MAC and GOPIO hosted a highly successful and joyous celebration of Teej and Mother’s Day at the Canberra clubhouse. The atmosphere was relaxed and welcoming, with vibrant community participation throughout the evening. The event featured heartfelt singing, engaging Mother’s Day games, and expressive poetry, creating a memorable experience for all. We extend our sincere thanks to our Master of Ceremonies, Surender Ji, for his graceful and engaging hosting.

The Presidents of MAC and GOPIO spoke passionately about the importance of community harmony and gender equity, and gave a heartfelt tribute to young mothers who skilfully balance both family and professional responsibilities.

Special appreciation goes to Monica for arranging the Autonomy Cosmetics display — our ladies thoroughly enjoyed sampling a range of Korean skincare products. Nadia Khan deserves high praise for her excellent organisation and facilitation of the Mother’s Day games, which added great energy and enthusiasm to the event.

Musical performances by Priyanka, Narinder Ji, and Dinesh Ji were truly enchanting, captivating the audience with their melodious voices. Udaya, our ever-reliable photographer and music technician, ensured the event was both well-documented and seamlessly supported by sound.

We were also treated with beautiful poetry in honour of Mother’s Day, presented by Mohan Ji, Sheeba, and Jyoti, adding a deeply emotional and artistic touch to the evening. The gathering was a resounding success — the ambience was warm, the women looked radiant, and our in-house chef Arun once again delivered an outstanding culinary experience.

We were honoured by the presence of MLA Chaika Barry, along with distinguished community leaders and representatives from the High Commission of India.

Above all, our deepest gratitude goes to our wonderful audience. Your presence and participation made this celebration truly special. Thank you for making the evening unforgettable.

Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) and the Multicultural Association of Canberra (MAC) united with a broad coalition of community organisations, faith leaders, community representatives, and members of the Indian diaspora to denounce the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir.

This peaceful yet impactful rally served as a powerful expression of collective grief, resilience, and determination. Participants voiced their strong condemnation of terrorism and called for a unified response to acts of violence and hatred.

The gathering became a beacon of solidarity, underscoring the shared commitment to peace, compassion, and intercultural harmony. In standing together, the community reaffirmed its belief in the strength of unity and the necessity of confronting extremism with unwavering resolve and mutual support.

MAC had the pleasure of organising a community barbecue at the Ainslie Village Blue Door Pantry, with the invaluable support of our dedicated volunteers — Harsh, Kranti, Shashi, Kanwal, and Nishi. It was a truly rewarding and heart-warming experience.

Together, we prepared and served over 200 sausages, along with hash browns, grilled onions, fresh bread, and salad. The meal was warmly received by the residents, and it was a joy to see so many smiles and full plates.

A heartfelt thank you to Brother Paul for giving us the opportunity to be part of this meaningful initiative. We remain committed to supporting the Blue Door Pantry and look forward to contributing again whenever possible.

Nearly 100 residents were served during the event — a true testament to the power of community spirit and shared kindness.

MAC and GOPiO hosted an informative session on accessing more affordable medications through Medicare’s Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). This initiative allows patients to receive a 60-day supply of medications, provided that the medication is included in Medicare’s list for conditions such as diabetes, heart failure, cholesterol management, and numerous other health concerns. This workshop was conducted in English, Hindi, and Punjabi, ensuring accessibility for everyone in our diverse community.

This is truly a win-win situation for many, offering convenience and cost savings. We would like to express our gratitude to the community members who participated in today’s event, and extend a special thank you to Vijay Koul for volunteering to lead the workshop with me.

A heartfelt thank you also goes to Udaya for capturing photos and to the Labor Club for providing the venue.

After the session, we enjoyed a light lunch together. Additionally, we distributed pamphlets and magnets to help attendees make informed decisions about where to seek care for injuries or illnesses, as well as guidance on when to visit Medicare Urgent Care Clinics.

