Renovate with purpose, not excess

Australian Indian Times
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Renovate with purpose, not excess

Renovate with purpose, not excess

By Sandy Deo
REMAX Landmark
📞 0400 920 238
☎️ 07 3169 6535
📍 2/8 Curban Street, Underwood
✉️mailto:[email protected]

If your investment property has an unconventional layout, it can either help it stand out or limit its appeal to prospective tenants – the key is understanding how the space aligns with modern living.

Before investing in major renovations, take a closer look at how your property functions. Layout and liveability are often more important to tenants than high-end finishes, and small, strategic changes can deliver a strong return without overcapitalising.

Older homes offer great potential. Often exuding character, while they may not reflect contemporary design trends, they often provide flexible layouts that can be adapted to suit without the need for a full rebuild.

Open-plan living has long been popular, but tenant preferences are shifting. Many renters now value a balance between openness and separation, especially with the rise of working from home. This approach, often referred to as ‘broken plan living’, creates connected spaces with defined zones for different activities.

For landlords, this means you don’t always need to remove walls to modernise a property. Simple updates such as widening doorways, adding partial openings, improving lighting or using consistent flooring can make a home feel more functional and inviting. For the same effect in an already open-plan home, introducing subtle zoning through furniture placement or partitions can emulate separate spaces and enhance usability.

When planning any updates, consider how tenants are likely to live in the space. Flexibility is key and areas that can serve multiple purposes are increasingly in demand.
Enhancing your property’s existing features is often the most cost-effective way to improve appeal, attract quality tenants and support long-term rental returns.
Credit: REMAX Australia

STIs increased in Queensland: what you need to know

Australian Indian Times
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STIs increased in Queensland: what you need to know

STIs increased in Queensland: what you need to know

Queensland Health’s latest BBVs and STIs in Queensland 1 January – 31 December 2025 report shows that sexually transmissible infections (STIs) increased significantly in Queensland in 2025, compared to the previous five-year average:
• Gonorrhea increased by 13% (from 6618 cases to 7,499 cases)
• Infectious syphilis increased by 23% (from 1196 cases to 1,467 cases)
• New HIV diagnoses increased by 27% (from 129 cases to 164 cases)
Chlamydia, the most common STI in Queensland, decreased 4%. However, the total number is still high, with 22,761 cases reported in 2025.
The actual numbers may be even higher because many people with an STI do not have any symptoms, so they may not know they need to get tested. For example, about 80% of people with chlamydia have no symptoms at all.
Some people do get symptoms. These can include rashes, unusual discharge, unusual smell, pain when urinating, or bleeding not associated with periods/menses. If you have any of these symptoms, see a doctor as soon as possible.

Why is testing important?

If an STI is not treated, it can cause serious health problems over time, including:
• Infertility (not being able to have children) for both men and women
• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
• Ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy outside the womb)
• A higher risk of getting HIV
• Joint pain
• Organ damage including the brain
If a pregnant woman has syphilis, it can seriously harm her baby- including still birth, premature birth, bone problems, blindness and other serious health issues. This is why all pregnant women in Queensland are required to have three syphilis tests during pregnancy.

When should I get tested?

You should get an STI test if:
• You are sexually activity – get tested every 12 months, or more often if you have more than one sexual partner
• You have changed sexual partners
• You have had an unprotected sex (sex without a condom or oral sex without a dental dam) – even just once, either in Australia or overseas
• A condom broke or slipped off during sex
• You have any symptoms
• You are pregnant or planning to have a baby

How do I get tested?
STI testing may involve a urine sample, a swab or a blood test. You can get tested at:

1. Your GP (local doctor)
2. Medicare Urgent Care Clinics (bulk billed)
3. 13 Health Webtest – free testing for chlamydia and gonorrhea for people aged16 years and over. No Medicare card is needed. https://www.qld.gov.au/health/staying-healthy/sexual-health/chlamydia-test
4. Sexual Health Clinics
5. A community testing service such as True Relationships and Reproductive Health or Rapid Clinic

What if my test is positive?

You should get treated immediately and it is important to let your sexual partner/s know so they can get tested and treated as well. Your doctor or nurse can help you with this.
You can also use the free anonymous services at www.letthemknow.org.au to send a text message or email without giving your name.
These can help to prevent further spread of the infection and potential reinfection from the same partner

Treatment and prevention

Chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis can all be treated easily. However, you can get re-infected after treatment, so it is important to keep protecting yourself.
There are currently no vaccines for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, genital herpes and HIV. HPV (Human Papillomavirus) vaccine is available to help prevent genital warts and some cancers.
Condoms are still a better way to prevent STIs. You can order free condoms at https://eccq.com.au/condoms/ or www.qc.org.au/wrapped-n-ready. You can purchase condoms at supermarkets and pharmacies.

Your sexual health matters

Getting STIs tested is a normal and responsible part of looking after your health. There is nothing to be ashamed of. The sooner an STI is found, the easier it is to treat and the lower chance of passing it on to someone else or developing serious health problems. You can access multilingual sexual health resources at www.eccq.com.au/bbv or contact [email protected] for more information.

