Interfaith Contacts- State and Local
The following is a list religious and interfaith organisations along with their contact details. This resource intended to support networking among these groups and to provide information for people interested in interfaith relations.
NSW & ACT
New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory
Ancient Wisdom for a Troubled World
Contact: Donna Jacobs Sife
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Description: Donna Jacobs Sife is a storyteller, educator, and writer. She has been involved with Judaism as a teacher, performer, writer and contemporary interpreter with regards to creative, spiritual and ritualistic expression for 20 years. Donna is a regular speaker at interfaith gatherings and conferences.
Contact: Judith Navidi, Secretary
Address: 107 Derby Street Silverwater NSW 2128
Phone: 02 9748 1297
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Description: The Baha'i Scriptures call on Baha'is to "Consort with the followers of all religions in a spirit of friendliness and fellowship." Accordingly, the Baha'i community is a strong supporter and participant in interfaith dialogue and interfaith projects in Australia.
Brahma Kumaris Raja Yoga Centres in NSW
Contact: Sally Segal, Coordinator
Address: 186 Mt Hay Road Leura NSW 2780
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Description: The Brahma Kumaris Raja Yoga Centres Inc. (BKs), with over 50 teaching locations across Australia, offer people of all backgrounds an opportunity to deepen their understanding of universal spiritual principles and learn a range of spiritual skills through a variety of educational programmes.
Buddhist Council of New South Wales
Contact: Brian White, President Ms. Sujata Lim, Secretary
Address: PO Box 593 Crows Nest NSW 1585
Phone: 02 9966 8893
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Description: Mission is to serve its member organisations, represent the Buddhist community to inter-faith groups, media, government and the NSW public, in accordance with the Dharma, and promote the understanding and practice of the Dharma.
Canberra Christian Jewish Dialogue Group
(The Council of Christians and Jews- Australian Capital Territory)
Contact: Ms Pamela Rothman
Address: 1 Lincoln Place Chapman ACT 2611
Phone: 02 6288 6827
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Description: ACT chapter of the Australian Council of Christians and Jews. The purpose of the Council is to promote religious openness leading to a deeper understanding and mutual respect for the beliefs and practices of both Jews and Christians and to promote reconciliation, relationship and cooperation through dialogue, education, research and communication.
Cao-Dai Temple of New South Wales
Contact: Rev. NGUYEN Chanh-Giao Rev. NGUYEN Thanh Nghiep
Address: 114 King Georges Rd Wiley Park NSW 2195
Phone: 02 9740 5678
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Description: Caodaism is a new religion which is originated in the South of Vietnam in 1926. Caodaism is a synthesis of all religions on over the world, such as Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism and so-forth.
Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney- Commission for Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations
Contact: Sr Giovanni Farquer RSJ, Executive Director
Address: Level 12, Polding Centre 133 Liverpool Street Sydney NSW 2000
Phone: 02 9390 5168
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Description: Our mission is to foster unity among the Christian churches and to encourage and support growth in understanding and the building of harmonious relations between people of different religious faith traditions.
Maha Bodhi Buddhist Information Incorporated
Contact: Mr. Michael Chen, President
Address: Shop 2 242 Elizabeth Street Surry Hills NSW 2010
Phone: 02 9280 0303
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Description: Information & Free Book Centre
New South Wales Ecumenical Council, Inc.
Contact: Reverend Dr. Jonathan Inkpin, General Secretary Kathy Moroney, Administrative Assistant
Address: Locked Bag 199 Sydney NSW 1230
Phone: 02 9299 2215
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Description: The NSW Ecumenical Council is comprised of sixteen (Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox) Christian churches throughout New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.
Religions for Peace Australia (NSW Branch)
Contact: Josie Lacey OAM, President; Vijay Singh, Secretary
Description: Religions for Peace is the largest international coalition of representatives from the world’s great religions dedicated to promoting peace.
Sydney Centre for Studies in Caodaism
Contact: Mr. Tam Dao Dr. Chris Hartney
Address: 114-118 King Georges Rd Wiley Park NSW 2195
Phone: 02 9740 5678
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Description: Sydney Centre for Studies in Caodaism is a gateway to understanding Caodaism . It provides information on the history, organization, philosophy and practice of Caodaism.
