On behalf of the Premier Daniel Andrews, Minister for Energy, Lily D’Ambrosio MLC announced that if re-elected, the Victorian Labor Party will provide $400,000 in funding towards upgrades for community facilities at the Armenian Cultural Centre, Brandon Park (Sahagian) Soccer Club Pavillion and St Mary’s Armenian Apostolic Church in Surrey Hills, reported the Armenian National Committee of Australia – Melbourne Branch.
With the Victorian state election scheduled to take place on Saturday, 26th November 2022, the Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANC-AU) National Office and ANC-AU – Melbourne Branch have conducted meetings with incumbents and candidates in Armenian-Australian, Assyrian-Australian and Greek-Australian populated electorates.
As a result of our advocacy efforts, the ANC-AU – Melbourne Branch has secured funding for three Armenian cultural centres, including the Armenian Cultural Centre (Hye Getron), located in the electorate of Mulgrave, which is held by the Premier of Victoria, Dan Andrews.
Minister D’Ambrosio visited the Armenian Cultural Centre (Hye Getron) and toured the centres facilities on Saturday, 19th November 2022, which also houses the Hamazkaine Mesrob Mashdots Matheossian Saturday School, before making the special announcement in the presence of over 100 members of Melbourne’s Armenian-Australian community.
During the visit, Minister D’Ambrosio said: “This is part of a very big programme that we are committed to as the Labor party, called the multicultural community infrastructure program and that is to help Victorians to build and upgrade the community spaces that you need.” Premier Andrews said: “Every community deserves great spaces to come together to celebrate and share in culture and tradition. Our Armenian community is no different, and this investment will make sure Armenian Victorians remain strong and connected.”
ANC-AU – Melbourne Branch Chairman Asbed Boymoushakian thanked the Premier and Minister D’Ambrosio for visiting the centre and committing an unprecedented level of funding for Melbournes Armenian community.
“Our community is beyond grateful for this special announcement and the opportunity to better the facilities of Melbourne’s Armenian-Australian community. This funding will go a long way in allowing our humble volunteers and community leaders to better provide for a new generation of young Armenian-Australians across Melbourne,” Boymoushakian said.
ANC-AU Executive Director Michael Kolokossian said: “This election has been a unique opportunity for our community to not only to advance local issues of concern including the betterment of our community centres and structures but also to advance public affairs priorities including Armenian Genocide recognition and the rights to self-determination of our compatriots in Artsakh.”
The ANC-AU – Melbourne Branch is currently in discussions with the state’s Liberal Party candidates to seek the party’s position on the funding commitment.
The ANC-AU National Office will release an election report guide in the coming days highlighting the commitments of individual candidates and parties in key Armenian, Assyrian and Greek-populated electorates.
