Indians in Australia – The Census
Australian Bureau of Statistics released 2016 Census data in 2017, which showed a marked increase in the population of people of Indian origin in Australia.
There are 468 800 people of Indian origin in Australia. Victoria had the largest number of Indians with 169,802 followed by New South Wales at 143,459. Queensland and Western Australia have Indian population 49,145 and 49,385 respectively. There are 27,594 people born in India in South Australia, 10,414 Indians in ACT and 3,598 Indians in Northern Territory. Tasmania has the smallest Indian population in Australia at 1,980 people
2016 census reveals that Australia has 440300 Hindus (1.9% of population) and 125900 Sikhs (.5% of population. Christians constitute 52.1% of the population and Muslims comes second at 2.6%. 30.1% has no religion.
News Maker of the Year
Gautam Adani
Indian Business man Gautam Adani was the Indian Newsmaker of the year 2017 in Australia. Adani who is estimated to be worth $8.81 billion, made his presence felt in all forms of news media here, as protest against his proposed mine in the Galilee Basin picked up momentum across Australia.
Adani has promised thousands of local jobs but opponents say the project will fuel global warming and destroy the Great Barrier Reef.
Achievements
Many Indians were honored in Australia in 2017 in recognition of their excellence in a certain field. Below are some of those individuals with noteworthy achievements.
September
Madhu Bhaskaran wins Macquarie University Eureka Prize
Associate Professor Madhu Bhaskaran won the 2017 Macquarie University Eureka Prize for Outstanding Early Career Researcher. She won this prestigious award for her work on ‘biocompatible electronic devices’
Ameet Bains took over as CEO of AFL club Western Bulldogs
Ameet Bains became the first person of Indian origin to be appointed CEO of any elite sporting club in Australia when he was appointed in October this year. Mr Bains family hails from the Indian state of Punjab. His Father, Harcharn came to Australia from India to study, before marrying Manjit and settling in Bendigo, where Ameet was born and raised.
Prof Zora Singh wins 2017 Innovator of the Year in Western Australia
Dr Zora Singh was named overall winner of the WA Innovator of the Year Award by Mr Dave Kelly, Minister Innovation, Western Australia. This award carries a citation and $75000 cash prize. The process was developed by horticultural researcher Professor Zora Singh and organic chemist Dr Alan Payne. Zora Singh come up with a way of extending the shelf-life of vegetables, fruit and flowers by slowing down the process that leads to them spoiling.
Prem Bajaj has won a gold medal at the 2017 Oceania Championships
Prem Bajaj, a national bench press record holder and four-time Australian champion won Gold medal at Oceania Championships held at Singapore in the Bench Press category. He won gold at the 83 – 93 Kg weight category.
Rupinder Kaur Sandhu wins bronze at Commonwealth Wrestling Championship
An Indian-origin wrestler has won a bronze medal at the 13th commonwealth wrestling championships held in Johannesburg, South Africa between December 15 and December 17, 2017. Sandhu who is also Australia’s national wrestling champion clinched bronze in 50 Kg category.
November
Deepak Vinayak named ‘Multicultural Champion’ in Victoria
Deepak Vinayak, who is a Melbourne based Justice of Peace and Community Liaison Officer at Metro, has become the first person of Indian origin to be chosen as Multicultural Champion by Victoria’s state government.
December
Indian-origin Jason Sangha will lead Australia in Under-19 World Cup
Indian-origin Jason Jaskirat Singh Sangha has been selected as the captain of Australia’s Under 19 team for the World Cup to be held in New Zealand in January 2018.
Legal
May
Sam Abraham – Alleged wife and lover Cyanide Murder Case comes before court
A pre-trial directions hearing was held at the Supreme Court on 31st October 2017. The trials will be in 2018.
April
Indian Student Gurjinder Singh gets four and a half years’ jail for raping a teenage girl
Gurjinder Singh was sentenced to four and a half years for raping a teenage girl in Woolgoolga in regional New South Wales. Singh assaulted the girl after a drinking session with three teenagers at a beach. He left for India the day after but was arrested in Queensland after he returned after two months.
May
Rajat Chaudhary gets two years in jail for slashing colleagues with meat cleaver
32-year-old Rajat Chaudhary was sentenced to 2 years’ jail by The District Court of WA, for slashing two of his co-workers with a meat clever after one of them threatened to bash him during a work-related argument on 4th March 2016.
August
Uber driver Muhammad Naveed gets six years in jail for raping female tourist
41-year-old Uber driver Muhammad Naveed has been sentenced to six years and four months in jail for raping a 22-year-old female tourist in October 2015
Taxi driver Sujan Shrestha sentenced for sexual assault
Taxi driver Sujan Shrestha was sentenced to an 18-month good behaviour bond over indecent assault of a 19-year-old woman. The 46-year-old was accused of indecently assaulting a 19-year-old female passenger while driving her to the destination in Sydney’s inner-west in October 2016.
