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Dear Visitor ji,
A tumultuous year is coming to an end. It has been a year that will not be forgotten, when life was ‘in-limbo’, when we were most of the time ‘in wait’. It has been a year in which environmental disasters and challenges continued to stalk, while people faced them with fortitude, and also helped the vulnerable and those in need.
We also witnessed movements like ‘MeToo’ and ‘BlackLivesMatter’, and shifts in international dynamics and governments.
Thanks to the management of the COVID-19 pandemic by the federal and state/territory governments, Australia is in a much stronger position compared to many developed countries. Sadly, some of us are facing life without our loved ones, and many struggled with job losses, isolation and anxiety during restrictions. It has taught us many lessons and also reinforced the invaluable importance of family, health, livelihood and society, compassion and humanity.
We are still transitioning and waiting to see what the new ‘normal’ will look like. Opening of the domestic borders has brought joy and cheer in the lives of many and an opportunity to meet their loved ones. Opening of the Australia-New Zealand bubble will add to that joy.
Due to the COVID restrictions, Canberra had the opportunity to host international cricket matches between Australia and India at the Manuka Oval in the first week of December. India won both the matches played in Canberra after losing two in the other State.
On behalf of FINACT and the 29 member organisations, we fervently hope that 2021 will bring good health, peace, prosperity to each one of you, and greater goodwill, harmony and cooperation at all levels.
We wish you a merry Christmas, an enjoyable and safe festive season. May all our troubles and sorrows stay behind to make space for laughter, joy, and success.
Sunita S Dhindsa
President
“This is a new year. A New beginning. And things will change.” – Taylor Swift
Message from the Minister for Multicultural Affairs
As we approach the holiday season I warmly wish FINACT and all of your members a safe and happy time with your family and friends.
2020 has been an exceptional year for all the wrong reasons – but for some right reasons, too. As a community we have emerged stronger and more resilient. We have supported each other and continued to ensure that kindness and inclusivity is central to who we are as a community. Canberra’s Indian community provides such a strong contribution to who we are as a city, and especially in promoting and achieving these values. Thank you to FINACT for your leadership in enriching this space in this most difficult year.
We look forward to a bright, happy and prosperous 2021 – and I personally look forward to attending more FINACT events and coming together to celebrate Indian culture.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Tara Cheyne MLA
ACT Minister for Multicultural Affairs
Message from the ACT Deputy Leader of Opposition
It is my great honour to resume the position of Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs.
We in the Canberra Liberals opposition value very much our broad cultural and religious diversity in Canberra as well as our shared values of family, hard work and future success that we all hold so dear.
I would like at the close of the 2020 year to thank every member, organisation as well as the position holders of FINACT for all you have done as valued members of our community in this year as we have faced so very many new challenges. You were there with us through the fires, lending a hand wherever you could, through COVID-19 and the isolation period following all we had to do and helping to make us a very successful jurisdiction at managing this difficult situation.
Thank you for all you do to enlighten and enliven our city and I wish you all a very happy Christmas and Festive season and may 2021 bring so many good things to us that we will appreciate our blessings and look forward to the future together with positivity.
Best wishes.
Giulia Jones MLA
Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs
Message from Mr Andrew Braddock MLA
 Andrew Braddock, the newly elected MLA for Yerrabi and ACT Greens Spokesperson for Multicultural Affairs.
“Wishing the Canberra Indian community, of all faiths, a merry Christmas and happy holiday season.
2020 has been difficult for all, but it has been particularly difficult for diaspora communities across the world. I hope we can put 2020 behind us, spend time with friends and loved ones, and look forward to 2021.
I am particularly looking forward to working with FINACT and its member organisations in the new year, to represent diaspora communities in the ACT and together work towards FINACT’s goals of mutual respect and recognition.”
Upcoming Events
CMA Christmas 2020 - Sat 19 Dec
Messages from Our Proud Member Associations
Sanskrit
Surya Samvednapushpayeh Deeptih Karunyagandhane, Labdhva Shubham Navvarshesmin Kuryatsarvasya mangalam.
As the sun gives light, sensibility brings compassion, flowers give pleasant fragrance, may the new year be auspicious.
ACT Telangana Association
 We wish all communities leaders and members.
As new year dawns may it lead you to the path of beautiful tomorrows.
Wish a year of wonderful happiness, health, wealth & great success.
We wish you merry Christmas and Happy & prosperous New year.
Australian Tamil Cultural Society of ACT
அனைவருக்கும் எங்களின் இனிய கிறிஸ்துமஸ் மற்றும் ஆங்கில புத்தாண்டு நல்வாழ்த்துக்கள்.
Bengali Cultural Association of Canberra
ক্রিসমাস ও শুভ নববর্ষের প্রীতি, শুভেচ্ছা ও অভিনন্দন সবাইকে। নতুন বছরে ভারত ও অস্ট্রেলিয়ার সম্পর্ক আরো সুদৃঢ় হোক কামনা রইল।
Bihar Jharkhand Sabha of Australia and New Zealand
बिहार झारखण्ड सभा के ओर से नयका साल के ढेरे शुभकामनायें बा ! आप सभे खुश आ मस्त रहीं जा |
Canberra Malayalees Association (CMA)
ഏവർക്കും ക്യാൻബറ മലയാളീസ് അസ്സോസിയേഷൻ്റെ ഹൃദയം നിറഞ്ഞ ക്രിസ്മസ് പുതുവത്സരാശംസകൾ
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Canberra Sikh Association
 Canberra Sikh Association wishes all members of FINACT a Very Merry Christmas and a Great and Healthy New Year. May you all be safe and happy!
