The Victorian Minister for Multicultural Affairs Ros Spence announced that 269 community organisations will share in $1.6 million in funding to run multicultural festivals and events throughout Victoria.
“We are proud to support events that celebrate Victoria’s diversity while helping boost local economies,” Ms Spence said.
Funding will be allocated towards events between 1 January and 30 June 2023.
More than 245 cultural communities will be supported through this program, including more than 100 new and emerging migrant community organisations.
“The Multicultural Festivals and Events Program ensures our multicultural and multifaith communities can share their traditions, culture and identity with all Victorians,” Ms Spence said.
Premier Andrews last week announced an increased commitment of $800,000 over four years for the Antipodes festival.
“The Greek Antipodes festival is not only about celebrating all that is Greek in Melbourne, but also about sharing culture with other communities” Jorge Menidis the Antipodes festival director said.
Mr Menidis added that Antipodes brings to Melbourne over $7 million in two days.
Some of the other Greek organisations that will share in the new funding include the Association of Greek Elderly Citizen Clubs of Melbourne & Vic Inc. for their Multicultural Bread Baking Festival, $20,000; Darebin Greek Women Senior Citizens Group for their Day of Greek Independence $1,850; Federation of Messinian Organisations of Melbourne and Victoria for Greek Independence Day Celebration, $2,000; Greek Elderly Citizens Club of Manningham Incorporated for Christos Anesti: Traditional Greek Easter Celebrations, $2,000; Greek Orthodox Community of Oakleigh and District for the Oakleigh Community Festival, $35,000; Greek Orthodox Community of Whittlesea for the Greek Independence Day Commemorative Event, $2,000; and the Victorian Council Greek National Day for their 2023 Greek National Day Parade, $7,600).
Other communities’ events to share in the new bounty include the Holi Festival 2023, hosted by the Ballarat Indian Association, and Whittlesea Colour Carnival, the annual festival of colours that celebrates Holi in communities across Victoria and is hosted by Mission Smile.
The African Music and Cultural Festival is receiving support to host its 10th annual event, which will bring the tastes, sounds and rhythms of African culture to the Immigration Museum.
Sunshine Lunar New Year Festival will take place in February 2023, with hosts Sunshine Business Association which expects more than 50,000 community members to join in the festivities.
