Tuesday, 18 March 2025

 Mathew HILAKARI (Point Cook) (13:06): Holi hai, so happy Holi to everyone listening. Melbourne’s south-west is the centre of Victoria’s and Australia’s Indian community, and proudly so. I attended many Holi celebrations, and I would like to thank Neha and Vinayak for the Presidents Park Holi, the president and the founder respectively. Thanks to all the participants and sponsors as well. Sudhir and the team at Western Gymkhana Club organised a great event in Point Cook town centre. It is affectionately named Bolly Holi, and it was great to see Tim Watts, the federal member, there. I believe he was at his fifth or sixth Holi function of the day. Thank you to Maulshri for inviting me to Holi Hungama at the famous Pint Size Indian restaurant – get there if you can – and to Nasz Khan and her invitation to Seabrook Holi. I will be back there again next year.

The week before I was at the Ladies Club 60 Tarneit with Harinder and Nina and all the team for a wonderful Holi – great performances and great food – and then off with Amman to see the West Seniors Holi. Thank you especially for the takeaway snacks requested last year. Finally, a shout-out to Reena Rana and the team at the Indian Women in Australia Holi – a huge showcase that this year included the sport of kho-kho. The women’s team who demonstrated the sport on the day have recently returned from the world cup. Holi in the Northern Hemisphere of course celebrates the end of winter, the start of spring, good over evil and the eternal and divine love of Radha and Krishna.