A series of consultation workshops will be conducted from 14 September - 16 September at Gungahlin Cemetery. 

These workshops will be set to discuss, inform and seek input from sections of Canberra’s community in relation to needs and expectations concerning the development of the Southern Memorial Park, a site that will provide for cemeteries and crematoria as well as service Canberra's community for generations to come. 

Please feel free to pass along these session times to your community and RSVP to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by Friday 11 September with a list of names of those who will be attending from your community. Limited numbers are available due to social distancing requirements. 

Tamil and Telugu Languages Approval 

In previous years, FINACT had made submissions to Federal Government and National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) for the Accreditation of Community Languages Review. 

In 2015, FINACT, with the initiative of Dr Krishna Nadimpalli worked for recognition of Bengali, Malayalam, Telugu and Gujarati languages and made submissions to Senator Concerta Fierrvanti-Wells (Former Minister for Multicultural Affairs), Senator Zed Seselja, Assistant Minister for Finance, Charities and Electoral Matters, and many other decision makers. FINACT delegates also met with Mr Mark Painting, Chief Executive Officer of NAATI in 2019 to pursue the above languages.

As a result, Telugu Language has been recognised as a Credited Community Language (CCL) by National Accreditation Authority of Translators and Interpreters (NAATI). NAATI is seeking application for Telugu CCL tests to be conducted very soon. Those who qualify the CCL will get five points in some categories of permanent residency applications. Prior to that Hindi, Punjabi, Tamil and Bengali were on the list from the Indian sub-continent languages.

The Chennai Tamil School and Australian Tamil Cultural Society through its work has been able to get Tamil language approved by the ACT Board of Senior Secondary Studies (BSSS) as an ATAR subject that can be taught in all colleges.

Past Events & Activities

 India's 74^th Independence Day - 15 August

The High Commission of India in Canberra celebrated 74th Independence Day of India at its premises in Yarralumla. The celebrations were restricted to much lower numbers due to the COVID-19 restrictions. FINACT and a few other community organisations represented the communities at the celebrations.

Even under Covid restrictions , Canberra celebrated “ONAM”, the harvest and state festival on 29 August in front of the Australian Parliament House with a small gathering and dignitaries, CMA's previous presidents, sponsors and community leaders.

It was a joyous occasion of love, friendship, caring and multiculturalism in our ACT community.

CMA was honoured by the presence and wishes from Mrs Joy Burch (ACT Speaker), Mrs Nicole Loder(Deputy Opposition Leader),  Mr Brendon Smith, Mr Jacob Vadakkedathu, Mrs Jane Hiatt and Dr Sunita Dhindsa (FINACT President). Also present were past presidents, Mr Shaji Karrattiyattil, Mr Joby George, Mr Philip Thomson and many others.

CMA welcomed the King “Mahabali” with drums and our beautiful kids dressed in Kerala attire and women dressed in traditional attire performed the traditional “Thiruvathira” dance with great pomp and show.

The program was live streamed to the community through CMA Facebook live. 

Canberra Malayalees Association organised CMA Badminton Tournament 2020 on 8^th August 2020 following all the relevant COVID-19 norms issued by the Government.

36 teams participated in the tournament in various categories, such as Men's Doubles, Women's Doubles, Mixed Doubles & Teenage Doubles.

It was a very competitive game with many nail-biting finishings and excitements.

All winners were awarded and applauded by the community. Please find photos of winners below: