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Winter clothes at Zira 2013
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Charity 2020
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Caring and Sharing Event 2014
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Caring and Sharing event 2018
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Caring and Sharing Event 2019
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Zira 2011
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Events & News

Events 2014

1) Book launch by GOPIO SYDNEY NORTH WEST
GOPIO SYDNEY NORTH WEST organised a function on 14th August 2014 at the Parliament House of NSW to launch books written by Len Kenna & Crystal Jordan on the first arrival of Indians in Australia. Various volumes of the book titled ” Are Indian an Ethnic Minority” were launched by the Consulate General of India, Sydney His Excellency Sunjay Sudhir.

2)Dr Pritam Singh Gill Professor Oxford University London and Dr Harjinder Singh Dhindsa, Senior Town Planner from Melbourne with Gopio Sydney North West Team on 8/9/2014.
Prof Pritam Singh covered a wide range of issues that deal with changes in the global economy.
He highlighted that two main problems at a global level are threat of global warming and persistent poverty of a very large number of people in the world but especially in the developing world. He said that although India and China are developing, they should not develop the consumerist model of capitalist development followed in the developed world. That model of development is based on excessive consumption which eventually leads to waste generation and pollution. If we do not stop pollution, the health and well being of our future generations are in danger. He advocated the Green living style based on three Rs; Reuse, Recycle and Reduce, and among these three, the most important is Reduce. If we reduce our consumption of clothes, consumer products, we need to recycle less.

It is important to reduce poverty in the developing world but there is no need for extravagant consumption which is displayed by richer sections of the population in developing countries.

He said that if you all make it a mission of your life that you will do something at a personal and collective level to make India and Australia fairer and sustainable societies, your example will inspire other communities and individuals.

Events 2013

1) GOPIO Sydney North West chapter under the banner of “Caring & Sharing” project has again helped under privileged 270 school children in 7 primary and aganvari schools (pre-schools) in Zira villages (Punjab), where warm clothes, uniforms, shoes, socks, daris, chairs etc. for school children were provided on 12 February 2013 as per their need. The villages covered were Kamal Garh, Jhanda Bagga, Pandori Jattan and Wara Pohwindia. This is a third year in a row, where GOPIO Sydney North West chapter has provided such help to under privileged school children of Punjab. Every year Harmohan Singh Walia and Prof. Balkar Singh Kang of GOPIO Sydney North West chapter especially travel from Sydney to Punjab (India) to implement Caring & Sharing project.

Events 2012
1) “Isha Kriya” introduction session on meditation for well-being and bliss was organised on 8 December 2012 at Quakers Hill High School with the help of Isha Foundation. Isha Kriya – Isha means that which is the source of creation. Kriya means an inward action towards that.

2) Third Caring & Sharing event was held on 12 October 2012 at Sapphire Function Centre, Blacktown. Over 300 people attended the fundraiser function. Mr Arun Goel, Consul General of India in Sydney was the Chief Guest.

3) Health Summit was held on 8 April 2012 at Quakers Hill High School, Quakers Hill, where four doctors from different areas were invited to deliver lectures through Power Point Presentations. The topics were on General Practice, Physiotherapist, Heart Attack and Nutrition (Healthy food). Around 50 people attended the Health Summit. Fruits and snacks were distributed

4) GOPIO Sydney North West chapter provided winter clothes, uniforms, shoes, socks, stationary and ceiling fans in all class rooms to Government Middle School in village Ganja, Distt. Gurdaspur. Mr Harmohan Singh, Chairperson, Bylaws, Policies & Procedures and life member of the chapter travelled all the way from Sydney to India to provide the above items to all school children on 24 February 2012. Mr Walia presented Mementos to the chief guest along with School Head Master, Mr Amrik Singh.