The Council of Christians and Jews- New South Wales
Contact: Mr. William Szekely, President SR. Giovanni Farquer, RSJ, Vice President
Address: Level 8, 14-16 York Street Sydney NSW 2000
Phone: 02 9290 3222
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Description: NSW counterpart of the Australian Council of Christians and Jews. The purpose of the Council is to promote religious openness and education leading to a deeper understanding of and mutual respect for the beliefs and practices of both Jews and Christians amongst each faith and in the community at large.
Together for Humanity Foundation, NSW Branch
Contact: Donna Jacobs Sife, Education and Project Manager
Address: PO Box 242 Lindfield NSW 2070
Phone: 02 9449 4455
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Description: The Together for Humanity Foundation conducts programmes in schools which challenge misconceptions and encourage children to focus on our common values.
NT
Northern Territory
Bahá'í Council for the Northern Territory
Contact: Yvonne van der Maas, Secretary
Address: PO Box 40440 Casuarina NT 811
Phone: 08 8932 2128
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Description: The Baha'i Council for the NT carries out the policies of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Australia, supervises efficient execution of plans and projects for its region, deals with teaching and administrative matters and advances the process of sharing the teachings of Baha'u'llah with the wider community, promoting harmony and unity.
QLD
Queensland
Bahá'í Council for Queensland
Contact: Shirley Perkins, Secretary
Address: 26 Mayneview Street Milton QLD 4064
Phone: 07 33684001
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Description: Part of Australian Baha'is
Description: Believing Women for a Culture of Peace (BWCP) is a Brisbane-based women's interfaith association launched in March 2004. Membership is open to women of all faiths and spiritual paths. Grounded in a vision of building respectful and caring relationships among women of diverse faiths and cultures, BWCP organises internal dialogue events, family-based celebrations of special religious festivals, and public activities related to major annual commemorations such as International Women's Day and the International Day of Peace. Historically it networked with many other women's peace and social justice groups and developed a close working relationship with the Multi-Faith Centre at Griffith University Nathan Campus. Registered in 2006 as a community-based association, its leadership group is a Coordinating Committee elected at its annual general meeting.
North Brisbane Interfaith Group
Contact: Rev. Garth Read, Convener
Address: QLD
Phone: 07 3263 8068
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Description: The group has four objectives: to provide informal social occasions where members of different Faith communities can strengthen their personal relations with one another; to provide educational opportunities for people to learn more about eachother's Faith and practice; to organise major Multifaith and Interfaith events that promote the interfaith message within the wider community; to engage in or sponsor practical Interfaith activities with a local and/or international focus.
Queensland Churches Together
Contact: Glenine Hamlyn, General Secretary
Address: PO Box 2045 Milton BC QLD 4064
Phone: 07 3369 6792
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Description: Aims to encourage and enable members to dialogue with people of other faiths and ideologies in order to further mutual understanding and strive jointly for peace.
Queensland Regional Meeting, Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
Contact: Susan Addison, Clerk Tony Arden, Clerk
Address: Friends' Meeting House 10 Hampson Street Kelvin Grove QLD 4059
Phone: 07 3201 1954 or 07 3892 1292
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Description: Queensland Regional Meeting is a spiritual community in Queensland which is part of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in Australia and worldwide.
Together for Humanity Foundation, QLD Branch
Contact: Ronit Baras, Queensland Education & Project Manager
Address: QLD
Phone: 07 3343 2237
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Description: The Together for Humanity Foundation conducts programmes in schools which challenge misconceptions and encourage children to focus on our common values
SA
South Australia
Address: PO Box 429 Kent Town SA 5067
Phone: 0435 053 943
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Description: Objective is to serve as the representative organisation for Buddhist temples, groups and organisations in South Australia.
Sikh Society of South Australia, Inc.
Contact: Gurdip Singh Padde, President Balbir, Secretary
Address: 10 Mount Barker Road Glen Osmond SA 5064
Phone: 08 8379 4420 or 08 8364 2847
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Description: The aims of the society include encouraging the understanding of the Sikh religion and culture and promoting harmony between Sikhs and people of other beliefs in South Australia.