 

Queensland Day Reflection: Celebrating Local Champions and Mental Health Awareness

Australian Indian Times
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Queensland Day Reflection: Celebrating Local Champions and Mental Health Awareness

Queensland Day Reflection: Celebrating Local Champions and Mental Health Awareness

By Xavier Hernandez

Happy Queensland Day to all our Australian Indian Times readers.
In my view, we are all local champions, and I hope you can take a moment to give yourself a well-deserved pat on the back. Whether you are a stay-at-home mum, a friend who takes the time to lend a listening ear, or someone who, like me, volunteers almost every weekend, I congratulate you.Too often, it is easy to believe that we are not doing enough, or that we need to meet a certain goal before our efforts are acknowledged. I am here to tell you that whatever your contribution may be, and however much you are able to give, it is enough. Here at the Australian Indian Times, we honour your contribution because we are all part of the solution and all play a role in strengthening our communities.

May is also Mental Health Awareness Month, an important reminder that mental health matters for women, men, and young people alike. Last month, I introduced you to Cr. Nathan St Ledger, Councillor for Division 4 at the City of Logan. We discussed his journey, his passion for the Logan community, and his unwavering commitment to mental health advocacy.

Please enjoy Part Two of my interview with Councillor Nathan St Ledger, who continues to help break down barriers and encourage important conversations around mental health.

Part Two of the Interview

Cr. St Ledger and Xavier Hernandez

Xavier Hernandez: Are you able to tell readers more about mental health?
Cr. St Ledger: I’m fortunate enough to teach Mental Health First Aid, so I train people in recognising and responding to mental health challenges. The important thing to understand is that everyone has mental health—whether it’s good, whether it’s struggling, or somewhere in between. It’s about acknowledging that mental health is something we all have and something we all need to look after.

Mental health does not discriminate. It doesn’t matter who you are, your race, your background, or the colour of your skin. It can affect anyone. For me, it’s about spreading awareness and letting people know that support is available. It’s okay to face challenges, and it’s okay to reach out to someone for help.

Xavier Hernandez: Are you able to tell readers a bit more about ACFC?
Cr. St Ledger: A Chance for Change (ACFC) is a mental health and suicide prevention charity that was established in 2015. One of my best mates, Evan founded the organisation and got everything started. I came on board about nine months after they were up and running.

At the time, I was running some youth programs, and Evan came out to help us because we wanted to include a mental health component. We were already doing some work in this space, but I’ve always loved what ACFC stands for.
ACFC was formed by mates, for mates, to look out for your mates. That’s effectively what we’re here for. We lose around seven people a day to suicide in this country, which is far too many. Suicide continues a leading cause of death for males under 25, and that’s something we need to address.

Xavier Hernandez: What do you see happening around you. That we should all be aware of?
Cr. St Ledger: Young people today are facing challenges everywhere you look. The world is changing really fast, and we’re living in an instant-gratification culture where everyone wants everything immediately. We also spend too much time comparing ourselves to others.

If I could give anyone advice, it would be to surround yourself with good people and focus on simple, healthy daily habits. Being yourself is more than enough. Understanding that and embracing who you are is incredibly powerful.

Xavier Hernandez: Many Australian Indian Times have expressed their thoughts around social media. What are some of your thoughts around this space?
Cr. St Ledger: Social media isn’t always very social—it can often be the opposite. If you look at the way some people communicate online, many of them wouldn’t say those same things if they were sitting face-to-face with someone.

You’re always better off having a conversation than a confrontation. We spend so much time looking at screens that we can forget the value of genuine human connection. I’m probably in a glass house saying that, but sometimes we all need to put our phones down.
Young people need opportunities to connect face-to-face because that genuine human interaction is incredibly powerful and can do wonders for your mental health. Whatever your interests are, get involved. If you’re into Pokémon cards, join a Pokémon group. If you love football, play football. If you enjoy boxing, take up boxing. It doesn’t matter what it is—find your passion and pursue it.

Xavier Hernandez: Was there a defining moment or life experience that set you on this path?

Cr. St Ledger: From the ages of 11 to 14, I lost a cousin, an uncle, a neighbour, and a school teacher to suicide. That was four people in a very short period of time.
I’ve also had my own battles, which is something I never thought I’d openly talk about when I was younger. Those experiences taught me a lot.

When you see the devastation that suicide leaves behind, it really changes your perspective. When you look around and realise that we’re losing around seven people every day to suicide, it’s confronting. That’s nearly 50 people every week.
A lot of the time, people believe there’s no help available, but there is. There is always support out there. No matter how difficult things may seem, there is always someone willing to listen and help.

End of Interview

Over the coming months, I look forward to sharing more from my conversations with Cr. St Ledger and highlighting the important work he continues to do alongside many dedicated members of our community.

Save the date for one of Queensland’s premier multicultural celebrations. GOPIO Queensland proudly presents the Iconic India Day Fair 2026, to be held on Saturday, 15 August 2026, at Roma Street Parkland, Brisbane. Join thousands of people as we celebrate India’s Independence Day with a vibrant showcase of culture, community, diversity, and unity.

