Hon Pt Harish Sharma launch of a memoir was a tribute to a life richly-lived, characterized by strong family ties and values; marked by dedicated service to Fiji, the legal profession, the community, religious institutions, and the education sector.
Politics Timeline
Mr. Sharma went into national politics, when he was nominated by Opposition Leader Hon Siddiq Koya to Fiji’s first Senate, following Fiji’s Independence, in 1970.
Mr. Sharma had an illustrious political career, having been elected, as a Member of Parliament, to the House of Representatives 7 times – 1972, twice in 1977, 1982, 1987, 1992, and 1994.
Through his lifetime of dedicated national service, Hon. Sharma occupied esteemed positions including Senator, Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Leader of the Opposition, and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Housing, Urban Development and Information. He epitomizes wisdom and authority. Hon. Sharma’s distinctive political style endears him as a kind and compassionate leader, who steadfastly upheld national interest, equality, dignity, justice and political morality.
Community Leadership
During the 1990s, he assumed the presidency of the Shri Sanatan Dharam Pratinidhi Sabha of Fiji, providing 10 years of steadfast leadership until his retirement in 2003.
Upon retiring, he was bestowed Life Membership and honored with the prestigious “Sanatan Ratna” awards, the highest recognition by the SSDPS in Fiji.
Furthermore, his religious contributions in Sydney were acknowledged with a second “Sanatan Ratna” award by the Sanatan Dharm Sabha of NSW.
In 1993, Mr. Harish Sharma was honored with the Order of Fiji (OF) award for his dedication and contribution to Fiji.
Ipswich Ramayan mandali’s 2024 Ramnaumi was celebrated at Master Bimal and Shakuntala Prasad’s place at Goodna.
The Mandali’s inception dates back to about 35 years. It has continued to uphold and celebrate Hindu religious functions and celebrations with inputs of many predominantly immigrants of Fiji Indian community. It had its own challenges like any religious organisation such as during the peak of COVID years.
Ram Naumi Celebrations Ipswich Ramayan Mandali.
Some of the hallmarks of the organisation has been the training of the youngsters, the Baalvikash group where children of younger age groups sing kirtan, do stage performances and even do Ramayan recital.
The Ipswich Ramayan Mandali acknowledges the contributions of all those individuals who have contributed through their participation, support and other means.
Pundit Rajnesh Pandey during Ram Naumi Celebrations.
Ram Navami in Ayodhya 2024: Ram Navami, a sacred Hindu festival observed across the globe, commemorates the birth of Lord Shri Ram, the seventh avatar of Lord Vishnu.
This celebration symbolizes the triumph of good over evil and the prevalence of righteousness over injustice, urging individuals to embrace righteousness in their lives. Lord Ram, hailed as Maryada Purushottam, epitomizes the essence of an exemplary human, making Ram Navami an emblem of virtue, righteousness, and spiritual enlightenment.
In 2024, Ram Navami was on Wednesday, April 17th, coinciding with the ninth day (Navami Tithi) of the Chaitra month in the Hindu lunisolar calendar during the Shukla Paksha phase.
Sanatan Baal Ramayan Mandali Brisbane
This year’s festivities bear exceptional significance as it marks the first Ram Navami following the inauguration of Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir on January 23, 2024.
In honour of this occasion, the Uttar Pradesh government had orchestrated elaborate arrangements for the celebrations in Ayodhya, the revered birthplace of Lord Ram.
In Brisbane various religious groups celebrated the Ram Naumi Parv.
Sanatan Baal Ramayan in Madali Brisbane saw the enchanting presence of Pundit Rajnesh Pandey ji, drawing a sizable crowd eager to partake in the discourse and bhajans.
Ipswich Ramayan Mandali also orchestrated an engaging event, offering informative sessions and enthralling bhajans that left the attendees spellbound.
Sanatan Queensland Pundit Hirdesh Maharaj
The Shree Sanatan Dharam Hindu Association of Queensland, located at the Sanatan Centre on Wembley Road in Berrinba, witnessed a daily attendance averaging 500 devotees. Pundit Hirdesh Maharaj from Auckland, New Zealand, graced the occasion with his pravachan and soulful bhajans, delighting everyone present.
