Year 9 Penrith High School student, Simran Dhaliwal, has been named Research Australia’s 2011 National Youth Ambassador for Health Research. Simran has been chosen to represent Australia’s youth voice for health and medical research, says a Research Australia media release.
Simran’s winning essay in the national schools competition highlighted the growing need for communities to get informed and educated on healthy eating options. “There is a lack of knowledge in the general public (regarding scientific interventions, advancements and innovations) and education is the key to achieving an overall better quality of life,” said Simran.
The Research Australia National Youth Ambassador for Health Research competition challenged year 9 and 10 students from around Australia to submit essays or YouTube videos focusing on scientific interventions in food.
Simran, along with state and territory winners from all over Australia, recently took part in a special teleconference to develop a consensus statement as the voice of Australian youth on nutrition and health research. This communiqué was sent to members of parliament, state health ministers and Research Australia stakeholders.
The Chief Executive Officer of Research Australia, Elizabeth Foley, congratulated Simran for her outstanding contributions.
“The Research Australia Youth Ambassador Program provides an ideal avenue to draw out the observations of some of our finest young students and introduce them to the wide array of career
opportunities in health and medical research – ranging from the traditional lab roles to new areas
such as health economics, science engineering and biomathematics,” Ms Foley said.
Simran will be presented with her award at the 2011 Research Australia Awards, which will be held
at the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne on 16 November 2011.
______________________________________________________________________________

 Close on the heels of making one of the biggest investments in Australia by an Indian business house Lanco, its founder chairman Mr. Lagadapati Rajagopal, MP visited Sydney last week.

The Council of Indian Australians (CIA) organised a welcome get together in the honour of Mr. Rajagopal and his wife Mrs. L.Padma that was attended by representatives from the Indian community in Sydney.

Prominent people who attended this function organised at the Nilgiri restaurant in St. Leonards included, the Consul General of India, Mr Amit Dasgupta, Mr Subba Rao Varigonda, Mr Tony Colaco, Mrs Saryu Rao, Mr Shailendra Wadhwa, Mr Ajoy Ghosh, Mr Keyur Desai, Mr Praful Desai, Mr Alan Roy, Mr Hemendra Negi, Mrs Kumud Merani, Mrs Neena Badhwar, Dr Yadu Singh, Mr Gautam Sharma and many more.

Mr. Rajagopal, is a Congress Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) of India, represents the Vijayawada constituency of Andhra Pradesh. He is a member of Committee on Public Undertakings, Committee on Home Affairs and the Consultative Committee for External Affairs of the Indian Parliament.

Speaking at the function Mr Gautam Sharma, a member of the Executive Committee of the CIA introduced Mr. Rajagopal as a respected Indian politician who was first elected to the 14th Lok Sabha (2004) and then re-elected to the 15th Lok Sabha in 2009. Mr Sharma added that he was a technocrat-turned industrialist-turned politician and was the founder chairman of the Lanco Group. In addition to his entrepreneurial spirit, Mr. Rajagopal has a strong sense of social responsibility. He established the Lanco Foundation, a charitable trust, in the year 2000 to reach out to the needy and has been involved in various philanthropic activities. In addition, he chairs Rajagopal Foundation which provides help to poor people.

Earlier this month Lanco Energy and Infratech announced that it had bought the coal mines of Australia’s Griffin Coal for almost $850 million in one of India’s largest investments in Australia.

Welcoming Mr Rajagopal and his wife, Mrs L. Padma to Sydney, President of Council of Indian Australians, Inc, Dr Yadu Singh said ” We are proud, as Indian Australians, that an Indian company has invested in Australia in this manner and has guaranteed the employment to 400 people. By developing Rail facilities near the coal mines and Port facilities near Bunbury, WA, Lanco will provide employment to many more Australians. It is therefore going to improve the understanding and relations between Australia and India. It will also create a very positive impression about India, Indians and Indian Australians. We thank you, sir, and Lanco Energy and Infratech for making us proud. I was so happy to know that you had organised “Tiranga Run” in memory of Late Mr. Pingali Venkayya, a great Patriot, who designed the Indian National Flag, in which more than 500,000 people took part. We are very privileged to host this function in your honour”

