Children’s workshops inaugurated

The Indian Australian Arts and Film Association (IAAFA), a community-based association, commenced a series of workshops for children from 5 to 14 years, held once a month at the Wentworthville Community Centre.

Children from various community groups participated in the first workshop on Yoga and Mediation, which was inaugurated by Federal

Member for Reid, Laurie Ferguson. Also in attendance were Dr. Stepan Kerkyasharian, Chair of the NSW Community Relations Commission, Trevor Oldfield, CEO of Kids West, Parramatta Councillor Paul Barber, former Parramatta Councillor Maureen Walsh, Darug Elder Uncle Greg Simms, IAAFA President Balaji Venkatarangan and IAAFA Secretary Jay Hosur.

The event began with a ‘Welcome to

Country’ ceremony by Uncle Greg Simms. Participating children were then introduced to Yoga Guru Suresh Ji, who conducted the workshop, which was designed to introduce them to Yoga techniques and its philosophy, as well as the benefits of Yoga in their daily lives.

A series of free workshops will be held on the first Saturday of each month from 12 noon to 2:30pm, in the Grevillea Room of the Wentworthville Community Centre at 2 Lane Street. Future workshops will include Indian music, Australian indigenous music, and creative painting.

IAAFA’s mission is to promote art and culture between Australia and India by bringing art and artists from India, and by communicating Australia’s history and heritage to the Indian subcontinent.

Jay Hosur