At the Hindu Society of Queensland Gayatri Mandir, Pundit Sanat Pandey led a captivating program, drawing in a large audience eager to immerse themselves in the discourse and devotional songs.
Gaura Travel Launches Weekly Instalments Payment Option for India Air Fare
To make it easy to fly home more often, Gaura Travel has introduced a convenient payment plan option for flight fares to India! Customers can now book their flight tickets to India with just a 5% deposit and pay off the remaining amount through small weekly instalments.
Booking travel often entails facing hefty upfront expenses, especially as costs tend to escalate the longer one waits. At Gaura Travel, we remove this burden by locking in today’s rates, enabling customers to comfortably pay the remainder in manageable instalments.
Life’s expenses can be challenging to balance, especially when factoring in travel aspirations. At Gaura Travel, our platform is designed to seamlessly integrate travel dreams into regular budgeting, offering multiple city options, a variety of airlines to choose from, and shorter transit times.
Our payment plan is crafted to be fair and accessible to all, without relying on credit scores. With over 17 years of dedicated service to the Indian community in Australia, Gaura Travel has facilitated connections for over 20,000 families with their loved ones in India.
Starting from just $519, Gaura Travel offers exclusive flight deals to India. Our round-the-clock Customer Care executives are available to assist you in finding the best deals online. Once you’ve selected your desired flight, we provide flexible payment options, allowing you to lock in today’s price with a small deposit and spread the remaining cost through weekly payments.
Key Benefits of Gaura Travel’s Payment Plan: • Fully paid flight before travel • No credit checks required • Instant approval with a $20,000 limit • Up to 26 weekly payments available
We are excited to offer this new payment option to our customers, particularly beneficial for families planning expensive overseas flights. Contact our 24/7 Call Centre at 1300 359 463 to book your next trip and enjoy stress-free travel planning with Gaura Travel.
To learn more and save big on your next journey, visit Gauratravel.com.au or call our Customer Care team at 1300 359 463.
Say goodbye to high upfront costs and hello to stress-free travel planning with Gaura Travel!
Canterbury College’s ‘Boots ‘N’ All’ Platinum Partnership With Rochedale Rovers FC
After the popular success of the Socceroos’ reaching the Round of 16 at the 2022 Men’s World Cup, and the Matildas achieving fourth place at the 2023 Women’s World Cup, Canterbury College and the neighbouring Rochedale Rovers Football Club are riding the surge of community football participation and support with a Platinum Partnership.
Meetings in late 2023 found a compelling range of mutually practical, social and sporting benefits to both parties, that soon morphed into a 12-month agreement that is really forging ahead.
Rochedale Rovers FC President Mr Jon Mckain and their Director of Football Mr Scott MacNicol, recently spent some time on campus with College Principal Mr Dan Walker and Canterbury’s Football Coordinator Mr Luke Harmer, to discuss the partnership’s strength to date.
“It’s a really good relationship from the Rovers point of view to join with Canterbury College, and we’re excited about what this can look like over the next 12 to 24 months,” Mr Jon Mckain said.
“First and foremost, the idea to have young boys and girls that play football at this school also connecting with our club, is really the rationale behind why Rochdale joined this partnership.”
“There’s some amazing facilities here at the school that we’re really excited to potentially utilise for Rovers Club training and matches.”
“And in return, we’ve got some great coaches and expertise within our club, that we believe we can help the school with, when developing their young players and building their football program.”
President Jon Mckain was a highly successful 17-year professional club football player from 1999 – 2016, and represented Australia 16 times – including at the 2004 OFC Nations Cup, 2004 Athens Olympics, 2005 Confederations Cup and 2011 Asian Cup.
He played football in Romania, Saudi Arabia and Malaysia; and for the Brisbane Strikers, Wellington Phoenix and Adelaide United back home, and for the Rochedale Rovers after his professional retirement until 2019.
Canterbury Principal Mr Dan Walker is especially pleased to have a local Logan club and Club President of such high calibre partnered with the school.
“Rochedale Rovers are one of the big brands in Brisbane and Queensland Football, and one of the longest serving clubs in their competitions, serving a large area of Brisbane’s southside,” he said.
