The Victorian Government is helping Wyndham Diwali Incorporated celebrate culture and hold their event in a COVID-safe way for all of Wyndham to enjoy.

It is one 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 longterm digital capacity.

Member for Werribee Tim Pallas, Member for Altona Jill Hennessy, and Member for Tarneit Sarah Connolly announced Wyndham Diwali Incorporated as one of the successful recipients.

Wyndham Diwali Incorporated will be the recipient of a $25,000 grant as they make Wyndham Diwali a virtual, COVID-safe event for the first time.

Events funded include the Vietnamese Community in Australia – Victoria Chapter’s Tet Lunar New Year Festival, 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 Werribee Tim Pallas

“This is great news for Wyndham Diwali, and means the pandemic won’t stop the traditions and celebrations we’ve come to expect and enjoy.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Altona Jill Hennessy

“Now more than ever we need to come together and share in our culture and traditions, this funding will mean this much loved celebration can still go ahead and in a COVID-safe way.” Quotes attributable to Member for Tarneit Sarah Connolly “As a proudly diverse community, we will continue to share our multicultural celebrations together despite the pandemic.”