FIAV’s AGM sets future course
Key plans to help the community revealed at the meeting, reports TIM BLIGHT
The Federation of Indian Associations of Victoria (FIAV) held its Annual General Meeting outside Melbourne for the first time, in the rural city of Traralgon on April 30. Attended by major community figures and hosted by the Latrobe Indian Association and Traralgon Indian community, the conference reviewed FIAV’s achievements over the past year, elected the executive committee and set out goals for the year ahead. The AGM was followed by an inclusive cultural presentation by talented members of the Latrobe Valley Indian Community.
Key announcements included plans to establish an Indian community centre to serve the community in Victoria, the establishment of full time staff for FIAV and an exciting proposal for a Little India project, akin to that of Singapore or London’s Indian precincts. Additionally, FIAV discussed the possibility of relocating their office to better serve the Victorian Indian community, and the future of the organisation’s newspaper. FIAV President Mr Vasan Srinivasan welcomed attendees, while extending a special welcome to representatives Mr Rajiv Chowdrey of the Rajasthani Kutumb and Mrs Anjali Tikoo of the Kashmiri Pandit Cultural Association, who joined FIAV in the past twelve months. Also present were Savita Soni of SBS Radio and Goldy Brar, Electoral Officer for the Northern Metropolitan Minister for Planning.
At the AGM, much of the discussion of the community centre was based on former Victorian Premier John Brumby’s announcement of a $70,000 funding boost for a study into a cultural hub in the city of Manningham in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs. Despite the change in government late last year, the project remains in progress with a shared Indian, Chinese and Iranian precinct on the agenda. A full-fledged integrated cultural centre is also being planned, with council members meeting on soon to decide on a land parcel for the community hub. Additionally, FIAV is involved in an Indian-oriented aged care project in the city of Dandenong.
Dandenong would also be the centre of a proposed Little India precinct for which FIAV is currently lobbying at all levels of government. Victorian Minister for Multicultural affairs Nick Kotsiras recently visited Dandenong to speak with shop owners who have formed their own committee. Aided by FIAV, the Victoria India Business Council is now working alongside Indians in Dandenong to promote the establishment of the cultural zone.
Hosting the event, Vasan Srinivasan pledged that the Federation is not a competing entity but rather a supportive organization to facilitate Indian community relations in the state of Victoria. Demonstrating this, FIAV sponsored $5000 towards the inaugural Federation of Indian Music and Dance Victoria event last August. Pledging his support to the Indian community in the Latrobe Valley, Mr Srinivasan mentioned several examples of FIAV’s contribution to the local Indian community over its past 800 days of existence.
Underlining FIAV’s pivotal role in the community, it aims to establish Indian Community Legal Services in the future to complement their domestic violence helpline service. A review of the domestic violence action panel shows nineteen cases from both genders dealt with, and a panel of psychologists, community workers, senior Indian community leaders and lawyers was established. Four victims of domestic violence were assisted with obtaining Australian residency. Other victims of violence have been aided, with FIAV playing a key role assisting the family of murdered toddler Gurshan Singh as well as other, lower profile cases. Humanitarian contributions also included the Pakistani Flood Appeal in the inner Melbourne suburb of Collingwood in October 2010.
FIAV has also conducted TV, radio, online and podcast interviews in the past year, along with press conferences and over 150,000 emails to community and government organizations to promote the Indian community in Victoria. FIAV also played a part in last year’s announcement that Air India would begin direct services to Melbourne from the Indian capital. Thanking the members of the FIAV committee, Mr Srinivasan also extended particular gratitude to Indian Consul General Anita Nayar, Tandoori Junction for their support, FIAV’s official photographer Mr A P Guruswamy, Dr Sayyad and Dr Ravi of the Barathma Trust and Indian Link, among other community figures. Additionally, the Deakin Nursing Students Union expressed thanks to FIAV for lobbying the federal government after changes to education assessment law threatened to render their qualifications invalid.
Among other achievements of Victoria’s Indian community were the establishment of a temple project at Mill Park in Melbourne’s northeast; the graduation of Victoria Police’s first turban-wearing Sikh police officer; and the establishment of Malayalam, Telegu, Tamil and Sanskrit language classes in Melbourne, with a mention of Hindi Niketan’s Dr Sharad Gupta possibly inaugurating Hindi language classes in conjunction with the Federation. FIAV was also instrumental in Mrs Krishna Arora being awarded the prestigious Shilling Wall Tribute Certificate, acknowledging the achievements of Victorian women. Mrs Arora is the first woman of Indian descent to be awarded this respected title.
The AGM concluded with the election of the Committee, with Councilor Phillip Dow returning as election officer. Mr Vasan Srinivasan was re-elected as President; Mr Thomas Joseph as Vice-President; Mr Subra Ramachandran as Secretary and Mr Andrew Mendes as Assistant Treasurer. Dr Sharad Gupta was elected as Vice President – Community Services; Mr Hemant Amin as Treasurer and Mr Gurpreet Tuteja as Assistant Treasurer. Retiring treasurer Harish Kumar’s was specially thanked for his hard work and support to FIAV. La Trobe Association families then treated visitors to an hour of dance, singing, theatre performances and prayer before dinner was served. Many of the attendees had travelled by chartered bus from FIAV’s Dandenong office, and were returned to the metropolitan area after dinner.
Upcoming FIAV events include a community consultation on August 7, the second FIMDV Dance Festival on August 13 and the Indian Independence Day dinner on August 14, to which both Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Victorian premier Ted Baillieu have been invited. Diwali celebrations, as always, are planned for the festival of lights in October.
For more information, visit fiav.asn.au. FIAV is currently seeking volunteers to assist with emails and administrative matters, please contact operations@fiav.asn.au, if interested. For information regarding FIAV’s successful domestic violence reach-out service, please contact 1800 342 800.
