Batting for a thriving multicultural Queensland

from India News – May 1-15, 2021, Vol 1 Issue 21

Varnam Cultural Society’s Chithirai Kalai Vizha Multicultural Tamil festival organised

IAIE XI vs QPS XI, 17 April 2021

The inaugural T20 cricket match, “The Goodwill Trophy” was organized by the Institute for Australia India Engagement in conjunction with the Queensland Police Service. The match fostered engagement between the South Asian diaspora (represented by IAIE) and QPS members on Saturday, 17 April 2021, at the Wolston Park Cricket Club at Wacol, Brisbane. The underlying objective of this innovative initiative was to promote inter-community integration, mutual trust and understanding between the South Asian communities and the state law enforcement agencies and the government to build a vibrant and multiculturally thriving and resilient Queensland.

The event commemorates 2021 as the ‘International Year of Peace and Trust’ declared by the United Nations General Assembly.Sports is an effective medium for breaking barriers and strengthening multicultural ethos. This event was a celebration of diversity to acknowledge the invaluable role community organizations, local businesses and institutions play in the growth and progress of Queensland and Australia.

**Milton Dick Federal MP; Lance McCallum, Charis Mullen, Jess Pugh and Jim Madden**

Batting first, after losing the toss, IAIE XI captained by AmilaWeththasinghescored 154 runs in 20 overs.In response the Queensland Police Commissioner's XI red by their captain Senior Sergeant Wayne Clayton fell short by 9 runs. It was a tight and keenly contested match which kept the supporters on both sides on the edge of their seats till the very end. IAIE XI was very proud to clinch the trophy, for which the credit goes to IAIE XI players and its coach Anu Perera. The Queensland Police XI players specially Jake Coolwell (Man of the Match) deserve special praise for putting up a great fight and treating the audience with a cracker of match.

Special thanks to Ian Healy AM for meeting and greeting the players, and doing the toss in the morning, on the day of his marriage anniversary. IAIE and QPS also thank Milton Dick Federal MP, Minister Lance McCallum MP, Minister Charis Mullen MP (representing the Hon’ble Minister for Multicultural Affairs Leanne Linard), Jessica Pugh MP, Jim Madden MP, Councilor Nicole Jonic, Henry Palaszczuk (representing the Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk);Acting Inspector Michelle Piket (representing QPS Commissioner Katarina Carroll) Ankit Taneja, Country Head, Mahindras Automotive, the lead sponsor; and Peter Clifford, former Australian first-class cricketer, for their generous support and time to grace the presentation ceremony.

The event kicked start by welcome remarks by Ashutosh Misra, IAIE CEO, Senior Sergeant Wayne Clayton, Ian Healy and Peter Clifford. Ian Healy was also presented with a token of appreciation to also mark his marriage anniversary on the day.

The closing ceremony began with the acknowledgement to the country by Adrian Coolwell (QPS Indigenous Employment Officer), special remarks by Peter Davis, WPC President, and vote of thanks by Inspector Jason Saunders and Ashutosh Misra.

**Ram Mohan, Jess Pugh, Henry Palaszczuk, Anu Perera and Narsimhan Ravi doing the raffles**

For the successful hosting of the event special gratitude goes to the Wolston Park Cricket Club, President Peter Davis, Greg White curator and grounds man, Brad and Anu Perera for their wonderful hospitality and logistical support, without which the event would not have materialized. Similarly, Team India News led by Dr Ram Mohan Chairman/Publisher, AgastyaYeturi, Nishit Chandan and Kartik Pratap Sigh for the excellent coverage of the event, live streaming, photography, food arrangements, match jerseys, publicity banners and other logistical necessities. IAIE and QPS is also indebted to Amol Wagholikar, Program Director, Sports and Wellness at IAIE for his sustained support in organizing the event and securing funding from various sponsors.

For making this inaugural event happen, sincere gratitude goes to the event sponsors Sankalprestaurant, Mirch Masalarestaurant, Tulsi restaurant, Nabropure, Top in Townrestaurant, Meg Fine Arts, Gadgets for Projects, BiowinNeurosocks, Star Promotions, Woolworths, Greg Chappel Cricket Centre and above all Mahindras Automotive.

Various community organizations including Kshatriya Society of Brisbane, Afghan Association, Nepalese Association, Sri Lankan Association and Griffith Criminology Institute deserve accolades.

Also, our special appreciation goes to our family, friends and well-wishers for their support and most notably to our wonderful Master Ceremony Narasimhan Ravi for his smooth compeering and deft handling of the proceedings.