September
Indian student gets suspended sentence for deadly crash in Perth
Indian International student, Preetpal Singh, 21 who was found guilty of causing an accident which killed a father of four in Perth last year has been given a suspended sentence. Singh was jailed for 14 months, with the term suspended for 12 months.
Dimple Grace Thomas sentenced to Two and Half Years Jail
A County Court in Melbourne sentenced 32-year-old Dimple Grace Thomas to two and half years in jail with a non – parole period of 15 months. She also faces deportation to India after serving the sentence.
Dimple who was employed as a personal care worker, was behind the wheels of a car which collided with one driven by Ashlea Allen, who was 28 weeks pregnant, in Cranbourne on 8th August 2016. As a consequence of the accident, Ashlea suffered severe abdominal pain and underwent an emergency caesarean in hospital. Her new born daughter, Melarniah, survived for three days after which the life support was turned off.
October
Mortgage broker Najam Shah jailed over false loan documents
Melbourne mortgage broker Najam Shah was sentenced to 5 years in jail for committing mortgage fraud. 58-year-old Najam Shah created false documents to support over 500 loan applications, writing loans totalling $170 million between March 2008 and August 2010.
Moninder Singh and five others, to pay back Sydney couple over $300,000
The Supreme Court of NSW has ordered Blacktown councillor Moninder Singh and five other partners to pay back in excess of $300,000 to a Sydney couple.
November
Sidhak and his dad win battle for Sikh boys to wear turban to Christian school
Sagardeep Singh Arora and his wife Anureet approached the Victorian Civil and Administrative tribunal after Melton Christian College did not allow their son Sidhak to wear patka to School when they tried to enrol him in 2016.
In September 2017, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal ruled that Melton Christian School breached the Equal Opportunity Act.
Husband Kulwinder Singh arrested over 2013 death of Parwinder Kaur
Kulwinder Singh was arrested in Sydney over the death of his wife. 32-year-old Parwinder Kaur was died due to serious burns to her body outside her house in Rouse Hill in Sydney on December 2, 2013.
Uber driver Sukhwinder Singh Gill jailed over ‘callous’ attack on taxi driver
Sukhwinder Singh Gill swerved across the road to hit Jagmeet Sidhu as he was standing next to his taxi, sending him flying over the bonnet. Mr Sidhu suffered a broken leg and spent two weeks in hospital after the incident on May 13 2016. Sukhvinder was sentenced to three years’ jail, suspended after 12 months, and disqualified him from driving for two years.
December
Subha Anand gets 7 years in jail for fatal car crash
30 year old Shubha Anand was sentenced to 7 years jail for the crash that killed 19 year old nursing student on January 2016. Subha had a blood alcohol reading of 0.159, three times the legal limit, two hours after the high-speed crash in Williams Landing, in Melbourne.
Violence against Indians
June
Indian student Prabhjeet Sandhu assaulted in Perth
An Indian International student was attacked by an intruder on 27th June 2017 in Perth. Prabhjeet Sandhu who works as an Uber driver while continuing with his studies here, was attacked while returning to his apartment in Mandurah. He suffered serious facial injuries including a fractured eye socket.
July
Hari Singh Stabbed at Southland Shopping Centre Carwash
Indian Origin car wash attendant Hari Singh was stabbed after confronting a thief at Star Car wash in Cheltenham on Saturday, 15th July 2017 at 3:30PM. The incident happened, when a man of Caucasian appearance tried to steal two sets of car keys from the car wash.
Indian origin taxi driver Dilijit Athwal brutally bashed in Melbourne
Indian origin taxi driver Dilijit Athwal was brutally bashed during a sickening attack in Melbourne’s west on 18th July 2017. Dilijit asked for a fare to be prepaid before the passenger lashed out.
October
Thieves rob $50, 000 worth of cigarettes from Harman Dhillon’s supermarket
Thieves stole $50, 000 worth of cigarettes from Franchisee Harman Dhillion’s Melton West Foodworks supermarket. The masked thieves tried to use bolt cutters and a knife to break in to the supermarket before tying the door with a strap to the back of the car and pulling the supermarket door open.
December
A Perth taxi driver Adil Aslam was violently carjacked in Belmont in Perth. The attacker pushed and punched Aslam before pulling him out of the car. He also ran over the taxi over Aslam’s foot.
Chennai Palace restaurant manager hurt as wild brawl breaks during an Indian birthday party
A violent fight erupted in an Indian restaurant in Adelaide during a 1st birthday party injured a few. The Chennai palace Restaurant manager was struck with broken glass while trying to break up a fight that erupted in the restaurant.
