A new commercial kitchen has been officially opened at Glenorchy’s Multicultural Hub, with the development to provide increased support for multicultural communities.
Funded with $100,000 from the Albanese Labor Government’s Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship Grants Program and a further $62,260 from a Tasmanian Community Fund Grant along with in-kind support from the Glenorchy City Council, the kitchen will help groups celebrate and share their cultural heritage.
Glenorchy City Mayor Sue Hickey said the kitchen was a major boost for the Hub.
“We know how important this facility is for a diverse range of cultural groups who use it to gather and meet and run all sorts of activities allowing them to enjoy unique aspects of their culture.
“With a commercial-grade kitchen, these same groups will now be able to cater for their events, particularly those that focus on preparation and sharing of food as part of a cultural experience.
“Food, and food preparation is often such an important factor for many cultures, and this kitchen will allow groups to undertake in these activities,” she said.
Mayor Hickey said members of Glenorchy’s multicultural communities, including the Multicultural Kitchen Women’s Group and the Multicultural Council of Tasmania, contributed value input throughout the construction process and have played a key role in planning the future direction of the community kitchen.
“A volunteer committee has been established to manage the kitchen’s operations, aiming to maximise usage and create opportunity for wider community involvement.
“I’m confident this kitchen will become an extremely well-utilised facility for the many different cultural groups we have in our city, and I look forward to the many different events it will support,” Mayor Hickey said.
Assistant Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, Julian Hill said:
“This new kitchen will facilitate catering for cultural celebrations and the sharing of culinary heritage, delivering on the Albanese Labor Government’s election commitment to support the Multicultural Hub.”
“Sharing a meal is a fantastic way of getting to know fellow Australians, and I am so pleased the Albanese Government has supported this initiative.”
Senator Carol Brown said:
“The Multicultural Hub has always been a key place for cultural activities and community events, helping people from Moonah, Glenorchy, and Greater Hobart come together. This new kitchen, delivered as part of Labor’s election commitments, will allow the Hub to host bigger community events that bring everyone closer.”
“Food and cooking are vital to many cultures; they help us celebrate and connect with one another. With these upgrades the Multicultural Hub will better support these traditions and invite even more people to enjoy Tasmania’s rich multicultural life.”
“This kitchen will create a welcoming space where our communities can celebrate their traditions. It’s an opportunity for everyone to come together, share meals, and embrace the diversity that makes Tasmania special, while also fulfilling Labor’s promise to invest in inclusive spaces like these.”
Multicultural Council of Tasmania Inc. Acting CEO Joana Cubillos said the MCOT community kitchen is the result of what can be achieve when Federal, State, and Local government worked together.
“This is an invaluable asset that will be widely used by community, for community, providing not only a space to cook amazing food, but a inclusive environment to connect, share, and unite people from all backgrounds and trades,” she said.
Tasmanian Community Fund Chairperson Sally Darke said the fund is confident that the multicultural communities will use the kitchen to celebrate their culture.
“Improving access to commercial kitchen facilities in the city will reduce barriers for these communities so they can further share their culture and identities.
“In all cultures, food brings people together and we are looking forward to seeing the many multicultural community associations and individuals accessing this facility to create their wonderful culinary creations.
“We commend the Glenorchy City Council for collaborating with the multicultural community to enhance the Moonah Multicultural Hub and create more opportunities to share their cultures through this commercial-grade kitchen,” she said.