“So there’s a major advantage for Canterbury being able to align with their size and success, and to leverage that great club and their coaches and expertise, and the pedigree of the people involved in that club, to help improve the standard of our own boys and girls football.”
“It’s important for Canterbury to have Rochedale as a marquee code driver, as it’s in a real growth phase now, and we’ve got some top people in our program led by Coordinator Luke Harmer.”
“He’s been able to attract some high quality coaches, and what we’re hoping for is that those growing player numbers translate into on-field success, and get our boys and girls feeling like this is a winning program, as well as a mass participation program.”
Canterbury Football Coordinator and Teacher Mr Luke Harmer was in full agreement.
“We’re seeing the green shoots of this partnership and the growth of student interest in football already in 2024, with the success of our girls teams, who’ve really made their mark on the TAS competition this year in Term One,” he said.
“And now we’re hoping in Term Two, when pre-season training kicks off for Term Three, when boys’ TAS football starts, that we just rise another standard again – a uniform lift right across our teams against the other schools, with Rochedale Rovers’ coaching support and player development during weekday training and Saturday match-days.”
Rochedale Rovers FC’s Director of Football Mr Scott MacNicol can only see upsides to the club and school enjoying a long-term relationship.
“As our Club President Jon said, we’ve got a good relationship with the school, with Dan Walker, Arnie Marraiya, Luke Harmer and Jackson Rossi,” he said.
“So we know a lot of the people involved at the school, and this really helps us with what we’re trying to build with our own women’s and girls’ football programs, as Canterbury has a good girls program here with their football.”
“We’re hoping that continues to build, and we can help supply some coaches, and then we can help with some coach education, and we can help build the school and club programs together.”
“Canterbury parents and players will see what the Rochedale Rovers can provide, and this gives them the avenue to play football outside of the school with our club, and go on playing for us after graduating from school as well.”
This exclusive Platinum Partnership incorporates ground signage, jersey branding, a Junior Football Academy Day, expert coach training and player development, plus shared playing fields, training equipment and facilities.
Mr Scott MacNicol added that Canterbury College provided an excellent change of training scenery and other practical ground-level benefits.
“We’ve already gotten to utilise the campus facilities here with the senior players, and the seniors really enjoyed coming here.”
“They came down and did a pre-season event here and it’s excellent what the school offers for us onsite with the two pools, the full gym, and the amount of playing fields that are here as well.”
“It’s very handy having training and playing fields available here timing-wise, when we have to do field renovations at our own Rochedale grounds.”
The only dampener so far has been the wet weather washing out the full Junior Football Academy Day that Canterbury and the Rochedale Rovers Club had jointly planned for the pre-season – with football skills, fitness drills, a gym workout, pool recovery session and even nutritionists, but other opportunities will soon arise.
But overall, this partnership’s timing is perfect for the Logan region according to Rochedale Rovers FC President Mr Jon Mckain.
“Football is really growing here in general, and with grassroots numbers, especially off the back of the highly successful and lucrative FIFA Women’s World Cup for Football Australia.”
“And for our club for example, we’ve got this massive influx of players from that six, seven, eight, nine, ten age group that we’re having to source extra playing and training fields, and we’re having to put in new teams.”
“So I think this partnership can certainly help us here around some of the challenges we’re having finding green space, while also helping the College support those players who want to play outside of school football.”
So what does the future look like with this partnership for Canterbury Principal Mr Dan Walker?
“We see a future of big numbers of our boys and girls as football players – with Canterbury and with Rochedale, both as school students and as school graduates playing club football.”
“Rochedale with the coaches, the expertise, the data, the professionalism and the history for us to be more successful on the pitch, and Canterbury with the young players, the raw talent, the extra playing space and the facilities for both parties to share and grow.”
In an increasingly fast-paced world inundated with constant stimuli and demands, the pursuit of inner peace and mental clarity has become more vital than ever. Amidst this chaos of modern life, meditation stands as a beacon of tranquillity, offering a sanctuary for the mind and soul. Varnam Cultural Society believes that meditation is an effortless and effective form of practice with palpable benefits to avoid stress and chaos of our daily lives.