Consul General of India in Sydney, Mr Amit Dasgupta also spoke at the function. Mr Dasgupta thanked all present for their participation and making this event possible at a short notice. Mr Dasgupta’s key message was that the fast growing Indian community in Sydney has its own fair share of challenges which in turn required all concerned to have appropriate plan and strong leadership to ensure good outcomes. He reiterated that it was high time that the “silent majority” of Indians in Sydney engages more in community affairs and be counted to bring about positive change. Mr Dasgupta remarked that it was great news when he heard that Lanco’s purchase of Griffin Coal had ensured continuity of employment for over 400 current Australian employees of the mine.

At the conclusion of the event Mr Subba Rao Varigonda, Public Officer of the CIA, offered a vote of thanks. Mr Subba Rao thanked Mr Lagadapati Rajagopal and his wife Mrs. L Padma for accepting the Indian community’s invitation for this meeting and wished him, on behalf of the community, the very best for his group’s business investments into Australia. Mr Subba Rao also made a special mention of the wonderful work being done by Mr Rajagopal in protecting the farmers in Andhra Pradesh and other charity work being done by him and his family. He also thanked the Consul General of India for his presence at the function at a short notice. He thanked members of the community to participate in the function and expressed a special appreciation for the people from the media for their presence.

Everyone enjoyed interacting with the visiting guests and appreciated his down to earth nature. They were impressed with his knowledge about Indian Diaspora related matters.

Premier with brochure

Premier Kristina Keneally on Wednesday officially opened nominations for the 2011 Premier’s IndianSub-continent Community Awards, recognising volunteer work and community service in the

Indian Sub-continent Community in the New South Wales.

 The inaugural Premier’s Indian Sub-continent Community Awards will be held in early

2011 and will be organised by the Community Relations Commission.

Nominations will be sought from Australians of Indian, Bangladeshi, Nepalese,

Pakistani and Sri Lankan backgrounds.

The 2011 award categories are:

•  Trade and Industry;
•  Arts and Culture;
• Community Harmony;
•  Community Service; and
•  Lifetime Achievement

Nominations close on Friday 21 January 2011.

 The awards further build on the NSW Government’s support for the Indian Sub-continent

Community which has included:

•  The celebration of Deepavali at Parliament House;
•  The Parliamentary Friends of India – fostering strong links between India, the Indian

Community and NSW Members of Parliament;

• • Parramasala – the South Asian arts festival has been a huge success, and enjoyed

by Western Sydney families of all cultural and spiritual backgrounds;

• • The Premier’s Council on International Education – which is providing assistance

and information for international students choosing to study in NSW.

 Premier Keneally said the Awards acknowledge the vibrant culture and longstanding

contribution of the Indian Subcontinent community to our State.

“The Premier’s Indian Subcontinent Community Awards recognise the important role that the

community plays in enhancing the professional, philanthropic, business and cultural life of

NSW,” she said.

“The Indian Sub-continent community has a long history in NSW, contributing to our State’s

development since the 1800s.

“I encourage the people of NSW to support these awards and nominate an outstanding

member of the Sub-continent community.”

Minister for Citizenship, John Hatzistergos said the awards recognise the valuable work of

people who freely give their time and energy to supporting our culturally diverse State.

“The Awards have been set up to acknowledge the work of individuals, organisations and

businesses in promoting and contributing to economic relations, cultural exchange,

community service and harmony.”

Information on how to nominate community members is available through the Community

Relations Commission: www.crc.nsw.gov.au

Premier with Attorney General Mr. John Hatzistergos

As the state election nears and the prospects of the ruling Labour Party fading, a lot of efforts are being made to resurrect the dwindling numbers through various communities. One such move was setting up Sub-continent Friends of Labour. Which Sub-continent are they talking about? Greenland or Indian or the Sub-continents of Americas. Geographically, even Europe is referred to as western Eurasian Sub-continent.

They need to specify which Sub-continent Friends of Labour are they. And, why are they shying away from calling it Indian Sub-continent when  the members are of Indian heritage.  If the members are also from Pakistan or Bangladesh or Nepal or even Sri Lanka, still they are part of the Indian Sub-continent.

