1<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0" 2 xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" 3 xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/" 4 xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" 5 xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" 6 xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/" 7 xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/" 8 > 9 10<channel> 11 <title>The Indian Sun</title> 12 <atom:link href="https://www.theindiansun.com.au/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" /> 13 <link>https://www.theindiansun.com.au/</link> 14 <description></description> 15 <lastBuildDate>Fri, 02 Oct 2026 03:48:25 +0000</lastBuildDate> 16 <language>en-AU</language> 17 <sy:updatePeriod> 18 hourly </sy:updatePeriod> 19 <sy:updateFrequency> 20 1 </sy:updateFrequency> 21 <generator>https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0.5</generator> 22 23<image> 24 <url>https://media.theindiansun.au/2017/05/cropped-Logo-S-32x32.png</url> 25 <title>The Indian Sun</title> 26 <link>https://www.theindiansun.com.au/</link> 27 <width>32</width> 28 <height>32</height> 29</image> 30<site xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">112165933</site> <item> 31 <title>Gandhi Jayanti marked with floral tribute in Canberra</title> 32 <link>https://www.theindiansun.com.au/2026/10/02/gandhi-jayanti-marked-with-floral-tribute-in-canberra/</link> 33 <comments>https://www.theindiansun.com.au/2026/10/02/gandhi-jayanti-marked-with-floral-tribute-in-canberra/#respond</comments> 34 35 <dc:creator><![CDATA[Our Reporter]]></dc:creator> 36 <pubDate>Fri, 02 Oct 2026 04:00:41 +0000</pubDate> 37 <category><![CDATA[India & Diaspora]]></category> 38 <category><![CDATA[Top Story]]></category> 39 <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.theindiansun.com.au/?p=133688</guid> 40 41 <description><![CDATA[<p>The High Commission of India in Canberra marked Gandhi Jayanti and the International Day of Non-Violence with a floral tribute at the Mahatma Gandhi statue in Glebe Park on Frid
41ay, 2 October. High Commissioner of India to Australia Nagesh Singh joined officers and staff of the Mission, community leaders and members of the Indian community […]</p> 42<p>The post <a href="https://www.theindiansun.com.au/2026/10/02/gandhi-jayanti-marked-with-floral-tribute-in-canberra/">Gandhi Jayanti marked with floral tribute in Canberra</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.theindiansun.com.au">The Indian Sun</a>.</p> 43]]></description> 44 <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p class="isSelectedEnd"><span class="dropcap dropcap3">T</span>he High Commission of India in Canberra marked Gandhi Jayanti and the International Day of Non-Violence with a floral tribute at the Mahatma Gandhi statue in Glebe Park on Friday, 2 October.</p> 45<p class="isSelectedEnd">High Commissioner of India to Australia Nagesh Singh joined officers and staff of the Mission, community leaders and members of the Indian community at the Canberra ceremony, where floral tributes were offered in remembrance of Mahatma Gandhi.</p> 46<p class="isSelectedEnd">The occasion marked the 157th birth anniversary of Gandhi, whose birthday on 2 October is also observed by the United Nations as the International Day of Non-Violence. The international day was established by the UN General Assembly in 2007 to promote awareness of non-violence and its relevance to peace, tolerance and understanding.</p> 47<div class="gallery gallery-columns-3 gallery-size-thumbnail rps-image-gallery-format-default rps-image-gallery-theme-default rps-image-gallery-columns-no-responsive rps-image-gallery rps-image-gallery-no-masonry rps-image-gallery-no-heading rps-image-gallery-no-caption rps-image-gallery-no-social " style="text-align:left" pageSize="0" currentPage="0" ><ul><li class="gallery-item gallery-item-begin-row"><div class="gallery-icon landscape"><a rel="rps-image-group-133688" href="https://www.theindiansun.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/825266958_1545772517586082_5146364654502040605_n.jpg" title=""><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" src="https://www.theindiansun.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/825266958_1545772517586082_5146364654502040605_n-500x443.jpg" alt="" title="" class="attachment-thumbnail" width="500" height="443" sizes="(max-width: 500px) 100v
47w, 500px"></a></div></li><li class="gallery-item "><div class="gallery-icon landscape"><a rel="rps-image-group-133688" href="https://www.theindiansun.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/825350955_1545772437586090_5942638593208957403_n-1-1024x683.jpg" title=""><img decoding="async" src="https://www.theindiansun.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/825350955_1545772437586090_5942638593208957403_n-1-500x500.jpg" alt="" title="" class="attachment-thumbnail" width="500" height="500" srcset="https://theindiansun.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/825350955_1545772437586090_5942638593208957403_n-1-500x500.jpg 500w, https://theindiansun.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/825350955_1545772437586090_5942638593208957403_n-1-45x45.jpg 45w" sizes="(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px"></a></div></li><li class="gallery-item gallery-item-end-row"><div class="gallery-icon landscape"><a rel="rps-image-group-133688" href="https://www.theindiansun.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/825351350_1545772270919440_6067633087733128854_n.jpg" title=""><img decoding="async" src="https://www.theindiansun.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/825351350_1545772270919440_6067633087733128854_n-500x443.jpg" alt="" title="" class="attachment-thumbnail last" width="500" height="443" sizes="(max-width: 500px) 100v
47w, 500px"></a></div></li></ul></div> 48<p class="isSelectedEnd">The Canberra gathering reflected on Gandhi’s principles of truth and non-violence, with participants paying tribute at the statue in Glebe Park, which has been a site for Gandhi Jayanti commemorations involving the Indian community and the High Commission for many years.</p> 49<p class="isSelectedEnd">The High Commission had invited members of the community to attend the 2026 commemoration at the statue, with the event scheduled from 9am to 10am.</p> 50<p class="isSelectedEnd">Gandhi’s approach to non-violent action has continued to feature in international discussions about peaceful social and political change. The United Nations describes non-violence as a principle that rejects physical violence as a means of achieving social or political change and notes its use by movements around the world.</p> 51<p>The Canberra commemoration brought together diplomatic representatives and members of the Indian community to mark the occasion and remember Gandhi’s contribution to India’s independence movement and the wider international recognition of non-violence.</p> 52<hr /> 53<h6><strong>Support independent community journalism. Support The Indian Sun.</strong></h6> 54<p><a href="https://buy.stripe.com/6oE01l0lo2Rb4GQ4gg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img decoding="async" src="https://media.theindiansun.au/2022/08/donatenow-e1661674931821-400x133.jpg" alt="" width="160" height="53" /></a></p> 55<hr /> 56<h6><strong>Follow The Indian Sun on <a href="https://twitter.com/The_Indian_Sun">X</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/theindiansun/">Instagram</a> |Â <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheIndianSun/">Facebook</a></strong></h6> 57<p>The post <a href="https://www.theindiansun.com.au/2026/10/02/gandhi-jayanti-marked-with-floral-tribute-in-canberra/">Gandhi Jayanti marked with floral tribute in Canberra</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.theindiansun.com.au">The Indian Sun</a>.</p> 58]]></content:encoded> 59 60 <wfw:commentRss>https://www.theindiansun.com.au/2026/10/02/gandhi-jayanti-marked-with-floral-tribute-in-canberra/feed/</wfw:commentRss> 61 <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> 62 63 64 <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">133688</post-id> </item> 65 <item> 66 <title>Geelong housing model gives new arrivals a foothold in the rental market</title> 67 <link>https://www.theindiansun.com.au/2026/10/02/geelong-housing-model-gives-new-arrivals-a-foothold-in-the-rental-market/</link> 68 <comments>https://www.theindiansun.com.au/2026/10/02/geelong-housing-model-gives-new-arrivals-a-foothold-in-the-rental-market/#respond</comments> 69 70 <dc:creator><![CDATA[Our Reporter]]></dc:creator> 71 <pubDate>Fri, 02 Oct 2026 03:00:21 +0000</pubDate> 72 <category><![CDATA[Auzone]]></category> 73 <category><![CDATA[Top Story]]></category> 74 <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.theindiansun.com.au/?p=133673</guid> 75 76 <description><![CDATA[<p>New migrants and international students struggling to enter Victoriaâs rental market are the focus of a Geelong accommodation business offering furnished rooms, inclusive bills and a way for residents to begin building an Australian rental history. Hashtag Habitat, founded by Ramya Mishra and Nilumi Amarabandu, operates registered rooming-house accommodation in Grovedale and Waurn Ponds, targeting […]</p> 77<p>The post <a href="https://www.theindiansun.com.au/2026/10/02/geelong-housing-model-gives-new-arrivals-a-foothold-in-the-rental-market/">Geelong housing model gives new arrivals a foothold in the rental market</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.theindiansun.com.au">The Indian Sun</a>.</p> 78]]></description> 79 <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>New migrants and international students struggling to enter Victoriaâs rental market are the focus of a Geelong accommodation business offering furnished rooms, inclusive bills and a way for residents to begin building an Australian rental history.</p> 80<p><a href="https://hashtaghabitat.com/">Hashtag Habitat</a>, founded by Ramya Mishra and Nilumi Amarabandu, operates registered rooming-house accommodation in Grovedale and Waurn Ponds, targeting students, working professionals and people relocating to the city.</p> 81<p>The business was developed partly in response to a problem familiar to many new arrivals: securing a rental without Australian payslips, local references or a previous tenancy record.</p> 82<p>Applicants in the private rental market are commonly asked for employment details, references and evidence of their rental history. For someone who has recently arrived in Australia, some of that documentation may simply not exist.</p> 83<p>Mishra and Amarabandu drew on their own experiences of moving to Australia when developing the accommodation model.</p> 84<p>Residents at Hashtag Habitat receive accommodation documentation in their own name and can establish a re
