandemic and into the future – with dozens of events and festivals getting underway over the coming months through the support of this program.” 

“We are all the stronger for backing Victorians to embrace their traditions and culture – it’s why Victoria is such a strong, diverse and welcoming state.” 

Quotes attributable to Member for Bayswater, Jackson Taylor 

“This is great news for a couple of ripper organisations in the CAV and the Shree Swaminarayan Temple. It means the pandemic that’s impacting everybody in different ways won’t stop the celebrations of their unique and rich cultures done in a virtual and COVID safe manner.” 

“I’m so proud that the Andrews Government is backing in these organisations – because they’ve been stepping up to help out where they can, with both the CAV and the Temple organising food packages and hot meals for those doing it tough. Keep up the great work.”