Dear Visitor ji,
Welcome back to the first edition of the 2022 newsletter. Hope everyone had a relaxing break over the holiday season. Now that Australia Day is out of the way and kids back at school, 2022 is well and truly set in motion. FINACT wishes you all the very best in 2022!
In this newsletter we highlight planned events and activities in the coming months. FINACT EC has been busy progressing a number of exciting events and looks forward to your participation to advance the excellent reputation FINACT has built over the last decade. We are looking forward to celebrating 10 years of FINACT achievements in the coming months.
Although the global pandemic is still throwing surprises, with the successful rollout of the vaccination including booster doses, hopefully we are able to safely adapt to living with COVID. However let us not drop the guard - we should plan for the worst, hope for the best!
Looking forward to sharing another successful year with you all in 2022!
Shanti Reddy
FINACT President
Meetings and Engagement
Meeting with Ms Tara Cheyne,
Minister for Multicultural Affairs
FINACT Executive Committee members had a productive meeting with our patron Tara Cheyne, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, on 2 Feb. We briefed the Minister on upcoming events, discussed important topics of interest to the community, sought help in organising the AusIndia Fair and FINACT Job Network. Minister Cheyne was happy to connect us with the relevant groups/directorates so we can follow-up on these topics. Minister Cheyne was highly appreciative of FINACT’s work. To quote her “I’m very impressed with the work FINACT is doing and that your efforts are as strong as ever”. Thank you for your support, Minister!
Minister Cheyne updated us on the status of the Multicultural Recognition Act - Exposure Draft is expected to be completed by May and will be seeking further comments from stakeholders before the bill is presented to the Parliament. FINACT will be consulting all the members seeking community views and inputs on the proposed bill.
Meeting with the ACT Discrimination, Health Services & Disability and Community Services Commissioner
FINACT, along with a number of ACT multicultural community leaders from Chinese, lebanese, Bangladesh, African, Chilean and Indian background attended a meeting with Ms. Karen Toohey, the ACT Discrimination, Health Services & Disability and Community Services Commissioner, on 2 Feb 2022.
The meeting was convened by MLA Giulia Jones, Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs. The meeting discussed increasing reports of descrimination in Canberra, which is a concern shared by all attendees. Meeting discussed what can be done about this, how to promote awareness of citizens rights, etc. We agreed to work with the Commissioner to raise the awareness through targeted webinars, tailored promotional materials, etc. Watch this space!
Council of Indian Federations of Australia (CIFA)
 FINACT is a founding member of CIFA which is the peak body representing the interests of Indian Australian communities in Australia.
CIFA Management Committee consists of eight member organisations from each State and Territory. CIFA Chair, Secretary and Treasurer positions are rotated every six months. Current Chair is from Tasmania (Ajit Ramdas), Secretary from FINACT (Balinder Singh) and Treasurer from NT (Madu Dasgupta).
Currently FINACT is assisting the CIFA to investigate which type of organisational structure would be appropriate for CIFA to function at national level. A final decision is expected by the end of February.
AusIndia Fair 2022
 When - 2 April 2022
Where - Thoroughbred Park, 1 Randwick Rd, Lyneham ACT
AusIndia Fair is back! Please mark the event in your calendars. The AusIndia organising team is working hard to bring an exciting and entertaining program for all to enjoy.
We will be providing further updates on social media and the FINACT website.
Updates - FINACT Sub-committee on Domestic and Family Violence (DFV)
FINACT General Council has approved in May and July 2021 meetings to set-up a dedicated team to assist with domestic and family violence matters in the community.
The sub-committee is managed by the DFV Coordinator with the support of four members who were engaged following a Community-wide Expression of Interest (EOI) concluded on 4 November 2021.
We are pleased to announce the following members who have kindly volunteered to serve the community -
Mrs Deepti Jajee
Mrs Divya Ravikumar
Mrs Raji Samprathi
Dr Pravati Panigrahi
Dr Sunita S Dhindsa (coordinator).
FINACT DFV sub-committee will act as a point of contact to facilitate referrals, provide information, and raise awareness about domestic and family violence to support individual(s) of all ages and gender, mainly focussed on the Indian diaspora affected by domestic and family violence. It will engage communities in supporting, developing, and implementing prevention strategies. Presently, it is work in progress and will be launched soon.
FINACT General Council Meeting
When - 2 March 2022
Where - Venue for in-person meeting to be confirmed shortly
FINACT 2022 Events Calendar
As discussed at the last General Council meeting, FINACT has started a new community service - a live calendar showing key events of FINACT and its member organisations.
This should help member organisations and community members to see all the upcoming events in one place. This should also allow members to plan better and hopefully avoid scheduling conflicts in planning major events. We encourage members to enter their events in the calendar to ensure it is up to date.