The people who coined the name Sub-continent Friends of Labour have displayed paucity of knowledge, geographical or etymological otherwise there is a clear attempt to subvert the name of India. 

It appears there are some members who do not want to be associated with the name India or Indian. 

Premier Kristina Keneally  had recently set up Parliamentary Friends of India. Although there was a question mark on the procedure she followed as reportedly she had not consulted  the Leader of the Opposition before making the announcement of the bipartisan body but the intention and the name was quite appropriate.  Well, it is now a perfect body with Co-conveners being named from both Labour and the Liberals. Similarly, the Premier announced the Indian Sub-continent Awards at the Deepawali function in Parliament and not Sub-continent Awards.

So, my “Sub-continent Friends of Labour” friends kindly show some respect to the country of your birth and name the organisation correctly  and internationally accepted as The Indian Sub-continent Friends of Labour or just disband it.

We also see a conflict of interest here. People from other countries of the Indian Sub-continent, howsoever friendly they may be with the Indians, they can’t be supportive on international matters. Their affiliations will not let them have a consensus on crucial matters. So, how can they be part of a homogeneous body?

So, the National Executive of the Labour Party has settled for Nathan Rees for the Toongabbie seat without going into the recommended rank-and-file pre-selection.

  The former premier had been under threat of a rank-and-file pre-selection but the national executive has decided he will be the candidate.

 Of the 20 Executive Members having voting rights only 11 were present. Five Office-bearers and one observer have no voting rights.

  It was likely Mr. Rees would have lost a rank-and-file pre-selection against Susai Benjamin, who has been in the party for 20 years and has wide support in the local branches.  Rees had been installed in Toongabbie by former premier Morris Iemma in 2007.

  Branch members had voted to have a rank-and-file pre-selection for the March election, with the support of Federal Labor MP Laurie Ferguson.  But Rees’s section of the Left faction, organised by Federal Infrastructure Minister Anthony Albanese, won out, much to the chagrin of Benjamin.

  Benjamin had also planned to stand for pre-selection before the last election, only to be thwarted by Rees’s “installation’‘. Rees told media the party felt he was the best candidate to retain the seat he holds by 14.5 per cent. “Some people had indicated they wanted a rank-and-file pre-selection but no one has rung me to complain.”

Mr. Benjamin told this correspondent “Increasing centralised selection of candidates will not help our Party in the long run.. For the Party to become effective it should become a movement of true believers.. this means that local membership should be electing the local candidates and ALP should do this as a matter of principle and not simply based on narrow short-term political gain.” It is a democratic process and they have done the selection in undemocratic way. This is the best example of local issues being settled by Centralised remote control.

 However Mr. Benjamin said he did not consider the matter settled, holding out hope the national executive had not officially said there would be no pre-selection in Toongabbie.

  “It has simply been referred to the executive for them to decide if there is a pre-selection,’’ Benjamin.

 Mr. Benjamin told another media outlet that he would “consider his options, including running as an independent.”

Mr. Benjamin can be seen tirelessly working for the community specially locals. Among the campaigns he had successfully launched include, the installation of a lift on Seven Hills railway platforms and getting a traffic signal at the site of Westmead Temple visited daily by hundreds of people.

Susai could be seen promoting the Labour Party through several fund raising dinners and some other activities. He always makes use of the time on the railway platforms to talk to people and engage them in conversations to know more about them and their problems.

But the Labour Party has not valued these services and even after orchestrating the much hyped multicultural policy. Everyone should be getting an opportunity without any bias of colour or creed. Susai has been a member of the Labour Party three years after his arrival in Australia in 1987. Mr. Rees was appointed the candidate by former Premier Morris Iemma in 2007, along with David Borger in Granville and Tanya Gadiel in Parramatta. Tanya has resigned a few week ago and the Parramatta seat is also facing the same situation as there are two claimants for the seat.

Mr. Rees has the backing federal Labor heavyweights from the Left, Anthony Albanese and John Faulkner while Federal MP Laurie Ferguson, who has consistently opposed “head office” appointments over rank and file pre-selections, is backing Mr. Benjamin, a solicitor who works as a NSW Treasury senior review officer.