Another event that is very close to my heart is just around the corner, and I hope you can join us in celebrating our incredible multicultural community. This year, I will be racing with the St John’s Anglican College Dragon Boat Team, while my mum will be racing with the Vietnamese Community in Australia – Queensland Chapter Dragon Boat Team. Events like these remind us of the friendships, cultural connections, and volunteer spirit that make Australia such a wonderful place to call home.

The Parkinson Multicultural and Dragon Boat Festival will be held at Ken Fletcher Park, Tennyson, on 7 June from 9:00am to 2:30pm. Entry is free, making it a great day out for the whole family. Come along, cheer on the teams, enjoy the festivities, and celebrate the many cultures that contribute to our vibrant and diverse community.

As always, thank you for your continued support and positive feedback. We understand the importance of staying connected and looking out for one another, so please do not hesitate to reach out if you need a helping hand.

The Global Renaissance of the Indian Diaspora: A Masterclass in Grit, Adaptability, and Vision

Australian Indian Times
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The Global Renaissance of the Indian Diaspora: A Masterclass in Grit, Adaptability, and Vision

The Global Renaissance of the Indian Diaspora: A Masterclass in Grit, Adaptability, and Vision

By Jitendra Deo
Chief Executive Officer
JD Group Australia

There is a distinct, quiet alchemy in the way the Indian diaspora moves through the world. Decades ago, leaving the shores of the Indian subcontinent was primarily an act of survival or a search for modest economic stability, the classic story of the striving immigrant. Today, that narrative has undergone a radical, paradigm-shifting transformation. The global Indian diaspora is no longer just participating in international economies; they are actively shaping them.

From the glass towers of Silicon Valley and the political corridors of Western democracies to our very own thriving business and cultural hubs here in Australia, the story of the Indian immigrant has reached a golden peak. It is a masterclass in relentless hard work, cultural adaptability, and an extraordinary capacity for visionary leadership.

At the heart of this global success story lies a deeply ingrained cultural blueprint: an unwavering, almost sacred reverence for education, integrity, and effort. For an Indian family, education is not merely a path to a career; it is the ultimate equalizer, a generational inheritance that no economic downturn can take away. This foundational ethos infuses the diaspora with a unique brand of resilience.

It creates individuals who do not just work hard, but who work with a sharp, strategic focus. When you pair this fierce work ethic with a historical familiarity with navigating complex, highly competitive systems back home, you get a community that is uniquely equipped to thrive under pressure anywhere on Earth.

The Executive Suite: Redefining Corporate Leadership

Nowhere is this triumph more visible than in the upper echelons of global corporate leadership. For years, Western multinationals looked to traditional institutional pipelines for their executive leadership. Today, the world’s most influential, trillion-dollar tech titans—companies that dictate the digital fabric of modern human life—are helmed by Indian-born or diaspora leaders.

This corporate phenomenon extends far beyond a few high-profile anomalies; it represents a systemic shift in what modern leadership looks like. What makes these leaders uniquely successful is a leadership style deeply rooted in their heritage. It is a blend of high emotional intelligence, professional humility, and the uniquely Indian concept of jugaad—the ability to find innovative, agile fixes to complex problems.

Having grown up or being raised by parents who navigated resource-scarce environments, diaspora leaders possess an innate comfort with ambiguity. Where others see chaos, they see a puzzle to be solved. They lead not with brash authoritarianism, but with a collaborative, empathetic consensus-building approach that is perfectly suited for a diverse, interconnected global workforce.

Beyond Corporate Walls: The Rise of the Diaspora Entrepreneur

While the corporate ascent is undeniable, a parallel and equally magnificent peak is being scaled in the world of global business, enterprise, and entrepreneurship. The Indian diaspora has evolved from being the world’s preferred back-office executors to becoming its foremost job creators and industry disruptors.

In economic hotspots across London, Singapore, New York, and right here in Queensland and across Australia, diaspora-led enterprises are driving breakthroughs in technology, real estate, property development, medical services, and green energy. These business owners bring a rare combination of technical brilliance and an immense appetite for calculated risk. They are revitalizing local economies, building vital infrastructure, and setting up vast commercial empires that contribute significantly to the national GDP of their adopted nations.

What is particularly remarkable about these entrepreneurs is their commitment to community building. A successful Indian business owner rarely operates in isolation. They build ecosystems, mentoring younger immigrants, generating employment, investing heavily in local cultural infrastructure, and establishing philanthropic funds. They ensure that their peak is not a lonely summit, but a plateau large enough to lift their entire community with them.

The Superpower of Soft Power and Cultural Integration

To focus purely on balance sheets and corporate titles, however, would be to miss the true essence of why the Indian diaspora has achieved such monumental success. Their real superpower lies in their seamless integration into the social fabrics of their adopted homelands without ever losing the anchor of their rich cultural identity.

The motto of our publication, “As God is One, we respect all Religions,” perfectly mirrors the inclusive, pluralistic worldview that the diaspora carries wherever they go. The diaspora does not assimilate by erasing their roots; they integrate by sharing them. They build magnificent cultural spaces, celebrate vibrant festivals that welcome neighbours of all backgrounds, and actively participate in civic, political, and local grassroots initiatives. This organic projection of “soft power” builds immense goodwill. It transforms them from being perceived as mere “migrant workers” into deeply respected, indispensable pillars of local society.

