Wat Buddharangsi Melbourne was founded by the Cambodian Buddhist Association of Victoria Incorporated (CBAV)
Brief History of the Association:
The small Cambodian community in Australia started in Melbourne in 1976. Community-minded members worked to form organizations which changed according to time.
The Cambodian Buddhist Association of Victoria, one of the organizations, was founded in 1984. Dr Thel Thong and the then Ms Muntha Uch were instrumental for the first establishment of the Wat. Venerable Suddhep Nan was the first monk the Association sponsored to preside over the intended Wat. He was quite instrumental in fund raising.
Wat Buddharangsi Melbourne, with every person’s efforts, was first established in 1989, in a house in Noble Park, Melbourne South-East. The Wat at Clarke Road in Springvale South, still Melbourne South-East, came into existence in 1992.
After the block of land with a three-bedroom house, was purchased in 1991, a multi-purpose hall was built.
In 1998, a monk residence was constructed. Then in 2017 the Vihara construction started with the generosity of the community at large. Now, we will have a complete picture of a Khmer Wat, with a garden park to make the place much more desirable.
Residing venerable monks
THE VENERABLE MONKS AT WAT BUDDHARANGSI MELBOURNE
Ven. Suddhep Nan—The Wat’s Chief Abbot
Ven. Sovann Srey—President of Monk Community of Australia and New Zealand
Ven. Ol Sam—President of Cambodian Buddhist Association of Victoria Inc.
Ven. Suvannara Kin
Ven. Luom Nuom
Ven. Sambath Sam
Ven. Bora Khuon
Ven. Siep Chau