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ABOUT THE AUSTRALIAN TAMIL CHAMBER OF<br />
COMMERCE INC<br />
The Australian Tamil Chamber of Commerce Inc (ATCC) is a not-for-profit body incorporating the Tamil<br />
business community in Australia and is committed to promoting and extending business relations within<br />
Australia and abroad.<br />
The Australian Tamil Chamber of Commerce Inc comprises a variety of entrepreneurs, business leaders<br />
and self-employed professionals from financial services including accounting, taxation, investment and<br />
insurance services, legal services, information technology services, audio, video, broadcasting and<br />
multimedia services, medical, dental and health care services, engineering, automotive and allied<br />
mechanical engineering disciplines, educational services, realty, building and architectural services,<br />
specialty restaurants, textile and jewellery marketing services, event management and other<br />
professional services operated by Tamil people residing in Australia.<br />
Objectives of the ATCC<br />
• Represent and enhance the reputation of the Tamil<br />
business community; champion and make<br />
representations on behalf of the members of the<br />
chamber to advance their interests in promoting and<br />
maintaining an environment conducive to<br />
commercial enterprise and growth.<br />
• Provide a forum for Australian Tamils engaged in<br />
commercial activities to interact and network with each other and among the members of allied<br />
Chambers in Australia and in other countries.<br />
• Provide advice and organizational support to<br />
up and coming Entrepreneurs and self-employed<br />
professionals, via trade expositions and information<br />
forums on business related matters.<br />
• Establish and form links with like-minded<br />
Chambers and Business organizations worldwide<br />
and provide support for Tamils globally to develop<br />
export opportunities and market in a mutually<br />
beneficial manner.<br />
• Provide the necessary market research<br />
information on specific opportunities to export<br />
from or import in to the Australian Market<br />
place, and provide opportunities to acquire<br />
skills-sets to existing members and new<br />
entrants.<br />
• Establish and maintain the profile and<br />
commercial strength of the Australian Tamil<br />
community and represent that to Australian<br />
policy makers and the wider Australian community
WELCOME TO ATCC<br />
TAMIL BUSINESS AWARDS NIGHT<br />
It is with great pleasure that we introduce the Australian Tamil Chamber<br />
of Commerce Inc. (ATCC), a voice for the aspirations of the Tamil<br />
Business community in Australia and around the world. We will formulate<br />
and facilitate quality Business to Business (B2B) networking and<br />
opportunities to benefit our members.<br />
In our commercial life, here in Australia, we have achieved much. In the fields of Engineering,<br />
Mathematics, Medicine, Dentistry, Law, insurance, Banking and in the retail business we have exceeded<br />
expectations of our host.<br />
But success in an immigrant community has a price. We must share it. Those who are at the top of the<br />
ladder, look down at those who are midway or just starting their climb. Look down without looking down<br />
on them. Share our success story and show the path we walked so they can emulate us. Seek out<br />
forums to tell them how we succeeded and if we were to do it all over again, what mistakes we will<br />
avoid. Be proud of what we have achieved, but let that pride sit lightly on the shoulders of the one<br />
below you. Give them the introductions to people who can help them. You remember, when you were<br />
climbing, there were people who could have introduced you to the right people and they did not. Raise<br />
them up because when you raise another chamber member you are raising the whole community<br />
including yourself. Our Chamber sums it up well. “We rise by lifting others”. Those who are half way on<br />
the ladder, hold on to the feet of the ones at the top. But you are already in a new environment than<br />
the one ahead of you. Technology takes quantum leaps and you can do what others did before you in<br />
less time and far more efficiently. Embrace the change and bust out of the cocoon of your familiar life<br />
and venture out. To those who are just beginning the climb, be patient. Nothing happens overnight.<br />
Make sure you have immersed yourself well enough in the field of your choice. Do not give up just<br />
because you did not like the way the big shot at the top preached to you. You must earn your own right<br />
to preach.<br />
