MIGRANTS LIFE Event 2024
- On 29th June 2024, 19 migrant stories were showcased at The Edge, Federation Square
- The goal of the event was to showcase the struggles of migrants to serve as inspiration for people today and in the future
- The event showcased people who have come to Australia over different years and contribute to the diverse Australian culture
- The announcement of ‘The Migrants Life Foundation‘ (more details to follow)
- The latter part of the day included conversations with a panel (Brett Lee, Ravi Bhatt & Sagar Sethi) and words from speakers (Bwe Thay, Nicky Luo & Divesh Sareen)
Our Sponsors & Supporters
- Sunrise2Sunrise: https://sunrise2sunrise.com.au
- Xugar: https://xugar.com.au
- Migrants Circle: https://migrantscircle.com
- The Indian Mate Book: https://theindianmate.com
- Vision Overseas Group: www.visionoverseasgroup.com.au
- After the WHY:www.afterthewhy.com
- Aussizz Group:www.aussizzgroup.com
- Renewd:www.renewd.com.au
- Melbourne BMW:https://www.melbournebmw.com.au
- Shivam Printing:https://www.shivamprinting.com.au
- Foot Solutions Knoxfield:www.foot-solutions.com.au
- Civic Outdoor:www.civicoutdoor.com.au
- Stockman Wineshttps://stockmanwines.com.au
- YPA Estate Agents:https://www.ypa.com.au
- Tumble & Nuts:https://tumblennuts.com.au
- IH Jewellers: www.ihjewels.in
- Real Arena: https://realarena.com.au
- Theka: https://www.theka.com.au
- Funky Curry
- Seeking Guru
- Indian Traders Association
- Dr RNB Entertainment
- Blackbox Design: https://www.blackboxdesign.com.au
- Elite Vin: https://www.elitevin.com.au
- IWIA: https://indianwomeninaustralia.com
- ABCD Bollywood Dance School:
- Bohemian Rapsody Magazine
- Kireet Studios
- Panny Kaur & Prabhjot Singh
Event Participants
Brett Lee
Former International Australian Cricketer | Actor
- Brett is widely regarded as one of the fastest bowlers in the history of the game of cricket, having reached a top speed of 161.1 kmph
- In India, Brett’s popularity soared as he embraced the culture by learning Hindi and connecting with fans on a personal level. His love for Bollywood led to appearances in both Australian and Indian films
- Brett Lee is involved in many philanthropic organisations. He is a proud ambassador for Gotcha4life, an Australian charity that enables people to build mental fitness and helps to reduce suicide rates in Australia
Divesh Sareen
Product & Technology Advisor | xCTO | Author – The Indian Mate
- Divesh Sareen is an Indian-born Australian entrepreneur and author who moved to Australia when he was 21 to study for his Master’s in Information Technology.
- He moved to Australia with $1000 in his pocket, and has since worked his way up to lead tech teams and deliver innovative solutions to businesses across the globe.
- Divesh loves solving problems and is the author of the 2-book series entitled – ‘The Indian Mate’. The two volumes share the journey from Namaste to HowRYa acting as a source of inspiration for people who belong to more than one country.
Elizabeth Sutherland
Musician
- Elizabeth Sutherland is a performer, composer and educator based in the beautiful Dandenong Ranges, Melbourne. She composes for Celtic Harp and Piano.
- Elizabeth is a keen composer of music for solo Piano, solo Celtic Harp, vocals and choirs. She is currently the accompanist for Singularity Choir, as well as being a member of the committee, a regular chorister, and sometime rehearsal director.
- Elizabeth’s music delivers “natural beauty through charming melodies”, inspired by nature, Celtic myth and a wide variety of musical genres. Her debut EP “Forest Dreams” was released on March 31, 2021. It features 8 original pieces for Celtic Harp and Piano.
