Ms VAGHELA (Western Metropolitan):
Last weekend I had the opportunity to attend important online events organised by various Indian community groups. I was invited to share a video message by my constituents at the Hindu Dharma Community of Melbourne (HDCM) for their online celebrations of Onam 2021.
Onam is an ancient Indian festival that welcomes spring in southern India and was celebrated between 12 August and 23 August 2021 by the Keralite and Malayali communities across the world. I thank HDCM for the great work they do for the community in my electorate. I conveyed my wishes that Onam brings prosperity and joy to our lives.
On another note, I attended the 8th annual virtual general meeting of IndianCare. IndianCare is a not-for-profit organisation that is supporting family violence victims in Victoria. They received $260 000 as part of the supporting multicultural and faith communities to prevent family violence 2021 grant program for their Project Ujala. I congratulate their newly elected committee, while also thanking the outgoing president for her great work. I look forward to working closely with the new committee at IndianCare to support our Victorian migrant community.
Finally, Mr President, I had the pleasure to participate in the Australian Hindu Conference, organised virtually by the Hindu Council of Australia. The Hindu Council of Australia is a peak body organisation founded in 1998, representing more than 50 Hindu organisations from all over Australia. I was joined online by several leaders from Australia and across the world. The full-day conference held online facilitated discussions about the roots of Hinduism and its growth in Australia.
I thank Hindu Council of Australia for organising this conference and for raising awareness about the rich Hindu philosophy.