Press Release
Media Release 2023
GOPIO Sydney North West – 14th Annual Caring & Sharing Event
Spectacular 14th Annual ‘Caring and Sharing’ Event by GOPIO Syd North-West
The glamorous and dazzling event, organised by Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) Sydney North-West Chapter, was held at the Sapphire Function Centre, Auburn on 23 October 2023. The GOPIO Sydney North-West Chapter team has been conducting Caring & Sharing events for the last 14 years, raising much needed funds for the less privileged children in India and needy persons/organisations in Australia. The chapter annually supports Cancer Council of Australia and National Heart Foundation of Australia. Previously, the chapter helped victims of the Blue Mountains fire, the Fiji cyclone, the Nepal earthquake, NSW Rural Fire Services, FoxG1 and the underprivileged kids in Nigeria.
GOPIO Sydney North-West Chapter team has worked passionately towards the success of the 14th Caring & Sharing event. Such events are a result of the spirit that we all have in us to care for the under privileged and needy. Therefore, the funds raised through these events become a symbol of hope for the needful.
During the night of great cause and unlimited entertainment, there were scintillating performances that kept the audience on the edge of their seats. Aman Singh and Neeru Singh engaged the wonderful audience through Antakshri and their stage anchoring. Other attractions of the night were quiz, auction of items to raise funds, energetic DJ & Dance and 3 course dinner attracted the zeal and enthusiasm of all the guests present at the event. Mr Umesh Chandra OAM, Executive Vice President of GOPIO International addressed the audience and represented GOPIO International.
Generous offerings from the sponsors in Australia and the support of the dedicated individuals in India have made it possible for the team to extend a helping hand to over 10000 under privileged primary school children in India for the last 14 years. A few necessities that will be provided again to the primary school kids include warm clothes, shoes, socks, ceiling fans in classrooms, hand pumps for drinking water, water coolers, RO filters, inverters with batteries, furniture, Daris, sound systems for prayers, sports items, stationary and other basic commodities as per the requirements of the remote area schools. The Caring & Sharing event not only raised funds for kids in India, but also gave donations to the Cancer Council of Australia and the National Heart Foundation of Australia for their righteous causes.
GOPIO Sydney North-West Chapter thanks their main sponsors – Yogesh Manav & Jasbir Kang of Auburn Sapphire Function Centre, Kewal Kalra of Kalra Group of Companies, Sumit Joshi of RyRo Loan Centre, Baljit Pelia of Vista Home loan, Garry Kalra of UltraTune, Seven Hills,and B Town Wheels & Tyres of Blacktown and NSW Dental Care, Raj Mangat of Laing & Simmons Rouse Hill-Box Hill (Buy, Rent, Sell), Gurpreet Chadha & Aman Brar of G&A Roadlines, High End Construction (HEC) and GFC Project.
Media Release 2018
GOPIO Sydney North West – 9th Annual Caring & Sharing Event
9th Annual “Caring & Sharing” event was held at Bowman Hall, Blacktown on 15 September 2018 and was attended by over 400 people, who enjoyed the delicious food and the entertainment throughout the night. The Consul General of India, Sydney, Mr. B. Vanlal Vawna and Hon. Michelle Rowland MP, Shadow Minister for Communications also attended the event for a cause. The funds raised are used to help the needy both locally and internationally.
GOPIO Sydney North West chapter is unique in its community service initiatives, because majority of its team members contribute as sponsors.
The dedicated team of GOPIO Sydney North West chapter has so far helped over 4,500 underprivileged school children in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Nigeria by providing them with uniform, warm clothes, socks, shoes, furniture, drinking water facilities, sports items and other basic amenities as per the need of the school children.
On the night, on behalf of the GOPIO Sydney North West team, President Mr. Harmohan Singh Walia announced $2000 each in support to the recent Australian farmers drought relief fund, the Kerala Floods relief fund and Pingalwara, Amritsar respectively. Also continuing donation of $1000 each to Cancer Council and Heart Foundation of Australia respectively. This year another $1000 was donated as support to parents of a 2 years old leukemia patient in Sydney.