This chamber has a lot of resources, but beyond that, the council, state and Federal governments have<br />
resources that you can reach out to. One of the great benefits you have in Countries like Australia is that<br />
information is freely available. The various governments genuinely help you to access the information<br />
you need. Knowledge is power.<br />
When we were fleeing with nothing but our lives, Australia comforted us and gave us a home. No one<br />
else was that generous. Australians did that because they have a tradition of helping refugees and even<br />
though they did not know who we were they pulled us from our horrors. I know that not all of you came<br />
here as refugees. Many of you came here based on merit. Australia’s decision to allow us to enter their<br />
shores reflects what is noble about mankind. I want to thank them for their courage and compassion But<br />
I also want to tell them why this decision was a good one.<br />
By the third century BC Tamil people had already established at least three kingdoms in South India and<br />
parts of Sri-Lanka. There is conjecture that the Tamil Culture stretches to 6000 BC. Over this time they<br />
developed a language that by its own genius betrays its age. Had Tamil become lingua Franca of the<br />
world our poet Kamban would have taken the place of Shakespeare. In 3 rd century BC a poet called<br />
Thiruvalluvar wrote 1330 couplets called Thirukural which remains the touchstone of Tamil wisdom. It<br />
has been translated into 80 languages. Monsieur Ariel, who translated and published the third part of<br />
the Kural to French in 1848, called it "a masterpiece of Tamil literature, one of the highest and purest<br />
expressions of human thought. One of the finest works in Tamil was written by an Italian Jesuit Priest<br />
in the 17 th Century, who was lured by the call of the Tamil language. His name was Constanzo Beschi.<br />
His ode to St. Joseph named Thembaveni to this day stands among the best. He was affectionately<br />
called Veerama munivar. He also translated the Thirukural into Latin. Australia, you have now inherited a
language that has expressed the deepest of thoughts and the widest of experiences. Before long you<br />
will yield to the temptations of this language too.<br />
God gave Mathematics as a gift to the Tamil people. It is suspected to have originated in South India.<br />
Laplace the French mathematician and Physicist and sometimes known as the French Newton said this:<br />
“It is India that gave us the ingenious method of expressing all numbers by ten symbols, each receiving<br />
a value of position as well as an absolute value; a profound and important idea which appears so simple<br />
to us now that we ignore its true merit.<br />
It is a matter of time before some of our finest cities (Springfield first private funded township), the next<br />
Opera House or the bullet trains are designed and built by a Tamil engineer. Because their genes still<br />
remember the architectural and civil engineering expertise that built the wonders still seen in the Tamil<br />
speaking world.<br />
Trade both external and internal has been part of Tamil history at least from 3 rd Century BC. There is<br />
evidence that there was robust trade between Tamil Kingdoms and Rome. Pliny the elder and other<br />
Roman historians have made reference to this. In the Tenth Century there were very active merchant<br />
guilds that were formed to streamline trade. Trade is in the blood too.<br />
Going forward, we will focus our efforts to establish trade routes and to provide support to Australian<br />
businesses seeking to enter the Northern and Eastern provinces of Sri Lanka, South India, Malaysia,<br />
Myanmar and Fiji. We are optimistic that our initiative, with the cooperation of local and international<br />
partners, will provide our members with the necessary resources to fuel economic growth and to<br />
capitalize on business and investment opportunities in an international environment.<br />
This chamber is poised to take Australia first to Sri-Lanka, India and then to countries where there is a<br />
large Tamil diaspora and then wherever Australia wants to go.<br />
We are Australians first and we owe our allegiance to Australia. Give them all that we have inherited<br />
over the last 6000 years. So, that one day not too far in the future, when Australian history is updated<br />
the author will say;<br />
In the 1980s we allowed some immigrants to come into Australia from Sri-Lanka and India. They came,<br />
they saw and fell in love with Australia. They built cities in places people said it was not possible, they<br />
invented things that have changed the world, they found cures for deceases, they increased our trade<br />
