Year 2025
Interfaith Network Members Meering, Wednesday, September 24th, 2025
IFN Members spent time reflecting, discussing and drafting definitions and accompanying actions for the IFN values of Integrity and Education. This work will be tabled with the IFN Executive Committee in the near future and will bring to a close the review of the IFN Values Project to support our vision of ‘Many Faiths, One People’ IFN extends their thanks to all involved in this important work.
IFN President Mehtap Williams, and IFN Member Maree Walker reflect and share back to the members the meaning of the IFN Value of Integrity.
IFN Members Gisela and Christos working through
‘lived’ examples of Integrity.
IFN Vice President, Anita Davine and
IFN Founding Member, Agnes Kean.
IFN Member Pastor Eseta Mineili from the Trinity Uniting Church in Dandenong, with IFN Vice President Anita Davine
IFN President Mehtap Williams and IFN Member Neville Walker
Interfaith Network Annual General Meeting (AGM), Wednesday, September 24th, 2025
IFN Annual Report, 2024-2025,
Please click here for a copy of the annual report.
IFN Annual General Meeting, 2025,
Official Powerpoint Presentation,
Please click here for a copy of the presentation.
Mayor Cr Jim Memeti (Dandenong Ward) delivers the keynote address at the IFN Annual General Meeting.
IFN Members and guests
Monash Interfaith Group Committee Member Kamlavathi Reddy and IFN Executive Committee Member,
Venerable Bodhicitta
‘Many Faiths, One People’ cupcakes were enjoyed by all!
IFN Members and guests
IFN Executive Committee Member, Venerable Bodhicitta, IFN President, Mehtap Williams and IFN Vice President, Anita Davine
IFN President, Mehtap Williams
IFN Annual General Meeting Group photo,
thanks to all who attended and for your going support and commitment to the IFN
Interfaith Network, 37th Annual Signing of the Common Statement. ‘Growing our Interfaith Community Together’, Wednesday, August 20th, 2025
37th Annual Signing of the Common Statement, Official Program. Please click here for a copy of the program.
37th Annual Signing of the Common Statement, Official Program Presentation, Please click here for a copy of the presentation.
Official Welcome, IFN President
Hon Jullian Hill MP, Federal Member for Bruce and
IFN President, Mehtap Williams
Deputy Mayor Cr Sophie Tan (Noble Park Ward), IFN President, Mehtap Williams and Lee Tarlamis, Eastern Metropolitan, Legislative Council, Australian Labor Party
IFN Vice President Anita Davine, and
IFN Administration Officer, Lilian Poke
welcome IFN members and guests on arrival
Anita Davine, IFN Vice President shares a personal reflection on the meaning of the Common Statement
City of Greater Dandenong Chief Executive Officer, Jacqui Weatherhill, is presented with the Common Statement candle from Liv Carusi, IFN Executive Officer. Jacqui was thanked for her leadership and support of the Common Statement and Interfaith Network.
Deputy Mayor Sophie Tan signs the Common Statement. Thank you Sophie for your support!
Father Jean Mawal, IFN Executive Committee Member,
Lilian Poke, IFN Administration Officer, IFN President, Mehtap Williams and IFN Community Education Officer, Paris Sard
The event provided an opportunity for reflection and discussion on the meaning of the Common Statement and the lived expression of the Statement in our service and work within the City of Greater Dandenong
Deacon Peter Wang, Rienzie Machado and
IFN Community Education Officer, Paris Sard
Julian Hill MP, Federal Member for Bruce and
IFN Executive Committee Member Jasbir Suropada
Julian Hill MP, Federal Member for Bruce and
Uncle Mark Brown, Bunurong and Gunditjmara Elder
IFN Executive Committee Members, IFN Staffing Team, Deputy Mayor Cr Sophie Tan (Noble Park Ward) and Lee Tarlamis, Eastern Metropolitan, Legislative Council, Australian Labor Party
IFN City of Greater Dandenong Executive Committee Members alongside Monash Interfaith Group Committee representatives
The 2025 Annual Signing of the Common Statement Group photo. A wonderful event, marking the 37th year that the Common Statement has been signed by our Faith Leaders, City of Greater Dandenong and the broader Dandenong community.
IFN Vice President Anita Davine with Monash Interfaith Group representatives Kamala and Michelle.
Interfaith Network Places of Worship Tour – Public Tour, Wednesday, July 13th, 2025
Hoa Nghiem Buddhist Temple – Statue of Budda
Hoa Nghiem Buddhist Temple
Chua Quan Thanh Temple
Interfaith Network and City of Greater Dandenong, Pre event filming on Wednesday, July 23rd, 2025, for the ‘Women, Faith and Service: Leadership with Purpose’ event to be held on Thursday, November 20th, 2025
IFN Vice President
Group photo of the lead participants in the filming of ‘Women, Faith and Service: Leading with Purpose’ clip.
