36 Years of Local Service – Our Impact Is a Constant!
Interfaith Network (IFN) of the City of Greater Dandenong
Liv Carusi, IFN Executive Officer
Early beginnings
In 1988, the then City of Springvale embarked on a 2-year Access and Equity Project.
Ian Tatterson, the then Chief Executive Officer, asked the Project Officer Joyce Rebeiro to create a proposal for a community relations strategy aimed at promoting harmonious relations among Springvale’s diverse communities.
Being both a multicultural and multi-faith area, Joyce thought that perhaps the leaders of the faith communities could provide the credible leadership that would be required for the Project.
Through contacts pursued by Joyce, she and two of the clergy from the local Ministers Fraternal Fr Anthony Fox OFM and Rev Malcolm Homes did house, venue visits to several faith leaders/communities in the area, resulting in positive response and the 1st Meeting of Faith Communities of Springvale took place on May 10, 1989, with 19 faith representatives attending.
Rev Malcolm Homes later took on the role of Chairperson and served continuously in that capacity for several years.
- Common Statement, this was drawn up by “a sub- committee” of volunteers and it was approved at the Meeting.
- 1st Annual Gathering took place on August 21, 1989, at the Supper Room, Springvale. There was a large number in attendance from the various communities, and from that the Faith Leaders/Representatives took the signed Common Statement to the Council Meeting and presented it to the then Mayor, Cr Noelle Trembath.
This annual presentation to the Mayor and Councillors continues today.
Following Council amalgamations, of the City’s of Springvale and Dandenong, the First Annual Gathering of the Faith Communities of Greater Dandenong (later to become known as the Interfaith Network) took place in 1995, in Springvale Town Hall, and in 1996 it was held in Dandenong Town Hall.
The on-going, unwavering support from Council/s throughout the years has been and remains evident and much appreciated by the Network.
The Network continues to evolve. In 2015 the inaugural Interfaith Network Office in our City was established which was supported and resourced with the appointment of the first Interfaith Development Officer.
Today’s Service, Guided by our Vision of ‘Many Faiths, One People’
The Interfaith Network is the longest serving Network in Australia and continues to serve and support the service and work of our faith leaders in the most culturally diverse place in Australia, the City of Greater Dandenong.
The IFN continues to receive strong support from the City of Greater Dandenong, our Faith Leaders, our supporters and partners, as well as the broader community.
Supported by a small, dedicated staffing and volunteer team, the IFN is governed by an elected Executive Committee. The Committee is elected at the Annual General meeting.
The IFN Executive Committee is guided by our vision and values, which is expressed through our strategic directions.
The IFN remains committed to fulfilling the aspiration of our founding members of harmonious relations within our community.
We do this in several ways, including:
- Our highly successful Places of Worship Tours. Our Tours are open to the public, schools and for various groups including service clubs, organisations providing services within communities, government departments etc.
- Our various events in 2024, including the Interfaith Schools Gathering, which this year brought together 9 schools and 400 students, our regular members meetings as well as the annual signing of the Common Statement with the City of Greater Dandenong
- Supporting the Weekly Messages of Hope which are available on our website
- Supporting the fortnightly prayer at the City of Greater Dandenong Council meetings
- Availability of on-line information and resources to support the service and work of our faith leaders within the community and
- Connecting and partnering with organisations across the community.
IFN welcomes the opportunity to connect with other interfaith networks and organisations who have a shared commitment to promoting interfaith dialogue, creating connections and working together towards shared outcomes, including community education initiatives.
For further information about the IFN, please visit our website https://interfaithnetwork.org.au/ or by contacting our Executive Officer, Liv Carusi via Executive@interfaithnetwork.org.au