A multicultural community garden, a social sewing group and a project highlighting moderate Islam have all been given a boost by a new round of state government funding.
The Anglican Parish of Footscray will receive $12,000 over two years for its Footscray Multicultural Community Garden project.
Father Chaplain Soma said that since being created two years ago, the garden had been bringing together local residents from a range of different backgrounds.
“Things for the Chinese, people who come from Africa or Tonga or Australia,” he said.
The funding was announced on Friday during a visit by Multicultural Affairs Minister Robin Scott.
Mr Scott also announced a $10,000 grant to Skilling, Employment and Aid Enterprises Australia for its Sewing the Seeds project, a weekly social sewing group for isolated African women from refugee backgrounds.
The Australia Light Foundation, based in Tottenham, will receive $24,000 over two years for a project aimed at helping the community better understand moderate Islam.
This project involves members of the Turkish Islamic community visiting local churches and inviting their members to participate in mosque visits and major Islamic festivals such as Iftar and Ramadan.
Mr Scott said Maribyrnong was one of the state’s most culturally and religiously diverse areas, with nearly 40 per cent of residents born overseas.