South Australian Council of Churches
Contact: Geraldine Hawkes (Executive Officer)
Address: 65 Flinders Street Adelaide SA 5000
Phone: 08 8215 0300
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Description: Purpose is to serve the churches of South Australia in their deeper engagement in ecumenism and nurture and nourish the churches' understanding, spiritual growth, and practice of ecumenism.
The Bahá'í Community of South Australia
Contact: Elise Gomez-Poulin, External Affairs Officer Johan Revalk, External Affairs Officer
Address: PO Box 918 Adelaide SA 5000
Phone: 08 8267 4407 (Elise Gomez-Poulin) and 0438858440 (Johan Revalk)
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Description: The Baha'i Scriptures call on Baha'is to "Consort with the followers of all religions in a spirit of friendliness and fellowship." Accordingly, the Baha'i community is a strong supporter and participant in interfaith dialogue and interfaith projects in Australia.
The Council of Christians and Jews (SA) Inc.
Contact: Ron Hoenig, Jewish Co-Chair
Address: 6 Grange Road Hawthorn SA 5062
Phone: 08 8272 1971
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Description: An organisation of Christians and Jews in South Australia whose aim is to assist people of Jewish and Christian heritage to understand and affirm each other's faith traditions, articulate what we have in common, celebrate the richness of diversity in our respective traditions, and to promote our aims for the benefit of the wider community.
TAS
Tasmania
Bahá'í Council for Tasmania
Contact: Dr John Davidson, Secretary
Address: PO Box 1126, GPO Hobart TAS 7001
Phone: 03 6234 9992
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Description: The bahai Council for Tasmania is the representative body for the Tasmanian bahai community, operating under the auspices of the National Spiritual Assembly of the bahais of Australia. It has overall responsibility for projects and activities of the bahai community in Tasmania, including the bahai Centre of Learning.
Tasmanian Council of Churches
Contact: Rev Fr Michael Delaney, President
Address: 96 Margaret Street Launceston TAS 7250
Phone: 03 6334 3942
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Description: The TCC is the ecumenical arm of the Churches in Tasmania and seeks to build relationships between the member churches in order make real the Kingdom in our time.
VIC
Victoria
Baha'i Community of Victoria
Contact: Australian Baha'i Community - Victorian Office
Address: P O Box 474, North Balwyn VIC 3104
Phone: 03 9497 5984
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Website: www.bahai.org.au
Description: The Australian Baha'i Community - Victorian Office is the external affairs arm of the Baha'i Faith in Victoria. It oversees and co-ordinates Baha'i participation in interfaith activities at State level.
Buddhist Council of Victoria
Contact: Chair: Laura Chan Secretary: Petr Svoboda
Address: P.O. Box 6104 Footscray West VIC 3012
Phone: 0401 200 206
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Description: The Buddhist Council of Victoria is a representative body that acts on behalf of Buddhists in the Australian state of Victoria. It is actively engaged in representing the needs of Buddhists to all levels of government, provides speakers for interfaith dialogue and works widely with the community.
Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne- Ecumenical and Interfaith Commission
Contact: Mr. David Schutz, Executive Officer
Address: P.O. Box 146 East Melbourne VIC 3002
Phone: 03 9926 5708
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Description: The Catholic Interfaith Committee committed to deepening dialogue and mutual respect between the Church and members of other religious traditions.
Description: Initiatives of Change in Australia works to build bridges of trust through a change in people - their attitudes, motives and actions - in families, the workplace, between Australians of different backgrounds, between Australia and her neighbours.
Description: To promote understanding and respect among the world's religious and spiritual communities living in the State of Victoria, and to build bridges of dialogue and friendship between communities in Melbourne, the region and the world, thus fostering peaceful coexistence.
Description: The Interfaith Network is a group of diverse cultural and religious faiths, working in partnership with the City of Greater Dandenong Council to promote peace and harmony within the municipality. The Network is the first established Interfaith Network in Australia, and consists of various traditional and multi-faith groups who meet monthly at the Council offices. Their goal is simple - promoting understanding, respect and tolerance for each other's beliefs by living together in peace and goodwill. The Network strives to achieve the vision of 'Many Faiths, One People'
Knox Inter-faith Network
Contact: Peter Evans, Chairperson/Secretary
Address: 44 Severn Crescent Rowville VIC 3178
Phone: (03) 9763 6213 – after hours only
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Description: The Knox Inter-faith Network aims to encourage understanding of religious communities in the area covered by the Knox City Council in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. We seek to enable these religious communities to be good neighbours with each other and the broader community through a program of dialogue, education and visitation.
