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The Khmer Community in Australia Khmer or Cambodian is the native language of over 15 million people living in Cambodia, South Vietnam, Thailand and Laos. It is one of the Mon-Khmer family languages, which extends from India to the South China Sea. Despite one hundred years under French rule, Khmer people have retained their original language and culture. SBS broadcasters see their role as supporting and stimulating community activities that keep the Khmer language and culture alive, for all Australians. Arrival and Settlement A Khmer community has been present in Australia for a comparatively short period of time. According to a research conducted during 1998 on behalf of the New South Wales Khmer community there is no record of any migration until the early 1960s when six Khmer youths arrived in Australia to study under the auspices of the Commonwealth Colombo Plan. In 1970, some thirty students arrived under the same study program. When Pol Pot's brutal Khmer Rouge regime seized power in the mid-1970s most of these students decided to remain in Australia and became the first significant group of Khmer settlers here. The Cambodian refugee influx into Australia began in the late 1970s. People who arrived as refugees represent the largest proportion of the Khmer population in Australia. Since the closure of the refugee camps on Cambodia's borders in the early 1990s, migration from the country has been dominated by people who've arrived under the Family Reunion Migration Program and other humanitarian schemes. Statistics from the Bureau of Immigration and Population Research notes that in 1976 the Cambodian-born population in Australia numbered 496. In 1996 that number had increased to more than 21,000. Community Contacts Here is a list of some of the organisations serving Australia's Khmer community. Federation of Ethnic Communities' Councils of Australia PO Box 344 Curtin, ACT 2605 Phone:02 6282 5755 Fax: 02 6282 5734 New South Wales Khmer Community of NSW 26 Bonnyrigg Ave, Bonnyrigg NSW 2177 PO Box 104, Bonnyrigg NSW 2177 Phone 02 9823 3479 Fax 02 9823 5393 Cambodian Buddhist Society of New South Wales 68 Tarlington Pde., Bonnyrigg NSW 2177 Phone 02 9823 6754/6404 Salvation & Cambodian Culture Association of NSW 1 Stuart Street, Canley Vale NSW 2166 Phone 02 97242986, Fax: 02 97235834 Khmer Krom and Australian Buddhist Association of NSW 54 Beale crescent, Fairfield West NSW 2168 PO Box 1421, Green Valley NSW 2168 Phone 02 9609 3047 The Khmer Kampuchea Krom Association of South Australia 46 Murray St, Angle Park SA 5010 Phone/Fax 08 8243 0936 Australian Capital Territory Cambodian Association of the ACT PO Box 872, Civic Square Canberra, ACT 2608 Phone 02 6290 2327 / 02 6259 2066 Victoria Khmer Community of Victoria 458-460 Springvale Rd, Springvale South 3172 Phone 03 9574 2959 Fax 03 9574 2969 Cambodian Association of Victoria 52 Queens Ave, Springvale, VIC 3171 Phone 03 9546 3466 Fax 03 9546 3604 Cambodian Community Welfare Centre Inc 16-20 Silver Grove, Nunawading, Vic 3131 Phone: 03 9791 8344 Fax: 03 9877 9732 The Khmer Buddhist Centre Inc. Melbourne 458-462 Springvale Road, Springvale South Vic. 3172 Phone: 03 9548 5285 Fax: 03 9512 6057 Cambodian Buddhist Association of Victoria Inc. 159 Clarke Road, Springvale South, Vic 3172 Phone: 03 9546 2432 Fax: 03 9547 5865 Web: www.cbav.org Dhamaram Buddhist Temple Inc. 53 Balmoral Ave, Springvale Vic 3171 Phone: 03 9540 3374 Cambodian-Australian Christian Church Inc P.O Box 109, Springvale, Vic 3171 Phone: 03 9558 4033 Fax: 03 9512 3881 KhmerKrom Friendship Society P.O Box 44 Springvale, Vic 3171 Phone: 03 9793 2803 South Australia Cambodian Australian Association c/o The Parks Community Centre Cowan St.,Angle Park, SA 5010 Phone 08 8243 1679, 08 8268 2776 Fax 08 8347 2322 The Khmer Kampuchea Krom Association of South Australia 46 Murray St, Angle Park SA 5010 Phone/Fax 08 8243 0936 Western Australia Cambodian Welfare and Cultural Centre of WA 66 Parry St, Perth WA 6000 Phone/Fax 08 9227 1237 Special Events Calendar SBS Radio's Khmer Language Program presents special coverage of these and other community events throughout the year. January 26 Australia Day February Meak Buja (The Buddha's Birth, Enlightenment and Death) April 13-15 Khmer New Year May Vesak (Buddha's Birthday) October Pchum Ben (Ancestors' Festival) November 9 Independence Day Recommended Websites Phnom Penh Post This site refers to the Phnom Penh Post newspaper. |
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