Interestingly, a Sub-continent Friends of Labour (SFL) was set up recently ostensibly to push for the politicians of Indian heritage into the mainstream politics. Even they failed to support the candidature of Mr. Benjamin. Its President Mr. Harish Velji commented that he (SFL) is not involved in race politics whereas the Sub-continent word is denotes people from a differrent race. This is contradictory to the views of SFL president. The other Indian organisations failed to respond to the email seeking their views on the issue.

Mr. Benjamin told the local media that Labour should follow the democratic process while selecting the candidate — him or Mr. Rees.

“Although I believe every candidate should be selected through rank-and-file pre-selection locally, I plan to lodge my nomination for the Toongabbie seat, even though it will not be a rank and file pre-selection” Mr Susai Benjamin a local member of the ALP said. Mr Benjamin is keen to contest the seat for ALP.

“I think rank-and-file pre-selections can play an important part in restoring transparency and credibility to the ALP in the local community” Mr Benjamin said.

“Rank and file pre-selection also empowers and endorses the value of local members of the Party and their role within the Party structure” Mr Benjamin said.

“In this context” Mr Benjamin said, “I was surprised that the Party officers of the NSW State Branch chose to refer the task of selecting the candidate for Toongabbie to the Party’s National Executive”.

The outcome of this is that once again, there will have been no rank-and-file pre-selection in Toongabbie seat.

“Why should ALP members in the neighbouring seats of Blacktown and Riverstone get the right to vote and preselect their ALP representatives when those in Toongabbie do not?” Mr Benjamin asked.

“How it is fair that sitting Ministers are subject to a rank and file pre-selection yet local members do not get the chance for a rank and file pre-selection in Toongabbie?” Mr Benjamin asked.

He said that, local members pay their membership fee each year, attend Party meetings, contribute to policy development, letter-box Party’s campaign material, manage booths during elections, and attend fundraising events: yet once again in 2010, just as in 2006 (for the 2007 elections), the local members have not been allowed to exercise the right to select their local candidate”.

“Not holding a rank and file pre-selection in choosing candidates is against the democratic principles which ALP strives to protect” Mr Benjamin said 

Mr. Benjamin has also dispelled the perception that he is involved in stacking party branches to secure support.

“There are strict rules in the party against branch-stacking. When I speak to people new to this country, I encourage them to become involved, to join political parties – whether Labor, Liberal or Greens,” he told media. Mr. Benjamin fears people will leave political parties if they cannot choose their local candidates.

Surbhi Misra

Surbhi Misra, a student of Hornsby Girls’ High School topped in Accounts in the HSC results declared by the Board of Studies on Tuesday. Vice captain of her Primary School and then of the High School, Surbhi devoted four hours each Tuesday of the week towards her favourite subject. She owes her success to her family and her Accounting teacher. Surbhi said,” My achievements are entirely credited to my family who supported me in every possible way during my preliminary and HSC year. Their belief in me was inspiring and encouraged me throughout the years.

“Another person whom I give full credit to is the Accounting teacher at Hornsby TAFE, Cecilia Cheung. She selflessly gave up her time and effort both inside and outside of class time to help every student achieve their best. She became our friend and mentor, inspiring us to love the subject. I cannot express how much I look up to Cecilia, and would really like to thank her for her commitment to my Accounting studies.

With the top result Surbhi has also earned a scholarship from the University of New South Wales and a cadetship with the prestigious Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC).

“I have already received several offers that include cadetships and conditional offers for Scholarships and would likely enrol in a Commerce degree at a reputed University. I may also work part time which would help to enhance my skills base and maintain a work-study balance.”

Main Academic Achievements of Surbhi— Primary School Dux (Honour Role), Academic Excellence Award 2009 (year 11), Academic Excellence Award 2010 (year 12) Main Leadership Achievements  — Year 12 2010 (HSC Year), Hornsby Girls’ High School Vice Captain 2010, Howard Longworth Commemorative Award for Citizenship. Year 11 2009 — Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award, 1st place in the Turramurra Rotary Public Speaking Comp, Participant in the Sydney Morning Herald Plain Speaking Award, Student Representative Council (Executive), District Student Representative Council, Social Justice Group, Mock Trial Team,  HGHS Magazine Committee (Grapevine

Surbhi Misra, a student of Hornsby Girls’ High School topped in Accounting in the HSC results declared by the Board of Studies . Surbhi who was awarded the High Achiever certificate from Minister for Education and Training, Verity Firth at the First in Course Award Ceremony on Tuesday, was all praise for her teachers and support from her parents, specially her father who is in the accounts profession. 