Events 2011
1) The essence of Caring & Sharing event was implemented at Wara Pohwindia Primary School at Zira on 3rd January 2011. Harmohan Singh Walia and Prof. Balkar Singh Kang went to India on their own expenses to implement the same. Hand pump for clean drinking water was installed as per the requirement of the school. Apart from this, warm clothes, uniforms, shoes, socks, stationary etc. were distributed to 150 school children and land scaping was done later. Fruits and sweets were distributed to all school children. To witness this event, local authorities included Mr T.N. Passi, SDM of Zira and Mr Avtar Singh Zira, Director Cooperative Societies along with local prominent dignitaries. Mr Walia presented GOPIO Mementos to above authorities and School Head Mistress.

2) Second Caring & Sharing event was organised on 24 December 2011 at Sapphire Function Centre, Auburn. Over 250 people attended the fundraiser function. The program at Caring & Sharing Charity Dinner started with Vande Matraum by Sunanda Sharma while other attractions were songs performances by Rajesh Batra, Meena ji, Arun Joshi, Bhangra dance by two teams namely Platinum Entertainment and Rooh Punjab Di, humorous shayari by Harmohan Singh Walia, skit by Ravi & Raj, Bollywood dance, DJ Disco Waves and abundant food from Sapphire Function Centre. Tambola winnings were the other highlights of the event.

3) A lecture of visiting Prof. Parmatma Saran of USA was organised on 8 July 2011 at Rouse Hill Library. Over 60 people attended the lecture.

4) GOPIO Sydney North West chapter organised GOPIO Young Achievers Award Night (GYAAN) jointly with GOPIO Parramatta, GOPIO Glenwood, GOPIO Sydney and GOPIO Ryde chapters on 13 March 2011 in Castle Grand, Pioneer Hall, Castle Hill. The GYAAN Awards are open to all HSC students of Indian origin, who attained ATAR 99 and above in HSC results. The awards are presented during a ceremony each year to outstanding young achievers for their academic, Indian language, dance, drama, music, visual arts and sports achievements and for demonstrating the capabilities and personal qualities that would make a significant contribution to Australian community in NSW.  Before an august audience of distinguished guests, proud parents and encouraging community members, the 33 young achievers were honoured with GYAAN awards for their hard work, grit, determination and loads of talent. Trophies and certificates were presented to high achiever of each category to recognise their success. Over 300 people attended GYAAN function. Mr Amit Dasgupta, Consul General of India in Sydney was the chief guest. Other guests for the evening included Hon. John Robertson, Transport Minister, representing the Premier of NSW, Hon. Ray Williams MP, representing Opposition leader of NSW, Hon. Peter Primrose Minister for Youth, Volunteering, Ageing & Disability Services, Hon. Nathan Rees MP, former Premier of NSW, Hon. Michelle Rowland, Federal Member for Greenway, many councillors of Labor and Liberal parties and community leaders.

Events 2010
Five GOPIO chapters have achieved a lot in 2010 and have shown their existence in the region in a short period of time. Every event pooled together proved a mile stone.

The past President of GOPIO Sydney North West chapter (Harry Walia) actively participated in a five members committee constituted by the Consul General of India in Sydney in relation to attacks on Overseas Indian Students. This committee analysed the issues and suggested solutions to the Australian government to resolve issues. Timely action taken by the NSW government resulted in minimal attacks on Indian students in NSW as compared to other states, especially Melbourne.

1) GOPIO Sydney North West chapter organised the First Caring & Sharing event (Diwali & Antakshari Night) on 6 November 2010 at Harvey Lowe Pavillion, Castle Hill Showground to collect funds for a under privileged children of Govt. Middle School in village Wara Pohwindia, in Zira, Distt. Ferozepur (Punjab). Over 250 people attended the fundraising function. This school requires a hand pump for clean drinking water and warm clothes & shoes for all 150 students. All local chapters namely GOPIO Parramatta, GOPIO Glenwood, GOPIO Sydney and GOPIO Ryde supported the above activity of GOPIO Sydney North West chapter.

2) GOPIO Young Achievers Award Nite, popularly known as GYAAN was jointly organised by all Sydney chapters and lead by GOPIO Sydney North West in May 2010. This event was special in more ways than one. This was the evening, when 32 high achieving students from the Indian community in the field of academic, arts and sports were recognised by dignitaries that came from across different political parties and varied political status. Her Exellency, High Commissioner of India, Mrs. Sujatha Singh was the Chief Guest. Over one dozen local, state and federal government’s Ministers, Councillors and MPs participated and appreciated the efforts of GOPIO for recognising high young achievers of the Indian community.

