Victorian Senior of the Year 2022 (Promotion of Multiculturalism) Award to Marie Pietersz from Camberwell Nominated by: Dilrukshie Perera, President, Australia South Asia Society By Marie Pietersz The Award ceremony was held at Government House on 26 October 2022 and officiated by the Governor, Hon Linda Dessau, AO, and the Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers, Hon Colin Brooks, MP. “Marie volunteers in many sectors of the wider community with her all-round skills as a dance teacher, writer, English tutor and editorial consultant. This amazing lady contributes so many unpaid hours and spreads her volunteering capacity across many community sectors and age groups,” says Dilkie Perera, nominator and President of the Australia South Asia Society. Marie migrated from Sri Lanka in 1972 and was successful in obtaining many significant roles during her State Government career. Coming from a background of limited opportunity, she was grateful and readily accepted the many ...

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A touch of Lanka in Australia Day Parade – by Marie Pietersz (Melbourne) Participants of the Miss Sri Lanka-Australia Pageant (MSLA) and Miss South Asia-Australia Pageant (MSAA) 2017 provided a splash of colour when they marched in the Australia Day Parade on 26 January 2018 as a post-Pageant activity.   Wearing Kandyan sarees and Nilame suits (Mul Anduma), crowns and sashes, the Sri Lankan winners showcased Sri Lankan culture, walking for the fourth consecutive year under the Sinhalese Cultural Association banner, and greeting people with the traditional “Ayubowan”.   It was a new experience for the Miss South Asia-Australia Pageant winners in the first year of this Pageant. Winners with Indian and Bangladeshi heritage walked with their respective groups. The contingent of walkers included eight contestants, male and female, dressed and styled by Savish Traditional, managed and photographed by Vishni Perera-Jainudeen and led by Savindi Perera-Jainudeen, Pageant Executive, carrying the Sri Lankan flag. Nilame costumes represented the Australian flag colours of ...

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