Special thanks to our sponsors, media and Hon. Michelle Rowland MP, Shadow Minister for Communication, Member for Greenway, Hon. Hugh McDermott MP, Member for Prospect and Mr. Vanlal Vawna, Consul General of India, Sydney for their gracious presence.
Media Release 2017
Spectacular 8th Annual “Caring & Sharing” Event by GOPIO Sydney North West Chapter
The 8th Annual “Caring & Sharing” event of GOPIO Sydney North West Chapter was successfully delivered on 16 Sep 2017. This could only be possible through “Caring & Sharing” event guests, generous sponsors and dedicated team members’ collaboration thus keeping its objective of ‘party with a cause’.
“You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.” ? John Bunyan
The main motto of the team is to help the needy in a transparent and shared way, thus they have been committed to raise funds for the less privileged children in remote areas of India and also for the local community needs.
In a nutshell GOPIO Sydney North West Chapter’s achievements for the last eight years are:
? Supported 4000 less privileged school children in Punjab and Haryana by providing winter clothing, shoes, drinking water facilities, ceiling fans, furniture, sports items and study materials.
? Continuous support to Cancer Council of Australia, Heart Foundation, FoxG1 Foundation.
? Provided prosthetic legs to a needy high school student who lost his legs in an accident.
? Supported Manmeet Sharma, Captain Shekhwat’s family for much needed funds at the time of need.
? Blue mountains bush fire, Fiji cyclone and Nepal earthquake victims were also supported during crisis times.
? Helped a cancer patient in Punjab to have medication and also donated warm blankets to poor in winter.
Over 450 guests attended the Dance and Dinner evening of “Caring & Sharing” event. The great pomp & show of the night was opened by the colourful Dhama Yoga performance. Scintillating dance performances by CK Performing Arts, Rooh Punjab Di – Bhangra group, Phulkari Gidha group, Shiamak Davar bollywood dance group, Arohana dance group kept the audience spellbound. Magician Manny and Jagpreet Grover also kept the guests entertained with their magical tricks and songs respectively.
MCs Neeru Singh, Aman Singh and Amrit Buttar were the centre of the ceremony who conducted the proceeding with utmost commitment. Prof. Balkar Singh Kang, the chapter president, in his inspiring speech thanked the sponsors and guests for their valuable contributions for the event. Team members Harmohan Singh Walia, Paramjit Multani, Ravi Singh, Sumit Joshi, Rajvinder Mangat, Baljit Pelia, Sanjeet Hooda and Baljinder Singh passionately worked to make this event successful and value adding.
The main sponsors of the event were Kalra Group of Companies, Ray White Quakers Hill, MyExpert Home loans, Sapphire Function Centre, Ruby Events and Ravi Singh. Fortune Travel, Saree Collection, Gill Transport, G & A Roadline, Bathla Group, Patel Brothers of Wentworthville & Harris Park, Sarjit Rahi, Tahar Mohammed, Parmajit Multani, Gurcharan Sandhu and Shaggir Khan supported the event with their contributions. GOPIO team also acknowledged Pannu Lawyers and Prime Protection Security services for their unconditional support.
Evergreen Memories, ARR DEE Photography and Roa Srini captured the precious moments of the event. Desi Australia, Punjab Times, Punjab Herald, Public Telegraph, Punjabi Tribune and Ajit were the media partners.
Please visit GOPIO Sydney North West Facebook page to see more photos of the event.
Media Release 2016
Spectacular Show of 7th Annual Caring & Sharing Event
7th Annual ‘Caring & Sharing’ event, organised by Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) Sydney North West Chapter was held at Bowman Hall , Blacktown on 19th November 2016. GOPIO Sydney North West Chapter team has been conducting Caring & Sharing events for the last 7 years, raising much needed funds for a noble cause in India and Australia. The chapter has also supported the victims of Fiji cyclone and Nepal earthquake.
GOPIO, an international non-partisan, secular global organisation is engaged in promoting the wellbeing of People of Indian Origin, enhancing cooperation and communication among Indians living around the globe.