Because of this foundational trust, we are seeing the diaspora reach breathtaking heights in global governance, media, and public service. They are stepping into parliaments, advising prime ministers, and becoming influential policymakers who champion multiculturalism and harmony. They represent a new breed of global citizen, one who is fiercely loyal to the country they call home, deeply proud of the heritage they come from, and universally respected for the immense value they bring to the civic table.

A Legacy of Excellence

“The true measure of the diaspora’s success is not just the wealth they generate, but the standard of integrity, cultural pride, and excellence they establish wherever they set foot.”
The journey of the hardworking Indian diaspora is an enduring testament to what human beings can achieve when intellect is paired with a tireless work ethic. They have shattered the glass ceilings of the corporate world, rewritten the rules of international business, and redefined global leadership.

As they stand at the peak of their careers and enterprises today, they do so not by sheer luck, but by the right of pure merit, resilience, and an unyielding refusal to give up. They have turned the immigrant dream into a global reality, leaving an indelible, brilliant mark on the history of modern civilization. The world, and Australia, is undeniably better, richer, and more vibrant because of the footprints they choose to leave.

 

When Government Speaks to Itself

Australian Indian Times
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When Government Speaks to Itself

When Government Speaks to Itself

Once upon a time, a doctor sat with a family explaining the CT scan results. She spoke of lesions appearing in the bone and in the liver, and the possibility that the original source was the lung. She carefully described how these lesions could spread throughout the body. The family listened intently and politely, nodding as she spoke.

Eventually, one relative hesitantly interrupted: ‘what’s a lesion?’ The question seemed to stop the consultation in its tracks. The doctor suddenly realised that although she had been medically precise, almost none of what she had said had truly connected. ‘A lesion,’ she explained, ‘is a cancer spot.’ Elsewhere, a patient is asked about their ‘skin integrity’. Another is informed that the blood test was ‘negative’. Outside medicine, of course, ‘negative’ rarely sounds encouraging.

Meanwhile, in another corner of society, a customer is being informed by his mechanic that his vehicle has ‘a misfire’ or ‘a faulty ignition coil’. The bewildered driver nods politely while silently wondering whether the car is about to explode. Perhaps ‘the suspension bushes have deteriorated’ or ‘there may be an issue with the variable valve timing solenoid intermittently sticking’.

To be fair, the language is coherent and accurate. It is simply not designed for ordinary human consumption or digestion. More savagely, the speaker suffers from adamantine aloofness or lacks situational awareness. But it’s between private individuals. Live and let live.

Then there is the omnipresent and omnipotent government, you know, the one that is ‘here to help’. The Bureau of Meteorology—a government agency—calmly advises Australians that there is a “cold front moving out towards the east and a low pressure system developing over the southern Tasman Sea.” Meteorologically speaking, of course, this is entirely factual. Meteorologically speaking. Not humanly speaking.

And this is where the problem begins to move intolerably beyond the aloof language of private professionals and towards something more serious. The very public institutions that are supposed to guide, inform and assist the public communicate in languages pregnant with purple prose and intelligible primarily to themselves and the intellectual aristocracy.
The doctor- and mechanic- speak is disconcertingly bad enough. Harmful too! Studies suggest that up to 70 per cent of medical errors involve communication breakdowns. Nearly six in ten Australian adults possess low levels of health literacy. But none of them exercise the full coercive machinery of the state.

Replete with finance-speak, government finances are the most unintelligible: ‘automatic stabilisers’; ‘forward estimates’; ‘conservative bias allowance’; ‘underlying cash balance’; ‘headline cash balance’; and ‘public debt interest’ are a small sample from a skein of concepts.

Stripping away advanced concepts, the most familiar rhetoric appears, for example, in the Australian Financial Review (6 May 2026): Victoria ‘is forecasting a razor-thin $727 million operating surplus this financial year’, while net debt is projected to rise ‘to a record $199.3 billion by 2029-30.’ Yet the budget also records ‘more than $30 billion in cash deficits over the next four years ($30.48 billion), when this year’s $21.4 billion in the state’s current capital works are included.’

To a lay person, attempting to understand and reconcile these apparently inconsistent positions—a surplus on one side and rising debt on the other—is like trying to grasp a column of smoke with bare hands.

To those unaccustomed to the terms of art, a ‘budget deficit’ exists if expenses are larger than revenue in a given year. Conversely, if revenue is larger than expenses, the government has a net operating surplus. But to fixate on deficits and disregard ‘debt’ risks missing the more important structural reality.

A ‘debt’ is a distinct term and refers to the total amount of money that the government owes its lenders at a particular point in time. It measures how much successive governments have spent over the receipts they have collected. Think of it, broadly speaking, as the sum of all deficits. But even this convenient equation can mislead because we need to account for government borrowing money even if it is not ‘losing money’ in its normal yearly operations. For example, imagine a household that earns enough to meet its ordinary bills each year, but still takes out a large loan to build a house extension.

