Matt Hewson
Local organisations and community groups will receive more than $350,000 of funding through the latest round of the state government’s Multicultural Community Infrastructure Fund.
The Macedonian Orthodox Community of Geelong will receive more than $230,000 for upgrades to the Macedonian Community Centre in Batesford, while Cultura will get $77,500 and the Croatian Community Centre of Geelong will receive $52,000 for renovations to their respective centres.
Macedonian Orthodox Community Centre president Zoran Dimovski said his community was “very, very excited” to see its hall updated.
“We’ve been talking about renovating for 10, 15 years, we’ve had quotes in the past to renovate but it was too much and would drain all our resources,” Mr Dimovski said.
“It’s quite a unique space on this side of town. It’s got a big dance floor, a commercial kitchen and can fit up to about 300 people.
“We keep it clean and maintained, but it’s just falling apart. So basically we’re going to put in all new carpets, new light fittings, all that sort of stuff to bring it into the 21st century and make it look like a nice, formal reception centre.”
Mr Dimovski said the hall was not only used by the Macedonian community, but by the general public and a range of other multicultural communities.
Member for Lara Ella George said ensuring our communities can celebrate, preserve and share culture and traditions was a priority for Victoria’s Labor government.
“I’m proud to support multicultural and multifaith communities in Geelong’s north and ensure that everyone in our Geelong community has spaces where they can feel proud and safe to express who they are,” she said.
