Federation of indian associations of act (finact) Inc

Coordination :: Cooperation :: Collaboration

President's Message

As another year passes and we begin to move into 2017, it is with great pleasure that I convey my personal greetings on behalf of the Federation of Indian Associations of ACT (FINACT) to each of you.

The FINACT and the community will look back with satisfaction on 2016, as a year of great progress and achievements. As mentioned in my previous address FINACT has been able to forge greater partnerships to connect and promote community interests and its ethos in 2016.

Being the single largest representative body with 26 different community associations FINACT won more support and respect in the wider socio-cultural and political arena by raising high the banner of coordination, cooperation and collaboration.

I would like to thank you for being with us throughout 2016 and I would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your families wellbeing, happiness and prosperity.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Amardeep Singh
President

Best wishes for a successful and happy new year ahead

With 2017 now upon us- and a full year of opportunities and achievements waiting ahead – it is timely to congratulate your organisation on the successes of the past 12 months.

During 2016, members of Canberra’s vibrant and active Indian community contributed to our city’s multicultural way of life through participation in cultural, educational and sporting activities, further enhancing the territory’s economy and dynamic diversity.

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Through the leadership and steady guidance shown by the executive committee of the Federation of Indian Associations of the ACT (FINACT), members of our local Indian community were able to participate and indeed shine through involvement in events such as the annual National Multicultural Festival’s India in the City showcase and holy occasions such as Diwali.

Congratulations for all that you have achieved as a united community.

As we look to the year ahead, the ACT Government is committed to maintaining a strong and open relationship with FINACT and member associations.

Best wishes to all members of Canberra’s Indian community for a successful and happy new year.

Yvette Berry MLA
Deputy Chief Minister

Rachel Stephen-Smith MLA
Minister for Multicultural Affairs

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New Year's Message from the Hon Elizabeth Kikkert MLA

Happy New Year to all those associated with the Federation of Indian Associations of ACT (FINACT) and its numerous member associations – including those recently added to the FINACT umbrella: Indian Students Association – ANU and Sprintz Inc!

I love this time of year. It is the perfect opportunity to look back over the year gone by and consider what I and my family have done, what we could have done differently, and often what we should have done more of. At the same time, it invites us to look forward, to dream dreams, and to make plans to accomplish those dreams. It is a time of both reflection and expectation, continuity and change.

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I was witness to this interplay of continuity and change in November when I had the privilege to join with delegates from various FINACT member associations to farewell His Excellency Mr Navdeep Singh Suri, formerly the High Commissioner of India in Australia, knowing that in only two weeks he would be replaced by His Excellency Dr Ajay M. Gondane.

And speaking of consistency, hearty congratulations to BJSM PK-XI for winning the Westpac FINACT T-20 Cricket Tournament for the second year in a row!

I have greatly enjoyed the opportunities I had in 2016 to interact with delegates from FINACT’s various member associations and with those who serve on the executive committee. I congratulate all involved on the great good that they accomplished last year and sincerely wish the ACT’s diverse and active Indian communities a rewarding and prosperous new year. I look forward to what I know will be many richly rewarding future interactions.

Kindest regards and best wishes,

Elizabeth Kikkert MLA

Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs
Shadow Minister for Families, Youth and Community Services

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FINACT wishes you all

Happy Australia Day & India's Republic Day on 26 January

 Our Proud Sponsors

Please Update Your Details - Stay Informed and Engaged

A kind request and reminder to update details.

For member associations

- names of your delegates
- delegates' contact details and emails
- your website url
- your social media channels, such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Google+

Gujarati Samaj of ACT celebrated Uttarayan (Makar Sankranti)

On 14 January 2017, Gujarati Samaj of ACT celebrated Uttarayan at the Bonner Oval. People enjoyed kite flying and other festivities. 

The festival was open to participants of all ages. Indian Kites and strings specially imported from India  for this event were made available along with a large variety of delicious Indian food at a nominal cost.

Please stay updated by visiting our website www.finact.net.au or you may wish to follow us on www.facebook.com/finact11 and www.twitter.com/finact11 

If you wish to get informed, please subscribe to our newsletter at www.finact.net.au/newsletter

UPCOMING EVENTS

Steering Spirituality and Human Values for World Peace on Mon 6 Feb 2017 at Theo Notaras

An interactive session with Prof H Deep Saini - Sat 11 February 2017

FINACT is organising an interactive session with Professor H. Deep Saini, the newly appointed Vice Chancellor of the University of Canberra, on Sat 11 February 2016. Professor Saini completed his undergraduate and masters degrees at the Punjab Agricultural University in Ludhiana, India, and holds a doctorate in plant physiology from the University of Adelaide.

