UIA delivers another successful Friendship Fair

The UIA executive committee worked tirelessly to put together another successful event for the

community and their efforts were rewarded with rain staying away despite all weather reports

predicting a washout.

The executive committee pondered calling off the event and postponing the Fair but the major

sponsor Waugh Global Realty’s Managing Director Mr. Dean Honan and it’s chairman cricket

Legend Steve Waugh bolstered their spirit and good faith won the day.

UIA has been serving the community for more than 21 years promoting cultural diversity and

building harmonious relationships.

UIA’s flagship event is much awaited by the community who look forward to the bouquet of

excellent cultural performances, mouth-watering food, amusement rides for the kids and a

glimpse into the new businesses seeking their patronage. Once again the community was not

disappointed.

UIA has moved the Friendship Fair to Blacktown which hosts a large Indian Community. This

year’s Fair was held at Blacktown Showground. The Fair is a great opportunity for Indian

Australians to celebrate their cultural heritage, display the positive contribution they are making

to the overall economic growth of their adopted country and the part they play in social

cohesion.

Several state and federal MPs attended the Fair and expressed their support for the Indian

Australian community.. Mayor of Blacktown Clr. Stephen Bali, senator the honourable Concetta

Fierravanti- wells, Hon. Chris Bowen MP, Hon. Matt Keen, MP, Hon Minister David Elliott,

Hon. Opposition leader Luke Foley, MP, Prime Minister Modi’s representative Hon. Chaudhry

Birender Singh, His Excellency Consul general of India to Sydney Sunjay Sudhir, Hon. John

Robertson, Hon. Geoff Lee, Race Discrimination Commissioner Dr. Tim Soutpommasane, Hon

Barry O’Farrell Ex premier, Our Chief Guest cricket legend Steve Waugh, Managing director of

Waugh Global Realty Mr. Dean Honan, Dr. G.K. Harinath OAM, Mr. Richard from GWS

Giants, Mr. Nihal Gupta SBS chairman, Inspector Ormes Rod representing the Police

Commissioner of NSW, Clr. Susai Benjamin, Clr. Raj Datta and MP’s from Federal and State.

President of the United Indian Association Mr. John Kennedy in his speech said UIA is a voice

for our communities and is in the fore front of every issues that our community come across and

UIA will always keep it’s arms open to help the needy. He also stated that UIA has maintained

very good relationship with all political parties both federally and in NSW. UIA as an

organisation never side with any side of politics. UIA’s moto is to serve the community and

nothing more than this.

Consul General of India Sunjay Sudhir said that he appreciated the work of UIA in providing an

umbrella of organisations coming from diverse backgrounds and representing different regions

and states of India. UIA plays an extremely important role in ensuring that the local Indian

community remains cohesive and effective.

In his message to the community, Premier Mike Baird congratulated UIA for strengthening the

NSW-India relationship. NSW Opposition Leader Luke Foley attended the Fair and said that the

Indian community makes an enormous contribution to NSW and the UIA Friendship Fair is a

chance to celebrate that contribution.

Colourful and exciting cultural performances were provided by Mr. Ranjit Khera and team.

This year’s flavour was sport with a Kabaddi demonstration and the presence of two popular

cricketers – Steve Waugh and Gurinder Sandhu. Steve Waugh took the opportunity to advertise

his new business venture – Waugh Global which is creating greater investment opportunity for

Indian nationals living abroad.

UIA sincerely thanks the community and Sponsors Waugh Global Realty, MoneyGram,

Multicultural NSW, Western Union, Ria, Bank of Baroda, Air India, Euro Solar, Guara Travels,

Sun Legal, ABS, Bluesky Migration, Prudential International Education Services, Cricket

Australia, Grewal Atta and Millennium Hotel’s and SBS for their continuous support.

UIA sincerely thanks all our media partners who were with us shoulder to shoulder to take our

efforts to people.