In a collaborative effort between Heartfulness Australia and Varnam Cultural Society, a transformative BootCamp was orchestrated, aimed at empowering the residents of Greater Springfield with the enriching practice of meditation. With a shared vision of promoting holistic well-being and fostering inner peace within the community, this initiative sought to introduce participants to the profound benefits of heartful meditation.
The Varnam team designed three enlightening sessions scheduled for Sunday, March 24th, commencing at 10:30 am and concluding at 2:30 pm, thoughtfully designed and facilitated by experts from Heartfulness Organisation offering participants an immersive journey into the practice of meditation Once again, the esteemed presence of Charis Mullen, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, illuminated our event as she graciously lent her usual unwavering support. The session kicked off with an engaging icebreaker led by the enthusiastic young volunteer, Janani Jaishankar. With her vibrant energy and infectious enthusiasm, Janani guided attendees through an interactive activity aimed at decoding inspirational quotes by renowned figures. Through this lively and thought-provoking exercise, participants were not only encouraged to unravel the wisdom embedded within these quotes but also to reflect on their personal significance.
The volunteers, John Joseph Smith, Venkata Murthy, and Shashidhar, seamlessly guided the attendees through each session, introducing them to the profound practice of Heartful Meditation and its myriad benefits. They graciously invited participants to embark on a journey of self-discovery and inner peace through a guided meditation session lasting 20 minutes. As participants closed their eyes and surrendered to the present moment, they were guided through a journey of relaxation, mindfulness, and introspection, allowing them to experience the profound benefits of Heartful Meditation firsthand. In this sanctuary of stillness, individuals found solace, clarity, and a renewed sense of vitality, laying the foundation for continued growth and self-awareness beyond the confines of the workshop.
As the session drew to a close, participants were invited to share their experiences from their meditative journey. With hearts open and minds at peace, individuals offered reflections and insights gained during their time of introspection. Each shared moment served as a testament to the profound impact of meditation on personal well-being and inner harmony. Some expressed feelings of calmness and clarity, while others shared moments of profound insight and emotional release. As the echoes of shared reflections filled the room, it became evident that the seeds of transformation sown during the workshop had taken root, promising to continue flourishing in the lives of all those who had gathered in pursuit of inner peace and self-discovery. With nearly 150 attendees, the workshop concluded as a resounding success, marking a milestone in our collective journey towards well-being and self-care. By Rekha N Swamy
Public Relations Officer
Varnam Cultural Society – QLD
Lalithakalalaya School of Bharatanatyam’s Ninth Annual Concert
Lalithakalalaya School of Bharatanatyam’s ninth annual concert was filled with grace, energy, colour and displayed immense talent. Smt Padmalakshmi Sriram, guru and founder of the school, choreographed and curated all the dances. Her passion, talent and devotion to Bharatanatyam permeated throughout the evening staging about 190 students.
The first half was on the Shiva Kudumbam. The evening began with an invocation of Lord Ganesha by children who were only four years old. This was followed by Nottuswaram, again performed by the young, in praise of Goddess Meenakshi. It was a delight to see these young kids conscientiously displaying the basics they have been taught in their beautiful colourful costumes.
The junior students presented a number of items confidently displaying a greater depth of their Bharatanatyam skills. These items were the Pushpanjali – to evoke the blessings of the Almighty, Mishra Alarippu – set in 7 rhythmic cycles, Dheena Karunakarane – in praise of Lord Shiva and lastly “Maha Kali” – a vibrant keertanam in praise of Goddess Shakthi.
Guru Smt Padmalakshmi derives tremendous pleasure and satisfaction in teaching adults who either did not have an opportunity to learn Bharatanatyam or their learning was disrupted. She was immensely proud of all their performances. The items they presented were Swarajathi – an ode to lord Shiva, Mudras – the depiction of the 28 Asamyutha Hasthas (single hand gestures) and Thirrupugazh – a beautiful composition in praise of Lord Muruga.
The second part of the concert was the dance drama “Skanda Vaibhavam” – an exploration of the avatara and lilas of Lord Muruga, the second son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi. The dancers showcased the narrative nuances of Bharatanatyam to reveal the myriad facets of Lord Muruga’s life and the stories of His six abodes.