The household may be managing its day-to-day finances properly, yet its overall debt still rises because it has borrowed to fund construction. Governments operate in much the same way. They borrow to pay for rail projects, roads, tunnels, hospitals, schools and other major infrastructure. As a result, a government can say it has an operating surplus in its day-to-day budget, while at the same time saying debt is rising, because it is borrowing billions to fund long-term capital works.

In this way, a deficit is inherently temporary and cyclical but affects the debt trajectory. It is debt that ultimately shapes fiscal capacity, constrains future choices and determines how exposed an economy is to rising interest rates or shocks.
Economist Saul Eslake castigated the Victorian surplus as a ‘con job’ because it excludes the blowout of capital expenditure on major projects.

The concern, in simple terms, is not that governments borrow to build infrastructure—that is normal and often necessary. It is that the cost of that building program has expanded far beyond what was originally expected. As capital spending on major projects blows out, the government must borrow more to fund it, and that borrowing pushes debt higher than forecast. In that sense, the debate is less about the legitimacy of investment and more about its sheer size and its consequences for public debt.

Finance was the chosen example in this column because no function of government is more fundamental than the management of public money. Governments may debate policy, ideology and social priorities, but ultimately every promise, project and program is financed by taxpayers. The executive branch is therefore not merely exercising political power; it is exercising financial trusteeship over resources it does not personally own.

For that reason, financial literacy should form the first bastion of civic understanding. If citizens cannot interpret budgets, deficits, debt, operating results or capital expenditure, they are effectively excluded from understanding the most consequential dimension of governmental performance.

Understanding governmental language (or what we might coin as ‘governmentalistics’) and the language through which power explains itself is therefore a democratic imperative. In constitutional terms, voters are the principals and elected representatives are their agents. The principals are expected to continually assess, monitor, question and ultimately render judgement at election time on the executive’s use, non-use, abuse or misuse of its power. Yet meaningful assessment is impossible if citizens cannot understand the language through which governments explain their conduct and performance.

Without that understanding, scrutiny reduces to hunches and impressions, and the executive escapes penetrating examination. Power must be confronted with knowledge.
—Nilay B. Patel is a lawyer based in Melbourne

Celebrating Culture Through Melody: SaReGaMa Music School Program in Springfield Lakes

Australian Indian Times
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Celebrating Culture Through Melody: SaReGaMa Music School Program in Springfield Lakes

Celebrating Culture Through Melody: SaReGaMa Music School Program in Springfield Lakes

Brisbane’s Indian community recently gathered for a spectacular celebration of culture and music at the SaReGaMa Music School Program, hosted at the Vedanta Centre Community Hall in Springfield Lakes and led by music Maestro Rahim Zullah.

The highly anticipated community event showcased the exceptional dedication of local students and educators working to preserve classical and contemporary musical heritage within the Queensland diaspora. The program featured an inspiring array of live vocal and instrumental performances, drawing a passionate crowd of families, art enthusiasts, and community leaders. Students of all age groups took to the stage, executing complex ragas, traditional compositions, and celebrated melodies that demonstrated their rigorous technical training and artistic growth.

Beyond a showcase of talent, the event served as a vital cultural touchstone, reinforcing community connectivity and bridging generations through the universal language of melody. Organizers and attendees highly praised the academy for its role in fostering creative expression and instilling a lifelong appreciation for subcontinental music traditions in young Australian-Indians. The evening concluded to resounding applause, marking another successful milestone for Brisbane’s thriving multicultural arts sector.

Rotary Club of Brisbane International Concludes Another Year of Service Above Self

Australian Indian Times
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Rotary Club of Brisbane International Concludes Another Year of Service Above Self

Rotary Club of Brisbane International Concludes Another Year of Service Above Self

As the 2025/2026 Rotary year draws to a close, the Rotary Club of Brisbane International proudly reflects on another impactful year of community service under the leadership of President Dipak Amratlal and the Rotary theme “Unite for Good.”
Throughout the year, members, corporate partners, and volunteers worked tirelessly to make a difference both locally and internationally.

Highlights of the year included the successful Outback Australia Fundraiser, bringing together community leaders, supporters, and Rotarians in a celebration of fellowship while raising funds to support humanitarian projects.

The Club also partnered with Zig Zag Young Women’s Resource Centre to deliver Domestic Violence Starter Packs, providing essential household items to help women and families rebuild their lives after experiencing domestic violence.

Internationally, the Club undertook its first outer-island medical aid project, coordinating the shipment of a medical container to LomaLoma Hospital in Vanuabalavu, Lau Group, Fiji, in partnership with RARE and Someone Who Cares. The project will support healthcare services for the people of LomaLoma and surrounding island communities.
Closer to home, members proudly participated in the ANZAC Day Ceremony with Logan City Council, honouring the sacrifices of Australia’s servicemen and women and reaffirming Rotary’s commitment to community service and remembrance.

