Australia Day & Indian Republic Day 2024 – Dual Celebration
The Federation of Indian Communities of Queensland (FICQ) hosted a dual celebration of India’s 75th Republic Day and Australia Day on the 26th of January 2024 at SunPAC, Sunnybank, in Brisbane.
In line with the FICQ’s tradition, representatives from Australia’s First Nations people, three levels of government, and community and business leaders celebrated this annual event.
Held under the aegis of the National Australia Day Council, Brisbane City Council (BCC), Lord Mayor of Brisbane Adrian Schrinner, this remarkable day was sponsored by Springfield City Group, Southern Cross University, Brisbane City Mahindra, Village Roadshow Theme Parks, and Study Queensland.
Mr. Zain Chams served as the master of ceremonies for the evening, executing his role with great skill and confidence. He adeptly engaged the distinguished assembly of dignitaries, community figures, and business leaders who were in attendance, adding to the overall success and ambience of the event.
Celebrations commenced with the traditional lighting of lamps by distinguished guests, FICQ Patron, Advisers, Executive Team, and Presidents of the member organisations, followed by the ‘Acknowledgement of the Country’ by Ms Taleatha Wright-Morgan. Students of Sargam Music Academy enthralled those present with their musical renditions of the Australian and Indian national anthems.
Various distinguished speakers spoke at length, celebrating a genuinely multicultural Australia and how the Indian diaspora ensured ‘Unity in diversity’ was the bedrock of community prosperity and harmony.
The celebration also involved cultural performances: Indigenous dance by Ms Taleatha Wright-Morgan, classical Bharatnatyam dance by Avni, Fusion dance by Let’s Bollywood Dance group, melodious singing by Himadri, Didgeridoo playing by Glenn Barry, a foot-tapping dance performance by Tapori Dance group and an absorbing interactive activity about India and Australia by the Cultural Co-ordinator, Mrs Jyoti-Amarjot Goraya.
The dual celebrations culminated with a vote of thanks delivered by the Vice President, Mr. Mul Chand. The Federation of Indian Communities of Queensland (FICQ), under the leadership of its President, Mr. Anoop Nannuru, expressed profound gratitude to all attendees for their ongoing participation in uniting the Indian and Australian communities year after year. The executive team of FICQ, alongside the broader Indian and multicultural communities, dedicated immense effort to ensure the resounding success of this event.
