Cultura welcomes 50th community group

MULTICULTURAL services provider Cultura has welcomed Geelong Tamil Sangaam as its 50th affiliated community group.

Formed less than a year ago, Geelong Tamil Sangaam is the latest group to officially join Cultura’s multicultural network.

The affiliation provides access to networking opportunities, community programs and practical support designed to help multicultural communities grow and connect.

Geelong Tamil Sangaam president Vidya Srinivasan said the group was delighted to be part of the milestone.

“To think there are 49 different representations of diverse cultures already in Cultura,” she said. “It’s a great occasion for us to be the 50th.

“We will be looking forward to a lot of guidance and collaboration from the rest of the groups as well as Cultura.

“We want to preserve our rich culture and heritage because it deserves that.”

The Geelong Tamil Sangaam began as a small gathering at local festivals before becoming an incorporated organisation focused on connecting and supporting the region’s Tamil community.

The group aims to support students, new arrivals and families while helping preserve and celebrate Tamil culture in the region.

Originally from the southern tip of India, Tamils have migrated across the globe, with Australia and New Zealand home to the world’s ninth-largest Tamil population.

Tamil is one of the world’s longest-surviving languages and is officially spoken in India, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Malaysia.

Incoming Cultura chief executive Jess Harper welcomed Geelong Tamil Sangaam and said multicultural communities remained at the heart of the organisation’s work.

“That is the foundation of Cultura. It is who we are. It is why Cultura is here,” he said.

Lara MP Ella George congratulated Cultura on signing up its 50th multicultural group.

“Our multicultural communities arrived in Geelong at different times in different places, from every corner of the world,” she said.

“You speak different languages, you carry different traditions.

“Yet you share one story: a story of courage, of heart, of belonging here in Geelong and contributing to our community.”

Cultura marked the milestone at a celebration at its North Geelong aged care centre last week. It featured Sri Lankan cooking and a Tamil dance performance.