Reflecting on the year, President Dipak Amratlal said:
“It has been another rewarding year of Service Above Self. Through challenges and successes alike, our members have remained committed to making a difference in the lives of others. Together we have truly lived our theme of Unite for Good, and as we transition into the new Rotary year, we look forward to continuing that journey and helping Create Lasting Impact.”

The Rotary Club of Brisbane International extends its sincere appreciation to its members, sponsors, community partners, and supporters who have helped make the 2025/2026 year a success.

Service Above Self. Unite for Good. Create Lasting Impact.

Brisbane RF Fashion Show 2026 Highlighting Sixth Year Of Success

Australian Indian Times
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Brisbane RF Fashion Show 2026 Highlighting Sixth Year Of Success

Brisbane RF Fashion Show 2026 Highlighting Sixth Year Of Success

The Brisbane RF Fashion Show 2026 once again delivered an unforgettable evening of glamour and creativity. In the cool evening of 6 June, guests gathered at the iconic Hanworth House in East Brisbane to be at the forefront of fashion diversity and empowerment. Presented by Ravishing Fashionistas (RF), the sold-out event once again proved why it has become Queensland’s most anticipated fashion celebrations.

Founded and fearlessly led by Upma Kite, Mrs. Australia Universal 2019, Ravishing Fashionistas is more than a fashion platform—it is a movement. They are dedicated to breaking down traditional beauty standards and celebrating confidence, individuality and inclusivity. Through high-end runway productions, mentoring programs and modelling opportunities, RF challenges the face of fashion through their work and continues to empower women and families, from all walks of life.This year’s spectacular showcase featured collections from 14 talented designers, each presenting their unique vision to the runway, blending innovation, culture, elegance and craftsmanship into a truly inspiring fashion experience.

One of the major highlights from the evening was the incredible line up of over 40 models of all ages, from (youngest age) to (oldest age). In true RF style, the diversity of the line up wasn’t only reflected in the clothing, it was represented in the truly distinct models. Each model truly reflected a piece of the Australian community, from the shade of their skin to their height and body type. The opportunity to walk the runway in an RF event is an honour and privilege, with previous VIP guests joining the model lineup this year. Back stage, the buzz of excitement from the models and designers was electric. Upma and her team once again selected the best models for the show. Although all were incredible, the smallest models stole the show, melting hearts as they showed complete professionalism as they walked the runway.

From first-time runway participants to experienced models, every individual walked with confidence and purpose, perfectly reflecting RF’s mission that beauty has no limits. Their presence transformed the runway into a powerful celebration of diversity, self-expression and empowerment.

Guests were transported into a world of fashion decadence as they walked the red carpet on arrival, met with a team of paparazzi. Hanworth House proved an incredible backdrop to the glamorous evening filled with red carpet arrivals, media wall moments, breathtaking runway presentations and live entertainment. The atmosphere was electric as designers, models, creatives, sponsors and supporters came together to celebrate fashion’s power to unite and inspire.

The event welcomed an impressive lineup of VIP guests including Lady Mayoress of Brisbane Nina Schrinner, and a whole cohort of fashion power houses. Mr Hollywood himself, Damien Anthony Avery-Rossi led guests through the evening as Master of Ceremonies. He was flanked in the front row by Melissa Downes and Sharyn Ghidella, Queensland’s most glamourous and elegant newsreaders.

Lady Mayoress Nina Scrinner delivered and empowered speech reminding the crowd that what we see on social media is only a small, curated moment in a person’s life and not to judge ourselves against the filtered images, but to search for personal empowerment. She reminded the audience that true beauty comes from diversity, the champion value of the RF Fashion Showcase.

The front row continued to brag a lineup of incredible fashion socialites, including Marilyn Van der Valk, Lydia Jordane, Shweta Khan and the incomparable Dianne Cant OAM. Founders of Face of Australia Lyn and Greg Shadbolt immersed themselves while Lewis Lee OAM was absorbed into the world of high fashion. Other honourable mentions of the evening include Manju Jehu, Jitendra Deo, Chona Allen and Prerna Pahwa.

Concept creator and founder of RF, Upma Kite sparkled as she executed another perfect runway spectacular. In her speech, Upma touched on the journey RF has taken to become the fashion powerhouse it is today. The event marks 6 years of flawless shows and despite struggles along the way, she has risen above the trials to create a safe space in the fashion industry. Upma reminded guests of the Japanese proverb ‘Even if you fall down seven times, it’s important to stand up eight’.

The success of Brisbane RF Fashion Show 2026 is the latest chapter in the remarkable journey of Ravishing Fashionistas. The show this year was once again sold out, not even standing room available. All 250 guests were thrilled to be part of this exclusive show and are already marking their calendars for next year.

From its debut event, as Ageless Divas in 2019, through a series of groundbreaking runway productions championing inclusivity and empowerment, RF has continued to redefine what fashion can represent in modern society.

Brisbane RF Fashion Show 2026 was more than a fashion show—it is a celebration of courage, culture, creativity and community. As the curtains closed on another extraordinary event, guests left inspired by the stories, talent and confidence displayed on the runway, eagerly anticipating the next chapter of the ever-growing RF legacy.
Plans are already in motion for a bigger and better event in 2027.