Religions for Peace Australia (VIC Branch)
Contact: Professor Desmond Cahill, National Chair in Australia Jo Elvins, National Secretary
Address: PO Box 1383 Carlton VIC 3053
Phone: 03 9890 9489
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Description: Religions for Peace is the largest international coalition of representatives from the world’s great religions dedicated to promoting peace.
Sikh Interfaith Council of Victoria
Contact: Chairman
Address: P.O. Box 85 Mulgrave VIC 3170
Phone: 03 9560 3374
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Description: Vision is to create greater awareness and understanding of Sikhs and Sikhism in the Australian community. SICV promotes and works for dialogue, respect and understanding among all religions.
The Council of Christians and Jews (Vic) Inc.
Contact: Liz Parker, Office Administrator
Address: 326 Church Street Richmond VIC 3121
Phone: 03 9429 5212
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Description: Our purpose is to educate Christians and Jews to appreciate each other's distinctive beliefs and practices and their common ground; to promote the study of and research into the historical, politcal, economic, social, religious and racial causes of conflicts between people of different creeds and colour; and to promote for the benefit of the community, education in those fundamental ethical teachings common to Christianity and Judaism which relate to respect and understanding between people of different creeds.
Together for Humanity Foundation, VIC Branch
Contact: Janette Witt, JCMA School Program Coordinator
Address: GPO Box 598 Melbourne VIC 3001
Phone: 03 9038 9058
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Description: The Together for Humanity Foundation conducts programmes in schools which challenge misconceptions and encourage children to focus on our common values.
Victorian Council of Churches
Contact: Mr. Theo Mackaay
Address: Level 4 306 Little Collins Street Melbourne VIC 3000
Phone: 03 9650 4511
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Description: The Victorian Council of Churches is an ecumenical fellowship of churches which confess the Lord Jesus Christ as God and Saviour according to the Scriptures and seek to fulfil together their common calling to the glory of the one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The VCC includes the "Living Faiths - Dialogue and Community Commission".
WA
Western Australia
Baha'i Council for Western Australia
Contact: Farhad Fozdar, Secretary
Address: 453 Marmion Street Myaree WA 6154
Phone: 08 9330 6999
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Description: WA organisation of the Australian Baha'i community
The Council of Christians and Jews - Western Australia
Contact: Dr Mary J. Marshall, Honorary Secretary
Address: PO Box 1469, Booragoon, WA, 6954
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Description: Objectives of CCJWA Inc. are to promote: (1) education of Christians and Jews so as to appreciate both the similarities and differences in their beliefs and practices; (2) understanding of and research into causes of conflicts between them; and (3) education in the ethical teachings common to the two faiths. The Council also facilitates discussion between Christians and Jews on issues of common interest or concern, and acts as a spokesbody on relevant matters.
Council of Churches of Western Australia, Inc.
Contact: Reverend Eira Clapton, General Secretary
Address: Unit 24, Stafford Court 8-12 Stafford Street Midland WA 6056
Phone: 08 9874 3888
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Description: An association of Christian Churches within Western Australia dedicated to the cause of Christian Unity.
Sikh Association of Western Australia (SAWA)
Contact: Mr Daljit Singh Dhillon (President) Mahesh Singh (Secretary)
Address: 280 Shreeve Road Canning Vale WA 6155
Phone: 08 9256 1314
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Description: The Objects of the Association are to serve as vehicle for advancement of the hopes and aspirations of the Sikh community; to establish, maintain and run Gurdwaras and Centers for the religious and spiritual needs and development of the Sikh community; to provide for the teaching and promotion of the Punjabi language by organizing school classes and teachers; to provide for the religious, ritual and cultural purposes of the Sikh community; to attend to the recreational and social needs of the Sikh community; and to foster goodwill, understanding, peace and harmony between the Sikh community and the wider Australian community.