The proud parents revealed that Surbhi was the Vice-captain of her Primary School and then of the High School.  Surbhi said she devoted four hours each Tuesday of the week towards her favourite subject and learnt all the intricacies of the subject from her father. Her Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) is 99.90

The Higher School Certificate (HSC) results were released for a record 71,000 students on 15.12.2010

The other top achievers from the Indian Sub-continent include, Hansaka Pasindu Fernando from Baulkham Hills High School in Economics, Satyajeet Ramdas Marar of Homebush Boys High School in English as Second Language and Aswin Shanmugalingam in Tamil Continuers (Outside Tutor category) .

Surprisingly, there was no high achiever in  Hindi or any other Indian languages this year.

The Minister for Education and Training, Verity Firth said students and parents across NSW would be glad the wait for results was finally over.

Satyajeet Ramdas Marar

“Completing the HSC is an important milestone, and students should be extremely proud of their hard work,” Ms Firth said.

“The HSC is the perfect preparation for our young people but students should keep their HSC experience in perspective – remember there are many pathways to university, training or a job.

“We’re very proud of our HSC. “It’s a qualification that’s highly regarded all over the world.

“Around 83% of the HSC class of 2010 will be eligible for an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) – more than ever before.

“ATARs are released to students tomorrow from 9am.

Hansaka Pasindu Fernando with his parents

“My congratulations go to our top performing students who’ve made the

Distinguished Achievers List, the All-round Achievers List and the Top Achievers in Course List.

“From today onwards, there will be a range of support services available for students to assist them with their enquiries relating to their HSC results and future after high school.”

Students with career advice questions can contact the Department of Education and Training’s Careers Advisory Service on 1300 300 687 (Free Call) or e-mail careers@det.nsw.edu.au.

Dr. Yadu Singh

Information is power. This was the opening remark by Dr. Yadu Singh, Cardiologist while giving a lecture at the Health summit organised by the Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) in Castle Hill on Sunday last.

Dr. Singh apprised the 100-strong audiences of ways to deal with a heart attack or a cardiac arrest situation. He explained the different reasons leading to a heart attack and exhorted people to take control of their life-style and avoid bad cholesterol raising foods. Cholesterol is one of the major causes of a heart attack.  

Dr. Singh said timely help in cases of heart attack is most the crucial factor since 30% of cases often prove fatal. He cautioned people against being a doctor when they are not qualified. Self-treatment is dangerous and often gives rise to complications. In case of a heart attack or any ailment for that matter, compliance to medicine is most important and helpful in the treatment.

Another specialist, Dr. Preeti Pal, a Dental Surgeon reinforced the need to brush teeth at least twice  a day. And, people with diabetes need extra care with their teeth. She exhorted the audience to take benefit from the NSW Extra Health Care Plan, if one qualifies. This was a big surprise for many in the audience. She said this will help in maintaining a healthy dental care.

She passionately demonstrated the exercises and made the audience exercise as well the breathing and anti-stress postures.

Dr. Nadeem receiving token of appreciation from Ms. Lucky Singh and Mr. Harmohan Walia

The audience really benefited from the short session and Dr. Pal urged the audience to maintain this regime whenever convenient.  Please note before doing anything consult your GP. Other doctors on the panel

Dr. Preeti Pal

 were Dr. Jawahar Thomas and Dr. Nadeem both GPs

GOPIO Sydney must be applauded for this big effort to help the community to understand the important things in health care and a number of people felt the session should be longer. Hope GOPIO listens to their request and more experts will be invited to educate the community.  Well Done Ms. Lucky Singh and Mr. Harmohan Walia.

Christmas calls to family and friends overseas will be cheaper with Telstra’s launch of improved International Value Packs. 