Group photo of the lead participants for the Community Forum, ‘Women, Faith and Service: Leading with Purpose’, on November 20th, 2025
Interfaith Network, Executive Committee Strategic Planning Session, Wednesday, July 7th, 2025
IFN President Mehtap Williams with
IFN Administration Officer, Lilian Poke
Heroic Leadership, IFN Vice President Anita Davine and IFN Executive Committee Member Pannasobhana Thero
Heroic Leadership by Chris Lowney – A good read for emerging, current and anyone interested in learning more about leadership
All smiles – A job well done! IFN Executive Committee Members and IFN Staff marking the end of the IFN 2025 Strategic Planning Session. IFN also acknowledges the Executive Committee Members that joined the session online and those unable to attend whose presence was felt on the day.
Interfaith Network Monash, NAIDOC Week Intercultural Book Club, Saturday, July 5th, 2025
IFN City of Greater Dandenong, Vice President, Anita Davine, addressed guests and provided a review off the book ‘Rabbit Proof Fence’
by Doris Pilkington Garimara
Commissioner Mohamed Mohiden OAM JP, representing the Victorian Multicultural Commission addressed guests
Aunty Irene delivering the keynote address
IFN Monash Committee Member Kamlavathi Reddy,
did a wonderful job as Event MC!
Thank you Kamlavathi.
Guests enjoying the speakers and presentations on the day!
Wonderful music provided by Yeng Gali Singing Group
Interfaith Network, Executive Committee Meeting, Wednesday, June 18th, 2025
IFN Executive Committee President, Mehtap Williams and Ngaire Tufuga, New & Emerging Community Liaison Officer (NECLO), Multicultural Liaison Unit, Southern Metro Region
Mehtap Williams, Ngaire Tufuga, IFN Vice President, Anita Davine, and IFN Ordinary Executive Committee Member, Venerable Bodhicitta
Celebrating National Volunteer Week 2025, May 19th, 2025 – May 25th, 2025
Mayor Cr Jim Memeti, Dandenong Ward,
May El Abyad, Outreach Manager, South East Volunteers and Lilian Poke, IFN Administration Officer, enjoying the celebrations!
Thank you for your support of our local volunteers!,
Mayor Cr Jim Memeti, Dandenong Ward, May El Abyad, Outreach Manager, South East Volunteers
Monash Interfaith Gathering, Harmony Dinner, May 10th, 2024
IFN City of Greater Dandenong was delighted to attend, and be part of the Monash Interfaith Gathering, Harmony Dinner celebrations! Kamala Reddy from Monash introducing the event keynote speaker.
Bwe Thay, VMC Deputy Chairperson delivered the keynote address,
‘Peace and understanding in a multi cultural society’
Monash Interfaith Members, friends, family and supporters enjoying themselves.
A great night enjoyed by all!
IFN Members Meeting, May 7th, 2025
IFN Founding Member Agnes Kean and IFN President Mehtap Williams welcoming IFN Members and guests
IFN Executive Committee Member Jasbir Singh Suropada and David Moffat from Monash Interfaith Group
IFN President Mehtap Williams officially welcoming Members and guests
Monash IFN Kamala and IFN City of Greater Dandenong Member Koholandkala Kovida
IFN Executive Member Father Jean Mawal and IFN President Mehtap Williams showing their support for the ‘Back Your Neighbor’ Campaign!
IFN Executive Member Thero Pannasobhana showing his support for the ‘Back Your Neighbor’ Campaign. Thanks, Thero!
IFN Member Venerable Thich Thien Tam
IFN Administration Officer Lilian Poke leading the
Opening Reflection
Malkanthi, South-East Monash Legal Service, presenting on Healthy Relationships, ‘Family violence and the law’, our rights and responsibilities. Thanks for a great presentation!
Linda and Halina, from Palliative Care South East. Thanks for such an informative presentation!
IFN President Mehtap Williams thanking Tina and Malkanthi from South-East Monash Legal Service for their presentation
IFN President Mehtap Williams and IFN Member Ursula thanking Linda and Halina for their presentation
Supporting the ‘Back your Neighbor’ Campaign!
IFN Places of Worship Tour, with City of Greater Dandenong Staff, Thursday, April 23rd, 2025
Tour participants listening to Father John Mawal at St. Paul’s Antiochian Orthodox Church
Tour participants with Father John Mawal
Ling from Chua Quan Thanh Taoist Temple with a tour participant
Mr. Leng Chaiwatanatorn and Ling from the Taoist Temple with tour participants
Statue of Quan Di and his horse, symbolising protection and safety at the Taoist temple
Celebrating Eid: A Journey of Understanding and Unity, Friday, April 3rd, 2025
Over 250 guests were warmly welcomed to the event
by Lee Tarlamis OAM MP, Member for South Eastern Metropolitan Region.