 

Sydney and India: Infrastructure Growth Meets Innovation Opportunity

Australian Indian Times
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Sydney and India: Infrastructure Growth Meets Innovation Opportunity

Sydney and India: Infrastructure Growth Meets Innovation Opportunity

1) Little India Construction Upgrades & Traffic Impact in Harris Park

The City of Parramatta is moving forward with its timeline for the $3.5 million world-class tourism precinct overhaul of Harris Park, officially known as Australia’s first “Little India”.

• Upcoming Construction Phase: Following final council approvals, site establishment and main civil works are scheduled to begin between August and December 2026.

• Key Visual Landmarks: The next phase involves installing the highly anticipated, artist-designed Little India Welcome Gateway and an overhead decorative cultural lighting corridor running down Marion Street.

• Local Business Disruption & Detours: Commuters and visitors can expect streetscape paving upgrades, tree planting, and partial street closures along Marion Street and Wigram Street. The Harris Park Little India Business Association is working directly with the council to ensure pedestrian safety and coordinate shopping access during heavy machinery operation. To find full public notices and mapping details, visit the official City of Parramatta Investor Portal.

2) Sydney Startups and AirTrunk’s $30 Billion India Corridor

Sydney-based data centre operator AirTrunk has launched an unprecedented $30 billion (Rs. 3 lakh crore) capital deployment plan to build 5 gigawatts of AI-ready infrastructure across India by 2030. This historic corridor is creating massive pipelines for tech professionals in Sydney.

• The Core Infrastructure Focus: Backed by Blackstone, AirTrunk’s expansion hinges heavily on massive campus footprints—including a 3-gigawatt site in Maharashtra and active builds across Mumbai, Chennai, and Hyderabad.

• How Sydney Founders Can Engage: CEO Robin Khuda highlights a massive, ongoing demand for localized supply chain vendors. Sydney-based Indian tech startups, infrastructure engineers, cybersecurity providers, and sustainable energy consultants are being actively prioritized for cross-border engineering contracts.

• Venture Capital Opportunities: The corridor focuses strongly on local talent recruitment. Tech firms looking to secure operational partnerships or provide support architecture can review procurement frameworks via the official AirTrunk Infrastructure Hub.

 

 

 

SPECIAL REPORT: THE 2026–27 FEDERAL BUDGET

Australian Indian Times
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SPECIAL REPORT: THE 2026–27 FEDERAL BUDGET

SPECIAL REPORT: THE 2026–27 FEDERAL BUDGET

A Structural Tax Shift: What the Federal Budget Means for Small Businesses, Investors, and the Indian-Australian Diaspor. The Albanese Government’s 2026–27 Federal Budget, handed down by Treasurer Jim Chalmers, represents one of the most significant architectural overhauls of the Australian tax system in over a generation. Facing a projected deficit of $31.5 billion and an unemployment rate ticked to rise to 4.5%, the government has delivered a complex economic blueprint designed to solve two competing crises: immediate cost-of-living pressures for working families and long-term structural supply blockages in the housing market.

For Australia’s vibrant, fast-growing Indian diaspora, a community deeply embedded in small business, retail, IT startups, and property investment, this budget is a mixed bag of historic opportunities and sharp legislative headwinds. The strategy is clear: the government is actively punishing passive wealth accumulation in established residential real estate and aggressively redirecting that private capital into commercial innovation, small business infrastructure, and high-tech startups.

The Indian-Australian community has long been the backbone of the nation’s small-to-medium enterprise (SME) economy. From independent grocery stores, logistics firms, and medical practices to engineering consultancies and franchise operations, subcontinental entrepreneurs are heavily exposed to shifting corporate regulations. For these operators, the budget brings long-awaited, highly predictable structural wins.

1. The Permanent $20,000 Instant Asset Write-Off
For years, small business owners have operated under a cloud of fiscal uncertainty, waiting every May to see if the government would extend temporary asset concessions. In a major policy victory, the $20,000 instant asset write-off has been made permanent for businesses with an aggregate annual turnover under $10 million.
This means restaurant owners upgrading commercial tandoors, logistics operators buying warehouse technology, or IT consultants upgrading server racks can immediately deduct the full cost of eligible equipment in the year of purchase. This structural permanence allows for predictable, multi-year capital expenditure planning rather than rushed end-of-financial-year buying sprees.

2. The Loss Carry-Back LifelineTo further stimulate commercial activity, the budget introduces a permanent Loss Carry-Back Scheme for corporate entities with an annual turnover under $1 billion. If a family company experiences a tax loss in the current financial year due to aggressive expansion, heavy equipment purchasing, or unexpected economic downturns, they do not have to wait to offset it against future profits. Instead, they can carry that loss backward to claim a cash refund against company taxes paid in the previous two financial years. This provides an immediate, tangible cash-flow injection when a small company needs it most.

The Housing Tax Shake-Up: Property Investment Redefined
For decades, property investment has been the preferred vehicle for wealth creation within the Indian diaspora. Cultural familiarity with tangible real estate assets, combined with Australia’s historically generous tax concessions, has seen thousands of community members build extensive residential portfolios. The 2026–27 Budget fundamentally changes these rules of engagement.