84cord of rental payments through a tenancy ledger. That can later provide evidence of their accommodation history if they apply for a property elsewhere.</p> 85<p>The founders have also sought to reduce some of the upfront costs associated with relocation.</p> 86<div class="gallery gallery-columns-3 gallery-size-thumbnail rps-image-gallery-format-default rps-image-gallery-theme-default rps-image-gallery-columns-no-responsive rps-image-gallery rps-image-gallery-no-masonry rps-image-gallery-no-heading rps-image-gallery-no-caption rps-image-gallery-no-social " style="text-align:left" pageSize="0" currentPage="0" ><ul><li class="gallery-item gallery-item-begin-row"><div class="gallery-icon landscape"><a rel="rps-image-group-133673" href="https://www.theindiansun.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/CR-2.png" title="&lt;div class=&quot;fancybox-title-heading&quot;&gt;CR-2&lt;/div&gt;"><img decoding="async" src="https://www.theindiansun.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/CR-2-500x500.png" alt="CR-2" title="CR-2" class="attachment-thumbnail" width="500" height="500" srcset="https://theindiansun.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/CR-2-500x500.png 500w, https://theindiansun.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/CR-2-45x45.png 45w" sizes="(max-width: 500px) 100v
86w, 500px"></a></div></li><li class="gallery-item "><div class="gallery-icon landscape"><a rel="rps-image-group-133673" href="https://www.theindiansun.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Creative-Corner.png" title="&lt;div class=&quot;fancybox-title-heading&quot;&gt;Creative Corner&lt;/div&gt;"><img decoding="async" src="https://www.theindiansun.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Creative-Corner-500x500.png" alt="Creative Corner" title="Creative Corner" class="attachment-thumbnail" width="500" height="500" srcset="https://theindiansun.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Creative-Corner-500x500.png 500w, https://theindiansun.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Creative-Corner-45x45.png 45w" sizes="(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px"></a></div></li><li class="gallery-item gallery-item-end-row"><div class="gallery-icon landscape"><a rel="rps-image-group-133673" href="https://www.theindiansun.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/website-photo.png" title="&lt;div class=&quot;fancybox-title-heading&quot;&gt;website photo&lt;/div&gt;"><img decoding="async" src="https://www.theindiansun.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/website-photo-500x500.png" alt="website photo" title="website photo" class="attachment-thumbnail last" width="500" height="500" srcset="https://theindiansun.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/website-photo-500x500.png 500w, https://theindiansun.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/website-photo-45x45.png 45w" sizes="(max-width: 500px) 100v
86w, 500px"></a></div></li></ul></div> 87<p>Rooms are furnished and electricity, gas, water and high-speed internet are included in the rent. Residents share kitchen and laundry facilities, while common areas are professionally cleaned.</p> 88<p>The founders describe the approach as seeking to provide as close as possible to a âwalk in with your suitcaseâ experience.</p> 89<p>For people arriving from overseas, the cost of establishing a household can extend well beyond rent. Furniture, bedding, kitchen equipment, utilities and an internet connection can add to expenses at a time when a new migrant or student may also be looking for work, beginning university or learning how to navigate a new city.</p> 90<p>Hashtag Habitatâs all-inclusive rental structure is intended to give residents greater certainty about their weekly housing costs while reducing the number of services they need to organise separately.</p> 91<p>The business has also placed an emphasis on the social side of shared accommodation.</p> 92<p>Mishra and Amarabandu visit the properties regularly and spend time with residents, sometimes over coffee or dinner. Occasional gatherings are also held to give tenants a chance to get to know others living in the properties.</p> 93<p>That approach reflects another difficulty the founders identified among people moving to a new country or city: establishing social connections while separated from family and existing friendship networks.</p> 94<p>The properties retain the boundaries of shared accommodation. Residents have private rooms, while kitchens, laundries and other common facilities are shared. Private room locks, secured main entrances and access restricted to approved residents form part of the management arrangements.</p> 95<p>The founders say their approach has changed with experience, particularly around balancing personal support for residents with the requirements of operating accommodation shared by people from different backgrounds.</p> 96<p>Clear house rules, documentation and consistent management processes have become part of that structure.</p> 97<p>Location is another consideration. The Waurn Ponds property is close to Deakin Universityâs Waurn Ponds campus, Epworth Hospital, Waurn Ponds railway station and the Waurn Ponds Shopping Centre. The Grovedale property also provides access to Deakin University, Epworth Hospital, public transport, shopping and employment areas.</p> 98<p>The accommodation is not restricted to people newly arrived in Australia. Residents include students, healthcare workers and other professionals moving to Geelong, as well as people looking for temporary accommodation while establishing themselves in the city.</p> 99<p>For Mishra and Amarabandu, the model is designed around the expectation that many residents will eventually move on.</p> 100<p>Rather than trying to retain tenants indefinitely, they see the properties as a starting point where residents can establish a rental record, settle into work or study and prepare for their next move into the wider housing market.</p> 101<p>For new arrivals facing the practical difficulties of establishing themselves in Australia, that first documented address can be an important place to start.</p> 102<p>For more information, visit <a href="https://hashtaghabitat.com/">https://hashtaghabitat.com/</a></p> 103<p>The post <a href="https://www.theindiansun.com.au/2026/10/02/geelong-housing-model-gives-new-arrivals-a-foothold-in-the-rental-market/">Geelong housing model gives new arrivals a foothold in the rental market</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.theindiansun.com.au">The Indian Sun</a>.</p> 104]]></content:encoded> 105 106 <wfw:commentRss>https://www.theindiansun.com.au/2026/10/02/geelong-housing-model-gives-new-arrivals-a-foothold-in-the-rental-market/feed/</wfw:commentRss> 107 <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> 108 109 110 <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">133673</post-id> </item> 111 <item> 112 <title>Government House Canberra to open its gates for public Open Day</title> 113 <link>https://www.theindiansun.com.au/2026/10/02/government-house-canberra-to-open-its-gates-for-public-open-day/</link> 114 <comments>https://www.theindiansun.com.au/2026/10/02/government-house-canberra-to-open-its-gates-for-public-open-day/#respond</comments> 115 116 <dc:creator><![CDATA[Our Reporter]]></dc:creator> 117 <pubDate>Fri, 02 Oct 2026 02:00:16 +0000</pubDate> 118 <category><![CDATA[National]]></category> 119 <category><![CDATA[Top Story]]></category> 120 <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.theindiansun.com.au/?p=133646</guid> 121 122 <description><![CDATA[<p>Government House Canberra will open its gates to the public on Saturday 10 October, giving visitors the chance to explore the official residence of the Governor-General and its surrounding grounds. The Open Day will run from 10am to 2pm at Government House on Dunrossil Drive, Yarralumla. Entry is free, with registration encouraged to help organisers […]</p> 123<p>The post <a href="https://www.theindiansun.com.au/2026/10/02/government-house-canberra-to-open-its-gates-for-public-open-day/">Government House Canberra to open its gates for public Open Day</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.theindiansun.com.au">The Indian Sun</a>.</p> 124]]></description> 125 <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p class="isSelectedEnd"><span class="dropcap dropcap3">G</span>overnment House Canberra will open its gates to the public on Saturday 10 October, giving visitors the chance to explore the official residence of the Governor-General and its surrounding grounds.</p> 126<p class="isSelectedEnd">The Open Day will run from 10am to 2pm at Government House on Dunrossil Drive, Yarralumla. Entry is free, with registration encouraged to help organisers plan for visitor numbers.</p> 127<p class="isSelectedEnd">Visitors will be able to explore parts of one of Canberra’s historic properties while learning more about the role of the Governor-General and the Australian Honours System.</p> 128<p class="isSelectedEnd">The day will also provide an opportunity to learn about organisations supp
128orted through the Governor-General’s patronages, with representatives and staff available on the grounds.</p> 129<p class="isSelectedEnd">Government House has served as the official residence of Australia’s Governor-General since the property was developed as a vice-regal residence in the early 20th century. The site itself dates back to a farmhouse built in the 1830s and has since developed into a working residence and venue for official ceremonies, community events and visits by international leaders.</p> 130<p class="isSelectedEnd">The grounds cover about 54 hectares and include gardens, lawns, buildings and areas used for official occasions. Government House also hosts school visits and a range of events throughout the year, with more than 25,000 school children visiting annually.</p> 131<p class="isSelectedEnd">The Open Day will include displays and activities for visitors of different ages, with more than 40 community organisations expected to have displays at the property.</p> 132<p class="isSelectedEnd">The Governor-General’s office said visitors will also have the opportunity to meet the Governor-General and learn more about the role of the office in contemporary Australian society.</p> 133<p class="isSelectedEnd">The event will be held at Government House, Dunrossil Drive, Yarralumla, ACT, from 10am to 2pm on Saturday 10 October.</p> 134<p class="isSelectedEnd">Registration is encouraged, although it is not required for entry. Parking will be available on Dunrossil Drive.</p> 135<p>Visitors can register their interest through the official <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/government-house-canberra-open-day-tickets-2001808561294">event listing</a> before attending.</p> 136<hr /> 137<h6><strong>Support independent community journalism. Support The Indian Sun.