Friendship, belonging and service to the community took centre stage at the inaugural Maitri Lecture, held at ABC Studios in Sydney on Thursday, 8 October 2026.
Hosted by the Centre for Australia-India Relations in partnership with the ABC, the event featured renowned cardiologist and Heart of Australia founder Dr Rolf Gomes. The new lecture platform was established to recognise Australians of Indian heritage and share their contributions to Australia’s national story.
The name Maitri reflects the spirit behind the occasion. A Sanskrit word encompassing friendship, kindness and goodwill, it captures the connections the lecture seeks to celebrate between Australia and India.
Delivering the welcome address, the Hon Matt Thistlethwaite MP noted its similarity to the familiar Australian word “mate”. His remarks highlighted the contributions of Indian-Australians and the ways migration, cultural heritage and community service continue to shape the nation.
Dr Gomes brought these themes to life through his own journey. From his childhood in Kolkata to his work improving access to specialist healthcare in regional and remote Australia, his story offered a powerful example of innovation guided by service.
As the founder of Heart of Australia, Dr Gomes has pioneered mobile healthcare delivery, helping bring specialist medical services closer to communities facing the challenges of distance and limited access. His contribution demonstrated how an individual’s experience and sense of purpose can translate into practical benefits for Australians far beyond their own community.
The welcome address also reflected on his family’s decision to migrate to Australia when he was nine. It connected that experience with the sacrifices and aspirations shared by many migrant families, acknowledging their role in building a stronger and more resilient country.
With ABC journalist Shalailah Medhora as master of ceremonies, the evening created space for a story of Indian heritage and Australian belonging to reach a wider audience.
The Centre announced that the inaugural Maitri Lecture would be broadcast internationally on ABC Australia and available to Australian audiences on ABC iview from Sunday, 1 November 2026, extending the conversation beyond those gathered in the Sydney studio.
