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Dear Visitor ji,
The FINACT financial year for 2020-21 has come to an end and now it is time to pass on the baton to a new team.
At various times during the year, we all expected to return to pre-COVID times, however turbulence and unpredictability continued. Despite the difficult environment it has been a very busy year for FINACT and we continued to deliver on advocacy, representations, policy development and input, education, support including the ongoing community and stakeholder engagement.
Some key initiatives
In addition to the COVID related activities, FINACT decided to enter the challenging domestic and family violence field after much discussion with members and also formed a sub-committee to work on India House. We started a series of FINACT Webinars commencing with COVID, vaccinations and health. Many of our member organisations were able to celebrate festivals and cultural activities and FINACT organised a successful Harmony Day function.
Earlier this year, FINACT and its members farewelled the Indian High Commissioner to Australia His Excellency Mr Gitesh Sarma and Mrs Ratnamala Sarma, and welcomed the incoming High Commissioner His Excellency Mr Manpreet Vohra and Mrs Naseem Vohra.
More recently the Deputy High Commissioner of India to Australia Mr PS Karthigeyan moved on as High Commissioner to Fiji.
FINACT congratulates the recognition of several members of the community as recipients of the 2020 ACT Multicultural Awards who have made us all proud.
Many thanks and appreciation
My two years as President of FINACT comes to an end on 25 July 2021. They have been an intense two years. I want to take this opportunity to thank the 30 members of FINACT for their trust, support, cooperation and engagement. I have been fortunate to have a formidable FINACT Executive Committee and we have been able to make significant gains and achievements in many areas that matter to our communities and our society. A lot of invisible coordination and behind the scenes work is required to make things happen. It has been a privilege to lead the representative body of a 15,000 strong diaspora. It has been an honour to work with the various stakeholders and the community in a number of ways and for the betterment of our society as a whole. Thank you.
We are fortunate to be living in Australia and even more so to be in Canberra. There is much to be grateful for. However, a society only advances when the people are educated, aware, active and vocal. Forming, passing and implementing legislation is a government’s business but we must actively engage in a constructive manner with the government to provide proper advice were called for and collaborate with relevant authorities and stakeholders to ensure that voices of communities are heard and reflected in the decisions. This, I feel is a key responsibility of community leaders.
On behalf of all the 30 constituent member organisations and the outgoing Executive Committee, I wish everyone unhindered, prosperous, productive and healthy times ahead.
Sunita S Dhindsa
President
“In every community, there is work to be done. In every nation, there are wounds to heal. In every heart, there is power to do it.” By M Williamson
FINACT General Council Meetings
The second FINACT GCM was held on 2021 February21 at the Belconnen Labour Club Belconnen. It was the first in-person meeting after one year of virtual meetings. Mr Anup Pereira, Senior Project and Engagement Officer of Mental Health Australia provided an overview of the mental health issues faced in the multicultural communities. Mr Pereira raised concern about low reporting of mental health issues in Indian communities in Australia which appeared to be due to stigma associated with mental health issues and poor awareness and requested all the leaders to communicate with the community members. Mr Pereira emphasised that if the government receives enough reporting from a particular community, they will focus on providing more resources and facilities.
The third GCM was held on 20 May 2021. It was hosted by the Hon Senator Zed Seselja at the Parliament House. In his address to the Council, Senator expressed his sympathy for the COVID situation in India, talked about support being provided by Australia, partnership between the two countries and work in the Pacific countries. The India’s Counsellor in Australia Mr Narendra Rana and First Secretary Dr B Sriram updated the Council on the COVID situation in India, and how people can help and talked about changes to the OCI.
Annual General Meeting (AGM) 25 July 2021
The FINACT AGM will be held on 25 July 2021 from 2.30-5.00pm at the Pearce Community Centre Collette Place Pearce ACT.
Language Acceditation
Since 2014-15, FINACT has worked to get major Indian community languages accredited through the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI). As part of this process FINACT delegates led by Dr Krishna Nadimpalli worked with community organisations and individuals, with support from Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells, Former Minister of Multicultural Affairs (2015) and Senator Zed Seselja, Minister for Multicultural Affairs (2017) and NAATI executives resulting in accreditation of Bengali and Telugu languages.
