FAQs on the Indian Community Centre
Indian Community Centre is a community initiative.
To help a common understanding of all stakeholders and community, we have prepared a list of FAQs and have answered those. Here are the FAQs answered. If you have any more queries on Indian Community Centre project, please message us at contact.iccmelbourne@gmail.com
What is the purpose of the Indian Community Centre (ICC)?
- A lack of adequate space for celebrations, a lack of community areas to congregate and a general unavailability of public areas has created the need for ICC.
- The purpose of the Indian Community Centre is to deliver a multi-purpose facility in the western suburbs of Melbourne (most likely Wyndham City) which can be utilised to host a variety of Indian cultural & spiritual events, workshops, language classes, conferences and festivals. This is an initiative by the Indian community based in Melbourne.
- To showcase Indian culture and traditions to the wider community and inspire other communities to showcase theirs and also to remove any misconceptions about Indian culture and traditions.
- To integrate and celebrate with the wider community.
Who will benefit from this?
The ICC will be available to all communities, but priority will be given to showcase cultural events of members of the Indian community.
What are the basic amenities proposed in the centre?
The detailed plan and proposal is yet to be finalized. The detailed plan and phase-wise plans will be finalized in consultation with the community and domain experts. At this preliminary stage, following amenities are being considered:
starA cultural performance hall with stage/lighting/audio facilities with capacity of 500 people
starA community Library
star4 Configurable halls with capacity of 50 people each to host small groups (e.g. Yoga/Language/Dance classes)
starA catering kitchen and hall with capacity for 300 people
starCar Parking facility for 200 cars
What is the proposed timeline for the centre?
The project is delayed due to covid-19. The plan is to have own Centre operational in 4-5 years time span. As highlighted previously, the detailed plan and proposal is yet to be finalized.
Why is the centre required when there are other facilities available in Melbourne?
Melbourne’s western metropolitan region, especially Wyndham is one of the fastest growing regions with dramatic increase in Indian population. This has resulted in high demand for hosting cultural events and festivals in recent years, as the community is keen for nurturing the cultural connections with future generations. However, the groups interested in hosting the events are constrained by the limited number of hosting facilities, the amenities in the facilities and high cost of hiring existing facilities. This necessitates developing a custom-built Indian Community Centre with required amenities to empower the groups to host events throughout the year.
What is the proposed location of the centre?
The location is yet to be finalized. However, considering the scale of the proposed centre and ever-growing projected demand and recent surge of real estate cost, it is likely that the centre will be located in the fringes of the growth corridor in Wyndham. It is envisaged that the ICC will be developed in the Western suburbs of Melbourne on at least 6-8 acres area land. More information on this will be provided once sufficient funds have been collected.
What are type of events that are likely planned in the centre?
A basic list of events that are likely to be planned include but not limited to:
✺ Cultural events including Dance/Songs/Drama/Poetry
✺ Cultural festivals like Diwali/Baisakhi/Onam
✺ Spiritual events/programs
✺ Yoga/Meditation classes
✺ Dance/Singing classes
✺ Language/Arts/Handicrafts classes
Will the facility be only for the use of the Indian community?
The facility will be available for all communities, however the requests from Indian communities will be prioritised.
What type of government support will the project be seeking, if any at all?
Local, State and Federal Funding will be sought in the future to enhance this project, it is certainly envisaged that the initial funding will predominantly be drawn from the Indian community.
Why has the government so far failed to provide a solution?
The government has announced infrastructure grants for which ICC is currently ineligible. Going forward, an appropriate institutional setup will be proposed to become eligible for such funding.
Why should the Government support this initiative?
This is an initiative from the local community to preserve the cultural connections within the community which supports multicultural vision of the local, State and Federal Governments.
Does the project have any political agendas, alignments or affiliations?
No, the project is not politically inclined and has no political affiliations.
What will be the source of funds required to complete the project?
Funding is planned through the community, local, state and federal governments.
How will be the operational and running needs be met?
The operational and running costs of ICC will be met by leasing the facilities for wider community use, sponsorships, donations, grants & community support.
What will be the operational structure of the governing body?
The organisation will be driven by a committee from the local community. Due emphasis will be made to keep it non-political and equal representation from all groups will be sought. Knowing the diversity in the Indian community, it has wider representation to represent diverse Indian regions. The initial committee is chosen for a three-year period and selection of committee will be based on nomination and election. Subsequent committees will be formed based on an election and all members of the organisation will be eligible to self-nominate. An advisory committee is also created to support the executive committee with core focus of advancing the interests of ICC. Membership of the group will be open to the entire community. Membership will be offered after decision by the committee. We have 9 persons in the committee to adequately represent the diverse Indian community, to be steered by one co-ordinator or chairperson and a second in command as back up. Committee will make efforts to have balanced gender representation on board.
What will be the legal structure of the entity?
After consultations with the experts and looking at the public opinion this organisation is formed as a Not-for-profit Incorporated Association in Victoria.
How do I contribute or become a member?
Seed-funding from key members of the community will be sought. Also, the ICC will be crowdfunded, where donations will be sought from members of the community via a page setup either on Facebook or other online donation collection platforms. All members will be required to pay an annual membership fee.