with the world and they brought their language and translated many of their literary works into English,<br />
then we realized that our compassion was rewarded 1000 fold. This is what history will say about you!<br />
தமிழன் என்று ச ொல்லடொ, தலல நிமிர்ந்து நில்லடொ.<br />
On behalf of the Committee, I would like to thank you for your continued support and look forward for a<br />
wonderful year.<br />
Kind regards,<br />
Samuel Thevasaeyan
INFORMATION OF NOMINEES<br />
The ‘Life Time Achievement Award’<br />
1) Dr. Thava Seelan – is an experienced General Practitioner who has been working in the<br />
Toongabbie area over two decades. In 2009, he established a multidisciplinary health team and<br />
commenced operating as the Bridgeview Medical Practice. The vision of the practice was formulated, and<br />
executed by the founding members – his wife Dr. Shanthini Seelan, Dr Lumina Titus & himself. With a<br />
dedicated team of 40 health professionals, nurses and administrative staff, the practice serves the<br />
community with high standard health care. Their quality of their work has been recognised and the practice<br />
was awarded a 'Practice of the year for NSW & ACT in 2013' certificate, by Royal Australian College of<br />
General Practitioners.<br />
As a person, Dr Seelan was a medical volunteer in the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, appointed as<br />
medical supervisor for future general practitioners, and Conjoint Senior Lecturer of University of Western<br />
Sydney. He has a close links with Tamil Senior Citizens associations, helps and talks about health care<br />
including emailing health articles thru the Association. He contributes to the Blacktown & Parramatta<br />
Migrant Resource Centres, with social and educational activities organised for migrants and recently<br />
arrived refugees. He is accredited with the IHMS to provide healthcare for community detainee by<br />
arranging for psychiatrists and psychologists, has benefited people from Non-English Speaking<br />
Backgrounds (NESB) and refugees, and sponsors various health-related and cultural projects.<br />
Best Entrepreneur Award<br />
1) James Kalaichelvan - Owner of a burger restaurant. It is not common for Tamil to run a burger<br />
and coffee restaurant. Ricco’s Burger and Coffee, opening at Toongabbie’s Portico Plaza in June 2015,<br />
has fast become a hit for brunch and burger buffs. James has extensive experience over a couple of<br />
decades as a burger 'creating' specialist with a flair for innovation and creative customer service. He has<br />
an ambition to create a chain of restaurants where aspiring Tamil tertiary students in Sri Lanka can be<br />
trained and developed as excellent workers, managers and entrepreneurs.<br />
2) Shan Sutharshan – Managing Director of Vansan Construction Pty Ltd, Dandenong, Victoria, and<br />
is responsible for directing all construction work and contracts. He has over 15 years of on-the-field<br />
experience, as a registered building practitioner in Australia and holds a licence to build for residential and<br />
commercial real estate. Vansan has widened his horizons and has made a foray into movie making as an<br />
independent film producer.<br />
3) Indrajith Balasubramaniam (Jitt Bala) – Owner of Australian Property & Real Estate Pty<br />
Ltd in Toongabbie and Arkitech Australia. Jith is in real estate sales, real estate development and<br />
commercial site development. Tthe turn–over of more than a 100 million in real estate sales, for the year<br />
2016. Arkitech Australia produces steel frame for building walls using Advance Steel Frame Technologies,<br />
instead of using traditional timber frames.<br />
4) Aneerudh Sampath – owner of a Coffee store known as Samson Coffee House. Samson Coffee<br />
House roasts, wholesales and retails specialty coffee. The business markets three consumer brands<br />
under three consumer brands – Malgudi Days, Beancraft and Coffee Regale. All three brands are the<br />
registered intellectual property of Samson Coffee House. He is one of the first in Australia to develop and<br />
promote locally roasted South Indian filtered coffee.
Most Outstanding Community Person Award<br />
1) Indu Harikrishna – Indu took charge of Sydney Tamil Manram (STM) as a president from 2014 after<br />
being served many positions within STM for so many years. From the day one her focus was serving the<br />
Tamil community. She revived the association during her tenure and made the association more<br />
approachable and available for the community and a financially stable as. She encourages various talents<br />
