Dear Visitor ji,
Congratulations to the Hon Scott Morrison for winning the federal election and forming the Government. FINACT congratulates our elected parliamentary representatives Senator Katy Gallagher, Senator Zed Seselja, the Hon Dr Andrew Leigh, the Hon David Smith and the Hon Alicia Payne.
FINACT has successfully organised the AusIndia Fair 2019 on 30 March at Commonwealth Park. Wet and Windy weather did not stop the spirit of AusIndian community celebration. Thanks to the sponsorers, volunteers and participants for making the event successful.
FINACT is pursuing accreditation of community languages review with National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI). Mr Mark Painting, CEO updated the current status of languages Bangla, Gujarat, Malayalam and Telugu from subcontinent for translation and interpretation services. NAATI is seeking Recognised Language Practitioner applications for the above languages. The process for Credential Community Language (5 points for PR application) is separated from Translator exams and FINACT is coordinating to submit business cases for four languages. FINACT is planning to organise an information session for the above language speaking communities.
FINACT General Council Meeting will be held on 28 May 2019 to review the initiatives and seeking guidance to move the organisation into new financial year.
Stay Warm and Joyful.
Dr Krishna Nadimpalli
President FINACT
GEOCON is FINACT’s Proud Sponsor
From Our Patron - the Hon Mr Chris Steel MLA
Minister for Multicultural Affairs
Last week in the ACT Legislative Assembly, I tabled the ACT Multicultural Framework 2015-2020 Second Action Plan.
This action plan is a result of significant community consultation, including the Multicultural Summit and Roundtables, which were held last year.
I am pleased to note that community’s voice is reflected in all 22 actions within this plan, which will be delivered in 2019 and 2020.
One of the key actions in this new Action Plan is to respond to our recent commitment to join the Welcoming Cities Network, allowing us to benchmark our current services and identify areas where we many need to improve.
This action plan also recognises the importance of women from CALD communities, and works towards increasing their representation on forums and committees to ensure that we have a broad range of voices being heard.
This action plan acknowledges the contributions that are already being made by our diverse community members and will seek to strengthen our Government’s commitment to celebrating Canberra’s diversity and social inclusion.
I urge everyone to read and share the Second Action Plan around your networks.
A copy of the plan can be found here.
Sincerely,
Chris Steel MLA
Minister for Multicultural Affairs
Your input/event for FINACT newsletter is appreciated and welcome
Newsletter for communities
You will appreciate that newsletters are critical instrument and platform to meet our functional, operational and strategic communication needs. We have been using this infrastructure for long to effectively interact with you.
Funding under the digital grants from the ACT Government has further boosted our capabilities and confidence in meeting our objectives. We thank the ACT Government for their generosity that enables us to extend our tools to our member associations. Please see below for more information on how you can use this feature.
As you know FINACT newsletter is generally published once a month. If our member associations like to publish their organisation's event in the FINACT newsletter, please provide the following information:
- Event name, date, time and venue followed by text
- Text in word format (not PDF)
- Text within 150 words
- One image/picture if needed.
If you have a flyer ready for the event then FINACT can also publish the flyer in the newsletter.
You can submit this information at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by the last week of month - marked as For FINACT Newsletter.
What else FINACT can do for you?
We acknowlege that not all associations can afford to have mailing lists or tools to regularly interact/communicate with their members. FINACT has tools and capacity to be of your assistance. You may subscribe your members on our subscription page.
Do you have a story…an event…an opinion...an achievement
that Canberrans would be interested in? ABC Radio Canberra would love to hear from you.
Please contact producers Laura Dawes or Kim Lester on 6275 4625 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.';document.getElementById('cloak65185fb5a27a9ed5d1838a05bb002984').innerHTML += ''+addy_text65185fb5a27a9ed5d1838a05bb002984+'<\/a>';
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Sanskrit Classes for New Students
Opportunity for New Students - Wednesdays 6.30-7.30pm
The regular Sanskrit class has started revision from lesson one so this is a great opportunity for new students to join the classes. We meet every Wednesday between 6.30-7.30pm at the Hindu Temple and Cultural Centre (HTCC) in Florey.
Students at all levels are welcome. For more information please contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.';document.getElementById('cloak61175f3d998f45eff8de31f42389eaf1').innerHTML += ''+addy_text61175f3d998f45eff8de31f42389eaf1+'<\/a>';
FINACT General Council Meeting - Tue 28 May 2019
Its time for our next General Council Meeting (GCM). GCM is planned on Tuesday 28 May 2019 at 6:00pm arrival for a 6:30pm start . The GCM will be held at Gungahlin Library, Training Room 1.
Kindly send us the names of your nominated delegates attending the GCM ASAP.
Please let us know if you want anything to be included in the agenda.
Regards,
Roshan Menon General Secretary
Upcoming Events
Indian Classical Music & Dance - Sat 25 May 2019
Bihar Jharkhand Sabha of Australia & New Zealand (ACT Chapter) in association with FINACT is organising its 2nd annual Indian Classical Music Concert.
You are invited to enjoy and rejoice wonderful performance by 2 acclaimed and esteemed Hindustani Classical Music and Dance artists - both artists are Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) panelists.
The program will be as follows:
What - Sitar by Subrata De and Krishna Leela (Bharatnatyam Dance) by Veena Seshadri
When - Saturday 25 May 2019
Where - Tuggeranong Arts Centre, 137 Reed Street, Greenway ACT
Time - 3-5 pm
Entry - $20 (Light refreshment included)
Please feel free to pass on this information to other Indian classical music lovers.
Important: Seats are limited and tickets are selling fast - please book your tickets earlier to avoid disappointment on the day.