Jullian Hill MP for Bruce spoke of the wonderful contributions made by our multicultural, faith communities to the City of Greater Dandenong, the State of Victoria and across the country. Jullian also acknowledged the important work of the Interfaith Network Dandenong and its members within the community.
Mayor Cr Jim Memeti, Dandenong Ward, acknowledged the diversity, inclusivity of the City of Greater Dandenong, and the importance of such events as celebrating Eid.
The major partners for the event were Lee Tarlamis OAM MP, City of Greater Dandenong and Interfaith Network, City of Greater Dandenong.
One of the many enjoyable performers of the evening.
Interfaith Network Members, City of Greater in attendance
Guests enjoying the end of EID celebrations!
Uncle Mark Brown, who led Welcome to Country and Lee Tarlamis OAM MP
IFN President, Mehtap Williams and
IFN Vice President, Anita Davine
Guests at the event included elected Council members from the City of Greater Dandenong, Interfaith Networks, and local community members.
IFN Places of Worship Tour, with City of Greater Dandenong Chief Executive Officer, Jacqui Weatherill and Staffing Team, Thursday, March 27th, 2025
City of Greater Dandenong, Chief Executive Officer and Staff, alongside IFN Staff visiting the Keysborough Turkish Islamic and Cultural Centre and meeting with Teacher Muazzam Abbas and Imam Abdurrahman Sahin.
Teacher Muazzam Abbas leading the conversation on the core beliefs and principles of Islam.
City of Greater Dandenong, Chief Executive Officer and Staff, alongside IFN Staff visiting the Gurdwara Sri Guru Granth in Keysborough and meeting with Jasbir Singh Suropada.
Interfaith Network, Harmony Event, Thursday, March 20th, 2025
IFN President, Mehtap Williams, IFN Vice President, Anitia Davine and IFN Monash Committee Member Kamlawathi Reddy were all smiles as they welcomed guests to the event!
IFN Executive Committee Member Father Jean Mawal and Peter Johnstone, Coordinator Community Advocacy, City of Greater Dandenong
Deputy Mayor, Sophie Tan, officially opening the 2025 IFN Harmony Event. Thank you, Sophie!
Guests engaged in the presentations delivered!
Uncle Mark Brown led Welcome to Country
Our inspiring and insightful Community Panel speakers. Thank you, Jana Favero, (Asylum Seeker Resource Centre) Anisa Sharif ( Australian Federal Police) and Peter Johnstone (City of Greater Dandenong)
Our Keynote Speaker, Jana Favero, Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Head of Systemic Change, Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, delivered a powerful and deeply moving personal address. Thank you, Jana!
Cr Rhonda Garad (Cleeland Ward) in attendance
Guests encouraged to share a message on the meaning of ‘Belonging’ in the City of Greater Dandenong. The framed messages were presented to the Deputy Mayor, Sophie Tan
IFN President, Mehtap Williams, presenting the framed messages of ‘Belonging’ to the Deputy Mayor, Sophie Tan
Harmony Week ‘Cupcakes’ a success!
The Goodwill Village, a partnership between IFN, Australian Federal Police, Faith Leaders and the City of Greater Dandenong was on display for people to enjoy
Guests enjoying the event
Guests enjoying the event
Father Jean Mawal enjoying lunch!
IFN President Mehtap Williams, alongside Jana Favero, Deputy Mayor Sophie Tan, Anisa Sharif and Peter Johnstone
Interfaith Network celebrating diversity, respect and inclusivity of all people!
Religious Education Day, Participating Schools: Mary Mackillop Narre Warren South, Don Bosco Narre Warren and Trinity Narre Warren South, Friday, March 7th, 2025
IFN Community Education Officer, Paris Sard, leading a presentation on a comparative analysis between Islam and Catholicism. The presentation by Paris was very well received!
IFN Community Education Officer, Paris Sard engaging with the participants and providing insights on the similarities between the two faiths.
IFN Community Education Officer arriving at Allen’s Hall. Thank you to the participating schools for the invitation to be part of this important day.
who made the event possible.
Participants enjoying their time together.
Participants enjoying the overall day and presentation lead by IFN Community Education Officer, Paris Sard
IFN Community Education Officer, Paris Sard
Interfaith Network Members attending the Killester College Opening School Mass, Tuesday, February 18th, 2025
Thank you Killester College for your invitation, a joyous Mass was celebrated!