By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
A BERWICK Buddhist monastery will soon build a new school hall after receiving more than $60,000 in funding from the State Government.
Buddhist Vihara Victoria, a Sri Lankan Buddhist order based at the Sakyamuni Sambuddha Vihara Temple on Homestead Road, received a $65,000 grant on Tuesday from the Office of Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship, under its Cultural Precincts and Community Infrastructure Fund (CPCIF).
South Eastern Metropolitan Region MP Inga Peulich presented Buddhist Vihara Victoria with the grant, along with Casey councillors Geoff Ablett, Susan Serey, Mick Morland and Damien Rosario.
Chief Monk Wimalananda Thero Digamadulle said the funding would be used to build a hall for the monastery’s language school students at its Berwick premises.
Construction on the hall is expected to start next February and will cost more than $300,000.
Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship Nicholas Kotsiras said the CPCIF would provide almost $500,000 worth of funding to community centres throughout 2013-14.
“The Government recognises the invaluable role of multicultural community organisations in Victoria and the essential services they provide to community members of all ages and backgrounds,” said Mr Kotsiras.
“Community facilities such as those being upgraded and enhanced through this funding round are an important asset for all Victorians and can be used for a variety of purposes by the whole community.”
The CPCIF promotes greater use and access to community-owned facilities by all Victorians to increase participation in activities and improve access to services.
It also ensures Victoria’s established cultural precincts remain sustainable and attractive destinations for investment, cultural and tourism activities.
Further information on the CPCIF is available online at multicultural.vic.gov.au.