3) Organised Free Health Check summit with the help of GOPIO Sydney and GOPIO Parramatta chapters, where awareness was created in many health issues, such as dental, Heart attack, high cholesterol, sleep apnoea, diabetes etc. Physical checks were also provided for blood pressure and diabetes.

4) Organised a dinner to welcome Indian Women Cricket Team at Indian Kitchen, Parramatta.

5) Raised funds for Rajesh Kumar, an Indian student who was a petrol bomb victim and was in news for many days.

6) Blood donation camp was conducted at Parramatta, where GOPIO Sydney North West chapter members donated blood along with their friends.

7) Indian family members, who were seriously injured in a car accident at Cobbitty were also helped collectively by GOPIO Sydney North West, GOPIO Sydney, GOPIO Parramatta, GOPIO Glenwood and GOPIO Ryde chapters by collecting funds by organising a cultural event at a local Primary Public School, Cobbitty. The funds were directly remitted to the school principal for the help of seriously injured Indian family.

Events 2009
1) GOPIO Sydney North West chapter continuously conducted seminars in 2009 for overseas Indian students to educate about the Australian culture, helped them in gaining jobs (resume writing & interview skills) and accommodation at affordable prices and resolved many social issues amongst students.

2) GOPIO Sydney North West, GOPIO Parramatta, GOPIO Sydney South West and GOPIO Sydney jointly organised Kavi Samelan “Ham Saath Saath Hain” and raised funds for the victims of tsunami in Samoa and earthquake in Indonesia. On 24 December 2009 Christmas party was organised at KINGS Indian Restaurant, Parramatta where cheques worth $1000 were handed over to the invited Consuls of Samoa and Indonesia.

3) All GOPIO chapters jointly organised a fun day for children and seniors. GOPIO Glenwood chapter organised BBQ and cricket match between all GOPIO chapters, where GOPIO Ryde team emerged as a winner team.

4) GOPIO Australia web site was developed and was running successfully. All Sydney chapters had pooled together for the web site. Now closed.

5) Organised lecture by Dr. Avtar Singh Gill on Blood Pressure, High Cholesterol and Heart Attack.

6) GOPIO trophy to best Raider in a Kabaddi Match organised by Dasmesh Kabaddi Club, Sydney.

7) Organised lectures of visiting Sikh scholar, Mr Harbans Lal at various places. To honour Mr Harbans Lal, on behalf of all local chapters, a GOPIO Memento was presented to him by Mr. Walia.

8) Participated in a joint meeting of community leaders with CRC in connection with attacks on Indian Overseas students; Meeting of High Commissioner of India held at Canberra regarding Visa problems; Meeting organised by the Consul General of India, Sydney with Mr. Montek Singh, Deputy Chair, Planning Commission of India; Meeting with speakers of the Indian States during their visit at Consul General of India’s office at Sydney;

9) Participated in Parramasala organised by the government of NSW; Also, in the arrival of Queen’s baton at Parramatta during Commonwealth Games; At the installation of Gandhi bust at the lawns of UNSW’s library; In Gandhi Jayanti held in NSW Parliament, which was organised by Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan. A book named “Guldasta” of 80 poets was released, which was compiled by Abbas Raza Alvi, Co-Chair, GOPIO Cultural Council – GOPIO International.

Events 2008
1) Chapter meetings to organise future activities of GOPIO Sydney North West chapter.

2) GOPIO Sydney North West and GOPIO Sydney chapters organised a Cruise to raise funds for the victims of flood in Fiji.

3) GOPIO trophy to best Raider in a Kabaddi Match organised by Dasmesh Kabaddi Club, Sydney.

4) Collected funds for the victims of floods in Bihar (India). Rohitas Batta, president GOPIO Sydney presented a cheque to the Indian Minister in India as a relief fund.