</strong></h6> 138<p><a href="https://buy.stripe.com/6oE01l0lo2Rb4GQ4gg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img decoding="async" src="https://media.theindiansun.au/2022/08/donatenow-e1661674931821-400x133.jpg" alt="" width="160" height="53" /></a></p> 139<hr /> 140<h6><strong>Follow The Indian Sun on <a href="https://twitter.com/The_Indian_Sun">X</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/theindiansun/">Instagram</a> |Â <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheIndianSun/">Facebook</a></strong></h6> 141<p>The post <a href="https://www.theindiansun.com.au/2026/10/02/government-house-canberra-to-open-its-gates-for-public-open-day/">Government House Canberra to open its gates for public Open Day</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.theindiansun.com.au">The Indian Sun</a>.</p> 142]]></content:encoded> 143 144 <wfw:commentRss>https://www.theindiansun.com.au/2026/10/02/government-house-canberra-to-open-its-gates-for-public-open-day/feed/</wfw:commentRss> 145 <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> 146 147 148 <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">133646</post-id> </item> 149 <item> 150 <title>AMA says specialist medical training still falls short for many doctors</title> 151 <link>https://www.theindiansun.com.au/2026/10/02/ama-says-specialist-medical-training-still-falls-short-for-many-doctors/</link> 152 <comments>https://www.theindiansun.com.au/2026/10/02/ama-says-specialist-medical-training-still-falls-short-for-many-doctors/#respond</comments> 153 154 <dc:creator><![CDATA[Our Reporter]]></dc:creator> 155 <pubDate>Fri, 02 Oct 2026 01:00:45 +0000</pubDate> 156 <category><![CDATA[National]]></category> 157 <category><![CDATA[Top Story]]></category> 158 <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.theindiansun.com.au/?p=133627</guid> 159 160 <description><![CDATA[<p>A ustraliaâs specialist medical colleges still have work to do to improve the training experience for doctors preparing for specialist careers, according to the latest Australian Medical Association (AMA) Specialist Trainee Experience Health Check. The report found that no specialist college received an A grade in any area assessed by trainees, while no training programme […]</p> 161<p>The post <a href="https://www.theindiansun.com.au/2026/10/02/ama-says-specialist-medical-training-still-falls-short-for-many-doctors/">AMA says specialist medical training still falls short for many doctors</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.theindiansun.com.au">The Indian Sun</a>.</p> 162]]></description> 163 <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p class="isSelectedEnd"><span class="dropcap dropcap3">A</span><br /> 164ustraliaâs specialist medical colleges still have work to do to improve the training experience for doctors preparing for specialist careers, according to the latest Australian Medical Association (AMA) Specialist Trainee Experience Health Check.</p> 165<p class="isSelectedEnd">The report found that no specialist college received an A grade in any area assessed by trainees, while no training programme achieved an overall A grade rating. A five-year comparison also found that trainee experiences had remained largely unchanged, with several measures showing little or no improvement.</p> 166<p class="isSelectedEnd">AMA Doctors in Training Committee Chair Dr Natasha Abeysekera said there had been progress in some areas, including access to protected study leave and payment for unrostered overtime, but said other concerns remained.</p> 167<p class="isSelectedEnd">âDoctors in training are the future of Australiaâs specialist workforce, but too many trainees continue to report concerns about examination feedback, training costs, representation in decision-making and access to mental health support,â Dr Abeysekera said.</p> 168<p class="isSelectedEnd">The report found that only 39 per cent of trainees said they received useful feedback about their examination performance, while 44 per cent said feedback was provided promptly.</p> 169<p class="isSelectedEnd">Training costs were another concern, with 60 per cent of trainees reporting that these costs had caused them stress. Only 25 per cent said their college clearly explained how fees were spent.</p> 170<p class="isSelectedEnd">The AMA said doctors undertaking specialist training should have access to timely examination feedback, affordable training pathways and opportunities to have their views represented in decisions affecting their training.</p> 171<p class="isSelectedEnd">âDoctors invest years of their lives in specialist training and deserve timely feedback, affordable training pathways and confidence that their voice is being heard by the colleges responsible for their training,â Dr Abeysekera said.</p> 172<p class="isSelectedEnd">The AMA said the trainee experience has implications for the future specialist workforce and the healthcare system more broadly. It is calling on specialist colleges to use the findings to identify areas where trainee support can be improved.</p> 173<p>The organisation is also encouraging doctors in training to participate in the current Medical Training Survey, which is used to gather information about the experiences of doctors undertaking medical training in Australia.</p> 174<hr /> 175<h6><strong>Support independent community journalism. Support The Indian Sun.</strong></h6> 176<p><a href="https://buy.stripe.com/6oE01l0lo2Rb4GQ4gg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img decoding="async" src="https://media.theindiansun.au/2022/08/donatenow-e1661674931821-400x133.jpg" alt="" width="160" height="53" /></a></p> 177<hr /> 178<h6><strong>Follow The Indian Sun on <a href="https://twitter.com/The_Indian_Sun">X</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/theindiansun/">Instagram</a> |Â <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheIndianSun/">Facebook</a></strong></h6> 179<p>The post <a href="https://www.theindiansun.com.au/2026/10/02/ama-says-specialist-medical-training-still-falls-short-for-many-doctors/">AMA says specialist medical training still falls short for many doctors</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.theindiansun.com.au">The Indian Sun</a>.</p> 180]]></content:encoded> 181 182 <wfw:commentRss>https://www.theindiansun.com.au/2026/10/02/ama-says-specialist-medical-training-still-falls-short-for-many-doctors/feed/</wfw:commentRss> 183 <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> 184 185 186 <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">133627</post-id> </item> 187 <item> 188 <title>Victorians urged to prepare for thunderstorm asthma season</title> 189 <link>https://www.theindiansun.com.au/2026/10/02/victorians-urged-to-prepare-for-thunderstorm-asthma-season/</link> 190 <comments>https://www.theindiansun.com.au/2026/10/02/victorians-urged-to-prepare-for-thunderstorm-asthma-season/#respond</comments> 191 192 <dc:creator><![CDATA[Our Reporter]]></dc:creator> 193 <pubDate>Fri, 02 Oct 2026 00:00:45 +0000</pubDate> 194 <category><![CDATA[Top Story]]></category> 195 <category><![CDATA[Victoria]]></category> 196 <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.theindiansun.com.au/?p=133624</guid> 197 198 <description><![CDATA[<p>Victorians are being urged to prepare for thunderstorm asthma as grass pollen season begins, with authorities warning people with asthma and hay fever to monitor risk forecasts and take precautions on high-risk days. The warning comes a decade after Victoria experienced the worldâs largest epidemic thunderstorm asthma event in 2016. The event caused breathing difficulties […]</p> 199<p>The post <a href="https://www.theindiansun.com.au/2026/10/02/victorians-urged-to-prepare-for-thunderstorm-asthma-season/">Victorians urged to prepare for thunderstorm asthma season</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.theindiansun.com.au">The Indian Sun</a>.</p> 200]]></description> 201 <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p class="isSelectedEnd"><span class="dropcap dropcap3">V</span>ictorians are being urged to prepare for thunderstorm asthma as grass pollen season begins, with authorities warning people with asthma and hay fever to monitor risk forecasts and take precautions on high-risk days.</p> 202<p class="isSelectedEnd">The warning comes a decade after Victoria experienced the worldâs largest epidemic thunderstorm asthma event in 2016. The event caused breathing difficulties for thousands of people and contributed to the deaths of 10 Victorians.</p> 203<p class="isSelectedEnd">The Victorian Government has since expanded its Epidemic Thunderstorm Asthma Risk Forecast System, which will again provide daily information throughout this yearâs pollen season.</p> 204<p class="isSelectedEnd">Seven pollen counters located across Victoria use imaging technology to collect data on grass pollen levels. The information will be published daily through the VicEmergency website and app from 1 October until 31 December.</p> 205<p class="isSelectedEnd">The system provides a three-day forecast covering Victoriaâs nine weather districts, with risk levels classified as low, moderate or high.</p> 206<p class="isSelectedEnd">People with asthma or hay fever are being encouraged to check the forecasts and prepare by taking prescribed medication, following their asthma action plan and limiting outdoor exposure when conditions become hazardous.</p> 207<p class="isSelectedEnd">Authorities are also advising people to close windows and avoid being outdoors during strong wind gusts and thunderstorms, particularly when gusty winds arrive ahead of a storm.</p> 208<p class="isSelectedEnd">Thunderstorm asthma can occur when high levels of grass pollen coincide with particular thunderstorm conditions. The pollen grains can break into much smaller particles, allowing them to travel deeper into the lungs when inhaled and trigger asthma symptoms.</p> 209<p class="isSelectedEnd">Health Minister Ingrid Stitt said the pollen monitoring system would provide information to help Victorians prepare during the pollen season.</p> 210<p class="isSelectedEnd">âOur high-tech pollen counters give Victoria a nation leading tool to keep Victorians healthy and safe,â Stitt said.</p> 211<p class="isSelectedEnd">âWe want every Victorian to be safe this pollen season thatâs why weâre encouraging everyone to be prepared.â</p> 212<p class="isSelectedEnd">Victorian Chief Health Officer Dr Caroline McElnay said thunderstorm asthma could be life-threatening and urged people at risk to take precautions.</p> 213<p class="isSelectedEnd">âThunderstorm asthma can be life-threatening. People at risk should go indoors during thunderstorms, especially when gusty winds arrive before the storm,â McElnay said.</p> 214<p class="isSelectedEnd">âIf you have asthma, make sure your written asthma action plan is up to date, take your medications as prescribed, and know what to do if symptoms worsen.â</p> 215<p class="isSelectedEnd">The Victorian Government says checking the forecast and preparing ahead of high-risk conditions can also help reduce pressure on emergency health services during severe thunderstorm asthma events.</p> 216<p>Forecasts and health information are available through the<a href="https://emergency.vic.gov.au/respond/"> Victorian Governmentâs emergency</a>