On15th, February, 2025, Multicultural  Association of Canberra (MAC) and (GOPIO) Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) celebrated a belated Australia Day at the Canberra Club House. The event, which was attended by a full house, was proudly supported by David Smith, the Labor Member for Bean, as well as Akhilesh and Meenu Arora.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the community members who were able to attend. The event featured a delectable three-course lunch, graciously organized by Chef Arun and the team at the Canberra Club House. Additionally, the celebration included cultural performances from members of our community, showcasing the diverse talent present. Our sincere appreciation goes to Aryan and Aisha for their beautiful rendition of the Australian National Anthem, and to the community members who sang the Indian National Anthem. We were also delighted by a captivating performance from the Chinese team, led by Eric. Bushra and her team mesmerized the audience with a soulful song in English, Hindi, and Bangla, accompanied by heartfelt guitar strumming.

The event also featured an excellent solo dance performance by Abha Gupta and Aradhna. We would like to extend our gratitude to Aradhna for being such a wonderful MC throughout the event. In addition to MP David Smith, we were honoured to welcome several distinguished guests, including Labor MLA Dr. Marisa Patterson, Liberal MLA Chaika Barry, Labor MLA Carolyn Tough, and former MLA Rebecca Vassaroti. Each shared valuable insights regarding Australia Day, adding depth to the occasion. In addition to MP David Smith, we were honoured to welcome several distinguished guests, including Labor MLA Dr. Marisa Patterson, Liberal MLA Chaika Barry, Labor MLA Carolyn Tough, and former MLA Rebecca Vassaroti. Each shared valuable insights regarding Australia Day, adding depth to the occasion.

We would also like to express our thanks to Yogender Singh Ji for representing the High Commission of India. Special thanks to Udaya and his team for capturing memories through photography and music. Your unwavering support is greatly appreciated.

We are also grateful to our patrons, Ron and Monica, Niranjan Aggarwal, and Hema and Ravi Nayyar, for their continued support. Our thanks go out to community leaders Amardeep Singh, Ravi Krish, Shanti Reddy, Parveen Jain Shahira, and members from BAPS for their participation. To our MAC and GOPIO committee members—Kranti, Amar, Anil Gupta, and Rakesh Jain—thank you for your assistance in organizing the event and for your valuable suggestions.

Lastly, a sincere thank you to all our wonderful friends whose participation made this event such a success. We would also like to express our deep gratitude to the Canberra Club House, Narrabundah, for their generous hospitality and excellent service.

Thank you once again to all who contributed to making this celebration truly memorable.

MAC and GOPIO, organised a their first gathering of 2025 picnic and a meet-and-greet session. We had the pleasure of spending a delightful afternoon at Weston Park, Yarralumla, with friends and members of the community.

It was a wonderful opportunity to connect with both young and older members of our community, and to hear their stories during the summer holidays. The atmosphere was relaxed and enjoyable, with delicious food and great company. It was truly a pleasure to catch up with so many of our valued community members.

We are deeply honoured to announce that our organisation has received a Certificate of Appreciation from the University of Canberra for our continued support of the UCX Food Pantry. This recognition is a testament to the impactful work we’ve been able to do together, ensuring that students and community members have access to healthy food during challenging times.

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It was an absolute pleasure to host the Stop It at the Start workshop on December 8th, 2024. We were fortunate to have the talented Keshavi from Cultural Perspectives lead the session, offering us invaluable insights into fostering respectful conversations with our children and the importance of parents serving as positive role models. It was an honour to have MLA Chaika Barry join us, along with our dear friend Nicole Lawder, who both graced the occasion with their presence and support.

A special thank you to Aradhna for her powerful performance on women’s empowerment, “Bekhauf,” which added such depth and inspiration to the event. We also appreciate Monica for capturing the day through photos and videos, ensuring that these meaningful moments are preserved.

Lastly, a heartfelt thanks to all the attendees for their active participation. Your engagement made the workshop not only informative but also incredibly interactive and enriching for all involved.

Looking forward to continuing these important conversations and actions.

MAC and GOPIO hosted another engaging session on Artificial Intelligence, (AI) with facilitator Vijay Koul offering valuable insights, especially for the Senior group in attendance. Vijay explained that AI is a blend of technologies enabling computers to perform tasks typically carried out by humans.

He stressed the need for caution and responsibility in AI’s use, advocating for ethical and transparent practices. While AI promises transformative change, it also comes with significant environmental costs—its development, maintenance, and disposal all contribute to large carbon footprints.

Looking ahead, our next AI series will address the question of whether AI will eventually replace human roles. Stay tuned for more updates!

A big thank you to the large audience who attended and to the Burns Club for their generous support. We appreciate your participation in making this event a success!