Federation of indian associations of act (finact) Inc

Coordination :: Cooperation :: Collaboration

Dear Visitor ji,

I express my gratitude to all of the FINACT member associations and their delegates for their support and confidence throughout the year 2015-16. I am honoured and humbled by your trust and confidence in me and for giving me the opportunity to work with you once again in 2016-17 in order to promote the objectives of FINACT.

I am pleased to inform you that following the AGM on 23 July 2016, the new executive committee of FINACT for 2016-17 has been constituted unanimously. The new executive committee is comprised of highly respected leaders within the Indian community who have a wealth of experience in the fields of academics and community service.

FINACT will continue to present a unified front for all of its member associations and promote the advancement of people of Indian origin in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and surroundings.

FINACT had a very successful 2016-15:

• FINACT held meetings with Senators, Members of Parliament and Legislative assembly to address the needs of the ethnic Indian community
• organized Indian Independence Day in partnership with India Australia Association of Canberra
• organised Community Harmony Day enabling the community leaders to develop networks with key political leaders, Government Officials, the High Commission of India and many other community leaders
• continued with the festivities of the FINACT T-20 Tournament
• participated in and promoted International Yoga Day
• organised interactive meetings, meet and greet events for the community with visiting Indian bureaucrats and political leaders and
• facilitated monetary, legal and moral support to the members of the Indian community on multiple occasions.

FINACT will continue playing a meaningful role for the Indian diaspora and will keep advocating on matters of interest to the Indian communities. We will continue to promote Indian Art & Culture and to foster friendships with the wider Australian Community.

Thank you and look forward to your continuing support.

Amardeep Singh

President

Executive Committee for FY 2016-17

FINACT Executive Committee wishes to thank all who attended/represented or sent their delgates to the FINACT’s AGM on 23rd July.

Below are the details of new executive committee for your information and accessability:

1. President – Amardeep Singh (Canberra Sikh Association Inc)
2. Vice President – Mahesh Scaria (South Indian Fine Arts Inc)
3. Secretary – ChittiBabu Divi (Indian Australian Association of Health and Well-being)
4. Treasurer – Shaji Karattiyattil (Canberra Malayalee Association)
5. Public Officer –  Sanjay Pandey (Bihar Jharkhand Sabha of Australia and New Zealand)
6. Women’s Representative – Madhumita Iyengar (Initiatives for Women in Needs)
7. Youth Representative – Sumandeep Dhillon (Canberra Punjabi Sports and Cultural Association Inc)
8. Cultural Coordinator – Ramesh Kyla (Telangana Association of Canberra)
9. Community Services Coordinator – Venkatesh Bidarkal (Karnataka Association of Canberra)

Left to Right: Venkatesh Bidarkal (Cultural Coordinator), Shaji Karattiyattil (Treasurer), Sumandeep Dhillon (Youth Coordinator), Mahesh Scaria (Vice President), Amardeep Singh (President), Dean Sahu Khan (Returning Officer), Sanjay Pandey (Public Officer) and ChittiBabu Divi (Secretary). 

Member associations are requested to provide their current FINACT delegate/s following their AGMs of 2016, their contact numbers and email ID.

Confluence - The Festival of India in Australia

"Culture plays an important role in the development agenda of any nation. It represents a set of shared attitudes, values, goals and practices." An interesting and colourful festival starts in Canberra on 16 September 2016. Please enjoy, invite others and promote this unique event in Australia among your friends.

It gives me great pleasure to invite you all to CONFLUENCE, A Festival of India in Australia from August to November 2016. The Festival was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his historic visit to Australia in November 2014. Working closely with India’s Ministry of Culture and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations and in association with the Australia’s Department of Communications and the Arts, we have chosen some of the finest elements from the rich tapestry of Indian culture and civilization for our friends in Australia.

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Invitation - India's Independence Day on Mon 15 August

On the occasion of the 69^th Anniversary of India’s Independence a Flag Hoisting Ceremony will be held at the High Commission of India, 3 Moonah Place Yarralumla on Monday the 15^th August, 2016 at 8:30am. All members of the Indian community are cordially invited to attend and are requested to be at the site by 8.15am.

We shall be grateful if you could kindly circulate this information among the members of your Association.

S. Bajaj

Counsellor, 
High Commission of India, Canberra

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India's Independence Day Celebration on Sat 13 August

Census on 9 August - Your moment to make a differece....

The Census of Population and Housing (Census) is Australia’s largest statistical collection undertaken by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). For more than 100 years, the Census has provided a snapshot of Australia, showing how our nation has changed over time, allowing us to plan for the future. 