The GOPIO Sydney North West Chapter President, Prof. Balkar Singh Kang and his team – Sumit Joshi, Baljit Pelia, Parmjit Multani, Harmohan Singh Walia, Aman Singh, Neeru Singh, Amrit Buttar, Tia Singh, Sanjeet Hooda, Baljinder Singh and Ravi Singh have worked passionately towards the success of the 7th Caring & Sharing event. Such events are a result of the spirit, we all have in us to care for the less privileged. Therefore, the funds raised through it, have become a symbol of hope for the needful.
During the night of great cause and fun unlimited, the scintillating performances from Shyamak Davar dance group, Phulkari group, Bass Bhangra group, Vinod Rajput, Jyoti Dixit and Dhamma Yoga kids kept the audience at the edge of their seats. Neeru Singh and Aman Singh, in their best attire, engaged the wonderful audience through their stage anchoring. Other attractions of the night, such as, quiz prizes and Facebook photo competition attrracted the zeal and enthusiasm of all the guests.
Generous offerings from the sponsors in Australia and the support of the dedicated individuals in India has made it possible for the team to extend a helping hand to more than 3000 less privileged primary school children in India for the last 7 years. A few necessities that will be provided again to the primary school kids are – warm clothes, shoes, socks, sports items and other basic commodities as per the requirements of the remote area schools. This year, Caring & Sharing event not only raised funds for kids in India, and also gave donations to “Salt of the Earth Production” for a film on Indian heritage written and directed by Anita Brar, Cancer Council, Heart Foundation and Tear Australia for righteous causes. Caringly, funds were also donated to Manmeet Sharma Alisher’s family in India.
GOPIO Sydney North West Chapter thanks their main sponsors – Kewal Kalra of Kalra Group, Sumit Joshi of My Loan Expert, Surjit Rahi of Khanna Khazana, Yogesh Manav & Jasbir Kang of Auburn Sapphire Function Centre and Ravi Singh. Additional sponsors were Fred Khurana of Ray White Quakers Hills, Fortune World Tour, Bathla Group, Winning Smile Dental Surgery, Granville Cellars, Lucky 7 Stores, Gurpreet Chadha & Aman Brar of G&A Roadline, Ripudaman Gill of Gill Roadways, Sanjeet Hooda of Gain Home Loans and Parmjit & Rosie Multani. Evergreen Photography and Rao Srini captured all the beautiful moments of the event. Special thanks to Umesh Chandra, Mrs. Usha Chandra, President GOPIO Brisbane Chapter, Harmohan Singh Walia, Chair Bylaws, Policies & Procedures Committee of GOPIO International and Associate Editor GOPIO News Bulletin, Hon. Jodi McKay MP, Member for Strathfield, Hon. Julia Finn MP, Member for Granville. Hon. Hugh McDermott MP, Member for Prospect, Mr. Rajiv Kumar Vice Council, representing Consul General of India, Sydney for their gracious presence.
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.
Media Release 2012
GOPIO Sydney North West chapter held their 3rd Caring & Sharing 2012 annual event at Sapphire Function Centre, Blacktown. Over 300 people attended the event. Honourable Arun Kumar Goel, Consulate General of India, Sydney was the chief guest at the event.
Over $3500 were raised in this event and will be donated to the under privileged school children in Punjab (India) to provide them with warm clothes, uniforms, shoes, socks, ceiling fans in class rooms and other basic amenities as per the requirements of the school. This year, Caring & Sharing Dinner & Dance 2012 event not only raised funds for kids in India, but also gave donation of a $1000 cheque to a local Senior Citizen Social Group called RAINS towards the cost of paving the backyard at their Community Centre in Pennant Hills.
A kid’s heart is as pure as God, unfortunately a large numbers of kids in the world are not nurtured and educated the way they should be. That’s one of the reasons why poverty and falsehood are becoming a major problem for us on this planet. Events like Caring & Sharing are result of spirit; we all carry to care those in need of love and support. It’s not how efficient GOPIO Sydney North West chapter is in raising funds or generating any profit; it’s all about how effective we are in igniting a candle of compassion in each and every heart that support the event like this. This event wouldn’t have been possible without each and every individual, who attended the event, the rocking performers, generous sponsors and a team of GOPIO Sydney North West chapter.
