A multifaith place for Docklands?

A multifaith place for Docklands?

Docklands could become home to Australia’s first public multifaith facility.

In August, Places Victoria called for expressions of interest from parties interested in developing a place of worship in Docklands.

The Faith Communities Council of Victoria (FCCV) is currently preparing its expression of interest, outlining a plan to build a multifaith facility.

The FCCV is a Victorian multifaith organisation and includes representatives from each of the peak faith bodies in Victoria including the Islamic Council of Victoria, the Hindu Communities Council, Baha’i Victoria, the Victorian Council of Churches and the Jewish Community Council of Victoria.

FCCV multifaith officer, Sandy Kouroupidis, said multifaith prayer rooms could often be found in places like hospitals and universities, however the proposed multifaith facility would be the first public, stand-alone facility.

Rabbi Jonathan Keren-Black said he believed the FCCV would be the only multifaith organisation to submit an expression of interest to build a place of worship.

If its tender is successful, the organisation hopes to provide a facility that caters to a wide range of faiths while, at the same time, providing community facilities for Docklands.

Father Bob Maguire, while not directly involved with the FCCV bid, supports the idea.

“I’ve been thinking about this for years and years and years,” he said.

Ideas for the space include at least two rooms for religious activities, theatre seating to provide opportunities for faith and community theatre groups, a cinema, childcare facilities and a peace garden, possibly on the roof of the building.

Freeman Trebilcock, FCCV multifaith youth consultant and CEO of youth organisation Interaction, said the space would add value to Docklands and to the wider Melbourne community.

“I imagine this would also cater for people of no faith as well, for example the garden for quiet reflection. These are facilities that I think people would find useful no matter their background,” Mr Trebilcock said.

Before submitting its expression of interest the organisation is seeking feedback from the local community about what they would like to see in a Docklands place of worship.

“We want to make sure we’ve got input from the people who are already living in Docklands who don’t currently have a place of worship,” Rabbi Keren-Black said.

You can submit your ideas for a Docklands multifaith facility by emailing [email protected] or calling 0407 082 607.

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