Guru Smt Padmalakshmi Sriram opened the dance ballad by presenting a beautiful invocatory item foreshadowing the story of Lord Muruga. This was followed by an enactment of the story on the creation of Lord Muruga to free the devas from the cruelties of the 3 demons/asuras, Surapadman and his brothers Tarakasura and Simhamukha, symbolising the triumph of good over evil.
The childhood lilas of Lord Muruga, also known as Subramanya, were presented next. The most notable is the explanation of the origin of the Palani Temple, one of the abodes of Lord Muruga.
Lord Muruga’s marriage first to Devayanai and subsequently the various guises He took to win over Valli, the daughter of a tribal chief was very creatively and skillfully presented by the dancers.
Smt Padmalakshmi Sriram must be highly commended for her courage, tireless effort and creativity in using a large number of students, even very young children, to stage this drama. It is a mammoth task to effectively utilise the talents of the students and assign them the appropriate roles. The costumes, music and props used were very impressive. The dance drama was very educational, as it not only vividly presented the story of Lord Muruga, but also captured the moral and spiritual values, which is valuable for our youth.
It is noteworthy that Lalithakalalaya School of Bharatanatyam is associated with Griffin College of London and Smt Padmalakshmi Sriram is the Brisbane co-ordinator. The school’s pilot batch sat for their grade one and two exams last year and all of them secured a distinction and merit. They were awarded their certificates.
The program was meticulously planned to include and provide for the diversity of her students in age, skills and talent.
After this mega production of Skanda Vaibhavam, our school is gearing up for its next concert by our senior students titled: Raghava Madhava with our live ensemble/orchestra on 3rd of August 2024 at St. John’s Anglican College.
Authored by – Lalithakalalaya School of Bharatanatyam
Eid Dinner Event by Crescent AusIndia Inc Celebrates Unity, Harmony, and Multiculturalism in Brisbane
[Brisbane, 22/04/2024] – Crescent AusIndia Inc, the esteemed Friends of Indian Muslims association, recently hosted an unforgettable Eid Dinner Event in Brisbane, drawing a diverse and enthusiastic crowd of guests, dignitaries, and community leaders. The event, held on 14th April 20204, served as a vibrant celebration of unity, harmony, and multiculturalism within the Queensland community. The Honourable Peter Russo MP, Member for Toohey, graced the occasion with his esteemed presence, highlighting the significance of the event in fostering community cohesion and understanding. Joining him was the distinguished Indian Muslim community leader, Mr. Ali Kadri, CEO of the Islamic College of Brisbane, who provided valuable insights.
Representatives from the Queensland Police Commissioner’s Office also participated, symbolizing a collaborative effort towards promoting inclusivity and dialogue among diverse communities.
Crescent AusIndia Inc, a non-profit community association dedicated to serving Muslims of Indian origin in Queensland. Guided by the principles of justice, liberty, and equality, Crescent AusIndia Inc aims to foster collaboration among different communities, creating a harmonious and inclusive society where every voice is heard and valued.
“Our mission at Crescent AusIndia Inc is to empower individuals and promote understanding, tolerance, and active engagement in shaping a positive future for all Australians,” said Mr Yousuf AliKhan, President at Crescent AusIndia Inc.
The evening was filled with multicultural participation, featuring recitations of both the Australian and Indian national anthems and captivating performances that enchanted the audience. However, the highlight of the event was undoubtedly the delicious variety of food, including delectable desserts that left everyone thoroughly satisfied.
The Eid Dinner Event by Crescent AusIndia Inc served as a testament to the organization’s commitment to promoting dialogue, inclusivity, and cultural exchange, reinforcing the rich diversity that characterizes Queensland’s social landscape.
Authored by: Crescent AusIndia Inc
Chinmaya Mission Brisbane successfully celebrated its 5th Annual day
“Love is all you need” was the theme of Chinmaya Mission Brisbane’s annual day held on the 20th April. It included performances by over 150 children, youth and adults and was attended by over 350 people. The evening started with performances expressing love for Krishna and highlighting the highest form of Love for God. The children enchanted the audience with their mesmerizing performances. This was followed by chanting of a few verses from Chapter 2 of the Bhagvad Geeta by the students of the Geeta chanting class.
