SYDNEY, Australia – A long-awaited renovation project for the Sydney Korean Community Centre has been given the green light. The New South Wales (NSW) State Government has decided to provide a A$2 million (approximately 1.85 billion Korean Won) grant for the renovation costs of the Sydney Korean Community Centre. This led to a historic signing ceremony between the NSW State Government and the Sydney Korean Community Centre at the centre on July 9.

The news of this grant was announced by Oh Hye-young, the President of the Sydney Korean Community Association, whose term is set to expire on July 12. President Oh stated that she directly received news of the A2milliongrantapprovalfromNSWMemberofParliament,JasonYat−senLi,onJune26.Thegrantwillbedisbursedoverthenextfouryears,withA500,000 provided annually.

The Sydney Korean Community Centre, located in Croydon Park, Sydney, was established in the early 2000s when then-President Lee Jae-kyung secured a 20-year lease for its use. The building is constructed on state-owned land, with ownership held by Canterbury-Bankstown Council. While President Oh Hye-young successfully extended the community centre's usage agreement for another 10 years last year, the building's aging condition made renovation urgently necessary.

The renovation work for the Korean Community Centre will be overseen by Hyung Joo-baek, the new President of the Sydney Korean Community Association, whose official term begins on July 12. President Hyung was elected as the 35th President of the Sydney Korean Community Association on May 24. The total Korean population in Australia is estimated to be around 160,000, with over half of them, approximately 85,000, residing in Sydney. The Sydney Korean Community Centre has served as a hub for interaction and communication for this large Korean population, as well as a base for promoting Korean culture.

This generous support from the NSW State Government is expected to resolve a long-standing aspiration of the Sydney Korean community and significantly contribute to improving the quality of life for Korean compatriots. Especially given that the Korean Community Centre has served as the focal point of the Korean community, going beyond just being a building, it is anticipated that various activities can be carried out in a safer and more comfortable environment after the renovation. All eyes are now on the successful completion of the Korean Community Centre renovation project under the leadership of the new President, Hyung Joo-baek.

https://blog.naver.com/unpeacekor/223930084146