Bwe Thay – Speaker
Deputy Chairperson, Victorian Multicultural Commission
- Bwe is a passionate advocate for multiculturalism in Australia, focusing on leadership development, education, and employment within these communities
- He engages with various levels of society, from individual communities to influencing policy at governmental and organisational levels
- Bwe’s extensive leadership roles within Victoria’s multicultural sector and his recognition for advocacy and community service highlight his commitment to promoting harmony and building vibrant, cohesive societies
Mayor, Cr Nicky Luo – Speaker
Mayor and Councillor for Glen Waverley Ward
- Cr Nicky Luo, a first-time Councillor, represents the Glen Waverley Ward for the 2020-2024 term and has held positions of Deputy Mayor (2022-23) and Mayor (2023-24) within the City of Monash
- Nicky migrated from China in 1997 and is deeply rooted in the local community, with educational and professional backgrounds in nursing and mental health
- She is multilingual and volunteers extensively to support culturally diverse residents, prioritizing mental health awareness and community inclusivity. Her term focuses on improving infrastructure, supporting local businesses, and advocating for vulnerable residents
Ravi Bhatt – Panellist
CEO – Sunrise2Sunrise
- Migrated from India to Australia in 2008 to support family and explore business opportunities in disability support, eventually founding Sunrise2Sunrise in 2018 with a focus on personalised disability support services
- Sunrise2Sunrise, started with two people, has expanded to over 700 staff from 37 countries, establishing numerous accommodation properties and aiding hundreds of NDIS participants
- Embraced Australia’s inclusive culture, maintaining Indian heritage while contributing to multiculturalism, aiming to bridge health support systems between Australia and India through Sunrise2Sunrise, inspired by positive settlement experiences and encouraging newcomers to seek community support
Sagar Sethi – Panellist
CEO – Xugar
- Sagar faced early life challenges, including family turmoil and personal loss, which left him isolated and driven to seek a better future
- Determined to succeed, Sagar moved to Australia, enduring hardships, starting in hospitality but moving towards IT and teaching himself web development, eventually excelling in digital marketing despite numerous rejections
- Through perseverance, integrity, and hard work, Sagar rose to become the CEO of Xugar, a full-service digital marketing agency with team members in 3 countries demonstrating that true success is achieved through unwavering determination and ethical choices
Richard Stockman – Auctioneer
YPA Real Estate
- Richard is a Real Estate agent and Auctioneer at YPA Real Estate who uses his business acumen to help clients find their dream homes. His sharp negotiating skills and keen eye for detail have earned him a reputation as one of the most reliable real estate agents in town
- Richard is a winemaker by trade, carefully tending to his vineyards and crafting exquisite blends that have won numerous awards. His passion for wine led him to start his own winery, which has quickly become a local favourite among wine connoisseurs
- In addition to his professional pursuits, Richard is also a Councillor of the Blue Lake Ward of Nillumbik Shire Council, where he works to improve the quality of life for his community. He is committed to creating sustainable development projects and promoting environmental conservation initiatives
Adrian Franklin – Emcee / Interviewer
Sports reporter/presenter at Network Ten
- Adrian, a seasoned media professional with 15 years of experience, currently excels as a sports reporter/presenter at Network Ten, relishing interactions with diverse audiences and conducting insightful interviews
- Career highlights include stints at Fox Sports and extensive coverage of prestigious tennis events like the Australian Open, US Open, and French Open, showcasing his passion for sports journalism
- Recently, Adrian launched a program aimed at empowering high school students to explore their potential, emphasising the values of attentiveness, patience, and continuous progress
Dance Performances – ABCD Bollywood Dance group
- Performances led by Shweta Pandya & Jayshri Nath
- ABCD Bollywood Dance believe that ‘Any Body Can Dance’ and make dance workout fun for all ages, bringing vibrant & energetic classes by experienced and enthusiastic team of dance teachers
WANT TO BE A PART OF THE EVENT IN 2025 ?
Inspired by – The Indian Mate
A journey from Namaste to HowRYa
Written by Divesh Sareen.
The two volumes of the Indian Mate relive a story of people who left behind everything that they have ever known to create a better future for themselves and their loved ones; people who are from two different countries, but don’t fully belong to either; people who realise that their lives in two different countries have forged a new identity for them.
The volumes are a journey from Namaste to How-r-ya.