“You can often give without Love, but you can never Love without giving”- this was beautifully conveyed in Swami Shrikaranandaji’s talk as he captivated the audience with his storytelling.
Awards were presented by Swamiji to ‘outstanding’ and ‘most improved’ students within each class and all the teacher volunteers (sevaks) were also recognised. This was followed by a beautiful rendition of Matrstavanam- an offering of gratitude to Mother, “My Chinmaya Family”- a heart-warming performance by parents followed by a medley of energetic and moving performances showcasing love for country by the boys.
The dance drama by teenagers left a lasting impact emphasizing that Love for our environment is critical for our own wellbeing and future as we are all interconnected and interdependent- ‘One Earth One Family- Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’. Finally, the youth wing of Chinmaya Mission- Chinmaya Yuva Kendra (CHYKs) expressed the importance of self-love and love for life in order to win the world with Love.
Established in 1953 by devotees of Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda, Chinmaya Mission endeavours to facilitate inner growth through the teachings of Vedanta, spiritual disciplines and community service. With a global presence spanning over 300 mission centers, our mission provides a distinctive educational curriculum catering to individuals of all ages and life stages. For further information about our Chinmaya Mission in Australia and about our Brisbane centre, please visit our webpage: https://www.chinmaya.com.au/pages/brisbane-centre. Authored by: Chinmaya Mission, Brisbane
FICQ Inc. completed our Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Sunday 28th April 2024. As per the process, Elections were conducted, and the new Executive Committee was elected.
The Federation will be led by Dr. Preethi Suraj for the term from 2024 to 2026. Dr Suraj is a Biotechnology Scientist by profession and has been associated with FICQ Inc and the Indian Communities for almost 2 decades now. She becomes the first Lady to take the mantle of FICQ Inc. President in its 26-year history.
Dr Suraj’s team comprises of seasoned Indian Community leaders, who have all lead or are leading Indian Community Organisations in South East Queensland.
The new Executive Committee for FICQ Inc. for 2024 – 2026 is as shown below
President: Dr Preethi Suraj Vice Presidents (2): Mr. Abhishek Sharma and Mr. Pradip Gorasia Secretary: Mr. Krishnan Menon Assistant Secretary: Mrs. Sunita Avadhani Treasurer: Mrs. Parul Mehta Assistant Treasurer: Mr. Pankaj Agarwal Festival and Cultural Coordinator: Mrs. Jyoti-Amarjot Goraya Public Relations Officer: Mr. Mokhtiar Singh
The New committee has a number of projects already being worked on for the benefit of the Indian Diaspora and will be touch with the Community continuously.
Hon Pt Harish Sharma launch of a memoir was a tribute to a life richly-lived, characterized by strong family ties and values; marked by dedicated service to Fiji, the legal profession, the community, religious institutions, and the education sector.
Community Leadership
In an increasingly fast-paced world inundated with constant stimuli and demands, the pursuit of inner peace and mental clarity has become more vital than ever. Amidst this chaos of modern life, meditation stands as a beacon of tranquillity, offering a sanctuary for the mind and soul. Varnam Cultural Society believes that meditation is an effortless and effective form of practice with palpable benefits to avoid stress and chaos of our daily lives.
The Honourable Peter Russo MP, Member for Toohey, graced the occasion with his esteemed presence, highlighting the significance of the event in fostering community cohesion and understanding. Joining him was the distinguished Indian Muslim community leader, Mr. Ali Kadri, CEO of the Islamic College of Brisbane, who provided valuable insights.
Established in 1953 by devotees of Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda, Chinmaya Mission endeavours to facilitate inner growth through the teachings of Vedanta, spiritual disciplines and community service. With a global presence spanning over 300 mission centers, our mission provides a distinctive educational curriculum catering to individuals of all ages and life stages. For further information about our Chinmaya Mission in Australia and about our Brisbane centre, please visit our webpage: https://www.chinmaya.com.au/pages/brisbane-centre.