216 and <a href="https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/thunderstorm-asthma">health websites.</a></p> 217<hr /> 218<h6><strong>Support independent community journalism. Support The Indian Sun.</strong></h6> 219<p><a href="https://buy.stripe.com/6oE01l0lo2Rb4GQ4gg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img decoding="async" src="https://media.theindiansun.au/2022/08/donatenow-e1661674931821-400x133.jpg" alt="" width="160" height="53" /></a></p> 220<hr /> 221<h6><strong>Follow The Indian Sun on <a href="https://twitter.com/The_Indian_Sun">X</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/theindiansun/">Instagram</a> |Â <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheIndianSun/">Facebook</a></strong></h6> 222<p>The post <a href="https://www.theindiansun.com.au/2026/10/02/victorians-urged-to-prepare-for-thunderstorm-asthma-season/">Victorians urged to prepare for thunderstorm asthma season</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.theindiansun.com.au">The Indian Sun</a>.</p> 223]]></content:encoded> 224 225 <wfw:commentRss>https://www.theindiansun.com.au/2026/10/02/victorians-urged-to-prepare-for-thunderstorm-asthma-season/feed/</wfw:commentRss> 226 <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> 227 228 229 <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">133624</post-id> </item> 230 <item> 231 <title>Victoria launches first Thriving Kids supports for children with developmental delay and autism</title> 232 <link>https://www.theindiansun.com.au/2026/10/02/victoria-launches-first-thriving-kids-supports-for-children-with-developmental-delay-and-autism/</link> 233 <comments>https://www.theindiansun.com.au/2026/10/02/victoria-launches-first-thriving-kids-supports-for-children-with-developmental-delay-and-autism/#respond</comments> 234 235 <dc:creator><![CDATA[Our Reporter]]></dc:creator> 236 <pubDate>Thu, 01 Oct 2026 23:00:24 +0000</pubDate> 237 <category><![CDATA[Top Story]]></category> 238 <category><![CDATA[Victoria]]></category> 239 <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.theindiansun.com.au/?p=133621</guid> 240 241 <description><![CDATA[<p>Victorian families of children with developmental delay and autism will have access to new support services under the first stage of the Victorian Government’s Thriving Kids program. Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn announced the initial supports for children aged eight and under, with services set to expand over time. The first measures will begin from […]</p> 242<p>The post <a href="https://www.theindiansun.com.au/2026/10/02/victoria-launches-first-thriving-kids-supports-for-children-with-developmental-delay-and-autism/">Victoria launches first Thriving Kids supports for children with developmental delay and autism</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.theindiansun.com.au">The Indian Sun</a>.</p> 243]]></description> 244 <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p class="isSelectedEnd"><span class="dropcap dropcap3">V</span>ictorian families of children with developmental delay and autism will have access to new support services under the first stage of the Victorian Government’s Thriving Kids program.</p> 245<p class="isSelectedEnd">Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn announced the initial supports for children aged eight and under, with services set to expand over time.</p> 246<p class="isSelectedEnd">The first measures will begin from October and include practical information and guidance for families, increased access to the Advocating for Children with Disability Support Line, more publicly funded autism assessments and additional places in the Strengthening Parent Support program.</p> 247<p class="isSelectedEnd">The government will also provide further training for early years educators to strengthen inclusion and support earlier identification of developmental concerns.</p> 248<p class="isSelectedEnd">From January 2027, Thriving Kids will introduce targeted allied health and support services designed to help eligible children develop everyday skills and greater independence, while giving families guidance on supporting their child’s development.</p> 249<p class="isSelectedEnd">The services will initially operate from six delivery sites in Bendigo, Hobsons Bay, Hume, Loddon, Maribyrnong and Melton before expanding across Victoria during 2027.</p> 250<p class="isSelectedEnd">
250Families in the initial delivery areas will also be offered two new developmental checks. One will take place as children start kindergarten and another as they begin school.</p> 251<p class="isSelectedEnd">The checks will be conducted by allied health professionals and trained clinicians. The government says they are intended to help identify children’s support needs and connect families with appropriate services earlier.</p> 252<p class="isSelectedEnd">The Department of Education will lead delivery of the targeted supports and developmental checks, as well as managing triage and intake. Community organisations may also be involved in providing allied health services where this is considered appropriate for local communities.</p> 253<p class="isSelectedEnd">The rollout comes as governments across Australia continue to adjust how developmental and autism-related supports are delivered following changes to the National Disability Insurance Scheme.</p> 254<p class="isSelectedEnd">For Victorian families, the government says there will be no changes to how children with developmental delay or autism access the NDIS until 1 January 2028.</p> 255<p class="isSelectedEnd">The Victorian Government says the initial measures are part of a broader rollout, with the full range of Thriving Kids services planned to be available across the state from 2028.</p> 256<p class="isSelectedEnd">Blandthorn said the first stage would give families access to support while the wider programme is developed.</p> 257<p class="isSelectedEnd">âThese initial supports will lay the foundation for the full complement of Thriving Kids services to be delivered across Victoria from 2028,â she said.</p> 258<p class="isSelectedEnd">She said the new developmental checks were intended to help children and families access support earlier.</p> 259<p class="isSelectedEnd">âThrough Thriving Kids, weâre introducing two new developmental checks, so that children and families can access support earlier, when it can make the biggest difference,â Blandthorn said.</p> 260<p>Further information about the programme is available through the <a href="https://www.vic.gov.au/thriving-kids">Victorian Government’s Thriving Kids service.</a></p> 261<hr /> 262<h6><strong>Support independent community journalism. Support The Indian Sun.</strong></h6> 263<p><a href="https://buy.stripe.com/6oE01l0lo2Rb4GQ4gg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img decoding="async" src="https://media.theindiansun.au/2022/08/donatenow-e1661674931821-400x133.jpg" alt="" width="160" height="53" /></a></p> 264<hr /> 265<h6><strong>Follow The Indian Sun on <a href="https://twitter.com/The_Indian_Sun">X</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/theindiansun/">Instagram</a> |Â <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheIndianSun/">Facebook</a></strong></h6> 266<p>The post <a href="https://www.theindiansun.com.au/2026/10/02/victoria-launches-first-thriving-kids-supports-for-children-with-developmental-delay-and-autism/">Victoria launches first Thriving Kids supports for children with developmental delay and autism</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.theindiansun.com.au">The Indian Sun</a>.</p> 267]]></content:encoded> 268 269 <wfw:commentRss>https://www.theindiansun.com.au/2026/10/02/victoria-launches-first-thriving-kids-supports-for-children-with-developmental-delay-and-autism/feed/</wfw:commentRss> 270 <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> 271 272 273 <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">133621</post-id> </item> 274 <item> 275 <title>Aksomaniac brings Malayalam R&B to Australia with four-city tour</title> 276 <link>https://www.theindiansun.com.au/2026/10/02/aksomaniac-brings-malayalam-rb-to-australia-with-four-city-tour/</link> 277 <comments>https://www.theindiansun.com.au/2026/10/02/aksomaniac-brings-malayalam-rb-to-australia-with-four-city-tour/#respond</comments> 278 279 <dc:creator><![CDATA[Our Reporter]]></dc:creator> 280 <pubDate>
280Thu, 01 Oct 2026 22:00:05 +0000</pubDate> 281 <category><![CDATA[Arts Culture Music]]></category> 282 <category><![CDATA[Top Story]]></category> 283 <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.theindiansun.com.au/?p=133637</guid> 284 285 <description><![CDATA[<p>Malayalam singer, songwriter and producer Aksomaniac is heading to Australia this October for a four-city tour, bringing his blend of Malayalam storytelling, R&B, hip-hop and contemporary production to audiences in Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth. Born in Thiruvananthapuram, the 23-year-old artist has been building a profile in Malayalam independent music while attracting listeners outside India. […]</p> 286<p>The post <a href="https://www.theindiansun.com.au/2026/10/02/aksomaniac-brings-malayalam-rb-to-australia-with-four-city-tour/">Aksomaniac brings Malayalam R&B to Australia with four-city tour</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.theindiansun.com.au">The Indian Sun</a>.</p> 287]]></description> 288 <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p class="isSelectedEnd"><span class="dropcap dropcap3">M</span>alayalam singer, songwriter and producer <a href="https://open.spotify.com/artist/12tOFlQDhU4Jx6wNb9XO87?nd=1&dlsi=5537811b6e7f4c17">Aksomaniac</a> is heading to Australia this October for a four-city tour, bringing his blend of Malayalam storytelling, R&B, hip-hop and contemporary production to audiences in Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth.</p> 289<p class="isSelectedEnd">Born in Thiruvananthapuram, the 23-year-old artist has been building a profile in Malayalam independent music while attracting listeners outside India. His breakthrough track, âAmshamâ, reached No. 4 on Spotifyâs Viral 50 Global chart, giving the song and its Malayalam-language sound an international audience.</p> 290<p><a href="https://youtu.be/r8iPHiciQd0?si=M5Oq_Sc1XGnM4TH_">âAmshamâ</a> draws on the mythology of Manmadhan and the Malayalam film Njan Gandharvan, combining a personal love story with R&B and hip-hop influences. The track features Bhumi, M.H.R and Circle Tone alongside Aksomaniac.</p> 291<div class="gallery gallery-columns-2 gallery-size-thumbnail rps-image-gallery-format-default rps-image-gallery-theme-default rps-image-gallery-columns-no-responsive rps-image-gallery rps-image-gallery-no-masonry rps-image-gallery-no-heading rps-image-gallery-no-caption rps-image-gallery-no-social " style="text-align:left" pageSize="0" currentPage="0" ><ul><li class="gallery-item gallery-item-begin-row"><div class="gallery-icon landscape"><a rel="rps-image-group-133637" href="https://www.theindiansun.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/MV_1.1.25-1024x716.png" title=""><img decoding="async" src="https://www.theindiansun.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/MV_1.1.25-500x500.png" alt="" title="" class="attachment-thumbnail" width="500" height="500" srcset="https://theindiansun.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/MV_1.1.25-500x500.png 500w, https://theindiansun.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/MV_1.1.25-45x45.png 45w" sizes="(max-width: 500px) 100v