in community and let STM's annual show called "Thillana" which saw many younger generation getting<br />
involved in the community. And "Pongal Vizha" which she revived after couple of years was an opportunity<br />
for Tamils across Sydney to celebrate Tamilar Thirunaal with their roots in foreign nation. Her special liking<br />
towards Tamil language saw birth of "Tamil Readers Circle" by STM which also was an opportunity to<br />
recognize Tamil women’s in Sydney with "Penman Potruvom" and was under her tenure "Tamil language<br />
in Australian Curriculum” project got a revival after being held back for couple of years and has submitted<br />
as a bill in NSW parliament.<br />
Indu took charge of Sydney Tamil Manram (STM) as the president from 2014 after having served in many<br />
positions within STM for many years. From day one, her focus was on serving the Tamil community. She<br />
revived the association during her tenure and made it more approachable and available to the community<br />
and also made it a financially stable association. She encourages various talented members of the<br />
community and led STM's annual show called "Thillana", which saw many of the younger generation<br />
getting involved with the community. Also, the "Pongal Vizha" which she revived after a hiatus of a couple<br />
of years, was an opportunity for Tamils across Sydney to celebrate 'Tamilar Thirunaal' with their roots in a<br />
foreign land. Her passion for the Tamil language saw the birth of the "Tamil Readers Circle" by STM,<br />
which also was an opportunity to recognize Tamil women in Sydney with "Penmai Potruvom". Also, it was<br />
under her tenure that the "Tamil language in the Australian Curriculum” project was revived, after being<br />
held back for a couple of years, and had been presented to the NSW parliament.<br />
2) Mohan Sundar – A solicitor by profession and a founding member of Sun Legal, Mohan Sundar has<br />
played an integral part in building the practice and ensuring that it maintains a community focus. Mohan<br />
understands that in most circumstances, women from migrant families are caught up in a self-perpetuating<br />
cycle of domestic violence, since they are unable to leave abusive relationships due often to meagre<br />
financial means to seek legal assistance, and a lack of awareness of support services available to them.<br />
Sun Legal is dedicated to assisting such victims of domestic violence, and has provided free legal<br />
assistance in these circumstances, and assisted such individuals in escaping violent relationships and reestablishing<br />
their lives. Mohan, being a Tamilian himself, is dedicated to preserving the Tamil language,<br />
culture, customs and literature in the contemporary Indian Australian society. Through Sun Legal, Mohan<br />
has donated 1000 Thirukural and 1000 Bharathiayar books to various Tamil schools around the Sydney<br />
Metropolitan area, as he believes that the preservation and conservation of Indian customs is through the<br />
education of Indian Australian children as they are the future and medium through which traditions and<br />
culture can be passed down and preserved. Sun Legal is also committed to preserving Indian art forms and<br />
promoting Indian cultural programs in contemporary Australian society. Sun Legal actively sponsors<br />
numerous Indian programs each year, to further this cause.<br />
3) Varuni Balachandran – An executive member of the Australian Tamil Congress and a dedicated<br />
community worker since 2009. Over the past 7+ years, she has spent most of her time on Tamil political<br />
activities, working in the areas of policy making, lobbying, human rights campaigns, refugee welfare, South<br />
Asian women's development and leadership. She has made representations on behalf of numerous Tamil<br />
refugees and asylum seekers, and has also made changes to their personal lives on a number of<br />
occasions. She also was appointed as an inaugural member of the Subcontinent Ministerial Consultative<br />
Committee which works with several federal government ministries on matters pertaining to Subcontinental<br />
immigrants in Australia.<br />
4) Manjula Viswanath – Manjula Viswanath is a very well established Bharatha Natyam Dance<br />
Teacher. She established Rasika Dance Academy, and it has over 150 students today. Manjula has used<br />
dance as a platform to raise over $150,000 as charity towards Aim for Siva, SVT temple, Norwest<br />
Disabilities, Children’s Hospital Westmead etc. She has fostered the culture and traditions of India among<br />
second generation Indian Australians Living here. She is the only artist who is recognised by the<br />
Government of India and is on the panel of ICCR in Australia.
