The Albanese Labor Government is ensuring multicultural communities in the Illawarra have a dedicated centre to come together for activities, celebrations and to access community services.
Member for Cunningham, Alison Byrnes MP, today announced the Government has delivered $5 million to establish the Illawarra Regional Multicultural Centre developed by the Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra (MCCI).
The funding will make the Centre the new home of MCCI, ensuring it can be properly renovated and made fit-for-purpose, providing dedicated shared community-use facilities for social connection, training, service delivery, education, and events.
The Centre will include a welcoming, accessible and culturally-safe space, creating somewhere for the whole community to come together to celebrate diversity, access support services, and build connections across the Illawarra’s culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
The project responds to the growing need for inclusive infrastructure to support the expanding multicultural population across the region, ensuring that communities have the resources, support and recognition they deserve.
Ms Byrnes today joined together with MCCI’s CEO Chris Lacey and Chairperson Tom Begic in Coniston to celebrate the purchase of the building, with services at the centre set to open by the end of April.
MCCI has been supporting migrants and refugees across the Illawarra community for 50 years. This centre will ensure they can continue to grow and support the incredibly diverse nature of the Illawarra’s multicultural communities for many years to come.
The Illawarra Regional Multicultural Centre is another example of the Albanese Government backing modern Australia with practical support and lasting infrastructure.
Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Cunningham, Alison Byrnes MP:
“I am so delighted to deliver this vital funding to help MCCI create its new headquarters and deliver a fabulous local multicultural hub.”
“We know that many local multicultural groups struggle to find spaces to hold their many colourful and engaging community events and I am really pleased that they will now have a new home in the Illawarra Regional Multicultural Centre.”
“The Illawarra showcases the best of modern Australia, we’re proudly multicultural and our CALD communities contribute so much to our vibrant social fabric. This Centre will be a lasting community asset that reflects the diversity, pride and strength of our region.”
“With matched funding by MCCI to facilitate the new Centre, I really want to thank the whole MCCI team for their vision, steadfast dedication and passion for supporting local people across our diverse communities.”
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Dr Anne Aly:
“This is what delivery looks like; funding provided, the site acquired, and services commencing by the end of April.”
“The Illawarra Regional Multicultural Centre will be a place of belonging, support and connection for multicultural communities across the region. When we invest in places like this, we invest in social cohesion, inclusion and the strength of multicultural Australia.”
Quotes attributable to Chairperson, MCCI, Tom Begic:
“MCCI has been supporting multicultural communities in the Illawarra since 1975. In 2025 we celebrated 50 years of community service and impact.
“The Australian Government’s $5 million investment in a new Illawarra Regional Multicultural Centre is very warmly welcomed and will help us to continue to support migrants, refugees, and the established generations of multicultural communities for the next 50 years”.
Quotes attributable to Chief Executive Officer, MCCI, Chris Lacey:
“We acknowledge and thank Alison Byrnes MP for her support and advocacy to establish a new Regional Multicultural Centre for the Illawarra.
“The centre will become an anchor point for services to the growing multicultural communities of the Illawarra, along with a new community centre available to the more than 70 multicultural associations in the region.
“Services from the centre will commence by the end of April, while we expect the community centre components of the site to be operational before the end of 2026.”
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