291w, 500px"></a></div></li><li class="gallery-item gallery-item-end-row"><div class="gallery-icon landscape"><a rel="rps-image-group-133637" href="https://www.theindiansun.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/MV_1.1.22-1024x716.png" title=""><img decoding="async" src="https://www.theindiansun.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/MV_1.1.22-500x500.png" alt="" title="" class="attachment-thumbnail" width="500" height="500" srcset="https://theindiansun.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/MV_1.1.22-500x500.png 500w, https://theindiansun.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/MV_1.1.22-45x45.png 45w" sizes="(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px"></a></div></li><li class="gallery-item gallery-item-begin-row"><div class="gallery-icon landscape"><a rel="rps-image-group-133637" href="https://www.theindiansun.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/MV_1.1.15-1024x716.png" title=""><img decoding="async" src="https://www.theindiansun.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/MV_1.1.15-500x500.png" alt="" title="" class="attachment-thumbnail" width="500" height="500" srcset="https://theindiansun.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/MV_1.1.15-500x500.png 500w, https://theindiansun.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/MV_1.1.15-45x45.png 45w" sizes="(max-width: 500px) 100v
291w, 500px"></a></div></li><li class="gallery-item gallery-item-end-row"><div class="gallery-icon landscape"><a rel="rps-image-group-133637" href="https://www.theindiansun.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/MV_1.1.8-1024x716.png" title=""><img decoding="async" src="https://www.theindiansun.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/MV_1.1.8-500x500.png" alt="" title="" class="attachment-thumbnail last" width="500" height="500" srcset="https://theindiansun.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/MV_1.1.8-500x500.png 500w, https://theindiansun.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/MV_1.1.8-45x45.png 45w" sizes="(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px"></a></div></li></ul></div> 292<p class="isSelectedEnd">Aksomaniac has described his music as a way of bringing together the sounds and stories he grew up with and the contemporary genres that have influenced his work. His use of Malayalam sits at the centre of that approach, with the music drawing from Kerala’s cultural references while using a modern production style.</p> 293<p class="isSelectedEnd">His rise has also brought attention from the wider music industry. Aksomaniac is signed to Def Jam Recordings India and Universal Music India, and is also associated with Real Thing Records.</p> 294<p class="isSelectedEnd">His path into music has followed a route that differs from the conventional artist journey. He studied engineering before moving towards music, developing his work as a
294singer, songwriter and producer.</p> 295<p class="isSelectedEnd">The Australian tour comes as his music continues to reach audiences beyond India, including Malayali listeners living overseas. The four-city run will give Australian audiences an opportunity to hear his work live as he develops his growing international profile.</p> 296<p class="isSelectedEnd">The tour begins in Melbourne on October 2, followed by Brisbane on October 4. He will perform in Adelaide on October 9 before finishing the Australian run in Perth on October 10.</p> 297<p class="isSelectedEnd">For Aksomaniac, the Australian dates come at a point when streaming platforms are allowing music made in regional Indian languages to reach listeners well beyond their traditional markets.</p> 298<p class="isSelectedEnd">The Australian tour dates are:</p> 299<p>October 2 – Melbourne<br /> 300October 4 – Brisbane<br /> 301October 9 – Adelaide<br /> 302October 10 – Perth</p> 303<p><iframe class="youtube-player" width="696" height="392" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/r8iPHiciQd0?version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-AU&autohide=2&wmode=transparent" allowfullscreen="true" style="border:0;" sandbox="allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox"></iframe></p> 304<p> </p> 305<hr /> 306<h6><strong>Support independent community journalism. Support The Indian Sun.</strong></h6> 307<p><a href="https://buy.stripe.com/6oE01l0lo2Rb4GQ4gg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img decoding="async" src="https://media.theindiansun.au/2022/08/donatenow-e1661674931821-400x133.jpg" alt="" width="160" height="53" /></a></p> 308<hr /> 309<h6><strong>Follow The Indian Sun on <a href="https://twitter.com/The_Indian_Sun">X</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/theindiansun/">Instagram</a> |Â <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheIndianSun/">Facebook</a></strong></h6> 310<p>The post <a href="https://www.theindiansun.com.au/2026/10/02/aksomaniac-brings-malayalam-rb-to-australia-with-four-city-tour/">Aksomaniac brings Malayalam R&B to Australia with four-city tour</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.theindiansun.com.au">The Indian Sun</a>.</p> 311]]></content:encoded> 312 313 <wfw:commentRss>https://www.theindiansun.com.au/2026/10/02/aksomaniac-brings-malayalam-rb-to-australia-with-four-city-tour/feed/</wfw:commentRss> 314 <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> 315 316 317 <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">133637</post-id> </item> 318 <item> 319 <title>Inside the Melbourne home where Durga Puja draws hundreds</title> 320 <link>https://www.theindiansun.com.au/2026/10/02/inside-the-melbourne-home-where-durga-puja-draws-hundreds/</link> 321 <comments>https://www.theindiansun.com.au/2026/10/02/inside-the-melbourne-home-where-durga-puja-draws-hundreds/#respond</comments> 322 323 <dc:creator><![CDATA[Indira Laisram]]></dc:creator> 324 <pubDate>Thu, 01 Oct 2026 21:00:51 +0000</pubDate> 325 <category><![CDATA[Community]]></category> 326 <category><![CDATA[Community Insider]]></category> 327 <category><![CDATA[Top Story]]></category> 328 <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.theindiansun.com.au/?p=133660</guid> 329 330 <description><![CDATA[<p>Every October, the furniture leaves the Guptas’ sitting room in Melbourne. Decorations go up, the smell of Bengali food fills the house, and a Durga protima, kept in a wooden box for most of the year, comes out once again. For the next five days, Ranjan and Sarmita Gupta‘s home becomes a place of worship […]</p> 331<p>The post <a href="https://www.theindiansun.com.au/2026/10/02/inside-the-melbourne-home-where-durga-puja-draws-hundreds/">Inside the Melbourne home where Durga Puja draws hundreds</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.theindiansun.com.au">The Indian Sun</a>.</p> 332]]></description> 333 <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span class="dropcap dropcap3">E</span>very October, the furniture leaves the Guptas’ sitting room in Melbourne. Decorations go up, the smell of Bengali food fills the house, and a Durga <em>protima</em>, kept in a wooden box for most of the year, comes out once again.</p> 334<p>For the next five days, <strong>Ranjan</strong> and <strong>Sarmita Gupta</strong>‘s home becomes a place of worship and gathering. Last year, more than 400 people came through their doors.</p> 335<p>It is hard to imagine that it all began during COVID with a small clay deity, flowers and fruit, and mantras found on the internet.</p> 336<p>Originally from Kolkata, the Guptas lived in New Zealand for about seven years before settling in Melbourne in 2003. Ranjan is a CPA who works in finance; Sarmita is a maths teacher.</p> 337<p>For years, they helped a close friend host Durga Puja at her East Melbourne home. Ranjan even helped bring her <em>protima</em> from Kumartuli, Kolkata’s famous artisans’ quarter.</p> 338<p>“We were extremely involved in it for about eight, nine years,” says Sarmita.</p> 339<p>Then COVID hit. Melbourne’s travel restrictions put their friend’s house out of reach and the prayers moved online.</p> 340<p>“I thought, why not just have a small deity?” Sarmita tells <em>The Indian Sun</em>
340.</p> 341<figure id="attachment_133662" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-133662" style="width: 1280px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-133662" src="https://www.theindiansun.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Ritual-Kalabou-bathing.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="860" srcset="https://theindiansun.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Ritual-Kalabou-bathing.jpg 1280w, https://theindiansun.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Ritual-Kalabou-bathing-400x269.jpg 400w, https://theindiansun.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Ritual-Kalabou-bathing-1024x688.jpg 1024w, https://theindiansun.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Ritual-Kalabou-bathing-768x516.jpg 768w, https://theindiansun.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Ritual-Kalabou-bathing-625x420.jpg 625w, https://theindiansun.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Ritual-Kalabou-bathing-696x468.jpg 696w, https://theindiansun.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Ritual-Kalabou-bathing-1068x718.jpg 1068w" sizes="(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-133662" class="wp-caption-text">Ritual Kalabou bathing. Photo supplied</figcaption></figure> 342<p>The family already had a small clay idol bought years earlier at a fair. In 2020, they set it up at home, offered flowers and fruit and performed a simple puja.</p> 343<p>The following year, they commissioned a <em>protima</em> from Kolkata. They did not know every ritual, but that did not deter them.</p> 344<p>“We thought we will do according to what we can do best,” says Sarmita.</p> 345<p>That first proper home puja unfolded under lockdown rules. Friends waited in the park across the road and came inside two at a time to pray and collect <em>bhog</em> packed into takeaway boxes.</p> 346<p>“I put the bhog in lots of takeaway boxes, so my friends would just slip in, look at the deity, do pranam and take some boxes and go out,” Sarmita recalls.</p> 347<p>Around 20 to 25 people came. There was no priest for most of the five days. Even the <em>dhak</em>, the deep drumbeat associated with Durga Puja in Bengal, came through the internet.</p> 348<p>When Melbourne opened up, the puja stayed. And it grew.</p> 349<p>“