GOPIO Sydney North West chapter thank their Platinum sponsors Jasbir Singh Kang and Yogesh Manav of Sapphire Function Centre, Gold sponsors Amit Pall of Kailash Lawyers & Consultants and Sarjit Rahi of Caltex Australia, Silver sponsors Amrjit Khela CEO of Unique International College, Gurmeet Singh Mangat of Ausgrip, Pankaj Khurana of Prime Real Estate, Harinder Kaur of Platinum Bhangra, Raju Sarai of Disco Waves, Vista Home loans and Ravi Singh.
Our media supporters were; Harkirat Singh of Daily Ajit, Harpreet Singh of Punjab Times, Amarjit Khela of ApnaPunjab TV, Malvika Santhebennur of Indian Link, Inderjit of The Indian and Surinder Singh of Masala Newsline, Dimple of Desi Entertainment, Hemu Negi of IndusAge, Bikram Cheema of Events News, Urban Lotus, Radio jockeys, Sham Kumar of Mela Getan da, Rajesh Batra of Radio Mirchi and Sukhpreet of Radio Safar Humsafar.
Special thanks to Mr. Vijay Kumar, Secretary Govt. of India (Retd.), Mr. Umesh Chandra, GOPIO International Coordinator – Oceania, Clr. SuSai Benjamin, Clr. Gurmeet Singh, Dr. Yadu Singh, President Indian Australian Association, Mrs. Shubha Kumar, President India Club, Mr. Suba Rao, President CIA and Mr. Moninder Singh, President Punjabi Council for attending the event. Performers Navjeet Kahlon, Jagpreet Grover, Cheryl Khurana, Mishi Khurana, Tia Singh Group, Shaukeen Babay Group rocked the stage with their scintillating voice, dances and acts. The stage was successfully managed by anchors Neeru Singh, Aman Singh and Indra Ghuman. Ravinder Singh, Prof. Balkar Singh Kang, Baljit Singh Pelia, Rajvinder Singh, Paramjit Singh Multani and Harmohan Singh Walia along with the rest of the team worked tirelessly to make this event a grand success.
PRESS RELEASE 2010 GOPIO
Antakshri Night has earned clean water & winter clothes for an underprivileged school in India. With an overwhelming support from the people of Sydney, more than 300 guests attended GOPIO’s Diwali Antakshri Night on 6th November 2010. GOPIO North West hosted the event with the full support of other GOPIO chapters in Sydney. Over $2500 was raised by the event and the funds raised will be used to build a clean drinking water facility and to purchase winter clothing for kids in Wara Pohvindian Govt. Middle School in Tehsil Zeera and District, Ferozepur, Punjab, India.
The Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) is an international network of people of Indian origin (PIO). GOPIO was founded at the First Global Convention of People of Indian Origin in New York in 1989. The initial thrust of GOPIO was fighting human rights violation of people of Indian origin. GOPIO accredited by the U.N. as an NGO to participate in the World Conference against Racism.
GOPIO in Australia & abroad has now set its priorities in pooling its resources, both financial and professional, for the benefit of people of Indian origin and the countries they come from. GOPIO North West has come up with the idea to help underprivileged school kids in India. Antakshri 2010 has left a lasting legacy for the students of a selected school by providing them with well needed basic amenities.
The highlights of Antakshri Night 2010 were live music by Minto & group, DJ Bali and abundant food from Kings Parramatta Restaurant. The other attractions were song performances by Minto, Preet and Harry Singh. Additionally Palak Gupta’s dance added the Bollywood masala to event.
