Fiji Senior Citizens Association of Queensland Inc had organised Pioneer Festival which is also well known as Girmit day on 12th May 2018 at Ekibin Park South next to Multicultural Hub, 20 Arnwood Place, Annerley.
The event was celebrated to remember those Indian men and women who were brought to Fiji as indentured labourers for the plantation and for the Government.
This celebration was a token of appreciation to all the pioneers for their sacrifices and achievements which they made towards building a bright future for their generations to come, at the same time working with the local and other communities in building Fiji a multicultural society and have now become a big community of contributors to multicultural country Australia.
It was a full day event from 11 am till 9 pm with cultural events where some of the performance included the audience to participate along to engage and entertain them, stalls and children rides.
The evening program started with Australian anthem followed by a classical dance as a prayer seeking the wellness to community, other cultural events and a beautiful demonstration of Girmitias (Pioneers of indenture labour in Fiji) who underwent hardships and atrocities by overseas Colonial Sugar Refining Company (CSR) of Australia and lack of education and other facilities, where they made great sacrifices and with hard work made significant contributions towards education, maintaining their culture and traditions, building schools, Temples, Mosque, etc., for their future generations in Fiji. It is for such a vision that today’s third generations are professionals and skilled people in Fiji and who are spread around the world.
The official program in the evening was well attended by Mr Duncan Pegg MP- Representing Multicultural Minister, Cr Ian McKenzie- Councillor for Coorparoo, Graham Perrett MP- Federal Member for Morton, John-Paul Langbroek MP- Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Cr Krista Adamd- Councillor for Holland Park, Aunty Peggy Tidyman- Chairperson Logan District Aboriginal &Torres Island Corporation for Elders, Mrs Archana Singh- Honorary Consul of India in Brisbane, Prof. Sarva- Daman Singh – former Consul of India, Prof Brij Lal AM, Steve Biddle – Regional Manager Home Affairs, Dave Jackman Acting Chief Superintendent representing Commission of Police, Mr Wayne Briscoe from MAQ, Ms Mitra Khakbaz- Executive Manager MDA, Gary Page- CEO- ECCQ, Serge Voloschenko- Honorary Chairman –ECCQ, Anna Voloschenko, Mr Lewis Lee OAM- Community worker, Mr Chris Allanson – Senior Inspector Anerley Police Station, Agnes Whiten OAM- Filipino Community, Peter Low- Chinese Community, Ram Mohan- President- FICQ, Mr Anthony Shorten –Former state member for Algester, Parnam Singh- Punjabi Community, Dr Naidu Bodapati- Secretary AIHWMC, Shyam Das- Vedanta Society, Ibrahim Malik- Muslim Community, Melody Chen- Honorary President WAMCI, Edward Lin- President WAMCI, John Chen- Vice President WAMCI, Susan Yang- Secretary WAMCI, Pravinita & Bob Pillai – Corner stone Law Office, Palani Thevar- Former President FICQ, Alton & Mrs Budd- South Seas Island Community, Amar Khan – Muslim Community, Margaret Naylon- Catholic Church, John Fox – Secretary ECCQ
This festival was also about recognising and acknowledging the people who have made difference to the community with their service and contributions. The winners of the award were Mr Lewis Lee OAM, Aunty Peggy Tidyman, Mr Vaka Vakanofiti, Ms Reena Augustine, Mr Jack Sun, Ms Agnes Whiten OAM, Mr Elijah Boul and Ms Isileli Fonua Nisa
It was a day well spent with the wholeness of remembrance, acknowledgement, commemoration, and entertainment for both adult and children. Fiji Senior Citizens of Queensland Association Inc sincerely thank the organising committee for their effort in organising the event and the media partner Indian News Queensland for their support.
Article by
Prakruthi Mysore Gururaj
PRO, Event Organising Committee