Tragic deaths
July
Seeranpreet Singh died after a truck and car crashed on the Western Ring Road
Seeranpreet Singh is identified as the man died after a truck and car crashed on the Western Ring Road in Fawkner on 6th July 2017
Emergency services were called to the Sydney Road exit of the freeway about 2.45pm after a truck and a car collided. Seeranpreet was treated at the scene but died on the way to Royal Melbourne Hospital.
Indian Student died in Sydney Car Crash
27-year-old Akanksha Kadam died after the car in which she was travelling crashed into a tree at Terrey Hills in Sydney on 10th July 2017. The accident happened at 1AM. Akanksha was at the back seat of a black Honda Prelude when the driver is believed to have lost control of the car on Mona Vale Rd, crossed a grassed dividing strip and hit a tree.
September
Visiting Grandfather Gurbir Singh killed in horrible crash
Indian tourist Gurbir Singh died when the car he was a passenger and was crushed between two trucks in Perth’s south. Mr Singh’s 69-year-old brother Dalijit and 22-year-old nephew Guneet, who was driving the vehicle, were also injured in the crash.
Driver of one of the trucks involved in the accident was a 21-year-old Indian National in student visa, named Amritpal Singh Sandhu. Amritpal was charged with dangerous driving causing death and two counts of dangerous driving causing bodily harm.
October
Abdul Basith Stabbed to death in Brisbane
35-year-old restaurant owner, Abdul Basith was stabbed to death outside his home. He is believed to have gone outside to check the power at his Brisbane home around 12:30 am on 25th October 2017 while his family was asleep inside.
November
Manjit Dhadwal dies in road accident in Adelaide
Indian Australian, Manjit Dhadwal was killed after being struck by a city-bound taxi at Anzac Highway, Kurralta Park in Adelaide. His sister was also killed in South Australia in a road accident three years before.
Jatinder Singh Sachdeva died at a freak farm accident in Queensland
25 year Indian Student Jatinder Singh Sachdeva died while working at a farm in Innisfail in Queensland when his tractor rolled over and he was crushed under it.
December
Indian Student Nitisha Negi drowned at Adelaide Beach
15-year-old Indian student Nitisha Negi who was in Adelaide along with other teammates to participate in the Pacific School Games, drowned at Glenelg beach in Adelaide. Another 17-year-old girl was admitted to hospital in serious condition.
Parminder Singh killed in road accident in NSW
38-Year-old Indian Truck driver Parminder Singh was killed in a road accident in NSW. He was working for a Melbourne based truck company and was returning from Brisbane. The accident happened near Gilgandra in NSW when the truck rolled off into a gorge.
Ravneet Singh drowned while swimming at Duranbah beach in Gold Coast
Indian youth Ravneet Singh Gill drowned after a group of swimmers drifted out to sea on the Gold Coast on Christmas Day. Ravneet was swimming at Duranbah beach with seven others when they started drifting out to sea at around 4pm that day.
Indian International Student Hemant Govekar drowned in Melbourne
28-year-old, Hemant Govekar had gone to Phillip Island with his family and went for a swim at the Cape Woolamai beach on Christmas day. He was spotted by surfers in trouble about 5.30pm that day. But he soon disappeared from their sight.
In the News
January
Indian woman among critically injured at the Bourke Street car rampage
Indian origin woman, Nethra Krishna Murthi sustained serious injuries at the Bourke Street car rampage tragedy. This was her first week at work after returning from maternity leave, Nethra’s injuries include lacerations to her head, a punctured lung, damage to liver and kidneys, as well as broken ribs and factures to her spine in three different places.
February
Malayali family in Hospital after Canberra Car accident
A Malayalee family was involved in a single car accident in Braidwood, Canberra on 11th February 2017. Bijoy, Sini and their two children were travelling on the Kings Highway towards Batesmans Bay to attend Kallara Sangamam. The accident happened at 12:40 pm on Saturday afternoon.
April
May
Sydney lawyer Dev Menon charged with defrauding the Commonwealth
Dev Menon, a 33-year-old tax lawyer from Sydney is accused of being a part of an alleged $165 million tax fraud syndicate
June
Jatinder Panesar Charged over the Fatal Crash in Shepparton
37 – year old Jatinder Panesar was charged with driving in a dangerous manner causing death at the Shepparton Magistrates’ court on Wednesday, 21st June 2017. Jatinder was arrested in relation to the fatal crash at Ardmona which claimed the life of an elderly woman. Under his bail condition he must not leave Victoria and should report to Police regularly.
Ram Kumar and his labour-hire company penalised for underpaying overseas workers
Fair Work Ombudsman commenced legal action against Kumar and his company Seasonal Farm Services in December last year after an inquiry found evidence that the company underpaid 144 workers a total of $60,780 between June 2014 and June 2015.
