The Federation of Indian Communities of Queensland (FICQ) hosted a joint celebration of India’s 74th Republic Day and Australia Day on the 26th of January 2023 at SunPAC, Sunnybank, in Brisbane.
In line with the FICQ’s tradition, representatives from Australia’s First Nations people, three levels of government, Indian Consular representative, and community and business leaders got together to celebrate this annual event.
Held under the aegis of the National Australia Day Council, Brisbane City Council (BCC), Lord Mayor of Brisbane Adrian Schrinner, Cr. Angela Owen and Cr. Steven Huang, this remarkable day was sponsored by Bravus Mining & Resources, Springfield City Group, SBS and Sustainable Homes.
Mr Zain Chamadia and Mr Siddharth Nagpurkar, joint masters of ceremonies for the evening, played their roles with aplomb, engaging the stellar assembly of dignitaries, community, and business leaders in attendance.
Celebrations commenced with a traditional lighting of lamps, followed by the ‘Acknowledgement of the Country’ by Aunty Peggy Tidymann. Students of Sargam Music Academy enthralled those present with their melodious renditions of both the Australian and Indian national anthems.
Various distinguished speakers spoke at length, celebrating a truly multicultural Australia and how the Indian diaspora led the way in ensuring ‘Unity in diversity’ was the bedrock of community prosperity and harmony.
The celebration also included cultural performances; Jugalbandi – an instrumental medley by Subash and group, contemporary fusion dance by Ms Taleatha Wright-Morgan, instrumental music performance by Rudro Roy, didgeridoo playing by Glenn Barry, a foot-tapping dance performance by Rhythm Dance group and an absorbing interactive activity about India and Australia by the MC.
Harmony Cup, a friendly game of cricket between the Australian Community XI and the Indian Community XI team, was organised on the day at Gibson Park (South Oval), Stafford. Thanks to the fabulous work behind the scenes by Queensland Sub District Cricket Association, Mr Sathish Rajendran- Brisbane Super Kings, Mr Ashutosh Misra – Queensland Cricket and Mr Krishnan Menon – Secretary FICQ. An entertaining game played in the right spirit, with India Community XI lifting the trophy.
The bilateral celebrations concluded with a vote of thanks by the Assistant Secretary, Mrs Sunita Avadhani. FICQ, led by its President, Mr Anoop Nannuru, thanked everyone for continuing to celebrate this event by uniting all the Indian and Australian Communities year after year. The executive team of FICQ worked tirelessly together with the greater Indian and multicultural communities to make this event a resounding success.
By Seema Chauhan, Public Relations Officer, FICQ
