Author: admin_fijitimes

The large cohort of first-year Pacific students at the University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau is a step in the right direction to increase the number of Pacific academic scholars. Pro Vice-Chancellor Pacific Professor Jemaima Tiatia-Siau and her team welcomed 72 Pacific scholarship recipients to the University with an event at the Fale Pasifika ‘Anau ‘Aiga on 26 February. She shared with the crowd that with 473 Pacific first-year students entering the University (an increase from the previous semester) the awarding of a scholarship was an outstanding result. “This is an outstanding achievement, I personally want to congratulate you… taking a…

In a powerful display of dedication, 1,400 people from across Australia and New Zealand have memorised 315 Sanskrit verses in a bid to preserve and promote the ancient language and its profound wisdom. Manav Patel said, Sanskrit is not only one of the oldest languages in the world but has strongly influenced many modern languages, including English. “Its impact can still be seen in words we use every day, like ‘karma’, ‘yoga’ and ‘guru,” Mr Patel said. “These words and many others, have become a part of the English language and demonstrate how Sanskrit continues to impact modern speech.” Sanskrit…

Local residents aged 55 and over are in for a treat with the City of Parramatta rolling out an exciting line-up of activities for this month’s 2025 NSW Seniors Festival. The annual event will celebrate the valuable contributions of local seniors with an array of free and low-cost activities, from iconic film screenings and world-class theatre to guided tours and fitness programs across our Libraries, Parramatta Aquatic Centre (PAC), PHIVE, Riverside Theatres, Active Parramatta and Wentworth Point Community Centre and Library. City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Cr Martin Zaiter said it was important to give back to the seniors in…

Dr. Rattan Virk has become the first Sikh woman to secure a federal ticket from the Liberal Party in Australia. As the federal elections could be announced anytime, political parties are actively unveiling their candidates. The Liberal Party of Australia, the main opposition party, recently selected Ratandeep Kaur Virk as their candidate. Federal opposition leaders, including Peter Dutton, gathered in Stanhope, a suburb in western Sydney, to inaugurate their parliamentary office.

The multi-year partnership agreement adds YouTube Publishing   Tips Music Ltd and Sony Music Publishing today announced an expansion of their successful global publishing partnership by adding YouTube (worldwide, excluding India) as a key platform for international publishing exploitation of Tips Music’s vast catalogue. This strategic renewal reinforces both companies’ commitment to amplifying the global presence of Indian music, particularly as Bollywood soundtracks continue to gain momentum in international markets. The deal encompasses administration, synchronization, and expanded promotion of Tips Music’s rich repertoire across global digital platforms. Guy Henderson, President, International said “We are thrilled to be expanding our relationship with Kumar…

New South Wales Breaker Tahlia Wilson has been named the WNCL Player of the Year following a stellar 2024-25 season. The opener amassed 667 runs at 60.63, with two centuries and two fifties, and is nearly 100 runs clear of the competition’s next highest scorer. Wilson’s brilliant WNCL campaign includes a career-best 142 against the ACT Meteors in the penultimate match of the regular season, which paved the way for a crucial 42-run win by New South Wales. The award completes an individual domestic double for Wilson who was also named the T20 Spring Challenge Player of the Tournament in…

Cricket Australia’s National Selection Panel (NSP) has today announced a 14-player Australian squad for the CommBank Women’s T20 Tour of New Zealand. Victorian wicket-keeper, Nicole Faltum has been named in her first Australian side in the absence of captain, Alyssa Healy. The 24-year-old has played in the last eight editions of the Weber WBBL, making the move to the title-winning Melbourne Renegades for WBBL|10 where her work with the gloves and lower-order hitting proved pivotal. Faltum is no stranger to facing international opposition having represented Australia A on multiple occasions and captaining the Governor-General’s XI against England in January. Selectors…

By Indranil Halder It was an immense honour for me to attend the red carpet premiere of HindiVindi on the 24th of February, 2025 in my Murshidabad silk kurta, ruby jacket pin and Sabyasachi Mukerjee shoes. The event took place at the Event Theatre in Westfield, Parramatta, and it marked a truly mahatapurna(significant) moment in the growing Indo-Australian film collaboration. The premiere was a resounding success, with a packed theatre filled with movie enthusiasts of all ages and backgrounds from across the multicultural fabric of Australian society. This event wasn’t just a celebration of cinema—it was a milestone in the ongoing efforts to…

The Member for Liverpool, Charishma Kaliyanda, has welcomed the release of concept designs of the new Liverpool High School to the community. The first look follows last-year’s announcement of a major upgrade that will bring Liverpool Boys and Girls High Schools together into one co-educational campus catering for 2,000 students, solidifying Liverpool’s status as the major education hub of South-West Sydney. The master plan and concept design have been developed in close collaboration with the Project Reference Group, which includes school leadership, architects, and project leadership to ensure school and community needs are understood. The brand-new school will include new…

Finance and Infrastructure Opposition spokesperson, the Hon Pesetatamalelagi Barbara Edmonds returned to her alma mater the University of Auckland to talk with Business academics and learn more about the Pacific Strategy and Pacific Academy initiatives ready to be launched this year. Edmonds (Fale’ula, Faleatiu, Safotu, Fasito’o/Sāmoa) is the MP for Mana and visited the University on 24 February. She met with leaders from the School of Business, Schools, Community and Engagement Team, and the Office of the Pro Vice-Chancellor Pacific. “It’s nice to be back home, it does feel like home, this is my alma mater where I did my…