As a child growing up in the Punjab region of India, he remembers walking to school with a rolled up jute mat to sit on, his one-room school had no furniture, just a blackboard and a dedicated teacher.

Professor Deep Saini is the Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Canberra. Professor Saini was previously the Vice-President of the University of Toronto and Prinicpal (chief executive) of the University of Toronto Mississauga, where he was also a Professor of Biology. Professor Saini began his academic career in 1982 at the University of Alberta and subsequently served as the Director-General of the Plant Biology Research Institute at the Université de Montréal and Dean of the Faculty of Environment at the University of Waterloo. An educational visionary and distinguished scientist, his research on plant biology and biotechnology has focused on the cellular mechanisms behind crop survival and yield in hazardous environments. 

21^st National Multicultural Festival: 17-19 February 2017

The National Multicultural Festival began in 1996 and has since evolved into the biggest occasion on Canberra’s event landscape. In the very beginnings of the Festival, it was a one-day event, eventually moving to a 2-week Festival.

Over the course of the last 21 years it has developed into the 3-day Festival it is now, which allows Canberrans, national and international visitors alike to congregate in Canberra over one weekend for what is one of the biggest celebrations of cultural diversity across Australia.

With 22 major languages, written in 13 different scripts, with over 720 dialects and with hundreds of different Landscapes and Landforms, India and Indians are no strangers to the concept of multiculturalism. A number of FINACT’s member associations will present the diverse Indian cultures while FINACT as always, will showcase the ‘Unity in diversity’ through its stall at National Multicultural Festival.

What you need to do?

We invite our member associations to send us details of their activities at the festival - performance, information stall or food stall. We intend to promote your activities as we did during the last festival. For more information, you may wish to view or visit our newsletter page.

Queanbeyan Multicultural Festival 2017 - 5 March 2017

The Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council are managing the very successful Queanbeyan Multicultural Festival from last few years and are now looking to grow the day and where ever possible involve more community groups to use the day to interact and connect with members of the public.

Last year they had 4000-6000 people throughout the day so it is certainly a great day out for many people. Our research also indicates that a large number of people from ACT attend the day too. The event runs from 10am-4pm and involves 20 acts, street food and lots of community groups creating magic in our beautiful park.

What we are doing?

FINACT had a very successful meeting today with council represented by Cheryl Rule and Laura Shelley (on 6^th December 2016) which has opened the doors for FINACT to establish a partnership in promoting and presenting the Queanbeyan Multicultural Festival. The event will be held on 5 March 2017 and the first week of march for the coming years.

We are pleased to advise you that FINACT along with member associations will be presenting cultural and sports activities, and putting up food and information stalls.

Community Harmony Day - Sat 11 March 2017

Continuing the traditions FINACT will be organising the community harmony day on Sat 11 March 2017 to reiterate its moto of ‘Unity in Diversity’. The event will be an opportunity for all multicultural associations presidents and delegates to interact with political representatives of the territory and the commonwealth. 

FINACT Constitution Review - we appreciate your feedback

Since the last review in 2012-13, the Federation has consolidated its position and represented the interests of the wider community. The time is ripe now to undertake a review of our activities and priorities, and get synced with our strategic goals. The realignment would allow us to take an active role in driving necessary changes through government and non-government interventions.

 

Let us make the FINACT Constitution a living document that responds to changes and input/feedback received from our members. 

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Cricket Coordination Committee Meeting

The tournament "FINACT T-20 Cricket Tournament" is setting new benchmark every year to a very high level of standard and players are presented with substantially high value appreciation and awards. We appreciate, give all credits and sincere thanks to our associations, players, managers, umpires, supporting agencies -, Cricket ACT, ACT Sports and the High Commission of India, sponsors, volunteers and team supporters from all community groups.

 

We are learning and improving every year with your input, suggestions, comments and appreciations. Your feedback is always welcome.

 

We are planning to convene Cricket Coordination Committee meeting verys soon to discuss the following:

• what we did better
• lessons learned
• what can be improved and better managed
• timing of the tournament
• structural changes
• umpring and scorers
• field management
• sponsors and volunteering

FINACT Secretary will send the invites to team captains, their representatives and all major stakeholders shortly. Stay in touch.

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Hindi School in GUNGAHLIN is open

खुशखबरी व शुभ समाचार - हिंदी पाठशाला शुरू

Good news for residents of North Canberra. Hindi School is functioning in North Canberra since 16 October 2016 at the Palmerston District Primary School. It runs on Sundays from 3pm.