Home » Vedanta Centre secures federal funding

Vedanta Centre secures federal funding

Daniel Bouwmeester November 29, 2023 2 min read

The Federal Government has announced funding for improved security measures at the Vedanta Centre in Springfield Lakes.

The $50 million Securing Faith Based Places government program aims to protect Australians from crime and violence motivated by religious or racial intolerance at places of worship, faith-based community centres, and religious schools and preschools.

Blair MP Shayne Neumann said his electorate was a “proudly diverse community” that valued and welcomed people of all faiths.

“Everyone deserves to be safe while practising their religion or undertaking valuable volunteer work,” Mr Neumann said.

“I’m very pleased the Vedanta Centre will receive this Australian Government funding.”

The Vedanta Centre plans to use the grant to upgrade security infrastructure, installing cameras, lights, fencing and a gate at the facility.

On Saturday, November 11, Mr Neumann dropped into the centre to meet with Swami Atmeshananda and congratulate him on the successful grant application.

**^{Federal Member for Blair Shayne Neumann stands with Swami Atmeshananda from the Vedanta Centre in Springfield Lakes, which has secured federal funding for security upgrades. Image: Shayne Neumann.}**

Vedanta Centre history

The Vedanta Centre is a Hindu temple located in Springfield Lakes, which opened in 2018, and includes a meditation hall, community space, yoga room, residence for monks, a community garden and orchard, and soup kitchen-café, Maa Sarada’s Kitchen.

Mr Neumann has previously delivered $15,000 in funding for the Vedanta Centre’s community garden under the Federal Government’s Planting Trees for the Queen’s Jubilee Program, and a further $15,000 grant through the Stronger Communities Program towards the fit-out of the soup kitchen.

Vedanta Foodbank volunteers have used the centre’s kitchen to prepare free community meals, and they have supported other local charities like Goodna Street Life and Westside Community Care in recent times by providing food hampers.

“I want to thank Vice President Swami Atmeshananda for everything the Centre does for the local community,” Mr Neumann added.

At least 177 recipients across different faith communities around the country will receive a share of $50 million – including more than 20 in Queensland. This sum includes an additional $10 million announced by the Prime Minister on October 16.

All grants are awarded through an open, competitive and merit-based process.

Fun and friendship at the One and All Harmony Day Festival

Daniel Bouwmeester

Daniel was born in a mining town in New South Wales to Dutch and Welsh immigrants, before relocating to Logan City, where he attended Canterbury College for twelve years. He pursued his passion for music by completing a first-class honours degree at the University of Queensland (UQ), and later signed with a local record label. He has travelled the world from a young age, including a student exchange in rural France, a job working the ski lifts in Colorado, and visits to the islands of the South Pacific. After a six-year career in market research, Daniel returned to UQ to complete a Bachelor of Journalism and Arts dual degree, majoring in political science. His varied experiences at home and abroad have contributed to a passion for spreading good news while defending the truth buried inside complex societal paradigms.