349As our friend circle has grown, so our invitation list has also grown,” says Ranjan.</p> 350<figure id="attachment_133664" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-133664" style="width: 1280px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-133664" src="https://www.theindiansun.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Ma-Durga-2024.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="860" srcset="https://theindiansun.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Ma-Durga-2024.jpg 1280w, https://theindiansun.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Ma-Durga-2024-400x269.jpg 400w, https://theindiansun.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Ma-Durga-2024-1024x688.jpg 1024w, https://theindiansun.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Ma-Durga-2024-768x516.jpg 768w, https://theindiansun.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Ma-Durga-2024-625x420.jpg 625w, https://theindiansun.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Ma-Durga-2024-696x468.jpg 696w, https://theindiansun.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Ma-Durga-2024-1068x718.jpg 1068w" sizes="(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-133664" class="wp-caption-text">Ma Durga in 2024. Photo supplied</figcaption></figure> 351<p>From those 20 or 25 visitors, numbers have grown to hundreds over the five days. The puja is technically by invitation because there is only so much room in a suburban home, although friends bring friends and numbers quickly swell.</p> 352<p>“If the capacity is for 20 people, about 60, 70 people come and I don’t know how they accommodate themselves,” says Ranjan.</p> 353<p>Despite the crowds, the Guptas do not want to move the celebration to a hall. Their puja follows the traditional five days, from <em>Shashti</em> to <em>Dashami</em>, on the actual festival days even when they fall during the working week. Ranjan also believes a hall would change its character.</p> 354<p>“If you go to a hall and all, it becomes more impersonal. We would like to keep it in our house as long as possible.”</p> 355<p>The rituals are now led by a close friend, an engineer who takes leave for the five days and explains the ceremonies in English over a microphone so guests can follow.</p> 356<p>Preparing the house takes considerable work. Furniture is moved, friends take charge of decorations and menus are planned well ahead.</p> 357<p>And food is serious business. “Food is primary in any Bengali event,” says Sarmita.</p> 358<p>Lunch and dinner are served each day. The first three days are vegetarian; by <em>Navami</em> and <em>Dashami</em>, fish and meat are on the menu, including <em>kosha mangsho</em>. Bengali caterers handle much of the cooking on the busiest days, with family and friends preparing the rest. The Guptas meet the costs themselves.</p> 359<figure id="attachment_133663" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-133663" style="width: 1280px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-133663" src="https://www.theindiansun.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/2023-Ma-Durga-Puja.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="860" srcset="https://theindiansun.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/2023-Ma-Durga-Puja.jpg 1280w, https://theindiansun.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/2023-Ma-Durga-Puja-400x269.jpg 400w, https://theindiansun.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/2023-Ma-Durga-Puja-1024x688.jpg 1024w, https://theindiansun.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/2023-Ma-Durga-Puja-768x516.jpg 768w, https://theindiansun.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/2023-Ma-Durga-Puja-625x420.jpg 625w, https://theindiansun.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/2023-Ma-Durga-Puja-696x468.jpg 696w, https://theindiansun.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/2023-Ma-Durga-Puja-1068x718.jpg 1068w" sizes="(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-133663" class="wp-caption-text">Maa Durga in 2023. Photo supplied</figcaption></figure> 360<p>After the evening <em>aarti</em> come songs, recitations, dance and <em>adda</em>. By the final day, the sitting room can become crowded enough to worry the hosts.</p> 361<p>“Our room is not meant for so much dancing inside,” Ranjan says with a laugh.</p> 362<p>This year, another piece of Kolkata is coming to Melbourne. Ranjan’s sister is flying in from India with a lightweight <em>dhak</em>.</p> 363<p>“Normally we play the dhak on internet,” says Sarmita. “But this time, the dhak is here.”</p> 364<p>Other things have had to be adapted. Lotus flowers used during <em>Sandhi Puja</em> are difficult to find, so the Guptas use carnations instead. The 108 lamps are still lit.</p> 365<p>Their <em>protima</em>, less than a metre tall, is not immersed each year. After the festival, it returns to its wooden box in Ranjan’s study. On <em>
365Dashami</em>, however, the farewell is still observed, with the goddess’s face reflected in water and the women applying <em>sindoor</em>.</p> 366<p>“It’s a very emotional moment,” Ranjan says. “We start thinking of when is Durga Puja coming back again next year.”</p> 367<p>The celebration has also moved beyond religion. Guests include Christians, Muslims and Sikhs, along with people from different parts of India and Fiji.</p> 368<figure id="attachment_133665" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-133665" style="width: 1280px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-133665" src="https://www.theindiansun.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/108-lamps.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="1280" srcset="https://theindiansun.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/108-lamps.jpg 1280w, https://theindiansun.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/108-lamps-400x400.jpg 400w, https://theindiansun.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/108-lamps-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https://theindiansun.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/108-lamps-500x500.jpg 500w, https://theindiansun.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/108-lamps-768x768.jpg 768w, https://theindiansun.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/108-lamps-420x420.jpg 420w, https://theindiansun.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/108-lamps-696x696.jpg 696w, https://theindiansun.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/108-lamps-1068x1068.jpg 1068w, https://theindiansun.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/108-lamps-45x45.jpg 45w" sizes="(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-133665" class="wp-caption-text">108 lamps. Photo supplied</figcaption></figure> 369<p>The Guptas’ two sons are grown and married, and the couple encourage them to invite their own friends.</p> 370<p>“I would like them to stay connected,” says Sarmita. “If they can call their friends, then they will find a sort of meaning.”</p> 371<p>The Guptas know they cannot reproduce Kolkata exactly in Melbourne.</p> 372<p>“We adapt to what is available here, but we still try to keep our roots,” Sarmita says.</p> 373<p>For Ranjan, that is part of what makes the home puja matter.</p> 374<p>“If you ask a Bengali, when is the time that you would like to go back home? People will say during Durga Puja.”</p> 375<p>Not everyone can. So for five days, a little of Kolkata comes to Melbourne instead.</p> 376<p>“Our Bengali life revolves around Durga Puja,” Ranjan says.</p> 377<p>And every October, so does their home.</p> 378<hr /> 379<h6><strong>Connect with Indira Laisram on <a href="https://twitter.com/indira_laisram">X</a></strong></h6> 380<hr /> 381<h6><strong>Support independent community journalism. Support The Indian Sun.</strong></h6> 382<p><a href="https://buy.stripe.com/6oE01l0lo2Rb4GQ4gg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img decoding="async" src="https://media.theindiansun.au/2022/08/donatenow-e1661674931821-400x133.jpg" alt="" width="160" height="53" /></a></p> 383<hr /> 384<h6><strong>Follow The Indian Sun on <a href="https://twitter.com/The_Indian_Sun">X</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/theindiansun/">Instagram</a> | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheIndianSun/">Facebook</a></strong></h6> 385<p> </p> 386<p>The post <a href="https://www.theindiansun.com.au/2026/10/02/inside-the-melbourne-home-where-durga-puja-draws-hundreds/">Inside the Melbourne home where Durga Puja draws hundreds</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.theindiansun.com.au">The Indian Sun</a>.</p> 387]]></content:encoded> 388 389 <wfw:commentRss>https://www.theindiansun.com.au/2026/10/02/inside-the-melbourne-home-where-durga-puja-draws-hundreds/feed/</wfw:commentRss> 390 <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> 391 392 393 <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">133660</post-id> </item> 394 <item> 395 <title>Paul Brooks on leadership, trust and the changing HVAC industry in Geelong</title> 396 <link>https://www.theindiansun.com.au/2026/10/01/paul-brooks-on-leadership-trust-and-the-changing-hvac-industry-in-geelong/</link> 397 <comments>https://www.theindiansun.com.au/2026/10/01/paul-brooks-on-leadership-trust-and-the-changing-hvac-industry-in-geelong/#respond</comments> 398 399 <dc:creator><![CDATA[Our Reporter]]></dc:creator> 400 <pubDate>Thu, 01 Oct 2026 09:59:17 +0000</pubDate> 401 <category><![CDATA[Index]]></category> 402 <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.theindiansun.com.au/?p=133651</guid> 403 404 <description><![CDATA[<p>Paul Brooks is the General Manager of Climatic Air Conditioning and has spent more than a decade living and working in Geelong. He leads the business across operations, people and customer experience, working closely with his team as Climatic continues to grow while maintaining the service standards and local relationships it has built over the […]</p> 405<p>The post <a href="https://www.theindiansun.com.au/2026/10/01/paul-brooks-on-leadership-trust-and-the-changing-hvac-industry-in-geelong/">Paul Brooks on leadership, trust and the changing HVAC industry in Geelong</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.theindiansun.com.au">The Indian Sun</a>.</p> 406]]></description> 407 <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p class="isSelectedEnd"><span class="dropcap dropcap3">P</span>aul Brooks is the General Manager of <a href="https://www.climatic.com.au/">Climatic Air Conditioning</a> and has spent more than a decade living and working in Geelong.</p> 408<p class="isSelectedEnd">He leads the business across operations, people and customer experience, working closely with his team as Climatic continues to grow while maintaining the service standards and local relationships it has built over the years.</p> 409<p class="isSelectedEnd">Brooks describes his leadership style as practical and collaborative. He believes the people dealing directly with customers often have the clearest view of what is changing in the market, which is why he places a strong emphasis on listening to his team and encouraging open communication.</p> 410<p class="isSelectedEnd">A former soccer player and coach, Brooks brings lessons from sport into the workplace, particularly around teamwork, discipline and communication.</p> 411<p class="isSelectedEnd">He also has a strong interest in the changing HVAC industry, including energy-efficient heating and cooling, electrification, heat pump technology and evolving customer expectations.</p> 412<p class="isSelectedEnd">In this Q&
