World Malayalee Council (WMC) Sydney Province, a multicultural Malayalee diaspora organization, in Sydney, aims to connect the essence of Kerala and ‘Keralam’ to the wider Malayalee and broader Indian diaspora and the Australian community. On 24th May 2025, World Malayalee Council Sydney Province organised their first event of the year to celebrate ‘everyday heroes’, the mothers. Special awards were presented to highlight five mothers who are successful professionals and role models. The function at Madison Function Centre at Dural was attended by nearly 200 people.
In his welcome address, the President of the WMC, Sydney Province, Mr Babu Varghese acknowledged the gathering that included prominent parliamentarians including the Hon. Julian Leeser MP, Federal Member for Berowra and co-chair of the Federal Parliamentary Friends of India, Mr. Warren Kirby MP Member for Riverstone and co-chair of the NSW Parliamentary Friends of India and Mr. James Wallace MP, Member for Hornsby, Dr Sunil Vyas, President of the United India Associations (UIA), Councillor Barbara Ward, and presidents from other Malayalee Associations in Sydney.
“I thank everyone for supporting our first event as a newly formed committee, a tribute to all our mothers. Thank you for your support of the World Malayalee Sydney Province,” said Babu Varghese, President WMC Sydney Province.
In his address, Irfan Malik, Public Relations Officer and Chair of the Advisory Committee, WMC Sydney Province highlighted a comprehensive plan for the organisation reflecting the needs of the global Malayalee community across Australia, aligning it with Kerala’s inclusive development. This plan includes co-curating of impactful programs and initiatives through collaborations for vibrant cultural experiences, bridging programs and purposeful initiatives to provide linkages with the First Nations communities and also focus on exchange programs across different sectors between the Multicultural Diaspora in Sydney, Australia and Kerala promoting bilateral tourism and Cultural Immersive Connect programs. Through these initiatives WMC Sydney Province will continue to raise funds for charitable and meaningful causes.
The five mothers who were award recipients on the day came from different professional and religious backgrounds. including Aunty Beryl, a First Nations Elder, Sona Rawal, an entrepreneur, Dr Nisha Rakesh, a researcher, Najiha Basheer, a Relationship and Intimacy Coach and Emie Roy, a speaker, writer and filmmaker. They spoke about their journey as a mother and a professional and how their mothers influenced their lives. This section was meticulously curated by Poornima Menon, Vice President WMC Sydney Province.
The event also had its share of entertainment with Prasida Dinesh from Mayookham Dance school setting the tone with a graceful Mohiniyattam recital. Pawan Sajin wooed the audience with his beautiful medley of songs celebrating motherhood and the mothers of Abhirami Natya Shestra performed to the tunes of foot tapping Bollywood numbers. The audience won some exciting prizes through a game of Tambola and raffle draws. The sumptuous three course meal served by Madison Function Centre was another highlight of the afternoon. Deepthi Raghavan, Secretary of WMC Sydney Provincedelivered the Vote of Thanks, thanking all the VIPs, sponsors and attendees for their support for making the event a success!
WMC Sydney Province will be planning more meaningful programs through the year including the much-awaited Onam extravaganza.
More about World Malayalee Council (MC) Sydney Province, which was registered in 2018, is the leading vibrant global Malayalee community organisation based in Sydney, Australia providing a vibrant and dynamic link between the Malayalee Diaspora in Australia and the motherland in Kerala, India as “Living Bridge” to enhance friendship and fellowship among Malayalees worldwide with the sole ethic of multiculturalism and inclusiveness.