 Telstra Consumer Executive Director, Rebekah O’Flaherty, said the reduced international call rates meant calls to overseas landlines and mobile services in more than 70 countries, will cost as little as two cents per minute (plus call connection fee).

 “Telstra’s new International Value Pack is ideal for budget-conscious people wanting to control their costs, avoid hidden charges and enjoy the convenience of calling directly from their home phones – without having to worry about prepaid SIM cards or how much credit they have left on phone cards.

 “Staying connected is so important during this traditional period of the year, so it is fitting that Telstra helps provide an inexpensive way to keep in touch with family and friends in many countries around the world,” Ms O’Flaherty said. 

 For just $10 extra per month on top of the normal monthly access fee of their eligible Telstra home phone, International Value Pack customers can enjoy low international rates, including:

 To help customers whose native language is not English, Telstra also operates a multicultural call centre with telecommunication support in nine languages.

 “Christmas and the holiday season can be tough if you’re separated from friends and family on the other side of the world. It goes without saying that being able to communicate in your native language can be so much easier and it’s important that our customers feel comfortable and can express their needs easily,” Ms O’Flaherty said.

 Telstra has offered multicultural services to customers for more than 15 years and in 2003 extended the service to include small businesses. If a customer does not speak one of the nine languages currently offered by Telstra, their request will be responded to by the Translating & Interpreting Service (TIS), which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

For more information on Telstra’s International Value Pack, simply visit www.telstra.com/ivp or call 13 22 00.

Pino-Migliorino

Australia, with the much publicised multiculturalism, is miles away from implementing it in true letter and spirit. The communities, especially from the South Asia, are yet to see a Member of Parliament from among them. A classical example of this is Mr. Susai Benjamin of Indian background, who, despite serving the community for the last two decades has been, reportedly, ignored for the Toongabbie seat which is going the Nathan Rees way.

 In a historical national campaign, over 100 key organisations and individuals across Australia have signed in support of “Reclaim Multiculturalism” statement which calls for urgent action for multiculturalism as a national Australian policy.

 The organisations represent diverse sectors and include the AFL Multicultural Program, Netball Australia, The Australian Human Rights Commission, Museums Australia, The National Council of Churches in Australia, peak religious bodies from Islamic, Sikh, Hindu and Buddhist faiths, Australian Education Union, state ethnic peaks and women’s organisations including the Country Women’s Association of Australia and health groups such as Multicultural Mental Health Australia.

 Prominent individuals who supported the statement include Rt. Hon. Mr Malcolm Fraser, author Randa Abdel-Fattah, actor Lex Marinos and Neville Roach.

 The public campaign is the initiative of the Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) which is the peak national body for multicultural Australians. This effort is undertaken in face of the fact that the last national multicultural policy in Australia expired in 2006. Currently there is a national policy vacuum in this arena.

The full list of the supporting organisations for the “Reclaim Multiculturalism” campaign was unveiled at a press conference in Sydney on Monday November 30^th morning. 

 In a statement of support from Sir William Deane which was read out at the conference, he said, “True multiculturalism, based on mutual understanding, respect and acceptance, is undoubtedly the most effective way of combating the evil of racism. It also provides the basis of our national unity and decency.”

 Australia’s rising cricket star, Usman Khawaja, spoke on video about his Pakistani background and his pride at calling Australia his home. He said, “My faith and my culture is part of who I am.  Australia, my cricket and my mates are also part of my life.  I do not choose between them, they all make me the person I am.”

 NSW Minister for Citizenship John Hatzistergos congratulated FECCA on the campaign and voiced the NSW Government’s support for multiculturalism. “Multiculturalism is not just an abstract ideal. It benefits us as a community, as an economy and as a democracy.

 That is why the NSW Government has enshrined multiculturalism in legislation – in the Community Relations Commission and Principles of Multiculturalism Act 2000,” he said.

New South Wales Premier Kristina Keneally and Education Minister, Verity Firth today announced the NSW

Government will more than double the funding for Community Language Schools – ensuring

the children of migrants retain the language of their parents.

It is the most generous support package for Community Language Schools in Australia.

There are more than 33,000 children studying at 435 Community Language Schools around

NSW – in 48 different languages and dialects.