412A, Brooks discusses what Geelong has taught him about business, how Climatic has maintained customer trust while adapting to changing technology, the role of staff feedback in decision-making, and the questions customers are increasingly asking about heating and cooling.</p> 413<p class="isSelectedEnd"><strong>Q: You have spent more than a decade in Geelong and have built a strong connection with the region over time. How has living and working in Geelong shaped the way you lead Climatic and the way you think about doing business in the local community?</strong></p> 414<p class="isSelectedEnd"><strong>Paul Brooks:</strong> Geelong has shaped a lot of the way I think about business. It is a sizeable city, but in many ways, it still operates like a close community. Reputation travels. People remember how they were treated, and if they have a good experience, they will often come back or tell someone else about you.</p> 415<p class="isSelectedEnd">That has reinforced for me that being a local business means more than simply having an address in Geelong. You need to understand the community you are working in, integrate with them, and recognise that you are part of it as well.</p> 416<p class="isSelectedEnd">At Climatic, I try to keep that in mind as we grow. Growth is important, but I don’t want us to become so focused on systems, numbers and processes that we lose the personal relationships that helped build the business in the first place.</p> 417<p class="isSelectedEnd">We have customers who have dealt with Climatic over many years, and we often get recommended by our existing customers. To me, that says something about the value of consistency. You have to earn trust one interaction at a time and then keep earning it.</p> 418<p class="isSelectedEnd"><strong>Q: Climatic has been around for more than 25 years, which means you have seen customers, technology and competition change. What do you think allows a local business to keep evolving without losing the qualities that made people trust it in the first place?</strong></p> 419<p class="isSelectedEnd"><strong>Paul Brooks:</strong> The challenge for an established business is knowing the difference between modernising and changing for the sake of change.</p> 420<p class="isSelectedEnd">Over the years, the technology has changed enormously. Customers research products differently, systems are smarter, energy efficiency matters more, and expectations around communication and service are higher. If a business ignores those changes, it gets left behind.</p> 421<p class="isSelectedEnd">At the same time, some things are worth protecting.</p> 422<p class="isSelectedEnd">At Climatic, we still believe in taking the time to understand the property and the customer’s needs before recommending a system. There is a lot more information available online now, which is a good thing, but we still don’t believe air conditioning should be a one-size-fits-all purchase.</p> 423<p class="isSelectedEnd">We look at the property, room sizes, layout, comfort requirements, efficiency goals and budget before recommending something. That principle has not changed, even though the equipment, software and information available to us have.</p> 424<p class="isSelectedEnd">I think long-term businesses survive when they are willing to question their processes but not their purpose. You can improve scheduling, technology, systems and efficiency while still preserving the values that made customers trust the business in the first place.</p> 425<p class="isSelectedEnd"><strong>Q: More than half of Climatic’s business comes from repeat customers and referrals. In an age where businesses invest heavily in advertising and lead generation, what have you learnt about earning the kind of customer trust that brings people back and makes them recommend you to someone else?</strong></p> 426<p class="isSelectedEnd"><strong>Paul Brooks:</strong> Marketing can introduce someone to your business, but it can’t manufacture trust after the customer has dealt with you. The experience must back up whatever you said in the advertisement.</p> 427<p class="isSelectedEnd">More than half of Climatic’s business comes from repeat customers and referrals, and I think that is one of the strongest measures we have.</p> 428<p class="isSelectedEnd">
428People remember simple things. Did you listen to what they needed? Did you explain the options properly? Did the technician treat their home with respect? If something went wrong, did you answer the phone and deal with it?</p> 429<p class="isSelectedEnd">And sometimes earning trust means telling someone they don’t need the most expensive option. Customers remember when the advice feels genuinely centred on what they need rather than what costs the most.</p> 430<p class="isSelectedEnd">I think referrals happen when somebody feels comfortable putting their own reputation behind recommending you. That’s a much higher bar than simply having a satisfied customer. You must give them a reason to say, âCall these people, they’ll look after you.â</p> 431<p class="isSelectedEnd"><strong>Q: You have described your leadership style as collaborative and believe technicians and staff dealing directly with customers can often see changes before management does. How do you create a culture where people feel confident enough to challenge an idea, speak up and help shape the direction of the business?</strong></p> 432<p class="isSelectedEnd"><strong>Paul Brooks:</strong> The first thing is accepting that being the General Manager doesn’t mean I’m automatically the person with the best answer.</p> 433<p class="isSelectedEnd">The technician who has been inside six customers’ homes that week may understand a particular issue better than I do. The person answering the phones may notice that customers have suddenly started asking the same question repeatedly. Those observations are valuable because they are happening where the business meets the customer.</p> 434<p class="isSelectedEnd">I try to maintain an open-door approach. If somebody thinks we’re doing something inefficiently, if they disagree with an idea, or if they have noticed a change in what customers are asking for, I want them to raise it.</p> 435<p class="isSelectedEnd">But saying âmy door is openâ isn’t enough. People must see that speaking up doesn’t get them shut down. Sometimes their suggestion won’t be the direction we ultimately take, but they should understand why.</p> 436<p class="isSelectedEnd">I don’t think good leadership is about having all the answers. It is about creating an environment where people are comfortable contributing ideas and taking some ownership of what happens next. That philosophy is very much part of how I try to lead Climatic.</p> 437<p class="isSelectedEnd"><strong>Q: Before your business career, you were involved in soccer as both a player and coach. Are there lessons from sport around teamwork, discipline, communication or handling pressure that still influence the way you lead people today?</strong></p> 438<p class="isSelectedEnd"><strong>Paul Brooks:</strong> Definitely. Sport teaches you very quickly that a team full of individually talented people doesn’t necessarily become a good team.</p> 439<p class="isSelectedEnd">People need to understand their role. They need to communicate. They need to know when to take responsibility themselves and when to support someone else.</p> 440<p class="isSelectedEnd">Coaching probably reinforced that even more for me. Different people respond to different styles of communication. You can’t assume that one approach will motivate or connect with everybody.</p> 441<p class="isSelectedEnd">That carries directly into business. On a busy day, we might have technicians in the field, customers waiting for updates, installations happening and the office coordinating everything behind the scenes. Nobody succeeds independently in that environment. One part of the team affects the next.</p> 442<p class="isSelectedEnd">Sport also teaches you not to overreact to every setback. Things go wrong. You deal with what is in front of you, communicate, adjust and keep moving.</p> 443<p class="isSelectedEnd">I still think about teams in much the same way, clear roles, open communication, discipline around the basics, and people prepared to help each other when circumstances change.</p> 444<p class="isSelectedEnd"><strong>Q: Heating and cooling are changing rapidly, with greater discussion around energy efficie
444ncy, electrification, heat pumps and reducing household energy use. From what you are seeing on the ground, how are the questions Geelong customers ask today different from the questions they were asking five or ten years ago?</strong></p> 445<p class="isSelectedEnd"><strong>Paul Brooks:</strong> Customers are asking more informed questions. Five or ten years ago, a conversation might have started with, âWhat size air conditioner do I need?â or âHow much will it cost?â</p> 446<p class="isSelectedEnd">Those questions haven’t disappeared, but now we’re much more likely to hear people asking about running costs, energy efficiency, whether they should move away from gas, how reverse-cycle heating compares, whether a system will work with solar, or what the most efficient way is to condition different parts of the house.</p> 447<p class="isSelectedEnd">People have often done quite a bit of research before they contact us. That’s positive, but it can also create confusion because there is an enormous amount of information online and not all of it applies to every home.</p> 448<p class="isSelectedEnd">The increasing conversation around electrification and heat-pump technology is particularly noticeable. So, I think our role is changing slightly as well. We’re not just providing equipment; we’re helping customers make sense of the options and understand how a particular system will perform in their property, under Geelong conditions and according to the way they live.</p> 449<p class="isSelectedEnd"><strong>Q: Climatic emphasises inspecting a property and understanding the customer’s needs before recommending a system rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach. As consumers increasingly research and compare products online before speaking to a business, what role does genuine expertise and face-to-face advice still play?