Saturday 18th March 2017 – Parravilla Function Centre – Parramatta
Sri Om Care’s big step for their unique long day and short term respite project Saturday 18th March 2017 – Parravilla Function Centre – Parramatta “We played and enjoyed when we were growing up. We are just going back to where it all began”. The key message delivered by Sri Om foundation’s chair person, HH Sriom Adisakthiyendra Swamigal.
Retirement should be something we all look forward to and enjoy after the hard work we put in, however, in reality, it is far from that. The elderly community of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds face even greater challenges than the mainstream population when it comes to aged care. This is why Sri Om have taken an initiative and used actions rather than words to provide services to our elders for over the last 10 years, a legacy that will carry forward to provide care for our retirement and beyond.
It was a big night on Saturday, 18th March 2017. It was a big step for Sri Om, where they unveiled their grand action plan for our future in front of a full capacity Parravilla Function centre. The evening was focused around gaining the community’s support to develop the facility that provides long day care and short term respite, which will take the stress out of retirement.
The evening consisted of quality entertainment and a 3 course meal in between messages from prominent community members. There was all praise and full support from the crowd who understood the issues we face in society and believe in the work of Sri Om Care.
Ms. Aisha Amjad alongside Mr. Harish Velji represented Hon. Michelle Rowland, member for Greenway and Shadow minister for citizenship and multiculturalism. “I wish I am like those lovely ladies who danced before me when I retire”, said Ms. Amjad, referring to the elderly clients from Sri Om centres who entertained the audience with a traditional Indian folk dance. Ms. Amjad read out a key message from Ms. Rowland that congratulated Sri Om on its services and provided full support in all its new endeavours.
Notable Human rights lawyer, and a winner of 100 women of influence, Ms. Pallavi Sinha was present at the event and shared a few words about Sri Om’s great work and her personal experience growing up in multicultural Australia and challenges that lie ahead in elderly care.
Other notable figures who attended the event included Ms. Julie Finn from NSW labor, Cr. Raj Datta from Strathfield, Cr. Gurdeep Singh from Hornsby and Ms. Reena Jethi – treasurer for Liberal Women’s council or NSW, just to name a few.
The audience were privileged to have the attendance of the chairperson for Sri Om Foundation HH Sriom Adisakthiyendra Swamigal, President HH Sriom Gnanasakthiyendra Swamigal and Vice President Mr. Jay Raman, who all promoted the new offering and answered questions raised by the public.
The highlight of the evening was the keynote delivered by Sri Om Foundation directors – Ms. Vidya Raghavan and Mr. Srini Vasudevan. They walked through the challenges faced by our community, how Sri Om have addressed them and how Sri Om will provide a game changing respite facility in Clarence near Lithgow. With a 6 acre property, “Sriom Devi Brindhavan”, acquired in the heart of the Blue Mountains, the project is now ready to move into development phase with the backing and support from the community. The property will initially house 20 – combination of independent and shared units, which will be available to provide short term respite and accommodation services. The key feature of the facility is the ongoing delivery of the active ageing programs and services that the Sri Om team have been so successful in over the last 10 years.
An initial, capital of 1.5 million is the expected figure to be raised to move into development. The public are invited to provide their support to Sri Om to help shape the aged care industry for CALD communities. All donations over $2 to Sri Om Foundation are tax deductible.
The public had the opportunity to raise questions about the project which was handled exceptionally well and provided confidence to the public that the service can be delivered by Sri Om. The evening closed out with the dance floor being opened and then some time to network amongst the group.
The team at Sri Om would like to thank all the numerous volunteers, staff and the public in making the event a grand success. For more information about this project and others, we encourage the public to e-mail Sri Om at info@sriomcare.org.au or visit our site at www.sriomcare.org.au