How can we forget our Antakshri teams, Anaar (Navneet Sarna & Ayush Sharma) Chakri (Tajinder Kaur & Gurjot Singh), Phuljhari (Rishab & Rithika) and Rocket (Preet Sargam & Kanchan Bassi) complimented Diwali’s atmosphere. All the team players were seasoned music trivia champions and were selected through a rigorous audition process which took place at Yama’s Music Academy at Glenwood, NSW. The winner teams were tied with Annar and Chakri. Antakshri Night Guests were welcome by Mr. Harmohan Walia. Aman & Neeru Singh delightfully managed the stage and their commentary was applauded by all. Raj and Amit brilliantly managed the guest list and their seating arrangement. Lucky Singh, Alka Sharma & Balbir Singh’s support was abysmal.
GOPIO North West member Ravi Singh donated the wine for the event which was cherished by all and it added an extra zing to the event. The young team from GOPIO Glenwood, Aayush, Harpreet & rest of the team worked tirelessly to make this event a grand success. Harminder Singh, member GOPIO North West organised the Bhangra event which was brilliantly choreographed by Rooh Punjab Dee group. GOPIO Parramatta President, Amit Pall shared his generosity by donating tasty and colourful Indian sweets which was welcomed by all our guests.
GOPIO Sydney Co-ordinator Mr. Harmohan Walia and all Chapter Presidents, Lucky Singh (Sydney), Neeru Singh (North West), Amit Pall (Parramatta), Aayush Sharma (Glenwood) and Parmanand Singh (Ryde) to all the sponsors, attendees and volunteers of the event for their exceptional support in making the event a resounding success.
GOPIO team heartily congratulate & thank the sponsors of the event Value WorldTravel (Platinum sponsor), United Real Estate, Franklins Quakers Hill (Silver sponsors), Gain Home Loans, Vista Home Loans, NRI Reality Solutions, Migration Centre & Prime Protection, Minto Cellars & GOPIO North West (Bronze Sponsors).
Special thanks to GOPIO media partners Punjab Times, Hindi Gaurav, The Indian, SBS Radio, Navtarang, Indian Link, Apna Punjab TV and Masala Newsline. We encourage additional members to join GOPIO team (membership fee $50 for singles, $75 a year for a couple and students pay a discounted membership fee of $25) Bring your innovative ideas to GOPIO and together we can help the needy & under-privileged.
HUM TUM SATH SATH
Hum Tum Saath Saath Mushaira cum Kavisamelan was organized by GOPIO Australia at Epping Community Hall, Epping on Saturday, 7 November 2009 to raise funds for the victims of Tsunami in Samoa and Earthquake in Indonesia. Hon Laurie Fergusan MP, Parliamentary Secretary Multicultural Affairs and Settlement Services, Hon Peter Primrose MLC, President of the Legislative Council of NSW and Hon Gautam Roy, Consul from Indian Consulate, Sydney spoke on this very particular occasion.
The program started with lighting of lamps. Slide show was presented to highlight the activities of GOPIO in Sydney for the last one year. Harry Walia, President GOPIO Sydney North West in his welcome speech highlighted natural calamity of tsunami in Samoa and earthquake in Indonesia. Lucky Singh, President GOPIO Sydney successfully played the role of MC. Amit Pall, GOPIO Parramatta and Jagdish Lodhia, President GOPIO Sydney South West thanked sponsors and gave away momentos to them. Abbas Raza Alvi organized poets for Mushaira cum Kavisamelan.
In the past, Hindi Kavi Sammelans and Urdu Mushairas has given us a feeling that listeners enjoy poetry in both these languages. Sometimes they describe Hindi and Urdu as sisters. However if the same poetry is provided to them in the form of a book in only one language, then there is a limitation that many readers will miss out as only a few can read both the languages (Hindi and Urdu languages).
We felt that Australia is one of the truly multi-cultural countries in the world. It has exceptional tolerance and has great interest in bringing people together on a single platform. This fact has motivated us to bring Urdu and Hindi creative poets, poetesses and artists based in Australia on a single platform. The following was also one of the objectives:
- Cultivate the unity in Australian community and all over the world
- Promotion of multiculturism
- Presentation of poetry as an experiment to bring people together Feeling of togetherness
- Bring different languages at one platform
In the end, three dance performances by talented girls, Sheryl Khurana, Yukti Arya and Huma Wason stole the show.