</strong></p> 450<p class="isSelectedEnd"><strong>Paul Brooks:</strong> Online research is useful, and I would never discourage customers from doing it. An informed customer usually asks better questions. Where it becomes difficult is when people understandably try to turn general information into a very specific decision about their own property.</p> 451<p class="isSelectedEnd">Two houses with roughly the same floor area can have quite different heating and cooling requirements. You need to consider layout, insulation, orientation, glazing, room sizes, how the rooms are used and what the customer wants from the system.</p> 452<p class="isSelectedEnd">That’s why Climatic assesses the property before recommending the appropriate system and capacity. There is also value in being able to talk through the trade-offs rather than simply looking at specifications on a screen.</p> 453<p class="isSelectedEnd">Sometimes the technically most powerful system isn’t the most appropriate option. Sometimes the customer’s priorities are running costs, noise, zoning or simply keeping one area comfortable.</p> 454<p class="isSelectedEnd">We also have a working showroom in South Geelong because seeing and hearing equipment operate can answer questions that a brochure can’t. I think technology gives consumers more information. Genuine expertise helps turn that information into a good decision.</p> 455<p class="isSelectedEnd"><strong>Q: After everything you have learnt about customers, teams and running a service business, what is one piece of advice you would give to someone building a business in Geelong, particularly a migrant or first-generation entrepreneur trying to establish trust and become part of the local community?</strong></p> 456<p class="isSelectedEnd"><strong>Paul Brooks:</strong> I would say don’t underestimate how long trust takes to build and don’t try to shortcut it.</p> 457<p class="isSelectedEnd">When you’re establishing yourself, it’s tempting to focus on getting your name everywhere, winning every job and growing as quickly as possible. Visibility matters, but reputation is built through what happens after somebody decides to give you a chance.</p> 458<p class="isSelectedEnd">Do the small things consistently. Return the call. Be clear about what you can and can’t do. If you make a mistake, own it and fix it. Don’t promise something simply because you are afraid of losing the work.</p> 459<p class="isSelectedEnd">And try to actually become part of the community rather than only trying to sell to it.</p> 460<p class="isSelectedEnd">For someone who is new to Geelong or building relationships from scratch, that may take time. But I think local communities recognise consistency. Over time, customers become repeat customers, people introduce you to others and your network grows organically.</p> 461<p>The lesson I keep coming back to is that you don’t build a local reputation through one big gesture. You build it through hundreds of small interactions where people learn that your word means something.</p> 462<p>For more information, visit <a href="https://www.climatic.com.au/">Climatic Air Conditioning</a>.</p> 463<hr /> 464<h6><strong>Support independent community journalism. Support The Indian Sun.</strong></h6> 465<p><a href="https://buy.stripe.com/6oE01l0lo2Rb4GQ4gg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img decoding="async" src="https://media.theindiansun.au/2022/08/donatenow-e1661674931821-400x133.jpg" alt="" width="160" height="53" /></a></p> 466<hr /> 467<h6><strong>Follow The Indian Sun on <a href="https://twitter.com/The_Indian_Sun">X</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/theindiansun/">Instagram</a> |Â <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheIndianSun/">Facebook</a></strong></h6> 468<p>The post <a href="https://www.theindiansun.com.au/2026/10/01/paul-brooks-on-leadership-trust-and-the-changing-hvac-industry-in-geelong/">Paul Brooks on leadership, trust and the changing HVAC industry in Geelong</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.theindiansun.com.au">The Indian Sun</a>.</p> 469]]></content:encoded> 470 471 <wfw:commentRss>https://www.theindiansun.com.au/2026/10/01/paul-brooks-on-leadership-trust-and-the-changing-hvac-industry-in-geelong/feed/</wfw:commentRss> 472 <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> 473 474 475 <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">133651</post-id> </item> 476 <item> 477 <title>Mundubbera Blueberry Festival brings culture and community together</title> 478 <link>https://www.theindiansun.com.au/2026/10/01/mundubbera-blueberry-festival-brings-culture-and-community-together/</link> 479 <comments>https://www.theindiansun.com.au/2026/10/01/mundubbera-blueberry-festival-brings-culture-and-community-together/#respond</comments> 480 481 <dc:creator><![CDATA[Nick Attam]]></dc:creator> 482 <pubDate>Thu, 01 Oct 2026 07:00:08 +0000</pubDate> 483 <category><![CDATA[Arts Culture Music]]></category> 484 <category><![CDATA[Top Story]]></category> 485 <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.theindiansun.com.au/?p=133598</guid> 486 487 <description><![CDATA[<p>The Mundubbera Blueberry Festival is bringing three days of community celebrations to the North Burnett region, with locals and visitors invited to take part in a programme combining the areaâs blueberry culture with food, entertainment and community activities. A key part of Saturdayâs Berry Big Day Out was Cultural Infusion, hosted by North Burnett Community […]</p> 488<p>The post <a href="https://www.theindiansun.com.au/2026/10/01/mundubbera-blueberry-festival-brings-culture-and-community-together/">Mundubbera Blueberry Festival brings culture and community together</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.theindiansun.com.au">The Indian Sun</a>.</p> 489]]></description> 490 <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p class="isSelectedEnd"><span class="dropcap dropcap3">T</span>
490he Mundubbera Blueberry Festival is bringing three days of community celebrations to the North Burnett region, with locals and visitors invited to take part in a programme combining the areaâs blueberry culture with food, entertainment and community activities.</p> 491<p class="isSelectedEnd">A key part of Saturdayâs Berry Big Day Out was Cultural Infusion, hosted by North Burnett Community Service and designed to showcase the different cultures represented across regional Queensland.</p> 492<p class="isSelectedEnd">The event featured cultural performances, food tastings, arts and crafts, and opportunities for people to meet and connect with others from across the community.</p> 493<p class="isSelectedEnd">Cultural Infusion was held on September 26 at Bicentennial Park in Mundubbera from 10am to 2pm.</p> 494<figure id="attachment_133600" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-133600" style="width: 755px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" class=" wp-image-133600" src="https://www.theindiansun.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/808440697_1547817470711461_2248807668265895869_n.jpg" alt="" width="755" height="503" srcset="https://theindiansun.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/808440697_1547817470711461_2248807668265895869_n.jpg 590w, https://theindiansun.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/808440697_1547817470711461_2248807668265895869_n-400x266.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 755px) 100vw, 755px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-133600" class="wp-caption-text">Festival-goers take part in traditional games and outdoor activities during the Mundubbera Blueberry Festival.<br />Photo/Facebook</figcaption></figure> 495<p> </p> 496<p class="isSelectedEnd">The programme was supported through the Queensland Governmentâs Celebrating Multicultural Queensland program, with organisers highlighting the role of community activities in bringing people from different cultural backgrounds together.</p> 497<p class="isSelectedEnd">The Mundubbera Blueberry Festival has become an opportunity for the community to celebrate local culture and agriculture while welcoming visitors to the region.</p> 498<p class="isSelectedEnd">The Cultural Infusion programme added an international and multicultural element to the festival, giving attendees an opportunity to experience different traditions through food, performances and creative activities.</p> 499<figure id="attachment_133601" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-133601" style="width: 730px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" class=" wp-image-133601" src="https://www.theindiansun.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/820037153_1547817430711465_5917910790533015967_n.jpg" alt="" width="730" height="486" srcset="https://theindiansun.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/820037153_1547817430711465_5917910790533015967_n.jpg 590w, https://theindiansun.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/820037153_1547817430711465_5917910790533015967_n-400x266.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 730px) 100vw, 730px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-133601" class="wp-caption-text">A cultural performance takes place during the Mundubbera Blueberry Festival, with performers sharing music, movement and tradition with festival-goers.<br />Photo/Facebook</figcaption></figure> 500<p class="isSelectedEnd">Organisers encouraged festival visitors to include Cultural Infusion as part of their Berry Big Day Out and take part in the activities at Bicentennial Park.</p> 501<p>The event was supported by Mundubbera Blueberry Festival and North Burnett Community Service, with the programme reflecting the wider festivalâs focus on bringing the community together.</p> 502<hr /> 503<h6><strong>Support independent community journalism. Support The Indian Sun.</strong></h6> 504<p><a href="https://buy.stripe.com/6oE01l0lo2Rb4GQ4gg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img decoding="async" src="https://media.theindiansun.au/2022/08/donatenow-e1661674931821-400x133.jpg" alt="" width="160" height="53" /></a></p> 505<hr /> 506<h6><strong>Follow The Indian Sun on <a href="https://twitter.com/The_Indian_Sun">X</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/theindiansun/">Instagram</a> |Â <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheIndianSun/">Facebook</a></strong></h6> 507<p>The post <a href="https://www.theindiansun.com.au/2026/10/01/mundubbera-blueberry-festival-brings-culture-and-community-together/">Mundubbera Blueberry Festival brings culture and community together</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.theindiansun.com.au">The Indian Sun</a>.</p> 508]]></content:encoded> 509 510 <wfw:commentRss>https://www.theindiansun.com.au/2026/10/01/mundubbera-blueberry-festival-brings-culture-and-community-together/feed/</wfw:commentRss> 511 <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> 512 513 514 <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">133598</post-id> </item> 515 </channel> 516</rss>
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