India is focused on strengthening its position in the world

MELBOURNE: Dr. Pradeep Taneja, from the School of Social and Political Sciences at the University of Melbourne, addressed the Australian Institute of International Affairs Victoria, at Dyason House, on Indian’s growing international stature and its relations with Australia.

Stressing India’s ancient cultural heritage – ‘steeped in religion and mystical beliefs’ – Dr Taneja outlined India’s growing national confidence and the positive changes occurring within the country.

He pointed out that while…

Melbourne third most expensive city for daily car-park price

Melbourne: Melbourne has emerged as the third most expensive cities in the world for daily car parking with motorists here are paying more than drivers in London, New York and Tokyo, according to a new global survey. The Central Business District area’s daily car-parking rates were found to be the third-highest in the world at a median of USD 66 a day, Colliers International 2011 parking rate survey said. Melbourne ranked…

Dodgy car dealer stung with $50,000 fine and compo orders

Melbourne Magistrates’ Court has convicted a former licensed Maidstone motor car trader and fined it $50,000 plus costs for selling cars with tampered odometers.

Simon’s Car Sales Pty Ltd (ACN 097 941 396) pleaded guilty to five charges of odometer tampering and agreed to pay five consumers a total of $34,750 compensation after Consumer…

Victoria’s Police chief quits

Melbourne :Victoria’s chief police commissioner Simon Overland, who once advised Indian and other foreign students ‘to look poor’ to avoid violent attacks against them, resigned over misleading crime statistics. State Premier Ted Baillieu made the announcement at a press conference. Deputy Commissioner Ken Lay will serve as acting Chief Commissioner. Overland’s resignation comes hours after…

Bikini Row: Melbourne’s Indian Community Show Better Form Of Protest

It was a fashion show in Sydney but people were out in the streets of India – protesting, burning the Australian flag. The reason: Designer Lisa Burke had showcased her swimwear and bikini collections with images of Hindu Goddess Lakshmi on them. When G’Day called Burke’s company, Lisa Blue, for reactions, it was met with a…

No Place like Home

The last time I had visited Desi Dhaba there had been a large crowd that had turned out with a number of uniformed police. Far from there being any kind of public disturbance, owner and manager Amit Tuteja had openly welcomed the Assistant Commissioner of …

Hinduism Summit (Hindu Dharmasabha) awakens Melbournians to Hindu concepts and issues

On Saturday, 21st May 2011 (Vaishakh Krushna chaturthi 5113 as per Hindu calendar) the Union hall at the La Trobe University, Melbourne reverberated with the auspicious sounds of conch blowing and Vedic recitations, commencing…

Coalition Govt announces Independent Road Safety

The Victorian Coalition Government today delivered on its election commitment to provide greater integrity and transparency around the operation of speed and red light cameras in Victoria by introducing legislation into Parliament for the appointment of Australia’s first independent Road Safety Camera Commissioner.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Police Peter Ryan said the Road Safety Camera Commissioner Bill 2011, introduced into Parliament today, was part of the Coalition Government’s major overhaul of Victoria’s speed and red light…

Victoria’s first 5-star sustainable schools

The first three Victorian schools to achieve a five-star sustainability certification in the ResourceSmart Schools program have been announced.

Minister for Environment and Climate Change Ryan Smith congratulated Eltham North Primary School in the city’s north-east, Balnarring Primary on the Mornington Peninsula and Aitken College in Greenvale in Melbourne’s north, for their efforts in reducing their ecological footprint.

“I am pleased to announce that Aitken College, Eltham North Primary School and…

Search begins for Victoria’s senior of the year

Victorians are being urged to nominate outstanding seniors who make a remarkable difference to their communities for the 2011 Victorian Senior of the Year Awards.

Minister for Ageing David Davis today invited community members, service organisations and local councils to nominate seniors for an award to honour their selfless contribution to the community.

“These awards give us an opportunity to recognise the tireless volunteer services of older people across Victoria,” Mr…