Steve Whan MP
Member for Monaro

Steve Kamper MP
Minister for Multiculturalism

MEDIA RELEASE

Monaro community group receives $10,000 for Diwali festival

Wednesday, 25 September 2024

The Queanbeyan Multicultural Centre in Monaro have been awarded $10,000 via the Stronger Together Festival and Events grant program to assist in running the Queanbeyan Diwali-Mela Lantern Festival this year.

The festival is a free, inclusive, family focussed celebration that showcases the cultural aspects of communities that celebrate Diwali to the wider Queanbeyan community.

The outdoor festival brings together a varied selection of local food vendors, singing, dancing, cultural performances, and other stallholders. 

The Stronger Together Festivals and Events grants, provide not-for-profit groups with funding to host community-led festivities which boost social cohesion and encourage cross-cultural celebrations.

In this first round of grants almost 80 community groups across NSW have successfully applied for funding to host their activities. 

Multicultural NSW administers the grants on behalf of the NSW Government over two rounds each year. Round 2 of the Stronger Together Festival and Event grants program is now open, for festivities set to run between 1 March and 31 December 2025. 

For further information on the grants, please visit: Festivals & Events - Multicultural NSW 

Steve Whan, Member for Monaro said:

"I attended the Diwali-Mela lantern festival in Queanbeyan last year and it was a wonderful event. It's excellent to see this example of diversity and inclusivity being showcased in our town, and I can't wait to come back this year.

"Queanbeyan and the region is being enriched by the contribution of so many people who have emigrated to Australia from India, this wonderful celebration is full of joy - after all, who can argue with celebrating the 'victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge of ignorance'!

"We are one of the most successful multicultural states in the world and the people of Monaro know that the diversity of our community is an asset to be cherished and celebrated."

NSW Minister for Multiculturalism Steve Kamper said:

"We know how important grassroots festivals and events are for the diverse communities are across our State.

"They provide an opportunity to share and celebrate different cultures and keep people connected to their homelands."