We encourage readers to use this service and provide feedback to improve it further.
Events Calendar
Events & Celebrations
Pink Stumps Day organised by the India Australia Multicultural Sports Association - Sat 12 Feb
When - 12 February 2022
Where - Bonner District Playing Fields [Google map - https://goo.gl/maps/S1jBqTfjrZnK1otB9]
 FINACT will be supporting the Pink Stumps Day being organised by our member organisation to raise money for the McGrath Foundation to fight Breast Cancer.
The matches are scheduled for 12th February 2022 and will be held for both mens and womens' teams. The Indian High Commission will also be participating in this event.
This is a fun event and great opportunity to mingle with the community members - so come along, have a go, even if you have never played the sport before.
Interested players for the training camp as well as the participation for the Pink Stumps Day may reach out to Sanjay Sharma (0420 559 139). Those who are interested in donating towards the Pink Stumps Day - please follow the link -
https://www.pinkstumpsday.com.au/fundraisers/sanjaysharma
Looking forward to all member associations to support this noble cause and make this event a huge success.
Canberra Malayalees Association (CMA) Cup 2022 - Sat 12 Feb
CMA Tennis Ball Cricket Tournament for CMA Cup 2022 is on Saturday, 12th February 2022 @ Narrabundah Oval, Captain Cook Crescent, Narrabundah for a sharp 7.30 AM Start.
This Year 7 Teams will competing for the CMA ever rolling Trophy Sponsored by New Spice world Indian Shop.
There will be a Nadan Thattukada operated by Kadathanad Treats operating at the venue during the games serving kerala cuisine.
Please join us to watch some exciting games and support our players.
Bicycle Rally Organised by the High Commission of India, Canberra
High Commission of India, Canberra in association with Federation of Indian Associations of ACT (FINACT) will be organising a Bicycle Rally as part of the India@75 campaign.
When - 19th Feb 2022 from 9:30am to 10:30am.
Where - See route map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/9cMjPoVwcXvLsQ1C6
Register using this link - https://t.co/LNOWtwY3WB - this will help the organisers to prepare and plan for the event.
As you all are aware, cycling is a healthy, low-cost exercise that can be enjoyed by people of all ages from young children to older adults. It is good for the environment. Riding a bicycle regularly is one of the best ways to reduce the risk of health problems associated with a sedentary lifestyle. Cycling promotes both physical and mental health. Cycling provides several benefits in the form of zero dependence on energy sources, zero pollution, and improved health.
In the wake of the pandemic, the humble cycle is emerging as a viable solution not only because it would keep people away from crowded public transport but also because it would help us retain some environmental gains made during the lockdown.
We invite you to join us on this expedition.
The International Mother Language Day
When - 20 February, from 10 am to 11.30 am
Where - Meet at Questacon near International Flags display
We encourage FINACT member organisations to participate in this year’s International Mother Language Day walk and celebration on Sunday 20 February to mark UNESCO’s International Mother Language Day. Starting next to the International Flags display near Questacon at 10am, we will stroll along Lake Burley Griffin and then cross Kings Bridge to end at the Police Memorial by 11.30am.
- Bring language banners and dress in traditional costumes to showcase your languages and cultures.
- All ages welcome.
COVID-safe measures will be in place.
Then stay to celebrate with song, dance and spoken word performances and a barbecue or picnic.
Program Details are here.
International Women's Week Celebration
When - 6 March 2022, from 3 pm to 5 pm
Where - Corroboree Park Hall, Ainslie
FINACT will be organising a workshop to share success stories and experiences of inspiring women of Indian heritage from various fields, focusing on their journey, challenges, obstacles and pathways they undertook to achieve in their field. Proposed theme for the workshop is - Indian women in leadership roles and managing work life balance.
Watch out for further details.
Launching Bihar Jharkhand Medical Association of Australia & New Zealand
Bihar Jharkhand Sabha of Australia and New Zealand is excited to announce their new initiative.
BJSM requests that if you are a proud professional born, brought up, educated or married to someone great from Bihar or Jharkhand and working in Australia or New Zealand, please use the registration form to register your interest on its website: https://bjma.org.au
ABC Roundtable Meeting
 Several members of FINACT general council were invited to a roundtable meeting organised by the ABC News Canberra team led by Julie Doyle and Troy Cuthbertson, on Wednesday 8 December at Nicholls Community House.
We had a good conversation and discussed how the ABC can better serve our audience and also discussed issues that are important and coverage in local news. We thank ABC for taking time to listen to suggestions to improve TV and radio of coverage of our community events.
We look forward to working with ABC in 2022 to provide increased coverage of our events.
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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