World Hepatitis Day 28 July 2025 – Let’s Break It Down
The chosen date of 28 July as World Hepatitis Day was to honour the birthday of Dr Baruch Blumberg, the Nobel laureate who discovered the hepatitis B virus and developed the first diagnostic test and vaccine 56 years ago. It highlights the importance of hepatitis B among all types of hepatitis, including the other four viral hepatitis types (A, C, D, and E).
The hepatitis B virus was first discovered by Dr Blumberg in the 1960s in Australia. Today, this preventable infection—which can cause liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, liver failure and liver cancer—still affects 254 million people worldwide.
In Australia, chronic hepatitis B (having the virus for more than six months) is the most common cause of viral hepatitis, and the burden falls disproportionately on communities born overseas in regions where the virus is endemic and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. Yet, common barriers prevent people from accessing diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment. This is evidenced in the latest national Viral Hepatitis B Mapping Project report (https://ashm.org.au/resources/viral-hepatitis-mapping-project/), which shows that in Australia in 2023, an estimated 219,800 people were living with chronic hepatitis B:
• 31.2% of these people remain undiagnosed.
• 75.5% do not access crucial six-monthly liver health checks to reduce the risk of liver cirrhosis and liver cancer, despite all of them being required to do so.
• 17% of people who are eligible for hepatitis B treatment are not yet receiving it.
Barriers to care include language differences, cultural beliefs, and simple lack of knowledge, other factors—such as fear of discrimination, stigma, social isolation, or judgment—drive many to hide their status and avoid medical care entirely.
On World Hepatitis Day, we encourage you to:
1. Get the Facts Straight:
Hepatitis B mainly spreads through blood and can also be transmitted through sexual contact. It is not transmitted through casual contact like hugging, kissing, sharing food or water, or shaking hands. Knowledge reduce fear.
2. Talk Openly:
Encourage respectful conversations about hepatitis B. Normalising discussion reduces shame and encourages help-seeking.
3. Get Tested:
If you were born in a high-prevalence country or believe you might be at risk, see your doctor. A safe, effective vaccine exists to prevent infection.
4. Offer Support, Not Judgement:
If someone confides that they are living with hepatitis B, respond with empathy. Encourage them to access regular medical care and receive treatment if required. About 30% of people living with chronic hepatitis B need treatment, and treatments are highly effective at controlling the virus and protecting the liver.
Due to the highly effective hepatitis C treatments—with cure rates reaching 96%—the number of people living with hepatitis C has dropped from 162,590 in 2016 to less than 68,890 in 2023 in Australia (https://ashm.org.au/resources/viral-hepatitis-mapping-project/). We expect that the remaining people living with hepatitis C will be diagnosed and cured, preventing further liver damage and cancer.
Currently, the Love Health Program at ECCQ is partnering with the Kirby Institute at the University of NSW to provide free rapid hepatitis B and C testing for people born overseas, as part of a large national research project aiming to improve testing and diagnosis.
If you are interested in getting a test, please contact [email protected] or scan the QR code to register for a free test. You can find more information including translated resources on hepatitis, HIV, and STIs at www.eccq.com.au/bbv.
If you are in Cairns, you can contact the team at Cairns Sexual Health Services by calling (07) 4226 4769 or emailing [email protected].
What truly set the concert apart was the fusion of traditional Indian instruments, such as flute and tabla, with contemporary sounds from electric guitars and drums. The musicians were Eswar on Keyboard, Sidarth on Kayboard, Manpreet on Octapd, Reet on Percussion, Parbin on Dholak and Tabla, Pranav on – flute, Ruskin on bass Guitar, Yathav lead guitarist and Wilson on Rhythm Guitar. This dynamic blend of east and west created a unique soundscape that resonated with the diverse Australian Indian community in attendance. The crowd swayed, clapped, and sang along, creating a sense of unity and connection that only music can provide.
Following the address, Her Excellency Dr. Janette Young, Queensland’s Governor, took centre stage, radiating warmth and positivity. As a passionate advocate for health and well-being, Dr. Young’s participation in the event was a testament to her commitment to fostering an inclusive and healthy Queensland. She expressed her delight in joining the celebration and emphasized the growing popularity of yoga in Australia, noting how it had become a cornerstone of mental health and wellness for people of all ages and backgrounds. Her Excellency took part in the yoga session, participating in the collective practice alongside the crowd, symbolizing the unity and connection that yoga fosters among diverse individuals.
The core of the event was the group yoga session, led by certified instructors from renowned yoga schools. The peaceful atmosphere of Government House, coupled with the guidance of experienced instructors, provided the perfect setting for participants to explore various asanas (yoga poses), breathing techniques, and meditation exercises. The morning air was crisp, and as the participants moved through each posture with mindfulness and grace, a sense of tranquillity settled over the gathering. The sound of gentle instructions and the rhythmic flow of collective breathing created a feeling of unity, both within the participants and in the broader community.
Dear AUSTRALIAN Indian Times Readers,
On a more uplifting note, July has been rich with cultural and spiritual significance. Many observed Ashadi Ekadashi, marking the beginning of Chaturmas—a sacred time in the Hindu calendar for prayer, fasting, and spiritual reflection. It was a joy to see so many families sharing this beautiful tradition in their own ways.