The next Census is on August 9. It’s a moment for everyone to play a role in shaping the future of Australia. 

The aim of the Census is to accurately collect data on the key characteristics of people in Australia on Census night and the dwellings in which they live. In 2016, the Census will count close to 10 million dwellings and approximately 24 million people, the largest number counted to date.

The information you provide in the Census helps estimate Australia’s population, which is used to distribute government funds and plan services for your community – housing, transport, education, industry, hospitals and the environment. Census data is also used by individuals and organisations in the public and private sectors to make informed decisions on policy and planning issues that impact the lives of all Australians. 

Australia has a long and proud history of Census taking. Since the first national Census in 1911, Census data has played an important role in charting Australia’s history and shaping its future. 

Get online on August 9 and make a difference for your community.

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Interactive Session with the Chief Election Commissioner of India

FINACT was privileged to organise an interactive session of NRIs and Indian diaspora with Chief Election Commissioner of Indian Mr Nazim Zaidi and Deputy CEC Mr Umesh Sinha on 30 June 2016. They were visiting Canberra on an invitation from the Australian Electoral Commissioner. 

The event was attended by many participants and made it a memorable event. It was also an honour to organise an informal dinner with CEC, Deputy CEC, High Commissioner of India and other leaders of Indian Diaspora in Australia.

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Invitation - Independence Cup Finals on 13 August at Bonner Oval

After some great contest not just between the teams but the Canberra's cold, snow and showers, we finally have the perfect 2 teams for the Grand Finale of the Independence Day Cup - the Indian Team- Punjab Kings (PK 11) and Pakistan's PCCC. You can't ask for a better Finale for a tournament which is celebrating the Independence Day of India and Pakistan.

After some passionate cricket over the last couple of months with 20 completed matches, we had the the four Semi Finalist in the form of Mighty Warriors, Punjab Kings, Canberra Dolphins and PCCC.


Now, the 23^rd match aka the Finals will be played at Bonner Oval on 13^th August on the eve of the Independence Day of Pakistan and the Indian Independence Day coming on 15^th August. It will certainly be a keen contest and we hope that the best team wins.

You are invited with your family and friends on the day to enjoy the traditional rivalry between two sporting community.

Independence Day Organising Committee 

Volunteers and Sponsorship Appreciated

Federation of Indian Associations in ACT (FINACT) Inc is a not for profit socio-cultural federation that is heavily dependent on volunteers from the community.

We invite an expression of interest with your areas of expertise, experience and skills.

You may also wish to sponsor our events to fulfil your social and corporate responsibilities.

Multicultural Community Association/Organisation Survey

The ACT Office for Multicultural Affairs would like to conduct a survey of multicultural community associations and organisations (form attached) to gain information in relation to current requirements and the demands for access to use/hire facilities (this includes the Theo Notaras Multicultural Centre, other ACT community and recreation centres, school halls, club facilities etc).

This information will be compiled and evaluated by the ACT Government to gain an appreciation of the current levels of usage of  meeting/conference/event facilities, such as school halls, community halls and Club meeting rooms, so that more effective resource planning, rationalisation, utilisation of assets/infrastructure, support and assistance can be facilitated in the future.

Once you have completed the survey, it would be appreciated it if you could send it to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.';document.getElementById('cloakb221e5098f77dc8cf595cc4f5e61526e').innerHTML += ''+addy_textb221e5098f77dc8cf595cc4f5e61526e+'<\/a>'; by Monday 15 August 2016. 

General and Multicultural Counselling

A new counselling service at Currie Crescent Community Centre, Kingston, will provide free consultations from August to December 2016.

The service will provide adult individuals with support to:

• Cope with life’s challenges, changes and crises
• Reduce stress and improve well being
• Develop goals for personal change

The service will be staffed by post graduate Counselling students from the University of Canberra under supervision of counselling educators.

Padma Menon      Padma has a professional background in dance and yoga. Her experience includes facilitating classes to improve well being and create personal change.   She has worked at senior levels in human rights advocacy and arts in Europe, Australia and India. She is also fluent in several Indian languages including Tamil, Malyalam and Hindi.   For appointments: phone (or leave a message) 0447 643 646 (Wednesdays 9am - 5 pm and Thursdays between 2-5 pm) or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Roz Namgyal   ​ Roz has a professional background in teaching in India, piano performance and accompaniment, and working in the Australian Public Service.   She has a deep interest in social justice and migrant issues, and is experienced in working with people from very diverse backgrounds and experiences.  For appointments: phone (or leave a message) 0434 083 347 (Mondays and Tuesdays 9am - 5 pm and Thursdays between 9-1) or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.