Oscar Parry
A Diggers Rest Nepalese multicultural centre is seeking support to improve its facilities to better cater for guests and provide more programs to the community.
The establishment of the Australian Nepalese Multicultural Centre (ANMC) took more than 25 years, with the initial concept formed by a group of Nepali families in 1997.
After gradually raising funds over several years, the group was eventually able to purchase land in Diggers Rest in 2019.
The centre has received federal government and state government funding.
The centre applied for another round of state government community infrastructure funding last year, but was unsuccessful.
ANMC President Gandhi Bhattarai said the centre now requires further support to meet the demands of guests and provide additional programs.
“We got the land … but just how the community [has] demanded, we’re not able to fulfil. So, that’s a bit of frustration … we need urgent support,” Mr Bhattarai said.
“In our culture, the guest we treat as a god … but we sometimes feel like when they come to our place, there are no basic amenities … that makes us very nervous.”
Mr Bhattarai said the centre is in need of heating and cooling facilities, increased kitchen amenities, and a larger space for hosting events, language classes, and dance classes.
“There is an immediate need, and we are not able to address it,” he said.
“It’s causing a bit of grief.”
Mr Bhattarai said while many still offer monthly contributions towards improving the centre, it is difficult to rely on these alone.
He said the organisation hopes to offer in-house language and dance classes, and become self-sustaining and fully operational – with the centre open for anyone to book as an event space.
“For the first generation leading into the second generation, it’s always that culture shock, and there is a gap, so it would be really good to have those facilities for the kids to engage in,” he said.
He said that multicultural centres can play an important role in maintaining wellbeing.
“Especially the migrant communities … they just miss out on a lot of other things like going out and that sort of thing because life is too complicated,” he said.
“They go to the centre and they feel calmer and patient. They will be with other families as well, so it gives them the opportunity to get together and share.”