From the ExCom, CSA
Indian Senior Citizens Association of Canberra
Wishes everyone a very happy and safe Festive Season and an enjoyable New Year.
Karnataka Association of Canberra
ಹೊಸ ವರ್ಷದ ಹಾರ್ದಿಕ ಶುಭಾಶಯಗಳು
Navya Andhra Telugu Association
Oriya Association
Wishing you a very happy New Year, and sending lots of love from our family to yours! Wishing all so much of peace, love, and joy throughout 2020.
ନୂତନ ବର୍ଷର ଶୂଭକାମନା!
Rajdhani Marathi Mandal of Canberra
सर्वांना नाताळ व नववर्षाच्या हार्दिक शुभेच्छा
Best wishes for Christmas and New Year
Rajasthan Sabha of Australia
रामजी थाने सगळा नै निरोगा राखै
कमाई दुनी चोगुणी बढ़ावे।
घणे हेत सु, महारे हिवङे री घणी हरक सु,
थाने और थारे सगले परिवार न “नयोडा साल” री घणी-घणी शुभकामना सा !
Telugu Association of Canberra
What an eventful year this has been!!!
It has taught us to appreciate all the things we have - health, family, time, livelihood, friends and security to name a few.
Our heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones, livelihood, peace and are affected by anxiety.
This too shall pass and we will emerge STRONGER!
During this festive season Telugu Association of Canberra wishes each and everyone of you to cherish this time with your loved ones, take rest and rejuvenate, start a new hobby, make new friends, let the bygones be gone and start fresh with love and patience.
HAPPY CHRISTMAS & HAVE A BLESSED NEW YEAR
Past Events
FINACT Activities
- Participated in the CMCF partly online AGM on 12 November 2020.
- Met with the High Commission of India officials regarding AusIndia Fair, attestation by Justice of Peace issues, etc and a few other matters on 01 December 2020.
- Partnership with the Region Media group
- Participated in planting of more plants at the Guru Ka Bagh John Knight Park Belconnen, organised by the Canberra Punjabi Sports and Cultural Association on 6 December 2020.
- Provided input at the ACT Community Consultation Meeting on 7 December 2020 regarding COVID19 fears, barriers and community engagement.
- Attended online Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas program on 9 December 2020.
- Met with the Executives of Canberra Malayalee Association on 11 December 2020.
- FINACT also wrote to the Honourable Ministers Peter Dutton and Alan Tudge regarding difficulties faced by individuals who needed to go overseas, having to go offshore for certain visa during the difficult times of COVID restrictions, and the high fees of long term temporary visa for parents. FINACT continues to liaise with the Department of Home Affairs' Community Liaison Officer regarding issues faced by the community members.
- FINACT attended the Diwali function organised by the High Commission of India Canberra on 31 October 2020.
- Council of Indian Federations of Australia (CIFA) had its six-monthly general meeting and new office bearers were selected for the next six months (November 2020 - May 2021) as per the decisions taken by the CIFA Committee in April-May 2020, based on the next eligible member organisation alphabetically (S/T name).
The inaugural office bearers were:
Chairperson: FINACT, Dr Sunita Dhindsa
Secretary: FIAWA, Mr Prashant Singh
Treasurer: FICQ, Mr Ram Mohan.
The office bearers from 29 November 2020 to 30 May 2021 are:
Chairperson: FIAN, Dr Yadu Singh
Secretary: ICSTas, Mr Ajit Ramdas
Treasurer: FICV, Mr Amit Jaduan
Thanks to the FINACT members for supporting FINACT's role as Chair and CIFA during the previous six-months. FINACT continues in CIFA as a committee member.
Message - Canberra Punjabi Sports and Cultural Association
Year 2020 will be remembered for lockdowns due to COVID 19 worldwide and Farmers Protest in India. CPSCA always stood for people in need, so helped the people affected by COVID 19 by providing them food and other support. CPSCA was not able to organise its signature event "Royal Punjabi Dinner" due to Covid 19, but was able to Celebrate 551st birth Anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev ji (Gurpurbh).
To celebrate the Gurpurbh, CPSCA has organised a plantation drive at Guru Ka Bag, which was established at John Knight Park to mark the 550th Gurpurbh of Guru Nanak Dev ji, on 6th of December 2020. This was attended by HE Shri Gitesh Sarma High Commissioner India, Mrs Ratnamala Sarma, Ms Tara Cheyne MLA, ACT Minister of Multicultural Affairs, senior staff from the High Commission of India, leaders and members of many Indian communities along with Punjabi Community.
On 7th of December 2020, members of the CPSCA participated in a dharna organised in support of protesting Indian Farming Communities against three Bills passed in the Indian Parliament, in front of the High Commission of India. CPSCA also submitted a memorandum in this regard to the High Commission of India, Prime Minister of Australia, Leader of Opposition, Foreign Ministers and all MPs and Senators from the ACT. #farmingcommunitylivelihoodmatters
CPSCA wishes everyone a happy festive season, and a happy and prosperous new year.
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.
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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