It must be noted the important role the WA State Government accomplished to help set up the SLCSWA. During the dawn of the true ‘multicultural’ Australia – 1983 onwards, as mentioned earlier, the State Labour Government also strengthened its implementation of ‘multicultural policies’. The purpose of these policies at the time was to help enhance the harmonious integration between the ethnic communities and the Mainstream.

The State Government devised its own programmes in addition to the Federal Government initiatives. It encouraged migrant groups, through its department known as the ‘Multicultural and Ethnic Affairs Commission’, by assisting them to establish their own Official Bodies. The Commission initiated this process by awarding a one off ‘Seeding Grants’, of $1000 of public money to each group who would ‘qualify’ to receive it.

The purpose of the Grant was to help cover the essential legal and administrative costs, required to accomplish the formalities of registering a group as an Incorporate d Body under the Incorporations Act of WA.

The regulations were stipulated under the Grants Scheme. First, any such group needed to show, that there is a bona-fide group, i.e. ethnic/religious/language, by confirming the number of families within the group.

The Official Formation of the Sri Lankan Cultural Society of WA

In July 1986, the availability of the above Grants from the Multicultural Affairs Commission of WA was directly communicated to the writer, a pioneering member, working voluntarily with migrant communities in the social work arena and was in a privileged position to receive such favourable information in good time.

It must be said that strict procedures had to be followed if any group desired to receive this Grant. The conditions stipulated to qualify even to fill the Grant Application became a problem.

It was not an easy task; still, nothing was considered impossible. Since there was no ‘formal’ body, we had to muster an enthusiastic group to gather support for our genuine cause.