Frank Carter, a long-time Upwey resident who has quietly helped people navigate their lives through Buddhist teachings for more than two decades, has been awarded the Dharmachakra Award by the Buddhist Council of Victoria.
The award, which recognises significant contributions to Buddhist education, was presented at Melbourne Town Hall as part of the United Nations’ Vesak Day celebrations. Vesak Day is a special day commemorating the birth, enlightenment and nirvana of the Buddha.
For Mr Carter, it is more than just an award, it is a recognition of his years of commitment to spreading Buddhist wisdom, making it accessible and relevant, especially in this often overwhelming modern world.
“This isn’t really about me,” Mr Carter said.
“It’s about the work we do as a team, myself, my wife Anita and many others, to make the Dharma accessible to all who are curious, struggling or just looking for a better way to live.”
Mr Carter first walked into the centre in 1983, seeking a deeper quest. Under the guidance of the late teacher John Hughes, he found his dream. From that point on, what started as a personal journey turned into a lifelong commitment to education and community.
From weekly classes and meditation retreats to international forums and online broadcasts, Mr. Carter’s work has reached listeners of all ages and backgrounds. But perhaps best known is The Buddhist Hour, a community radio show that has been on the air since 1998.
The show, which airs every Sunday at 4 p.m. on 3MDR 97.1FM, blends traditional chanting with weekly reflections and teachings. Over the years, Mr. Carter has worn many hats—host, writer, and, until recently, chairman of the organization behind the show.
“The purpose of the show is to help people make sense of things,” he said.
“Whether it’s dealing with stress, relationships, or the general pace of modern life, we try to offer something stable, something useful.”
Mr. Carter and his wife, Anita, have also been leading the charge in bringing Buddhism to the digital world. Their podcast has been downloaded more than 16,000 times, their teachings are available on platforms like Insight Timer, and World Buddhist Radio, launched in 2006, now streams sutras and teachings online 24/7.
Yet it’s often those quiet moments, those personal stories, that are most meaningful.
“We’ve heard people say, ‘If I had learned this stuff earlier, I would have saved myself a lot of trouble,’ ” Mr Carter said.
“That’s powerful. That’s what keeps us going.”
In 2025, Mr Carter and his team are preparing a new initiative to deliver public health sessions through local libraries or schools as part of the Victorian Government’s Health and Wellbeing Libraries program.
“Buddhism has a lot to say about happiness,” he said.
“It’s not just spiritual, it’s also practical, teaching you how to deal with anxiety, worry and depression. It gives you a better understanding of yourself, so you can deal with life with more awareness and less suffering.”
Mr Carter said Buddhism is all about self-knowledge at its core – something he believes everyone can benefit from, regardless of their religious background.
“It’s not about changing anyone,” he said.
“It’s about helping people learn how to live with more clarity, kindness and peace.”
From building the teaching hall himself, to co-writing the centre’s book, Bringing Wisdom to Life, to running free workshops for the community, Mr Carter’s story is one of quiet perseverance, service and compassion.
Now, with the Falun Awards, the Buddhist Council of Victoria is speaking out what many already know: that right here in Upwe, something truly meaningful has been growing steadily and strongly for more than 40 years.
“To be honest, we just want to offer something that has helped us. If anyone finds a little peace or clarity because of something they heard on the radio, read online, or learned in one of our classes – that’s what matters,” Mr Carter said.