And just a friendly nudge—I hope you kept all your receipts! As we step into the new financial year, several important tax changes have come into effect. There are new income tax brackets offering relief for low and middle-income earners, a 20% HECS-HELP loan reduction planned for June 2025, continued asset write-offs for small businesses, and superannuation contributions increasing. If you’re unsure how these changes affect you, please seek advice from a qualified financial advisor or accountant.
BRISBANE, QLD – The vibrant spirit of Bengal resonated through Clayfield on Saturday, May 10th, as Brisbane’s Bengali community came together for a spectacular celebration of the Bengali New Year, known as Poyla Boishakh (Naba Barsho). Organized by The Bengal community group, the fifth annual “Nababarsher Boithok O’ Noishobhoj” (Bengali New Year’s Gathering and Dinner) at Clayfield Uniting Church, marked a joyous occasion for Bengalis residing in Brisbane and beyond.
Poyla Boishakh, also sometimes referred to as Ekla Boishakh or Pohela Boishakh, holds immense cultural significance for the Bengali community symbolizing cultural identity and the region’s rich heritage. It marks the auspicious start of the Bengali New Year, a day traditionally considered ideal for new beginnings, from launching businesses to purchasing new assets. Celebrated with great zeal across West Bengal, Tripura, Assam, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Bangladesh, its enthusiasm has now spread to Bengali communities worldwide, including Brisbane.
The evening commenced precisely at 6:32 PM with a ceremonial inauguration lamp, lighted by respected Umesh Chandra-OAM, setting a traditional and auspicious tone. The cultural program that followed was a delightful showcase of local talent. Young Bengali kids impressed the audience with their performances, while Raina Dutta captivated with “Bechey Thakar Gaan,” and Arundhuti Mukherjee stirred emotions with “Jadi Tor Daak Suney Keyo Na Asey.” The “Brissy Sisters” Zaisha & Annesha Chakrabarty charmed everyone singing “Kamola Nrittya Korey,” and Vivek Roy Pradhan delivered popular Arijit Singh scores, “Ke Tui Bol” and “Saman Re.” Rishav Mandal expertly served as the Master of Ceremony for this cultural segment. Arghya Mukherjee and Mithun Chakrabarty was incharge of stage management.
A highlight was the vibrant “Best Dressed Up” competition across four categories: Sera Bouma (Best Dressed Lady), Sera Babumasai (Best Dressed Male), Sera Khukumoni (Best Dressed Girl), and Sera Khokababu (Best Dressed Boy). Participants ranging from 6 to 60 years graced the ramp with traditional Bengali attire. Atandtila Saha (Sera Bouma), Ranjan Saha (Sera Babumasai), Raina Dutta (Sera Khukumoni), and Aariv Goswami (Sera Khokababu) emerged as the winners, judged by Sudipto, Saheli and Saurav Chanda. Additional quiz prizes were won by Portia Joshi, Brinda Mitra Dutta, Sulagna Paul Chowdhury & Sudeshna Paul, with Anjan Kundu coordinating the entire program. The evening concluded with a raffle, where guests eagerly won attractive prizes.
The seamless execution of the event was a testament to the dedicated efforts of the organizing team, including Mantu Sarkar, Banibrata Mukherjee, Sudipto Dutta, Saurabh Chanda, Saswata Mukjerjee, Pinaki Guha, Kajol Roy Pradhan, Jyothin Joshi, Saheli Mukherjee, Sarbani Dhur, Sangeeta Roy Pradhan, Lopamudra Ghosh, Sweta Kishore, Surajt Bhattyacharya, Rajib Paul, Soumitra Rao and others. All the special moments captured by reknowned photographer Krishnendu Bhattyacharya.
Every guest received a thoughtful gift bag containing a traditional Bengali Calendar, shopping vouchers, and snacks, adding to the festive takeaway. The Bengal extended heartfelt thanks to their generous sponsors: Swarop from Swades Foods, Benny from Indian Spice Shop, Kiran from All India Food (Woolloongabba), Sree from Dosa Hut (Aspley), Sunny from Bombay Dhaba, Amrit from Cabbage Patch Market (Deagon), Troy from Coco’s Annerley, Debdep Panigrahi from V Property and Soumitra Rao. The Australian Indian Times and Australian Indian Radio served as proud media partners for the event.
Message from the Host – Deo Family Charitable Foundation
New Jersey, USA: Indian actor-producer Vishnu Manchu lit up the Regal Commerce Center in North Brunswick on May 8th as he kicked off the U.S. leg of the Kannappa promotional tour, marking exactly 50 days until the highly anticipated global release of the film on June 27, 2025.
Directed by Mukesh Kumar Singh and produced by Mohan Babu, Kannappa is a sweeping Pan-Indian language cinematic experience that unites some of Indian cinema’s biggest stars — Mohanlal, Prabhas, Akshay Kumar (in his Telugu debut), and Kajal Aggarwal — with Vishnu Manchu in the titular role.
“The response here in New Jersey has been overwhelming,” Vishnu added. “The Indian diaspora holds onto our culture in powerful ways. With Kannappa, I hope we’re giving them a story that feels both ancient and urgently relevant.”
With its rich historical inspiration, soul-stirring music, and unprecedented ensemble cast, Kannappa is poised to be one of the most anticipated Indian releases of the year, aiming to captivate both traditional filmgoers and new audiences across borders.
