The last piece of a planning jigsaw for Bendigo’s Karen monastery is in place, which could usher in a new era of refugee settlement in the municipality.
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The City of Greater Bendigo last week approved amended plans for a multi-faith place of worship in Eaglehawk.
Leader of the local Karen community, Venerable Ashin Moonieinda, said he believed the monastery would be the first of its kind in Australia and would assist in the Bhuddist monk’s quest to build a thriving refugee community in the city.
“People (refugees) feel more confident in Bendigo, there is work opportunities and a strong community,” he said.
With almost 200 families, the Karen community has topped 1000 people in the municipality – a far cry from the seven it started off with just 10 years ago.
This weekend, Venerable Moonieinda will bring another two Karen families to Bendigo from Tasmania.
Next week he plans to visit another isolated family in Melbourne’s outer suburbs.
Rekindling a sense of community for displaced families feeling “very low” in a foreign land drives the Venerable Mooieinda on.
Garnering financial support from families with less disposable income than others has proved problematic.
As the dollars for the project trickled in, Venerable Moonieinda sought support from the state government.
The Karen Culture and Social Support Foundation applied for $750,000 from the Victorian Multicultrual Commission for the monastery and community centre.
Funding decision imminent
A decision on government funding for the Eaglehawk monastery is imminent.
Nevertheless, Venerable Moonieinda is hopeful of securing private funding from a Buddhist monk in Malaysia.
The monastery, which will cater for Karen Christians and Karen Buddhists, will act as a short-term accommodation option for Karen people looking for their own house.
Since the first Karen-bought house in 2011, 52 have been purchased across Bendigo.
“I am very happy to help my community improve their lives in Australia,” he said.
Practically, without funding, the plot of land in Eaglehawk may remain dormant for some time.
The first planning permit for the monastery was approved in 2015, and, aside from electrical and plumbing works, little has been done by way of construction.
The amended plans included extending the size of the function hall, alterations to outdoor areas and a number of amenities and an extra lounge area, among others.
Venerable Moonieinda envisages a fully-constructed monastery, which will cater for 200 people, by mid-2019.