“This is about ensuring the children of migrants get to retain and love the language of their

parents,” Ms Keneally said.

Unlike other States, the NSW Government does not charge Community Language

Funding will also be adjusted annually to ensure the Government’s support keeps pace with

inflation, a first for Community Language Schools in Australia.

The NSW Government’s funding boost includes:

• A $500,000 Community Language School grants program to provide schools with

new textbooks and resources for the 2011 school year;

• An additional $30,000 for 300 volunteer teachers to undertake a fully-subsidised

professional accreditation course each year through university study; and

• Community Language School start-up grants will increase from $1,000 toto support the introduction of new schools and language courses where there

$2,500

is unmet demand.

“The NSW Government is providing the most generous support package for Community

Language Schools in the country,” Ms Keneally said.

“We are funding the most Community Language Schools, the most students and the most

languages to support the culturally diverse community we are fortunate to share in here in

NSW.

“This sends a clear message about the importance of multiculturalism and diversity in our

State.”

Chair of the Community Languages Schools Board, Jozefa Sobski and President of the

NSW Federation of Community Language Schools, Albert Vella have welcomed the funding

boost.

“NSW will now lead Australia in assisting language learning and maintenance, and this is

good for our culture and good for our global future,” Ms Sobski said.

“This funding increase by the Keneally Government is a very welcome recognition of our

hard work and the importance of teaching languages for the future of NSW,” Mr Vella said.

On top of this, the NSW Government already:

• Funds $410,000 each year in subsidies so Community Language Schools do not

pay rent;

• Invests $200,000 each year in professional development for volunteer teachers;

• Provides two full-time project officers; and

• Funds two full-time professional development officers.

The NSW Education Department also helped to establish a certificate accreditation in

community language teaching at Wollongong University to help volunteer teachers attain

professional qualifications.

The 300 NSW Government funded volunteer scholarship recipients will undertake their

community language school training at short courses put on by the university at various

locations in Sydney or the Illawarra.

This recognises the important role of volunteer teachers in Community Language Schools

and will support high standards of teaching in language schools across NSW.

Ms Firth said, “Community Language Schools provide an invaluable service ensuring

children across our State maintain strong links to their heritage through language.”

“The people who work and volunteer in Community Language Schools deserve our support

and the Government is delighted to double the funding the schools receive – from $60 to

$120 per student, per year.

“Community Language Schools will also be able to apply for funds under the NSW

Government’s $500,000 grants program to purchase updated textbooks and classroom

resources for the 2011 school year.”

Minister for Citizenship, John Hatzistergos said: “The $2,500 Community Language School

start up grants will encourage the establishment of Community Language Schools to cater

for new languages in new areas.”

“This is particularly important for new and growing communities in NSW who want to share

their traditional languages with the rest of our community.”

Information on how to apply for funds in the $500,000 Community Language School grants

program and the $2,500 establishment grants program will be released shortly.

• The Victorian Government’s election promise to fund Community Language Schools with

$200 per student, per year does not include a forty per cent levy on each student ($80) which

is charged back to Community Language Schools for rent.

• The NSW Government provides $410,000 in subsidies each year so Community Language

Schools do not have to pay rent in NSW.

• The increase in funding from $60 to $120 per student each year in NSW will have an annual

CPI adjustment to secure future funds for Community Language Schools.

• Arabic

• Hungarian

• Punjabi

• Armenian

• Indonesian

• Russian

• Assyrian

• Italian

• Samoan

• Bengali

• Japanese

• Sanskrit

• Bosnian

• Khmer

• Serbian

• Chinese-Cantonese/Mandarin

• Korean

• Sinhala

• Chinese-Mandarin

• Lao

• Spanish

• Cook Island Maori

• Latvian

• Swedish

• Croatian

• Macedonian

• Tamil

• Dari

• Malay

• Telugu

• Filipino

• Maltese

• Thai

• Finnish

• Marathi

• Tongan

• German

• Persian (Farsi)

• Turkish

• Greek

• Polish

• Uighur

• Hebrew

• Portuguese

• Ukrainian

• Hindi

• Pukapuka

• Vietnamese