In 2021, Malayalam and Gujarati languages received accreditation for translation and interpretation services. We appreciate consideration of FINACT’s request by NAATI.
Congratulations to the associations, communities and all those involved in this goal. Several other languages are under consideration. Let us continue the good work together.
Services to Deal with Domestic & Family Violence
 FINACT has been contacted/requested to support communities to deal with the Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) issue. All genders of all ages are exposed to DFV issues. This matter was discussed at the GCM on 21 February 2021 and the Council gave in-principle approval.
Detailed proposal was considered at the GCM on 20 May 2021 and approval was given to form an interim sub-committee to start the process. The selection criteria for forming the sub-committee has been drafted and is awaiting feedback from members.
Services to include:
- Facilitate prevention by creating awareness about DFV in a healthy way
- Be a focal point for communities for domestic and family violence resources
- Network with authorities and service providers to ensure that services/resources are culturally relevant to the communities
- Facilitate access to the resources by working with service providers.
FINACT Harmony Day Celebration - Sun 11 Apr
The FINACT Harmony Day celebration was the first outdoor activity organised by FINACT on 11 April 2021 at the Glebe Park. The warm, inclusive and cohesive celebration of harmony, multiculturalism and opportunity for networking and catching-up mixed with hot finger food and Indian chai was perfect for a windy and cold afternoon.
A well-choreographed performance representing diversity concluded the celebrations. It was graced by many ACT elected representatives, dignitaries, diplomatic staff, distinguished guests, community leaders and members of several communities.
Farewell Reception for HE Mr Gitesh A Sarma,
the High Commissioner of India to Australia
The High Commission of India Canberra organised a farewell reception for HE Mr Gitesh Sarma and Mrs Ratnamala Sarma on 24 Mach 2021 at the Chancery. Their wisdom and humbleness has left indelible mark on all of us. FINACT President Dr Sunita S Dhindsa was one of the speakers at the farewell reception.
Welcome to the new High Commissioner of India to Australia, HE Mr Manpreet Vohra
On behalf of the Indian diaspora and the 30 member organisations, FINACT organised a welcome dinner for the new High Commissioner of India to Australia HE Mr Manpreet Vohra and Mrs Naseem Vohra on 23 May 2021 at the Namaste India restaurant.
The dinner was well attended by the community leaders of the Indian diaspora including the 30 member organisations. We look forward to constructive and supportive engagements for the community with the High Commission of India under the guidance of HE Mr Vohra.
FINACT Webinars
Considering the COVID pandemic restrictions and the issues arising, FINACT organised its first webinar ‘COVID Times: Vaccinations, Psychological Impacts and Self Care’.
The health experts were Dr Nalini Pati Haematologist, Dr Murali Reddy Psychiatrist and Mrs Raji Samprathi Naturopath and Mental Health Educator. We will endeavour to run regular webinars to raise awareness and provide information on current topics that are relevant to communities.
FINACT COVID-19 SUPPORT
COVID pandemic and related issues maintained their importance such as visa issues, travel exemptions, vaccinations, support. Some public events of FINACT and member organisations got cancelled or rescheduled. At request of the ACT Health, we were able to provide toys to the returning Australians in Hotel Quarantine. The resurgence of pandemic in India caused grave concerns, and invoking the Biosecurity Act caused immense angst, particularly in the Australians stranded in India.
FINACT actively lobbied through media channels Canberra Times, RiotACT, Channel 7, Channel 9, ABC TV, ABC radio, SBS and social media to protest against criminalising the returning Australian citizens from India. FINACT attended meetings organised by the Multicultural Outreach Section of Minister for Immigration Hon Alex Hawke’s office attended by the Hon PM Scott Morrison, Hon Minister Alex Hawke and Hon Minster Jason Woods and later a roundtable meeting of community leaders attended by the Hon Minister Marisse Payne and Hon Minster Alex Hawke. FINACT also contacted stranded Australians and helped them share their stories with media and with the Senate Committee hearing on COVID chaired by Senator Katy Gallagher.