Meri Kahani by Indian Senior Citizens in Canberra
The interesting book with touching and inspiring stories of our senior citizens is ready. The book will cost $32.00 only. Please let Shri Subhash Jalota of Indian Senior Citizens Association know how many copies would you like to buy.
Ramadan Iftar Invitation - Sun 26 May & 2 June 2019
Dear Multicultural Community Friends,
Gungahlin Mosque is organising free community Iftar during the month of Ramadan on the following Sundays at the Gungahlin Mosque.
I would like to invite you, along with your family and friends to join us at our community Iftar and dinner. Details are as follows:
Event – Community Iftar and dinner (free)
26 May – Sponsored by Pakistan, Indian, Fiji and Sri Lankan Communities
2 June – Sponsored by Embassy of Saudi Arabia
We expect around 700 guests will be attending our community Iftar event.
A number of non-Muslim guests, including senior figures from churches and other faith organisations will also be attending.
I hope you will be able to join one of these Iftars with our community members. Please feel free to contact me by phone at 0421 792 617 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you need any further information on this event.
Mainul Haque
Canberra Muslim Community inc and
Gungahlin Mosque
5th International Day of Yoga 2019 - Events by Indian High Commission - Starts June 1
Cultural Night 2019 by Canberra Malyalees Association - Sat 8 June 2019 @ Melrose High School
Telangana Cultural Night - Sat 8 June 2019
ACT Telangana Association (ACTTTA) executive committee would like to invite you and your family members for the most awaiting Telangana Cultural Night on 8th June 2019 at Gungahlin College.
Lots of kids and adults performances along with Jaberdasth Artists from India. Please come & join to celebrate the 6th Telangana formation day…
Please block your calendar. It is FREE Event and ACTTA EC encourage community members to take memberships to support the association.
Thank you to our sponsors who came forwarded to support the event. We request community members to utilize their services support their business.
Don’t miss the fun along with delicious dinner.
Thank you,
Jai Telangana
ACTTA Executive Committee
Cyclone Fani Aid Event - Sat 8 June 2019 at HTCC
A prarthana meeting in support of the Fani aid effort will be held at the HTCC on Sat 8 June from 10am-1pm, followed by bhojan prasad.
The Royal Punjabi Dinner by Canberra Punjabi Sports and Cultural Association - Fri 5 July 2019
Canberra Punjabi Sports and Cultural Association is organising its annual signature event “The Royal Punjabi Dinner”, on 5th July 2019 starting at 6.30pm.
This time CPSCA is bring to Canberra/Queanbeyan audience Harbhajan Mann (along with his band), world famous Punjabi singer and actor. Relish Punjabi Food (sumptuous 3-course meal), Punjabi Culture (Giddha, Bhangra), Punjabi Dance/Music.
For tickets and other details contact Harjinder Dhindsa President CPSCA on 0490 082v930.
Tamil New Year Event by ATCS
Australian Tamil Cultural Society of Canberra celebrated the Tamil New Year (TNY) function on 13-April (a day before actual Tamil New Year Day) in a grand manner at Belconnen Community Center, ACT.
We had more than 140 members attended the celebrations which started with Tirrupugazh Recital followed by traditional President speech. Dialogue delivery with natural facts discussion about TNY by the MC mesmerized our audience. We could again get to meet several dignitaries including the Deputy High Commissioner of India High Commission, Ms Elizabeth Kikkert MLA and many others at the function.
Highllights of this event include the recognition of high achievers among our Indian community members, songs rendered by several students trained by our beloved Music Teachers, fun-filled Thamizh hot debate topic "Whether automation will take jobs away", Thillaana dance etc involving all our beloved patrons of various ages.
Event nicely concluded with a wonderful sumptuous 5 course dinner and a Vote of Thanks.
The Magical Strings of Josh - Sat 24 August 2019
In keeping with the ethos and thinking of promoting an awareness of Indian culture locally and globally, Joshua Feinberg (www.joshfeinbergmusic.com), a classically trained Sitar player, who resides in Portland, Oregon, US will be touring Australia in August. Josh has trained with such stalwarts as Ustad Ali Akbar Khan of the Maihar Senia Gharana, amongst others. Josh has also learned to play the Tabla from Pandit Anindo Chatterjee. In addition, Josh is an accomplished bass player.
Josh will be accompanied by Jay Dabgar from Melbourne on the Tabla.
Josh is committed to the ideal of music as a universal language, as music holds universal appeal and is not necessarily bound by materialistic divisions!
Sponsorship Appreciated for FINACT Events
We understand that one of the main reasons to sponsor a tournament and any event could be to promote one’s business and generate goodwill in the community. Sponsoring the FINACT events will give you brand recognition among the fastest-growing community group of Indians in the ACT and increase sales or traffic to sponsor’s website through their banner on our website (www.finact.net.au ).
Indians are the fastest growing population in Australia. This has resulted in increased air traffic between India and Australia; increased telecommunication; and enhanced trade and cultural ties. For sporting events - players and their supporters make playing cricket a fiercely competitive and memorable event. They will promote the game and use your services to show their appreciation.
In addition to providing an excellent opportunity to connect with the Indian sub-continent communities, the FINACT events' sponsorship will:
- enable sponsors to reach out to wider community groups in ACT and surrounds
- fulfil sponsors business objectives and attract sizeable potential customers
- provide a lasting impression of their business
- promote sports and physical activities in the community
- motivate and assist young players participating in the tournament and community activities
- attract favourable feedback from organisers and media partners
- generate great feel-good stories in Indian community and back to India and neighbouring countries and
- fulfil sponsor’s corporate and social responsibilities
If you are willing to or interested in sponsoring our events, please contact us soon.
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