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How a new multicultural centre is helping Melbourne's Nepali community feel more 'at home'
The Nepali community recently celebrated the inauguration of its hub for education, culture and religious events in Melbourne. The Australian Nepali Multicultural Centre (ANMC) is the first of its kind in the country, with plans for similar centres gaining momentum in other capital cities.
Published 30 October 2023 12:29pm
Updated 30 October 2023 1:02pm
By Abhas Parajuli, Dinita Rishal, Sweksha Karna
Source: SBS
Image: (From L to R) Peter Khalil, Gandhi Prasad Bhattarai and Sam Rae during the formal inauguration of the Australian Nepalese Multicultural Centre (ANMC) at Diggers Rest in Melbourne. (SBS Nepali/Abhas Parajuli)
Key Points
- The centre is the first of its kind in Australia.
- Both federal and state governments are funding the centre.
- The Nepali community finds a 'home away from home' during the annual Dashain festival.
After more than 25 years, the Nepali community in Melbourne finally has a place to call home.
According to Ranjan Vaidya, former president of the Nepalese Association of Victoria, the ANMC was first mooted by early Nepali migrants in Melbourne over a cup of tea in the late nineties.
Speaking at the centre's formal opening on Sunday, 22 October, Mr Vaidya recalled how a distant dream hatched in 1997 is now a reality.
“We have since come a long way,” he said.
The opening was part of nine days of cultural and religious festivities from 15-23 October to mark the occasion of Dashain.
Dashain is the biggest Nepali festival that transcends religion and backgrounds, with Nepalis enjoying it as a national festival.
Federal MPs and community leaders gather at the Buddha Stupa in ANMC. Credit: Abhas Parajuli
ANMC President Gandhi Bhattarai said the event marked a significant milestone for the booming Nepali community in Melbourne and highlighted the importance of cultural and religious diversity in the region.
“In 2014 the ANMC was established. There were so many hands, ideas, and dreams [that] established this organisation. Because of that, we are here today," Mr Bhattarai said.
The venue is used to hold a variety of cultural and religious programs for the Nepali community.
On opening day, the centre was brimming with attendees, some experiencing Dashain in Australia for the first time, while others said they felt transported back to Nepal.
From Little Nepal to Big Nepal
(L) Sam Rae, Federal MP for Hawke, and (R) Peter Khalil, Federal MP for Wills, inaugurate the Budhha stupa at ANMC with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Credit: Abhas Parajuli
He expressed his enthusiasm for the growing number of Nepali language speakers in the region.
“Wills (is also) ‘Little Nepal’ because there are so many Nepali (people) that live in Glenroy, Fawkner, Coburg, Brunswick and Pascoe Vale,” he told the gathering.
But what we hope to see, the vision is to make this place in Diggers Rest, and I know Sam Rae, my colleague, the federal member for Hawke, this is in his electorate, we can work together to make this ‘Big Nepal’ here.Peter Khalil
Sam Rae, federal MP for the electorate of Hawke, said he would advocate for financial support for the community centre in Diggers Rest.
“The funding that the federal government (provides) is so important,” he told SBS Nepali.
Mr Rae further stressed places like the ANMC are important for the future of Australia as they are “where families and community can enjoy their history, their traditions, teach their kids, preserve language and indeed share that with the rest of our community.”
Cultural dance performance at the Dashain program organised at ANMC. Credit: SBS Nepali/Abhas Parajuli
She said a multicultural centre like ANMC will be significant for preserving and advancing the traditions of multicultural communities in Australia.
"Having a physical place, a physical infrastructure is very important for the communities where they can come together on special occasions like today, and to feel like there is a place where they can relax, (and) learn about their culture and traditions,” she told SBS Nepali.
The VMC really advocates strongly for their needs, and how we know about that is through coming to events like this.”Vivienne Nguyen, Chairperson of the Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC)
Trung Luu, the Liberal Member for the Western Metropolitan Region and shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs in Victoria, highlighted the importance of unity among people from different backgrounds, using the Nepali community as a prime example.
“You see here, in this centre itself, this is embracing togetherness and they are actually celebrating quite openly, togetherness,” he said.
ANMC is just the beginning
Nepali community members say the facility has helped them feel a sense of belonging in Australia. Credit: SBS Nepali/Dinita Rishal
The ANMC's Sudip Maskey said Nepali community members in other Australian states and territories were encouraged by the venue's opening.
“We have got very good feedback. And you might have noticed, Sydney has got a push from this, and Brisbane has bought their own land,” he said.
This has brought such a momentum that I feel like we are competing, and Melbourne is leading by example.Sudip Maskey
Dr Keshab Sharma is the president of Queensland Nepali Community Centre.
Mr Sharma said his organisation has just last week settled a property for a similar facility to be built south of Brisbane in Logan.
There are plans for more community centres in other capital cities around the country, with one in Sydney gaining momentum.
The need for such communal places is highlighted by not only the community members living in Australia but also Nepalis visiting from overseas.
Hari Gautam is one such Nepali parent on a visitor visa.
“After coming here, we don't feel like we are on foreign soil,” he said.
We have come here five to seven times since it opened. We like to come here every time for every festival.Hari Adhikari
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