In a vibrant and fun atmosphere, MAC held a networking and meet-and-greet for the community on 2/1/23. The outing was organised as a way to promote mental well-being through socialising, discussing, and sharing talent exercises and stories of how 2022 went for all of us.
For the past 3 years, MAC has been working with a diverse community to build mental health awareness and help seniors stay active. As part of our initiative, MAC organises several events like picnics, dances, yoga sessions, and workshops to promote socialising and mental health.
The outing was a great opportunity for our community to socialise, share food and jokes, sing, and get connected with each other.

Ms Nishi Puri, the President of Multicultural Association Canberra was invited by Director Eoghen O’ Byrne (University of Canberra) on 14/12/2022 , and acknowledged MAC’s ongoing support and generous donation towards Migrant students.

MAC President Ms. Nishi Puri represented at the launch of OPALS diary(older people ACT legal Services) initiated by the Legal Aid ACT on 14th December 2022 at the ACT Legislative Assembly. MAC & GOPIO bring together people and organisations, providing services and opportunities to learn with one another, and taking action against discrimination and prejudice. MAC and GOPIO have organised this event in collaboration with Legal Aid to inform community members about family violence and tenancy laws. This event was helpful for the community as it helped them know what services are available from Legal Aid. MAC is dedicated to building a stronger and more inclusive multicultural community, and working with Legal Aid very closely to highlight issues facing by our Seniors, especially Elders Abuse. This was a great platform to share with the community in an open forum and we hope to have more similar events in the future. We appreciate solicitor Mr. Karan Sindhu for providing excellent workshops and information. We would like to thank everyone for their participation in this event.

A rewarding afternoon today where MAC served a delicious BBQ and distributed non-perishable food to Blue door homeless men shelter in Ainslie. MAC provided food for more than 150 ppl and cooked it at the premises and served it to those doing tough during these times of inflation post-Covid. We have been doing this service since the onset of Covid in 2020 to Blue door a part of St Vincent De Paul
Totally humbled to receive a certificate of appreciation from St vinnies recognising help rendered by us during Covid times which is ongoing by MAC Paul Potter coordinator of Blue door also mentioned president Nishi Puri’s personal service to the organisation over the past 15 years in the form of food and groceries.
It was an honour to receive the certificate of appreciation from Zoe Gilrain manager of homelessness services and her boss Stuart Davis Meehan of St Vincent De Paul
Thanks to team members Kranti Amar treasurer, Shashi, and Harsh volunteers for all their support in cooking and serving. We hope to continue making a difference in our community

Diwali celebrations organised by MAC and GOPIO on 13/11/22 showcased Indian culture focusing on the victory of good over evil and honoured community members who made significant contributions to the community through their voluntary work. President Nishi Puri highlighted this year’s events organised by MAC and GOPIO focusing on cultures from around the world and focused on the charities and support given by the organisations to the vulnerable in the community. With this, Ms. Puri highlighted the mental health support given to members via workshops, social events, a trip to the snowy mountains, and weekly meetings. She also spoke about networking opportunities via the diversity committee.
We would like to thank Nicole Lawder, Counsellor Narendra Rana from HCI, and all the leaders, members, and families who attended this event. A great evening with the team and community leaders. We acknowledge that our community has grown through the hard work of these leaders who have taken the lead in bringing people together through social and cultural events.
Certificates of appreciation were presented to Mainul Haque Dr. Fuxin li, Subhash Dang, Vijay Koul Ashok Jain, and Ravi Nayyar.
We appreciate community members, the sponsors, and all those who are a part of our team, MAC & GOPIO, thanks all those who contributed in this event and made it successful.

The Multicultural Association of Canberra(MAC) and GOPIO had a great mental health session at Jewel Of India on 16/10/22. The event drew over 85 attendees, and the restaurant was completely booked. Nishi Puri president of the Multicultural Association of California (MAC), opened the session by stating that this was the fifth mental health workshop in one year, as a consequence of COVID-19 restrictions on public gatherings. The community’s participation and ability to voice their opinion have been very helpful to keep the community engaged and express their views. Senator David Smith, a Labor Party member from Bean, MLA Nicole Lawder, MLA Peter Cain, community representatives from different Multicultural Associations, and members of the community also attended the ceremony.
The event’s facilitators, Fahmida and Dinushi from MIEACT, shared their heartbreaking experiences of dealing with mental health problems.
Dr. Deepa Singhal, an imminent psychiatrist, then gave a speech on anxiety and self-care. The Audience posed questions and some of them discussed therapeutic techniques that helped them cope with stress.
We appreciate Mental Health Month ACT’s kindness in allowing us to conduct this event and also thank all the members of the Association and the community members for their presence.
We thank “Jewel of India” for serving the delicious THREE-course meals.

The Multicultural Association of Canberra (MAC) and GOPIO (4th Sep 2022) are proud to partner with cultural perspectives to deliver an interactive workshop on respectful conversations with children, and develop a deeper understanding of respect in relationships at home, school and in the community. This workshop provided participants with a safe and supportive environment in which to have conversations about what RESPECT means to them, especially as it relates to children. The event was attended by Hon Senator David Smith ,MLA Nicole Lawder , ACT multicultural honorary Ambassador Mainul Haque, President Int community language school Dr Fuxin Li , IWIN chair Madhumita Iyengar, Safact President Hari Iyengar, Pravati founder Pink Umbrella International, Amardeep Singh, Divya Vice President Finact , Shahira Tess and representatives  of subcontinent community and dear friends The workshop was facilitated by Rea from cultural perspectives and Eman.
We will be screening the video of attendees’ thoughts in future events which we hope will lead to more open conversations.
Thank you to everyone who attended this event. Everyone had a chance to leave their mark on the experience by talking about what Respect means to them, in light of domestic violence and early childhood learning. This is a great example of how cultural perspectives can facilitate open dialogue about difficult topics such as domestic violence and its impacts on young children.

The ACT government has presented Nishi Puri president (MAC & GOPIO) and Mainul Haque ( MAC Patron) with an Honorary Ambassador Award for their work in Australian multicultural communities.
Award was presented by international engagement commissioner Brendon Smyth and Minister Chris Steele. Both Nishi Puri and Haque have made significant contributions to the lives of many people from a diverse range of cultural backgrounds in Australia. (19-07-2022 ) ACT Multicultural Ambassadors

Nishi Puri, President of the Multicultural Association of Canberra (MAC & GOPIO ) Date: (21st June 2022) Multicultural aged care needed for Canberra, ethnic communities say – Ms. Puri runs three multicultural senior age groups, and her own mother, now 86, has lived with her for 25 years … read more …..  June 21, 2022 –!

MAC & GOPIO – Supporting Community Health and Well Being–16/06/2022

Connecting with local community to foster their Mental health and Well Being. MAC & GOPIO together organised YOGA for Health , Date: 16th June 2022