We have announced a $200,000 increase in funding for initiatives that promote cultural harmony and social cohesion in New South Wales.
The new Multicultural NSW Grants Program was launched by the Minister for Citizenship and Communities Victor Dominello at the Sikh Temple in Glenwood this week. The new Chair of Multicultural NSW – formerly known as the Community Relations Commission – Dr Hari Harinath attended the launch, which will see $1.6 million set aside as part of the initiative.
The increase in funding will go toward multicultural community initiatives across four categories – Unity, Celebration, Partnership and Sponsorship. It takes the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government’s total funding to $1.6 million per year, compared to $1.2 million under the previous Labor Government.
The grants program supports Multicultural NSW’s new three year strategic plan, Harmony in Action, and will enable the agency to filfil its key role of building and maintaining a harmonious multicultural society in our State.
As part of the program, Unity Grants of up to $30,000 will be awarded for community engagement projects that aim to unite people from different cultures. Celebration Grants of up to $5,000 will be available for events and festivals that celebrate our cultural diversity.
We live in a multicultural society and believe it is important to celebrate our cultural diversity and promote our common values. This grants program aims to support ideas and initiatives that unite us, such as recognising our volunteering spirit, honouring those who have served to defend our freedoms, or better understanding our Indigenous cultural heritage.
It also means supporting activities that combat racism, empower multicultural women, encourage intercultural engagement between young people through sport, or bring our multicultural and Aboriginal communities together.
Applications for some of the grants available are now open and further information can be found on the Multicultural NSW’s website www.crc.nsw.gov.au.
In other news, we are continuing to add more weekly public transport services with another 520 extra weekly bus services running in Sydney’s North West.
We are continuing to invest in modern and reliable public transport and since March 2011, we have delivered more than 8,200 extra bus, 1,190 extra train and 220 extra ferry services each week – in a huge win for customers.
This Government is working hard to make sure customers can rely on public transport services when and where they need them.
The latest boost to bus services will benefit customers in the growing Hills district, including Baulkham Hills, Kellyville, Beaumont Hills, Rouse Hill, Seven Hills, Pendle Hill and Bella Vista.
The new bus services will start from Saturday 4 October and will mean there are additional buses in the busy afternoon peak, and more frequent services on weekends.
More information about the extra services and timetable information can be found on www.transportnsw.info or check out the real time apps available from the App Store and Google Play.
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