By Eleanor Wilson
For years, the Casey Multifaith Network has existed as a pillar of cohesion and unity for a range of spiritual residents throughout the municipality.
Now, Narre Warren’s Kasuni Mendis is hoping to continue this legacy and perhaps breathe some new life into it, too.
Elected as the organisation’s president at its annual general meeting last Thursday, 24 November, Ms Mendis hopes to use her two-year term as president to build upon the network’s reach and community engagement.
“I’ll be looking to refine our direction, look at what our ideals and purposes are and how to move those forward,” she said.
Ms Mendis, who practises Buddhism and comes from a Sinhalese background, has lived in the City of Casey for her entire life, observing the municipality grow both industrially and culturally.
“One of the reasons I love our area and municipality is because of how diverse and broad it is – it’s so unique.
“But we have had issues in the past with that idea of understanding each other and being tolerant of each other so to promote and encourage that harmony in the area is really important to me.”
Described as “a collaborative representation of various religions and faiths committed to working together toward the promotion of peace”, each year the Casey Multi-Faith Network holds community events and information sessions to promote multiculturalism throughout the community.
Last year, the network held a series of events, including a forum on Peace and Harmony for the UN Day of Peace, an Iftar dinner during Ramadan and a forum on Faith in the LGBTIQ+ community with the Casey Rainbow Network.
Outside of Casey Multifaith, Ms Mendis is also the vice-president of the Casey Residents and Ratepayers Association.
She will step up to the position after four years as the network’s secretary, taking over the role of president from Adam Sadiqzai, who will continue with the network on its general committee.
Stephen Chew will work alongside Ms Mendis as vice-president, while her former position of secretary has been filled by Jaka Han, with Meha Sivarasa as treasurer.
Mr Sadiqzai will be joined on the general committee by Jobi Petty, Hayat Doughan, Jasbit Singh Suropada and Mohammad Rehmat.
