Kerala Muslim Cultural Centre (KMCC) Melbourne, based in Brimbank, has received a grant in the most recent round of the federal government’s stronger communities programme.
The program aims to provide funds for local community projects that strengthen and benefit residents.
KMCC Melbourne chairman Shiyas Khalid said the group was delighted after hearing the announcement.
He said the grant will go towards organising sports activities, such as soccer and cricket, and community events offering food, culture and music.
“We try to engage the community because everyone is busy so we just want to them to enjoy the community and come and mingle and make new friendships,” he said.
“Sports is the best medium to make the community come together.”
KMCC Melbourne regularly raises funds for local charities and has previously raised money for Breast Cancer Foundation and organisations that help people struggling with homelessness, among others.
“We are a charity organisation affiliated to a political party in India, in the southernmost state of India, Kerala,” Mr Khalid said.
According to KMCC Australia, members of the wider organisation work towards helping underprivileged people especially immigrants and expatriates of Malayali origin.
“We try to help by collecting money, providing food, providing education, facilities and medical facilities,” Mr Khalid said.
“We try to support each person in the way we can…especially in India and the Middle East, we help the people who don’t have houses.”
During COVID, KMCC Melbourne helped organise charity charter flights from Australia to India for families and individuals.
