PIA NEWS VOL.

Issue 08

PIA News
Vol.5

29th March 2015

A

SUPPORT THE CAUSE

PASSION, INTEGRITY & APNAPAN

AN URGENT APPEAL
We are in urgent need of raising 9000$ for the transportation of the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory to
Pakistan. This project is led by a Pakistani doctor through the Rotary Club of Rockingham. You can donate in to
our account (details in the cover photograph) or you can pay directly into the Rotary Club account which has got
DGR status. The details of the account are as follows. Pls. do include Cath Lab in the description.
Rotary Club of Rockingham Charitable Trust Account
BSB 633-000
Account No 142631100

PRAYERS FOR VICTIMS OF CAR CRASH

Following our Pakistan Day event we received the news of a terrible car crash in Sydney with four Pakistanis
injured. All of them were international students and from the earlier reports speed and not wearing seat belts
were to blame. Please pray for them. This highlights the importance of road safety awareness for new students
every year. We are already in recipient of a grant from Office of Road Safety and will eb working throughout the
year on delivering key messages to promote road safety.

NEW MEMBERS ON THE BOARD

We welcome Zahir Khalil (NSW) as Associate Member representative and Ayesha Haq (VIC) on our Management
Committee.

UPCOMING EVENTS
April: Remembrance Day (Venue and Program to be confirmed)
Kite Festival: Celebrate WA Day on 1st June. In collaboration with DESI WA.

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NEW ITEMS FOR ACTION

The two proposed action items for next year are to apply for DGR status as we have been raising funds constantly
while a need has also been identified to get a community member nominated as Justice of Peace so the
community members can have easy access to certification when required.

ISSUES TO BE RESOLVED
One of the issues identified by members was to related to Visa fee charges. At this moment the Visa fee for
visiting relatives is paid on two different occasions. Once when an application is lodged and second when the
person visits for biometrics locally. A complaint was also made that the receipt for biometrics is not issued by the
local company who apparently only receives cash payment, however since this complaint was made and also
communicated, we have investigated it further and have found that it is not the company but the person who
was assisting the applicant may have got the receipt.
This further enforces the need that the Department of Immigration and Border Protection may consider taking
the fee once when the application was lodged to prevent vulnerable people being exploited by anyone.

ENGAGEMENTS
Participation in the Research Project Talking about Terrorism in Australia
A focus group discussion was being held by Australian Multicultural Federation two weeks earlier.
Morning Tea at Department of Immigration and Border Protection
Attended the morning tea with other community leaders which included briefing about the new changes to the
department.
Red Cross Stakeholders Meeting
The meeting included presentation about recent changes to some Visa categories as well as briefing about a
project run by Red Cross Migration Support Program for Sri Lankan migrants. The program was attended by
about 45 migrants and provided great insights into the mental health issues with possibility of extending the
same program to other vulnerable groups.
NOMINATION FOR THE LIBRARY BOARD OF WA AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
Dr. Rajeswari Chelliah has been nominated by the group for her excellent research contribution to the role of
libraries. Her research looked at the public library environment in developing sustainable communities and
involved migrant perspective. Our Group participated in the research and endorse the recommendations made
by the researcher.
MULTICULTURAL RESEARCH COUNCIL OF WA
Though in conceptual stage, we are forming a small group called MRCWA to identify the research priorities and
conduct small scale research projects. Expressions of interest will be soon called from the community groups
which will provide opportunities for members who have appropriate research skills and tools as well as those
members who can identify research priorities.
We do not envisage it as another incorporated group but rather a collaborative effort among incorporated
groups and other stake holders. An ethic subcommittee will also be part of the group to see that the research
conducted as all ethical issues covered.
As we start discussions we already have research collaboration on the way.

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PAKISTAN DAY 2015

To coincide with harmony day, Pakistan Day was celebrated at a newly opened Pakistani restaurant Shah Jahan
Grill.
The event was hosted by Ms. Maria Farooq (Treasurer) and included Ms. Anam Mazhar, Hon. Collin Roberts the
Hon. Investment Consul General of Pakistan in Perth and Hon. Margaret Quirk, Member for Girrawheen and
Shadow Minister Multicultural Interests.
Apologies were received from Hon. Andrea Mitchell, Member from Kingsley, Mayors of Joondalup, Stirling and
Melville.
The highlight of the evening was the presence of Mr. Ayaz Khan, the comedian anchor and entertainer form
Pakistan as well as traditional Pakistani food.
Dr. Zarrin S Siddiqui welcomed the guests and presented an overview of the activities undertaken by the Group
last year. She raised the issues faced by the community and the support provided by the key stake holders. She
particularly highlighted that the media coverage of young IS fighters is directly proportional to the increasing
Islamophobia among the Australian public so we need to be mindful that it puts extra pressure on the ethnic
communities more so when the peak bodies do not consider Islamophobia as an ethnic issue.
This was followed by a young community member Ms. Anam
Mazhar who spoke how Islamophobia is portrayed through
actions by the community in general and is affecting daily lives
of young Muslims.
Hon. Investment Counsel of Pakistan Mr. Collin Roberts spoke
about his visits to Pakistan and the hospitality extended to him.
Cricket was definitely the topic of the evening.

SBS can get 180 million good stories

about Pakistan instead of portraying a
negative image all the time. Hon.Collin
Roberts

Australia is a bigger country with a much

bigger heart to embrace all cultures and
faiths with no place for Islamophobia.
Anam Mazhar

Hon. Margaret Quirk congratulated the group on the success and

spoke of her support to the group. She also paid tributes to
Misbah ul Haque and Shahid Afridi the two cricket legends of
Pakistan who announced their retirement form one day
international a day earlier and mentioned their resilience which
made them great players to be remembered.

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Mr. Ayaz khan was the last one to took the stage and entertained all the guests. He also offered his unconditional
support for our Australia Day projects in Pakistan specially the reading glasses Beenai project as he is in the
optical business.
This event was attended by a number of community leaders who have offered their support.
Ms. Anita of Fillipino Association will be collaborating with us to collect reading glasses.
Mr. Ramdas Sankaran has offered his support for accommodation as the Multicultural Services Centre of WA has
similar program. The details of the program offered by MSCWA will be available hopefully in next issue.
Mr. Namit Kohli would be working for a cricket match during multicultural day with representation from all Desi
communities. We are already working on kite festival with the group to get maximum integration of Pakistani
community.

CONGRATULATIONS TO MS. SOFIA CHAUDRY

A PhD scholar at Murdoch University has won the BASF Asia Pacific PhD Challenge which is an occasion of great
delight to all of us.

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