The Hindu community of NSW has marked an historic milestone with the acquisition of a new property in Sydney’s West, set to become a vibrant cultural hub with the support of $3.75 million from the Minns Labor Government.
The Hindu Cultural and Education Centre in Parramatta will be a central touchpoint for the Hindu community, hosting cultural events, music and dance classes, yoga, and activities for seniors and young people. The Hindu Council of Australia (HCA) will also use the space to run training for Hindu chaplains and religious education teachers, and to store important religious and cultural texts.
The centre will serve as the main administrative hub for the HCA and other Hindu community organisations.
The funding is part of an election commitment by the NSW Government to support the Hindu community in NSW.
The announcement comes as the HCA has settled on a property in Parramatta, which will be the site of the Hindu Cultural and Education Centre.
The Hindu Council of Australia is the national peak body for the Hindu community in Australia.
Premier of NSW Chris Minns said:
“Today we’re delivering our election commitment to establish a home for Hindus in Western Sydney with more than a quarter of a million people in NSW now practising Hinduism.
“This site will be a cultural and spiritual hub for the Hindu community for many years to come, and I look forward to seeing the centre add to the rich diversity of Sydney’s west.
“I congratulate the Hindu Council of Australia for its work to make this project a reality.”
Minister for Multiculturalism Steve Kamper said:
“The Hindu community in NSW is growing, so I’m very pleased that with this funding from the Minns Labor government Parramatta will be the new home for a Hindu cultural centre.
“The Hindu Cultural and Education Centre will host a range of activities from cultural exchanges to wellness sessions, and it will act as a base for engagement with other faiths and communities.
“For over 25 years, the Hindu Council of Australia has dedicated itself to fostering harmony and social cohesion in in NSW. I’m excited to see the Council’s impact on the community grow once the centre opens.”
NSW Member for Parramatta Donna Davis said:
“Parramatta is the heart of the Australian Hindu community, with almost 22,000 Hindu Australians calling the area home.
“There is no better place for a Hindu Culture Centre than Parramatta, and the Minns Labor Government is proud to help fund such an important project.
“I am proud to represent an area where such an important centre of Hindu culture and faith will be located; providing much needed community spaces.”