RathaeshtarVOLUME 2013 ISSUE 1

BY ABAN IRANIPresident’s Note

pring brings warmth, happiness and fun in everyone and in that manner I would like to begin working together with the new ZAV Managing Committee for 2012-2013. I welcome the new committee members: Hon Vice President Arnavaz Chubb, Hon Secretary Kermeez Daruwalla, Hon Treasurer - Roda Namdarian and Hon Committee members Maharukh Billimoria, Kazween Boiko, Azalea Daruwalla,

Zuben Rustomjee and Karl Vazifdar

It’s time to get out of our winter hibernation and start the new ZAV year with a hop, skip and spring into fun!We will be organizing events regularly to see our community members come together, share special memories and maintain strong bonds with members of our Zoroastrian community in Victoria.And so, we look forward to seeing you ALL participate, encourage and enjoy the events and meetings we share together. Each person’s participation, encouragement, involvement and support keeps this community progressing forward. Alone we can do a little, but together we can do a lot!

A call out to our youth members to come volunteer and get involved in what’s happening with the ZAV. You are the future of our community and we would all be very grateful to see more youth members participating in our activities and making time to volunteer. Even if it’s just a few hours to spare in between the busy lives of study, work and play, every little bit counts.

I would like to commend our very own Zuben (19) and Karl (20) who have volunteered as members of our committee and will be organizing an event to bring the Zoroastrian youth from Australia and NZ together over the Easter weekend in the new year. Our other valued members Roda Namdarian and Maharukh Bilimoria along with Delshad Khadiwala will be organizing an event for our Seniors in October, 2012. There will also be a Christmas crafts day for our young ones (aged 3-16years) in late October. Also as part of our schedule the committee will also be working on the new 2013 ZAV Directory which we anticipate will be ready by mid 2013. Please contact Hon Secretary Kermeez Daruwala if any of your details have changed since the publication of the last directory in 2011 so that all information is up to date and correct.Lastly, to remind members who have not yet paid their fees for the current membership year to kindly do so at their earliest.

Finally, on behalf of the committee and myself i would like to thank each and every ZAV member for their on going support and active participation in the community. Individually, we are a drop. Together, we are an ocean. With this thought, let us move forward together into the exciting year ahead!

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ArticleBY RODA NAMDARIAN & DELSHAD KHADIWALA

ABOVE LEFT: The Hon David Davis, the Ethnic Community Council of Victoria and ZAV ladies.BOTTOM LEFT: Members of the ZAV.

ABOVE: Mrs. Nergish BhathawalaRIGHT: The Hon David Davis,Minister of Ageing and Health.

Minister of Ageing and Health visits our seniors

unday 12th August 2012 the Zoroastrian Association of Victoria took great pleasure in hosting an afternoon with the Minister of Ageing and Health the Hon David Davis.The Minister was there to launch the participation of Seniors in the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) grants pro-

gramme. This is a community grants programme that provides small grants to organizations to create and expand social participation opportunities for Seniors.Being socially active is important for health and wellbeing as Mr. Davis rightly pointed out. He also emphasized the commitment of the government to create opportunities for older people to join in and be socially active within their communities.The ZAV has received $3000/- from the program which will help in supporting our senior members. As per our Grants Co-ordinator Roda Namdarian the aim is to develop a buddy system which will enable them to participate in community activities.Also present on the day were representatives from the Ethnic Community Council of Victoria and Department of Health.The afternoon included some light entertainment in the form of a Parsi Garba Dance choreographed by Aban Irani and performed by Arnavaz Chubb, Benafsha Khariwala, Maharukh Billimoria, Kermeez Daruwala, Aban Irani & Roda Namdarian.Mrs. Nergish Bhathawala sang a traditional Monajat Song which met with great applause. Members of the ZAV choir – Roda Namdarian, Percy Daruwala, Naval Billimoria & Delshad Khadiwala gave a rendition of “Chaiye Hame Zarthoshti” & “Khashnothre Ahura Mazda”.The spread of savoury snacks and traditional sweets were enjoyed by all.The Minister and representatives from the Ethnic Council of Victoria thanked the ZAV for a very enjoyable afternoon and the opportunity to learn about our Zoroastrian culture.We received full media coverage of Minister’s meeting with our seniors.This article can be found on Seniors Online Website: http://www.seniorsonline.vic.gov.au/Home/News-and-Opinions/Latest-News/Article.aspx?Key=38

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INTRODUCING THE COMMITTEE FOR 2012 - 2013...

Alone, we can do a little. Together, we can do a lot.

HON. SECRETARYKERMEEZ DARUWALLA

HON. TREASURER RODA NAMDARIAN

HON. COMMITEE MEMBERMAHARUKH BILLIMORIA

HON. COMMITEE MEMBERKAZWEENBOIKO

HON. COMMITEE MEMBERAZALEADARUWALLA

HON. COMMITEE MEMBERZUBINRUSTOMJEE

HON. COMMITEE MEMBERKARLVAZIFDAR

HON. VICE PRESIDENTARNAVAZCHUBB

HON. PRESIDENTABAN IRANI

Events Calendar

28 OctoberSPRING 2012- ONWARD

Christmas Crafts Day

2:00 PMRentoul Hall, 16 Livingstone Close,Burwood (Melway Ref. 61 A4)$5.00 Per FamilyChildrens Event: Ages 3- 16 Yrs.RSVP by 21 October 2012Please refer to invitation for further information

Victorian Interfaith Network Conference

Fitzroy Town HallFor more information please visit:www.faithvictoria.org.au

We are excited to begin a new year with ZAV!

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26 January

23 February

23 March

29 March

December

Australia Day Picnic

More details to come.

Function TBA

More details to come.

Jamshedi Navroze

More details to come.

Difficulty Level: Medium

Zoroastrian Youth Network

Easter Weekend, 2013An event for all Australian and New Zealand Zoroastrian youth 18 years and over. Watch this space... More details hatching soon.

10th Zoroastrian World Congress

December, 2013Mumbai.The theme will be Zoroastrianism in the 21st Century: Nurturing Growtih and Affirming our Identity.More details to come.

EDITORS: ABAN IRANI & ARNAVAZ CHUBBGRAPHIC DESIGNER: NOUSHAFARIN IRANI

For any information to be included in our future Rathaeshtars, email Aban Irani at oban8@hotmail.com or Arnavaz Chubb at arnavazchubb@yahoo.com.au. Please note that the deadline for receiving submissions for the next Rathaeshtar is 07-January 2013.

ZAV PO Box. 807, Kew VIC 3101

WE SUDOKU

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