The Victorian Bangladeshi Community Foundation (VBCF), established in 2012, is a cultural organization representing the Bangladeshi community in Melbourne, Australia. Its mission is to “Bring the Community Together.” The VBCF is a non-profit, non-political, and non-religious entity that collaborates with its component organizations to benefit the Bangladeshi community residing in Victoria. VBCF does not engage in political activities or discriminate against individuals based on gender, religion, profession, race, or personal beliefs. The organization’s primary focus is to protect and uphold the interests of the Bangladeshi community and work towards creating a better community in Australia. The financial resources generated by the VBCF are exclusively utilized for the well-being of the Bangladeshi community living in Melbourne.
Programs
VBCF consists of the following components and programs that organize various year-round activities.
- Islamic Classes
- For Children: Provides Islamic education, including Quran recitation, basic Islamic principles, and moral teachings to Bangladeshi Muslim children.
- For Adults: Offers lessons on Islamic studies, Quranic interpretation (Tafsir), Hadith, and practical guidance for daily life in a Western context.
- Victorian Bangla Mobile Library (VBML)
- Kids Art Competition: Encourages creativity among children through themed drawing/painting contests.
- Book Donations: Collects Bangla and English books to expand their mobile library.
- Borrowing Books: Members can borrow books from the collection, promoting Bangla literature.
- Open session (Adda) and informal gatherings for literary discussions, poetry readings, and cultural exchanges.
- Victorian Bangladeshi Sports Club (VBSC)
- Organizes cricket, soccer, and badminton tournaments for the community.
- Encourages youth participation and healthy competition.
- Organize inter-community and intergenerational sporting events.
- Victorian Bangladeshi Women’s Advancement
- Pitha Festival: Celebrates traditional Bangladeshi rice cakes (pitha), showcasing culinary heritage.
- Empowerment workshops, skill-building sessions, and networking events for women.
- Business networking and connections
- Victorian Bangladeshi Cultural Society (VBCS)
- Celebrate Bangladeshi National events with programs like screening documentaries and slide shows on Bangladesh’s Liberation War.
- Organize cultural performances, such as drama, music, and fashion shows, featuring traditional attire and costumes.
- Art completion focused on themes like independence, Bangladesh’s history, culture, and heritage.
- Celebrate Ramadan with Iftar parties, Eid Bazaar, and more.
Bangla School
The Victorian Bangladeshi Community Foundation (VBCF) supports the operation of two Bangla schools, which are accredited community language school programs by the Government of Victoria, located in Fawkner and Hoppers Crossing.
School 1: Melbourne Bangladeshi Community Foundation
Fawkner Primary School, 40 Lorne St, Fawkner, VIC 3060
Tel: 04-3375-2970
School 2: Western Region Bangla School
The Grange P-12 College, 30 Deloraine Drive, Hoppers Crossing, VIC 3029
Tel: 04-2307-2427, 04-0365-2455, 04-3326-6377
Membership:
- General Member: Any person who has a Bangladeshi ancestor or descendant/successor and who supports the purposes of the Association is eligible for general membership. They are entitled to run for the committee and participate in the voting process.
- Associate member: An associate member is not entitled to vote but may have other rights as determined by the governing body. They can attend general meetings.
VBCF is run by the President, Vice President, Treasurer, six secretaries with various roles, and two executive members. The committee is elected every two years.
Funding:
The association’s funds are generated through various means, including joining fees, annual subscriptions, donations, fundraising activities, grants, interest, and any other sources approved by the committee. The Government of Victoria funds the organization’s Bangla education programs for kids.
Team
President: AKM Morshed Kamal
Vice President: Fariha Salahuddin
General Secretary: Kazi Iqbal Hossain
Joint Secretary: Md. Johirul Islam
Treasurer: Md Mehedi Hasan
Event Management Secretary: Md Khairul Matin Mirdha
Cultural Secretary: Quamrul Hassan Milky
Communication Secretary: Mohammad Rony Mazumder
Sports Secretary: Mahfuz Sarwar
Executive Member: Mamun Al Badruddoza Polash
Executive Member: Md Yousuf Ali
Teaching Staffs
Rudaba Alam
Fahmida Hossain
Fargana Hossain
Rizwana Sultana
Sabrina Yasmin
Rumana Islam
Morshed Kamal
Tamanna Rahman Juli
Iqbal Hossain