Most Outstanding Professional Award<br />
1) Abarna Raj - Founding Director of Palmera Projects and has set up and assisted numerous social<br />
businesses in Sri Lankan and Cambodia. In her role, she has also been responsible for the development<br />
of the fundraising strategy and continues to work to engage a network of volunteers to deliver Palmera's<br />
ambitious social objectives. Abarna was formerly a Strategy Consultant for Social Venture Australia, and<br />
has also held the role of Head of Sustainability, Diversity and Safety at Leighton Holdings. Prior to that<br />
she worked in Price Waterhouse and Coopers.<br />
2) Kugathas Pathmathas – Solicitor from Path Legal, managing a Conveyancing and Immigration<br />
Business. He assists various Tamil refugees with their immigration matters. He is a promoter of the Tamil<br />
Language and a strong supporter of the Wentworthville Tamil School<br />
.<br />
Award of Excellence<br />
1) Sanjay Siva - Owner of 3 SNAP Printing franchises. He was made redundant in 2007, then bought<br />
a loss-making franchise business and turned it into a profitable one. After 3 years, he bought a second<br />
business and 2 years ago his third franchise. Sanjay has also made a thorough study of the field of<br />
business franchising, and has shown great enthusiasm in edifying people interested in the franchise<br />
business model and guiding them when requested.<br />
2) Selvan Raman –EPR Food & Spice ('Selco' brand) started a small-scale operation from Turrella in<br />
2009 and moved to a bigger warehouse in Auburn and currently employs 8 workers. The business<br />
provides quality Indian grocery food items to the community. In return, Selco sponsors Tamil School and<br />
Cultural events. Selco is one of the sponsors of ATCC’s 2016 Tamil Business Awards Night.<br />
3) Aravamudham Sundaram – Team leader of a music group called Suga Raagas, a music group<br />
consisting of talented locals performing at community events for the last 8 years. Suga Raagas inspires<br />
and provides a platform for young talent to perform at events. The crew has grown to 14-15 members and<br />
they are the main entertainers for Tamil community organisations. Aravamudhan dedicated his time and<br />
effort to entertain with invitations from Tamil Sangam’s in other Australian cities, and to perform at their<br />
fund-raising events.<br />
4) Sentamiselvan Gunasekhar – Owner of four restaurants in the Central Coast, employing staff<br />
of around 100. His Grand Pavilion restaurants are situated in Ettalong, Terrigal, The Entrance and<br />
Warner’s Bay. The Grand Pavilion has won many awards for the excellence of its menu and service.<br />
Best Woman Entrepreneur Award<br />
1) Manchu - Owner of 2 restaurants called Mathura Restaurant. A former refugee, she worked hard and<br />
eventually bought the business she worked for. Her hard work paid off with her ownership of several<br />
investment properties, and she always makes time to interact with the community. Not only is she an<br />
inspiration to young people, but also to women who achieve much while being single parents.<br />
2) Raji Bala – She owns Vichithrakala, a boutique retail shop, which has specialised in selling<br />
Kanchipuram and Silk Sarees, and Bharata Natyam Dance Jewellery for last 6 years. She does not<br />
compromise on quality and keeps her prices reasonable. She ensures that customers are satisfied with<br />
their Sares and keeps in constant communication with them. She serves customers from all states in<br />
Australia and New Zealand. She is actively involved with raising funds for temples, hospitals and<br />
community events, through the Rasika Dance Academy.<br />
3) Noeline Harendran– As a sole proprietor migration agent, Noeline works mainly with Tamil<br />
refugees. Having worked in the industry for almost 7 years, she speaks different Tamil dialects and<br />
ensures that her clients have the best prospects of successfully submitting their cases - more importantly<br />
those who are fleeing persecution.<br />
4) Poompavaiarasu – Owns Poompas Ayurvedic Concepts. It is an Ayurvedic Beauty Salon. She is a<br />
therapist who serves clients around Blacktown and surrounding areas. Poompavai is also a former teacher<br />
of beauty and the ayurvedic preparation of plants for beauty treatment, at Ethiraj College for Women,<br />
Chennai.
Young Entrepreneur Award<br />
1) Rangan Srikhantha – CEO and founder of One Education (formerly known as One Laptop Per<br />
Child Australia). At One Education, Rangan has developed an innovative approach to provide equity in<br />
education through the use of technology built for learning, He has done this by inspiring innovative<br />
Principals and Teachers to integrate technology into the delivery of curriculum, making learning fun and<br />
engaging for primary school children – https://www.one-education.org/. One Education has stepped even<br />
further in the development of its XO laptops by making them modular. The new series of educational<br />
laptops is called XO-Infinity. The screen, battery, camera, wireless and core processing (which includes the<br />
CPU, memory, and storage) can be easily swapped like LEGO blocks. Now children can use a single<br />
laptop throughout their school years just by replacing any part of it when it fails or becomes outdated.<br />
2) Raghulan Gowthaman – Started Element Four Technologies in 2008 (renamed - Zcodia<br />
Technologies in 2013) specialising in software development projects and products. He currently employs<br />
43 permanent staff and over 20 contractors and freelancers. The company is launching 4 new products<br />
and 13 software applications in 2017. Raghulan holds a bachelor's degree in civil engineering, an MBA,<br />
and has several other qualifications: Cert IV TAA, ITIL Certified Expert, Microsoft Certified Solution<br />
Developer.<br />
3) Shobha Jayamohan – Speech Pathologist who manages Silver Lining Speech Pathology. She<br />
has been running her practise for last 2 years and is showing amazing growth and support from the local<br />
community. Shobha's other qualifications which add strength to her growing practice are: Certified<br />
Practising Speech Pathologist and a member of Speech Pathology Australia; Applied Behaviour Analysis<br />
(ABA) Therapy certification;Professional development certification in Childhood Apraxia of Speech, Key<br />
Word Sign Language and Voice craft. She is also an accomplished teacher of South Indian classical music<br />
with a Teacher's Diploma.
