Melbourne’s Multicultural Hub has welcomed its one millionth program participant.

The millionth person to engage with the Hub’s many programs and activities is Nepali international student Samrika Bhattarai, who currently volunteers as a facilitator at the Elizabeth Street facility.

“I love volunteering at the Multicultural Hub. I enjoy meeting lots of diverse people from different communities – it’s a true melting pot,” Samrika said.

“And I enjoy all the different activities the Hub facilitates. It was initially a place where I could meet other international students and now, I’m volunteering at the Hub.

“Soon, I’ll be facilitating my first Welcome to Melbourne event for in international students and I’m really excited,” she said.

Samrika came to Australia two years ago and has been studying for a bachelor’s degree in Community Services.

For 18 years Melbourne’s Multicultural Hub has provided a central place for the city’s culturally diverse communities to meet, interact and collaborate.

Each year the Hub welcomes almost 60,000 visitors representing around 450 separate groups, and it hosts about 1600 events, meetings and gatherings annually. It is used by more than 80 migrant and refugee communities.

The Hub, operated by migrant and refugee settlement agency AMES Australia in partnership with the City of Melbourne, is home to several impactful volunteering program. Community volunteers who support the Hub’s programs pass on invaluable skills and experience to people diverse of vulnerable communities.

The Hub’s volunteering programs for diverse community members help to develop their English build their social capital and ultimately help them gain paid employment. The Volunteer Work Experience Program (VWEP) is specifically designed to provide newly arrived skilled migrants an opportunity to develop local work experience, gain understanding of the Australian workplace culture and local references. In 2025 the Hub provided volunteering opportunities to almost 60 people.

The Hub has also proved to be a critical resource in times of crisis. It was used as welcome point for thousands of evacuated Afghan refugees during the COVID-19 lock downs. It was an information/contact centre for friends and relatives of people caught up in the 2011 Christchurch earthquake.

The Hub was used as a COVID-19 testing and vaccination centre for the homeless and for inner city residents. More recently it has been an information and resources centre for people fleeing the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.

Melbourne Multicultural Hub manager Maria Tsopanis said the Hub provides a safe and welcoming space for people from diverse, and sometimes marginalised groups.

“Patrons of the hub say they find the space safe, convenient and welcoming. Many say they feel more comfortable at the Hub than in other mainstream community spaces,” she said.

“The Hub as a facility provides: space for community groups to meet; opportunities for social connection; opportunities for learning and skill development; a space where communities can share their culture; opportunities for communities to maintain connection with their cultural heritage; a space where people can freely express cultural, religious and spiritual beliefs; as well as information and connection so people can increase their understanding of different cultures,” Ms Tsopanis said.