July
Sanjay Gupta Buys Whyalla Steelworks in Australia
South Australian steelmaking business Arrium is sold to a British company owned by an Indian origin businessman Mr Sanjeev Gupta.
September
Ganapathi in meat advt leaves Hindus fuming
Meat and Livestock Australia’s advertisement promoting lamb meat which showed lord Ganesha sitting among other Gods, prophets and founders of religions leaves Hindus in Australia fuming
In September 2017, The Advertising Standard Bureau overturned an earlier decision to rule that Hindu deity eating meat breached the Advertising Standard code of Australia.
Truck Driver charged over the horrific crash that killed Indian National in Perth
A truck driver has been charged over Monday’s fatal crash on Jandakot Road in South Perth, which claimed the life of an Indian National, Gurbir Singh. The horrific accident happened on 18th September 2017 at 4pm. 66-year-old Gurbir Singh, a Sikh missionary from Chandigarh was visiting his sons in Australia.
Kartik Singh charged for Sydney crash which killed an Indian International student
Malkeet Singh
19-year-old Kartik Singh has been charged with dangerous driving causing death over the horrific crash at Londonderry, in Sydney on Sunday night. Kartik Singh was the driver of the Audi that crashed into power pole killing Indian International Student, Malkeet Singh.
November
Issues with Made in India Trains become an Election issue in Queensland
Queensland’s ‘Made in India’ trains have become a contentious election issue in the upcoming state polls after on-track testing in Queensland uncovered problems with braking, air-conditioning, ventilation, sightlines for train drivers, and disability access.
Uber driver Gaurav Marwah charged for allegedly procuring 14-year-old girl for sex
39-year-old Uber driver Gaurav Manwah was arrested for allegedly engaging in sexually explicit conversation with someone he believed to be a 14-year-old girl in Sydney. Mr Marwah had actually been chatting with an under-cover detective form the NSW Sex Crimes Squad’s Child Exploitation Internet Unit
October
Prabhdeep Singh accused of keeping slave
Indian Origin, Prabhdeep Singh has appeared before Melbourne Magistrates Courts on 12th October 2017 accused of keeping a woman as a slave and possessing child pornography. He is also accused of possessing nandrolone, an illegal anabolic steroid
Australian pre-schools to offer Hindi language learning from 2018
Under federal government’s effort to boost language learning, Early Learning Languages Australia (ELLA) program will roll out Hindi language for pre-schoolers in 2018.
Temple Diwali Causes Grass fire in Melbourne
The spectators at the Shri Shiva Vishnu temple Diwali Celebrations in Melbourne had a fiery end to the festivities when a large grass fire broke out after the fireworks. Fortunately, no one was injured. Fire crews were called in and the fire was under control soon.
Registration of Councillor Intaj Khan’s college cancelled
The Australian Skills Quality Authority has announced the cancellation of Cr Khan’s Western Institute of Technology in Melbourne along with three other colleges in Victoria.
December
Fire destroys Namaskar Indian Restaurant in Melbourne
Namaskar Indian Restaurant at, 20 Glenferrie Road in Malvern has been destroyed completely in a fre believed to have been lit by arsonists. The fire broke out at the restaurant just after midnight on 18th November 2017.
Indian man Rohit Kaul among those injured in the Islamic Terror attack in Melbourne
45-year-old Melbourne resident Rohit Kaul who was on phone with his family was injured in the Islamic Terror attack in Melbourne
Committal Hearing at Melbourne Magistrates Courts for enslaving Indian woman for 8 years
Kandasamy and Kumuthini Kannan, the husband and wife duo have been charged with possessing a slave between July 2007 and July 2015, exercising ownership over a slave, and harbouring an
committal hearing began in Melbourne Magistrates Court.
Indian Celebrities in Australia
January
Indian Actress Rashmi Gautam in Melbourne
March
Kapil Sharma Comedy Night in Melbourne and Sydney
April
Salman Khan and Team’s Da Bang 2017 in Melbourne and Sydney
June
Malayalam Cine Star Jayaram Stage Program in Melbourne , Sydney, Adelaide and Perth
August
South Indian Star Khushbu Sunder in Melbourne
Aiswarya Rai, Karan Johor, Raveena Tandon and other film personalities in Melbourne for Indian International Film Festival
September
Indian Poet Rahat Indori in Melbourne
October
Alka Yagnik Live concert in Melbourne , Brisbane and Perth
A.R. Rahman Live concert in Melbourne and Sydney
Johny Lever Comedy Show in Sydney, Adelaide and New Castle
Sonu Nigam Concert in Melbourne and Sydney
November
Bollywood Star John Abraham Meet and Greet in Sydney
How the Indian Community fared in 2017 in Australia – A Snapshot added by admin on
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