3-Generation celebrations COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD

Around 180 members of Northern Region Indian Seniors’ Association (NRISA) enjoyed its Annual 3-Generation celebrations at the City Hall in Preston recently.

Opening the evening, MC Dr. Devaki Monani introduced Professor Santosh Kumar, NRISA President, who warmly welcomed members and invited guests and briefly spoke of NRISA’s inception in January 2008. President Kumar stated that the 3-Generation concept serves to inform and unite the community and has been quite a success story. He thanked the children, parents and grandparents for their efforts, which made such gatherings possible. The program was deliberately scheduled to begin early, ending at 7:30 pm, in consideration of bedtime for both, babies and seniors.

The theme of the event was ‘One For All and All For One’ which defines into meeting, intermingling and interacting, so that the 3-Generations of NRISA extended families may experience fun and frolic.

Informal celebrations that lasted over an hour included NRISA seniors performing Bollywood dances, personifications and singsongs such as ‘Chak-de, India’; the applause it galvanised was heard even outside the hall, as members and families showed their appreciation. Ashoka Roy presented a magic show, which resulted in amazed excitement from children to seniors.

Distinguished guests for the evening were the City of Darebin Mayor Cr. Diana Asmar, Consul General of India Ms. Anita Nayar, and Victorian Multicultural

Commission Chairperson Mr. George Lekakis. Mayor Asmar praised the thriving multicultural community in Darebin that respects other cultures and lives in total harmony, and pledged to support the causes of the Indians in the city, especially those of seniors. Ms. Anita Nayar’s presence was much appreciated, although she was visibly under the weather. Chairperson Lekakis praised the sustained efforts towards harmony observed by the multinational community of Victoria, and praised the achievements and contributions made by Australians of Indian origin, to help improve Victoria in general.

In his valedictory speech, Secretary Rajender Chopra thanked the invited guests, members and their families for their presence and insisted the 21st century seniors are by no means a lazy bunch, but vibrant go-getters. He also stated that NRISA functions take place at the Northcote Seniors’ Hall, 18-A Bent Street, Northcote, every third Sunday of the month. In addition, monthly functions and weekly exercises intended to keep one’s mind, body and spirit well and healthy, are also scheduled. The program ended with a Masti Dhamaka dance by attendees of all ages. NRISA Community Service awards were presented to the invited guests and also to Mr. Lalit Unadkat and Mr. Parag Mody for their undying services to the community.

A delicious 3-course dinner was served, catered for by Mannat Indian Catering Services.

The Kingston Indian Senior Citizens Association (KISCA) cancelled their

September 09 meet for unspecified reasons. For more information, please contact President Manju Narain on 8787 5860

Indian Senior Citizens Association (ISCA) in their AGM elected new Committee Members. They are Dr. Suresh Sharma, Vice President, replacing Mrs. Krishna Arora. Mrs. Sushma Gupta, Secretary, replacing Mr. Sandy San of 15 year standing, and Dr. Kaushal Kishore Srivastava, Member, replacing Mrs. Shakun Agarwal.

ISCA will celebrate Diwali on October 24 at their Mt. Waverley Youth Centre from 11 am. For more information, please contact President Prem Phakey on 9560 9607

Fijian Indian Senior Citizens Association (FISCA) will celebrate Diwali in the Bayswater Primary School on October October from 11 am to 2 pm. For more information, please contact President Jerry Jeraj on 9849 1023.

In the Indian Senior Citizens Forum meeting, a group of Gujrati members performed the dandya dances on taped music, and members and families sang songs and shared jokes. Mr. Purushottam Rawail spoke on the significance of Durga Pooja. Members brought so much halwa, poori and other home-made comestables, that food had to be packed and taken home.

Om Music Group with its own orchestra and volunteers, entertained members as did Guru Deepika Shome and the music students of her school. The Forum will celebrate Diwali on October 24. For more information, please contact Mr. Srikrishen Auplish on 9561 1878.

George Thakur

Moonee Valley Diwali celebration

12 October, 7.30pm, Clocktower Centre, 750 Mt Alexander Road, Moonee Ponds. Diwali celebration and the launch of colour design and images projected on the clockwork tower centre. The Diwali projection can be seen from 12-17 October between 8pm and 12am. For more information call Council on 9242 8888.

Mehfil Night

16 October, 8-10pm, at the Coburg Library Hall , Cnr: Luisa and Victoria street, Coburg. Bring your karaoke players and join in the fun. Live keyboard support too. Free entry, plenty of parking. Call Dr.Saratchandran on 9366 5444 for more details.

ISCF Diwali celebrations

24 October, 2-4pm, at Community Centre, Shirdi sai Sansthan,32, Halley Ave.,Camberwell, Vic.3124 Melbourne (Melway 60 B5). Indian Senior Citizens Forum celebrates Diwali. Free event, all are invited. Light refreshments will be served. Monthly meetings are held on fourth Saturday of every month. Contact: Seema 9551 1067; Patel 9572 4960; Auplish 9561 1878 or e-mail: auplishsk@yahoo.com.au

International Students Advice Clinic Wednesdays from 6–8pm at the Western Suburbs Legal Service, 30 Hall St, Newport. The Western Suburbs Legal Service in conjunction with community partners has established a new drop-in advice clinic for international students, providing advice and referrals on a variety of topics. Volunteers who speak Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi and Tamil are available. A Student Rights Officer will assist with student rights issues. No appointment required. Call 9391 2244 for more information.