About FIAV

History & Background of FIAV

The Federation of Indian Associations of Victoria (FIAV)

FIAV was formed in 1989 by a group of resident Indian migrants of long-standing and repute that was keen to bring all the various regional, cultural and lingual Indian groups together under the one umbrella organization.

The FIAV’s goal was to serve as an umbrella organisation for all the Indian community organisations in Victoria bringing together all the individual organisations as a unified body in order to strengthen the community and provide improved services to the Indian origin population in Victoria.

By establishing such an organisation with the objective of unifying the Indian origin community in Victoria, the Local, State, Federal and the Indian governments were able to effectively reach out and communicate with the wider Australian Indian population as a whole. Ex. FIAV President and Current Trustee, Mr Vasan Srinivasan assisted Dr T J Rao when the FIAV was initially being set up back in late 1988. FIAV has now grown to consist of 28 Indian associations which also includes 2 regional Victorian associations and the Federation of Indian Music & Dance Victoria, that consist of 22 groups/schools imparting Indian origin form of arts, dance and music.

FIAV currently focuses on the following area of service to the community in Victoria
  • Represent the cause of Indian origin Victorians.
  • Act as a lobby group for the Indian community in Victoria.
  • Domestic Violence victims assistance service.
  • Facilitate & assist organisations/ groups in various community initiatives.
  • Facilitate trade and businesses locally in Victoria to benefit from community initiatives.
  • Facilitate promotion of overseas business to be set up in Victoria.
Major achievements of FIAV
  • In 2006, the FIAV was given the opportunity by the Indian government to assist with the Commonwealth Games Closing Ceremony, working alongside Shiamak Davar the Bollywood choreographer and Wizcraft Event Management. The FIAV was instrumental in bringing together 1100 dancers for 49 days of rehearsals before the closing ceremony at the MCG.
  • In 2010, the Indian Consulate was approached by Melbourne City to organise a team of Indians, who are prominent within the community, to run alongside athletes in the Queens Baton Relay before the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi. The FIAV was given an opportunity to showcase their support for the Indian community in Victoria as well as for the Commonwealth Games team that was heading to Delhi.
  • Establishment of a Toll-free Helpline for the benefit of Indian origin community in Victoria.
  • Liaise with the State & federal governments during the peak of Students issue in Victoria and ensuring a positive image of Australia was promoted to media & the larger Indian community.
  • Set up a Domestic Violence Panel, which manages numerous victims who are referred to FIAV through Victoria Police, Indian Consulate and a number of agencies & community groups.
  • Support & unite various community groups and was successful in forming a peak body for Music & dance federation.
  • FIAV was instrumental in bringing various India multi-faith organisation together under the umbrella organisation of Federation of Indian Multi-faith Organisations (FIMO)
Constitution of FIAV

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