SELECTION COMMITTEE<br />
Deva Mylvaganam – Director of Major Projects at United Group Limited.<br />
Civil Engineer, graduated from Imperial College of Science and<br />
Technology, University of London, UK. He has 39 years in Infrastructure engineering<br />
and construction management including work experience in UK, USA, Nigeria,<br />
Australia, Papua New Guinea, SE Asia and Dubai.<br />
John Kennedy - President of United Indian Associations since<br />
2014 and re-elected to the post for another two year term. Completed<br />
B.com in Madurai Kamaraj University and Chartered Accountancy at<br />
Institute of Chartered Accountants of India. He has a passion to<br />
serve and help the community and has held various post as Sports<br />
Secretary in the College, Vice Chairman of Southern India Chartered<br />
Accountants Students Associations. Moved to Sydney in the year 1998 and served as President of Sydney Tamil<br />
Manram and now serves as President of UIA. UIA is an umbrella body of 22 full member associations and 6<br />
associate member’s associations. He has registered a charity in India as well as in Australia called Chris Vinmini<br />
Charity which supports disadvantaged children to study. He loves honesty and loves to support our community in<br />
many ways. He is happy to be of any assistance to people in need.<br />
Sanchayan Kulasegaram - Has a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical<br />
Engineering and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration. He has worked in<br />
four countries in various roles - as a Business Analyst, Financial Analyst, Project<br />
Manager, and Regional Sales Manager for Asia Pacific. After working for large<br />
global companies for over 25 years, he has ventured in to his own business, Team<br />
Four S. A boutique strategy management consulting firm that enables organisations<br />
to draft, implement and evaluate cross‐ functional decisions to achieve its long-term<br />
objectives; facilitates the process of specifying organisations' mission, vision and<br />
objectives, develops policies and plans in terms of projects and programs that are<br />
designed to achieve these objectives. He is also a broadcaster with SBS Radio.<br />
Shanta Goundar - Originally from Fiji and very much involved in the South<br />
Indian Community association called 'Then India Sanmarka Ikya Sangam'. She is a<br />
member of The Hindu Society of NSW and is currently involved in writing the History<br />
of the Sangam movement in Fiji, and in producing other Historic documents related<br />
to South India and Tamil literature showing that Tamil is among the most ancient<br />
languages in the world.<br />
Thiru Arumugam - Director/Principal Consultant at NIC Immigration Services.<br />
Thiru holds a Graduate Certificate in Migration Law & Practice from Australian<br />
National University. He is one of the most experienced figures in the migration field.<br />
He has extensive expertise in all areas of migration, in particular Family, Partner,<br />
Skilled, Business and Review Tribunal applications. He has specialized knowledge<br />
and successfully handles many skilled migration cases. Mr Arumugam is a prominent<br />
member of Australian Tamil Community and an active member of Indian Community<br />
Associations in Australia. He is a Founder Member and Former President of the<br />
Australian Tamil Association Inc. He has been actively involved in providing advice<br />
and guidance to newly arrived migrants and unemployed people in the community.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE<br />
President – Sam Thevasaeyan<br />
Sam Thevasaeyan, our President is a highly qualified and experienced finance<br />
professional with extensive international exposure. Sam is highly knowledgeable of<br />
current industry practices and is well regarded by his clients, colleagues and peers for his<br />
industry expertise and professional client service. Over the last 5 years Sam has<br />
established a Real Estate and Construction business in Seven Hills, NSW, and is dedicated<br />
to its expansion.<br />
Executive Vice President - Lalitha Ashokkumar<br />
Lalitha is a CPA, FCA and a qualified Fraud Investigator who held the Director's<br />
position within a large state government finance team. She currently serves as a<br />
Nonexecutive Director and Chair of the Finance Committee for Lifeline and Stepping<br />
Out Housing, along with running a successful accounting referral services<br />
business, RightAcountant.com.au, where she helps business owners make the right<br />
choice in finding their next Accountants, Auditors, and Advisors.<br />
She recently joined ATCC as a Executive Vice President to promote and support the<br />
community. She will be the go-to person for any business owners or individuals in<br />
search of solution for their finance problems.<br />
Vice President Finance – Vindran Vengadasalam<br />
At the start of his career Vindran worked in a CPA Firm in Singapore, where he<br />
provided audit services to the clients. He then joined Accru Felsers, in Sydney in June<br />
2006 and was promoted to principal after nine years with the firm.<br />
Vindran specialises in audits, due diligence, business assurance, risk management,<br />
quality assurance, financial reporting, and preparation of statutory accounts.<br />
Vice President Membership – Jega Nadarajah<br />
Jega is a CPA, public accountant, mortgage broker and registered tax agent. Jega is a<br />
Xero Certified and Quick Books Pro Advisor. He is also a Justice of the Peace. Jega has<br />
diverse industry experience in insurance, telco and banking. Jega also worked with the<br />
NSW Police.
