Community Activities and AGM of the Gold Coast Hindu Cultural Association
• Delegates at the recently held AGM discussing strategies to advance the project.
GOLD Coast Hindu Cultural Association (GCHCA) held the first AGM after incorporation in the Helensvale Community Centre on Sunday the 22nd of September. The membership was appreciative of the rapid progress and achievements of the Association within the first one year. President Dr Muthukkumarasamy thanked the members, politicians, councilors and the supporters for the success achieved in the first year. The Association has received overwhelming support from the wider community and raised their bank balance to over $450,000. The membership appreciated the transparent way of operating the Association in every aspect, including making the audited financial statements available to anyone through the GCHCA website. With the end of first year the Founder Membership drive has ended and now the Association has started the Life membership drive. Each member resolved to recruit at least 5 Life Members for the Association and to spread the noble objects of the Association and collect funds for the planned development of iconic “Hindu Education and Cultural precinct” project. As part of action plan for the year 2013 / 2014 the Association has started initiatives to have an active Youth Group to increase awareness and participation of youths in Hindu culture related activities. Mr Vidya Kartik Menon is arranging a get together of Hindu youths in Highland Park involving students from Griffith, Bond and University of Queensland on 20th October 2013. More details on the GCHCA Facebook; and for enrolment to this event contact Kartik on 0431 579 979. Mrs Neela Ramiah was coopted to fill a casual vacancy for Director of Youth and Community Activities, Fund Raising Activities, and Event Management. Her husband, late Dr Kris Ramiah was one of the few who originally had the dream of developing a Hindu Cultural Centre with place for worship in Gold Coast. The President met a number of Temple Architects (Sabathy) in India and returned upbeat about the interest and support received. The Building Sub-committee is consulting various experts on the overall design of the Education and Cultural Precinct so that the long-term vision can be incorporated. They are working hard and fine tuning the details of the building plans, which needs to be developed by architects and ready for submission by the Town Planner (DA application) to the GCCC for before the end of November. The first cultural function of GCHCA will be the celebration of Navaratri festival, which is being organized by the sub-committee headed by Prof. Thiru Aravinthan, Director of Cultural affairs. This showcase event to invited guests and registered members of the public (no-cost) will be attended by many public figures including community leaders, prominent artists, local councilors and politicians. The seats are being booked fast and only a few is remaining. A number of organisations and individuals volunteered to sponsor this quality program. The festival will portray different art forms of Hindu heritage and takes place on 12th of October at the Nerang Bicentennial Community Centre. The GCHCA appeals to the readers to join the GCHCA as Life Members and support / participate in its noble cause and activities. The details about the membership enrollment can be found in our Web site: www.culture.Goldcoasthindu.org or by calling Mr. Indrajit Siva, Secretary at gchcan@gmail.com or on 0434 600 814. Call Trudi on 07 3356 0102
Brisbane Indian Times November Issue Booking Deadline 28 October Email: admin@indiantimes.com.au or call 07 3356 0102
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THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, October, 2013 — 21