Victoria’s colourful festival calendar is set to expand, with over $780,000 in new funding directed toward multicultural events across the state. The Ballarat Hindu Temple and Cultural Centre is among the grant recipients, receiving $30,000 to host a three-day Ganesh Chaturthi celebration in 2025. The annual festival honours the birth of Ganesh, the Hindu deity known for wisdom and new beginnings, and is expected to draw community members and visitors alike.
The funding comes from the Allan Labor Government through its Multicultural Festivals and Events (MFE) Program and Regional Multicultural Festivals and Events Fund. Minister for Multicultural Affairs Ingrid Stitt announced that 111 organisations will receive support to hold events between July and September this year. From major cities to regional towns, the program is designed to help communities maintain and share their traditions with wider audiences.
According to Minister Stitt, “Multicultural festivals are a vital part of what makes Victoria so unique – they bring people together to share culture, strengthen community and celebrate who we are.”
The Ganesh Chaturthi event in Ballarat will feature ritual processions, devotional music, traditional food and local performances. While deeply rooted in Hindu religious practice, the festival has grown into a broader community occasion, with participation from students, local officials and cultural groups.
Another recipient, the Australian Karen Organisation, will receive $9,000 for the Karen Wrist Tying celebration, a ritual of protection that includes traditional dance and food. Meanwhile, the Kenya Community Victoria has been granted $20,000 for its Tamaduni Festival, a two-day gathering showcasing Kenyan cuisine, clothing and heritage.
The latest funding round covers festivals connected to over 60 faith groups and more than 40 ethnic communities. It builds on the Government’s broader support for cultural cohesion, with over $42 million invested into multicultural events across Victoria since 2014.
Victoria is one of the most culturally diverse regions in the country, with residents speaking 290 languages and tracing their roots to more than 300 ancestral groups. That depth is reflected in the scope of the events supported under the program—from religious observances to secular cultural gatherings—each contributing to a more cohesive civic life.
“Programs like these recognise the contribution multicultural communities make to Victoria’s identity and help keep traditions alive,” Minister Stitt said.
Ganesh Chaturthi 2025 in Ballarat will coincide with major Hindu observances around the world and is expected to include temple rituals, children’s workshops and communal meals. Organisers say the event plays an important role in passing on customs to younger generations, while opening a door to others wanting to learn more about Hindu traditions.
The full list of recipients and funding details is available at vic.gov.au/multicultural-festivals-and-events-program.
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