Hello everyone,
It has been some time since my last message, and I hope you all had a restful summer break and are continuing to enjoy the warmer months.
It has already been a busy and eventful start to the year for the Interfaith Network. As we look ahead, we are focused on strengthening our work and continuing to support our diverse communities across Greater Dandenong and beyond.
Like many organisations, we have experienced some recent changes within our team. We said goodbye to Paris Sard, our Community Education Officer as well as our Executive Committee Treasurer. We extend our best wishes to them both.
We are also operating in a time of significant global uncertainty, with political unrest impacting communities both overseas and here at home. These challenges are felt deeply within our diverse local community. IFN has been working closely with the City of Greater Dandenong, maintaining open communication about how we can best support our communities during these times.
In December 2025, IFN members and supporters were invited to participate in an important Social Cohesion Workshop as part of the “Connections that Matter” initiative. This work is being led in partnership with the three South-East Melbourne councils — Greater Dandenong, Casey, and Cardinia — alongside the Australian Government’s Office for Social Cohesion, the Municipal Association of Victoria, and the Victorian Multicultural Commission.
The workshop provided a valuable opportunity to reflect on what social cohesion means in our local context and the role each of us can play in strengthening connections across our communities. I would like to sincerely thank all IFN members and supporters who attended and contributed to these meaningful and engaging discussions as well as the IFN staffing group who worked closely with Council and Home Affairs in readiness for the workshop.
We have a new IFN Children and Young People Safety Policy, ensuring alignment with the standards set by the Victorian Commissioner for Children and Young People. We thank IFN members for providing feedback to the draft document, as part of the consultation process.
This period has also been a meaningful time of celebration for many within our community. We recently observed the holy month of Ramadan, a time of reflection, generosity, and spiritual renewal for our Muslim communities, followed by the celebration of Eid. We also acknowledge Nawrouz, the Persian New Year, which symbolises renewal, hope, and new beginnings. These important occasions remind us of the richness of our diverse traditions and the shared values of gratitude, family, and community that connect us all.
One of the highlights of the year so far was our IFN Harmony Day event held on 18 March 2026. This special gathering brought together approximately 60 attendees from across our community. The event commenced with the lighting of the Peace and Unity Candle by Detective Inspector Spiros Drossos from the Australian Federal Police, followed by an opening prayer from Reverend Father Jean Mawal of St Paul’s Antiochian Orthodox Church. We were honoured to receive a welcome from the Mayor, Cr Sophie Tan, and I was pleased to deliver the official welcome on behalf of IFN.
Our keynote address was presented by His Eminence Mykola Bychok, Bishop for Ukrainian Catholics in Australia, New Zealand and Oceania, who spoke on “Building Bridges and Unity through Interfaith Dialogue and Encounters.” His message strongly resonated with all in attendance.
The event concluded with a closing prayer from Kathy Kaplan OAM, followed by networking and the introduction of new IFN initiatives. We were delighted to receive very positive feedback, reflecting the value of coming together in a spirit of unity and respect.
More recently, our Executive Officer Livia Carusi, myself and Kathy Caplan OAM, IFN member was invited to participate in the Monday Matters podcast, hosted by Ian Bunston.
This platform celebrates the importance of community connection, and it was a wonderful opportunity to share the work of IFN. Together with community leaders, including representation from different faith backgrounds, we discussed the importance of respectful dialogue, inclusion, and fostering meaningful relationships. It was encouraging to see strong engagement, both live and across social media, highlighting the growing interest in building connected and inclusive communities.
As we move forward, IFN remains committed to strengthening relationships, supporting dialogue, and creating spaces where people of all faiths and backgrounds can come together in understanding and respect.
Thank you for your ongoing support and involvement in this important work.
Warm regards,
Mehtap Williams
President
Interfaith Network
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