1. The Death of Negative Gearing on Existing Builds
In the most politically charged reform of the budget night, the government has abolished negative gearing for all established residential properties purchased after budget night. Moving forward, individual landlords who buy existing homes cannot offset net rental losses against their personal salary or wage income.
However, the government has built a deliberate carrot-and-stick mechanism: new residential builds remain completely exempt. For Indian-Australian property developers and investors, the message is unequivocal: if you want to use tax concessions to underwrite your investment, you must contribute to net housing supply by funding new constructions, off-the-plan apartments, or greenfield house-and-land packages.

2. The Abolition of the 50% CGT Discount
Equally disruptive is the complete elimination of the traditional 50% Capital Gains Tax (CGT) discount from 1 July 2027. Under the legacy system, an investor who held a property or share portfolio for more than 12 months automatically halved their taxable capital gain upon sale.
The new regime replaces the blanket discount with an inflation-adjusted Indexation Model combined with a strict 30% minimum tax rate on net capital gains.
To understand how this alters investment math, consider a typical property portfolio transaction:

• The Setup: An investor purchases an established suburban investment property for $1,000,000.

• The Sale: After several years of steady capital growth, the property is sold for $1,500,000, netting a nominal profit of $500,000.

• The Inflation Factor: During the years the asset was held, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) cumulative inflation rose by 13.14%.

OLD CGT DISCOUNT SYSTEM:
Nominal Profit: $500,000
50% Discount Applied: -$250,000
Total Taxable Gain: $250,000 (Added to personal marginal tax bracket)

NEW INDEXATION & 30% MINIMUM TAX SYSTEM:
Original Purchase Price: $1,000,000
Plus 13.14% Inflation Adjustment: +$131,408
New Indexed Cost Base: $1,131,408
Real Taxable Profit ($1,500,000 – $1,131,408): $368,592
Minimum Tax Rate (Flat 30% on Gain): $110,577 minimum tax liability
Under the new system, the taxable portion of the gain jumps significantly ($368,592 compared to the old $250,000). While the indexation model protects investors from paying tax on artificial inflation-driven gains, the flat 30% minimum floor ensures high-wealth individuals cannot drop their effective tax obligations through creative accounting. This reform significantly reduces the long-term profitability of speculative, established residential real estate.

Discretionary Trusts and the “Philanthropy Trap”
Many migrant families utilize discretionary family trusts to manage family businesses, protect multi-generational assets, and split income legally among adult children or elderly parents who sit in lower tax brackets.
From 1 July 2028, all discretionary trusts will face a flat 30% minimum tax rate on taxable income at the trustee level. Crucially, there is no grandfathering for existing structures. For families who previously distributed trust income to university-aged children or retired relatives in zero-to-low income brackets, the trust structure will lose its primary tax-splitting utility, as a baseline 30% will be shaved off the top.
Furthermore, a significant legislative oversight has triggered alarm bells across non-profit sectors: the “Philanthropy Trap.” As currently written, the 30% minimum tax framework accidentally captures real capital gains on assets donated directly to registered charities or Deductible Gift Recipients (DGRs). Indian-Australian community groups, temple trusts, and cultural foundations that rely heavily on large, asset-backed philanthropic donations are currently lobbying the government to amend this clause before it stifles community giving.

Fuelling the Knowledge Economy: Tech Startups & R&D Incentives
Australia is experiencing a massive influx of subcontinental tech talent, founders, and venture capitalists, establishing a powerful corridor between Sydney, Melbourne, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad. For the tech startup community, this budget provides major structural upgrades to fuel liquidity.

• The Startup Cash-Flow Lifeline: Starting in the 2028–29 financial year, early-stage, pre-revenue tech startups in their first two years of operation can receive direct cash refunds for tax losses. This refund is strategically tied and capped to the total amount of Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) and Pay-As-You-Go (PAYG) withholding tax the company paid on employee wages. This effectively subsidizes the cost of keeping highly specialized software developers, data scientists, and engineers onshore during the critical pre-revenue build phase.

• Reshaping the RDTI: The Research and Development Tax Incentive (RDTI) has been sharply refocused. Concessions have been expanded for companies that actively manufacture or commercialize intellectual property locally within Australian borders. This represents a distinct policy pivot away from software businesses that outsource core engineering overseas, rewarding firms that keep intellectual talent grounded in Australia.

Cost-of-Living Micro-Relief for Working Families
For everyday wage earners, healthcare workers, and corporate professionals within the diaspora, the budget provides immediate, targeted financial relief to combat sticky inflation:

• Income Tax Adjustments: The income tax rate for individuals earning between $18,201 and $45,000 drops from 16% to 15% on 1 July 2026, falling further to 14% on 1 July 2027.

• The $250 Working Australians Tax Offset: Commencing in the 2027–28 income year, eligible workers will receive a direct $250 tax offset to lower their net tax liability.

• The Receipt less Deduction: From July 2026, workers can claim an instant $1,000 deduction for work-related expenses without the administrative burden of keeping receipts, simplifying tax season for millions of employees.

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