The event marked a major milestone for the project, which was funded through a 2025 Federal Labor election commitment of $5.5 million for the Federation of Indian Communities of Queensland (FICQ) peak body.
The initiative involves a new Indian community and cultural centre, establishing a dedicated hub for community activities and cultural events, as well as a meeting place for Indian community associations, and other multicultural and faith groups.
The centre would also serve as a shared facility for the whole Ipswich community for things such as crisis accommodation, community education, language schools, sporting facilities, and kitchen facilities for food relief charities.
Local faith leaders participated in Sunday’s event, offering prayers and blessing a foundation stone, which was laid in the ground, before Assistant Minister Hill and Mr Neumann unveiled a special plaque to honour the occasion.
Representatives from state and local government, Springfield City Group and the Queensland Indian community were also in attendance, including State Member for Jordan and Queensland Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs Charis Mullen, and Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding.
QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR CITIZENSHIP, CUSTOMS AND MULTICULTURAL AFFAIRS, JULIAN HILL:
“The Indian diaspora is one of the fastest growing communities in Australia and plays an important role in the modern Australia we live in today.
“The Albanese Labor Government is committed to ensuring multicultural communities in Queensland get the support they need and the community infrastructure they deserve.”
QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO FEDERAL MEMBER FOR BLAIR, SHAYNE NEUMANN:
“I want to thank the FICQ and President Dr Preethi Suraj for their hard work to progress the project, and Springfield City Group and Chairman Dr Maha Sinnathamby for their vision.
“With around 10,000 people of Indian heritage now living in Ipswich and Greater Springfield, this community makes a huge contribution to the region, so it’s time they had their own community centre.”