Australia is envy of other countries at the way COVID has been contained. Credit goes to the Federal, State/Territory governments and front-line staff of health professionals and other personnel who are working tirelessly to keep us all safe. We understood the necessity of closing borders to gear up the quarantine system to receive flights from India with potential for higher percentage of COVID infection through returned Australians, however, FINACT found that the invoking of the Bio Security Act and criminalising Australians returning from India were unacceptable.
 
Considering the mutating nature of COVID-19 strains and potential for these strains to create new waves of infections with greater harm to people, we have been lobbying Government to bring stranded Australians across the globe back home as soon as it is safe to do so, improve efficacy of quarantine facilities to prevent leakage and breaches, and expand them so that stranded Australians are brought back home at a faster rate.
The FINACT AusIndia Fair 2020 was postponed from 27 March 2020 due to COVID restrictions.
Welcoming Pink Umbrella Inc as a FINACT Member
The organisation Pink Umbrella Inc joined FINACT as its 30th member organisation. It is a registered public charity established in 2014.
It works for the immigrant communities for their physical and social health, awareness of mental health stigma, social issues like domestic abuse prevention, and empowerment of youth and women.
2020 ACT Multicultural Awards
The 2020 ACT Multicultural Awards were announced on 13 July 2021. The organisation Intitiatives for Women in Need (IWiN), chaired by Dr Madhumita Iyengar, received the ACT Community Organisation (Multicultural Champion) Award. IWiN is a FINACT member.
Mr Amardeep Singh received commendation for the ACT Multicultural Individual Champion Award. Mr Singh is a past President of FINACT and his community radio ‘Mehak Punjab Di’ is a FINACT member.
The ACT Outstanding Excellence Award for Diversity and Inclusion was given to Mr Sandipan Mitra and commendation to Mrs Nishi Puri. FINACT feels proud that members of the Indian diaspora have been recognised for their community work.
FINACT congratulates all recipients of the 2020 ACT Multicultural Awards.
Stakeholder Consultation
Meetings organised to discuss about community matters and FINACT projects:
- High Commissioner of India to Australia HE Mr Manpreet Vohra
- Hon Senator Zed Seselja
- Hon Senator Katy Gallagher
- Minister Shane Rattenbury MLA
- Minister Tara Cheyne MLA
- India’s Counsellor to Australia
- ACT government officials
- Community Engagement Officers Department of Home Affairs
- Canberra Multicultural Community Forum (CMCF) Executive
FINACT Activities in Brief
Meetings Attended
- Online meetings were held with the Hon PM Scott Morrison, Hon Minister Marisse Payne, Hon Minister Alex Hawke and Hon Assistant Minister Jason Wood on community engagement matters
- Social Cohesion virtual meeting with the Department of Home Affairs
- Regular and special meetings of the Council of Indian Federations of Australia (CIFA)
- CIFA meeting with Hon Minister Alex Hawke.
Community Engagements
- CMCF Peace Bell ceremony at the Nara Gardens
- Hellenic Multicultural Festival
- High Commission of India Events
- Harmony Week Citizenship Ceremony at the Albert Hall
Workshops/Consultations/Webinars
- Meet and Greet with Minister Tara Cheyne MLA
- ACT Government Inclusion and Participation regarding Multicultural Recognition Act workshop
- CMCF & MCCI on what multicultural communities in the ACT need to age well
- Health Care Consumers Association on palliative care for multicultural community perspective on end-of-life issues
Member Activities and participation by FINACT
- Kite Festival by the Gujarat Samaj of ACT Inc
- International Women’s Day at the national Portrait Gallery by Initiatives for Women in Need
- Ugadi celebrations by the Telugu Association of Canberra
- New Year celebrations by the Navya Andhra Telugu Association
- Cricket Awards Ceremony by the Canberra Telugu League
- Community cricket tournaments by the Indian Australian Multicultural Sports Association
- Health Webinar by OriOz Inc
- Moncrief Temple Bhoomi Poojan ceremony by the Canberra Hindu Mandir
- CMA Cultural evening by the Canberra Malayalee Association
- International Day of Yoga by Integrated Cultures
- Far Away from Home webinar by the Pink Umbrella Inc
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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