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BACKING A NEW SHRI SHIVA VISHNU TEMPLE HALL
MELBOURNE, April 7: The Andrews Labor Government is backing a new multipurpose hall at the Shri Shiva Vishnu Temple in Carrum Downs to support Victoria’s growing Hindu community.
Minister for Multicultural Affairs Ros Spence visited the Shri Shiva Vishnu Temple in Carrum Downs last week to pay tribute to the Hindu Society of Victoria’s work over almost four decades and discuss the redevelopment of the temple, which is receiving $500,000 from the Labor Government.
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The investment is part of the Labor Government’s $21 million towards upgrading multicultural community facilities that was announced in the Victorian Budget 2020/21.
It is subject to the Hindu Society of Victoria obtaining the relevant building approvals for the proposed works.
Participating in a traditional Hindu ceremony with Member for Carrum Sonya Kilkenny, Minister Spence thanked the society for their important work in bringing the Hindu community together, particularly over the past year.
The temple serves the Hindu community as a space to connect and to celebrate– which is more important than ever given the challenges brought by the global coronavirus pandemic.
Since 2014, the Labor Government has provided nearly $300,000 to support the work of the Hindu Society of Victoria through various grant programs. This funding has provided upgrades to the temple and surrounding infrastructure, allowing thousands of visitors to attend the Temple’s various Pooja ceremonies and festival celebrations each year.
(MEDIA RELEASE)
- Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Ros Spence
The Winner Takes it all
Neha Kolape does it again winning 2021 Lalor Women of the year award in the community category.
Neha Kolape is not shy to trophies, from bagging the Lalor Hero award in 2019 to Women of Wyndham Champion Award 2019(to name a few), she once more added another crown to her name.
Kolape did it again- winning the ‘2021 Lalor Women of the year Award, Community category.
Last year was one of the most difficult year but it was very important to continue community engagement despite the challenges. Kolape delivered Lalor’s largest event of the year 2020, a Wyndham Holi 2020. Due to COVID, Ganesh festival was cancelled in September but Kolape ascertained to arrange online offerings and other rituals to many devotees along with free distribution of free mask boxes. Neha is also a RAC (Regional Advisory Council) member of VMC and hence attended many online meetings with VMC commissioners addressing COVID issues and safety measures.
Last year, she took responsibility for a new organisation called MOA (Maharashtra Organisation Australia), as a head of Women wing. During the pandemic, her organisations supported some students in the form of financial aid, supply of groceries and masks, Kolape not only arranged a recognition programme for thirty community people who worked hard during COVID but she also arranged a five-hour tour on cruise for one hundred and fifty people at a very low cost. www.gdayindia.com.au | M: 0412-114-383
The cruise was arranged along with MOA committee as it was very important for many families for community contact.
The event was held in Mulgrave and six people from Lalor were recognised in this event with a community award. Federal MP Joanne Ryan, the chief guest, celebrated this event along with other women achievers in the local community in honour of International Women’s Day. She presented the community award to Kolape for not only her outstanding work with local organisations and event but also her work in the prevention of family and domestic violence. Other recipients are Michele Abbott of Truganina Fire Brigade for her work educating the community on fire safety, Sam Johnson won the Business Award for her work running local early education and child care centres and Jo Lally won the Arts award for her service to the local music scene.
