Over the past year, Abbot Thích Phước Thể of Lien Tri Temple in Braybrook has become the driving force behind his temple’s fundraising through Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme. It is an idea that has profound impact for both the environment and community faith.
The Abbot and his assistant, Huu Tran, started collecting containers after learning about CDS Vic through the Australian Vietnamese Women’s Association (AVWA), who have partnered with the scheme since June 2024.
The call to collect and return eligible drink containers came at the perfect time for the temple, as they work toward their vision of building a larger, more welcoming temple in Derrimut.
“Community members are often look for ways to contribute and donate to the temple. Sometimes they bring food, flowers or even old furniture. Now I ask them to bring their eligible containers. It’s a simple request and surprisingly those 10 cents add up quicker than you think” says the Abbot.
So far, the temple has raised $1000 and counting.
With so many events happening throughout the year, bottled water is a common sight at the temple. Instead of letting all those empty containers go to waste, the temple saw an opportunity to collect those containers too, to boost fundraising.
And the Abbot is not afraid to roll up his sleeves. He personally sorts through the bottles and takes the eligible ones to the local refund point at Braybrook Shopping Centre, proving that even small efforts can add up to something meaningful.
Despite the hands-on labour involved, the initiative has been warmly embraced. “It’s a way for everyone to give, even just a little,” says Hữu Trần. As faith-based organisations look for sustainable, community-driven ways to support their missions, Lien Tri Temple’s approach offers a simple but effective model: one that combines faith and giving back to the community.
