The bushfires across the state, and the country, have hit communities especially hard, and Ballarat community groups want to do their part to help - and what better way than with a massive Indian banquet.
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The Ballarat Hindu Temple and Cultural Centre will hold a fundraising event for bushfire relief on February 8, and according to spokesperson Dr Sundram Sivamalai, it'll be a way to acknowledge people who have suffered.
"This is real and it's happening in our neighbourhood, so I think as a fellow citizen, we need to do something," he said.
"It's small compared to what others might do, but still, we share the feeling, we share the sorrows, and we intend to do something.
"Even if you're not one of the actual victims, even if you're sitting and watching the TV or any kind of media, you feel it."
The temple is inviting everyone to join in for an Indian feast, with live music and dancers - guitarist Rod Gear, a veteran of Melbourne's jazz scene, will be among the acts playing on the day.
Dr Sivamalai promised a 10 course meal, at an affordable price to make it accessible to everyone.
"Join the group, share the meal, take your children, listen to music, it's a nice community event, a day out - and at the same time, raise some funds," he said.
"Today, we can say it didn't happen in Ballarat, but we could have been the victims - Lexton, Mount Mercer, we can't sit back and relax and not show our sympathy and emotions in an active way."
All proceeds and donations will be distributed to people hit by the fires, Dr Sivamalai said.
"We don't want money expended in administration and other costs, we want it all to go to the victims," he said.
"We will develop a strategy about how we will send money to the people - one suggestion is through the Bendigo Bank (appeal), but we want to talk about it."
The event is at the Ballarat South Community Hub, 11 Tuppen Drive, Sebastopol, and doors open at noon on Saturday, February 8.
Tickets are available online through Eventbrite, and cost $30 for adults and $20 for children aged 6 to 14 - grab a ticket before Wednesday, February 5 to ensure a seat.
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