Vice President Community Relations –<br />
Lawrence Paulraj<br />
Lawrence brings in a rich and varied real estate background. He is a licensed real estate<br />
agent. With a strong understanding of construction business and economics, he has a<br />
deep understanding of the Australian real estate market and its trends. Lawrence is<br />
passionate about helping others.<br />
Vice President Internal Affairs – Sujan Selvendran<br />
Sujan Selven was the Greens candidate for Prospect and a small business owner from<br />
Toongabbie and came to Australia in 2000. He is passionate about human rights and is<br />
an advocate for refugees and asylum seekers. Sujan Selven vision is to unite and bring<br />
up the talent of the youth.<br />
General Secretary – Chitta Mylvaganam<br />
Chitta has a varied career background – Engineering in Sri Lanka, administrative work<br />
in the Commonwealth Public Service, Information Technology in USA and Australia,<br />
and Tamil-English interpreting in Christmas Island. Chitta has also done volunteer work<br />
assisting asylum seekers and refugees, and 2 years as a military museum guide at a<br />
World War II maritime Defence site at North Head, near Manly NSW.<br />
Committee Member – Jegan Waran<br />
Jegan’s contribution to the community is enormous and he is very passionate about helping<br />
people from all walks of life. He is a social worker and freelance volunteer. Jegan has a<br />
diverse industry experience. Currently he is the managing director for Green Rural<br />
Technology Australia.<br />
Committee Member – Mahesh Ganesan<br />
M Mahesh Ganesan is a Certified Project Manager who can nurture your dream by<br />
assisting you in delivering your small business project. His passion for people and<br />
love for project challenges has driven him, to be successful in gaining project<br />
experience in Australia, USA, England, South Africa and India. He has a decade of<br />
project management experiences by delivering multi-million dollar projects within<br />
the Construction, Manufacturing, Automotive and aviation industries from Inception<br />
to completion. He has committed himself to helping the community by guiding<br />
people to explore their talents and achieve their goals in their business or career.<br />
Feel free to talk to him in exploring your dream project.
PAST EVENTS FROM NOVEMBER 2015<br />
1<strong>9th</strong> November 2016 – Inaugural AGM<br />
26 th January 2016 – ATCC Walkathon, we raise $5,000 for Pink Ribbon Breast Cancer Council<br />
30th March 2016 – 1st Inaugural Networking - find out what it takes to run a disability friendly business and a<br />
successful small business marketing social media<br />
April 2016 – Visit to Springfield, Qld. We met Naren<br />
Sinnathamby, Director of Springfield Land Corporation and son of<br />
Maha Sinnathamby, a Tamilan who has ventured into building a<br />
township – Springfield (privately funded).<br />
27 th April 2016 – April Networking - the importance of<br />
Business Plan and how easily they can create a onepage<br />
Business Plan for the next 12 months presented by<br />
Lalitha Ashokkumar from Right Accountant.<br />
29 th May 2016 – ATCC Trade Show – a successful trade show<br />
with participation of 40 businesses.<br />
22 nd June 2016 - June Networking - it is nearly 30 June<br />
and spending time on preparing and planning before year<br />
end may provide tax savings and avoid any surprises post<br />
year end as well as to maximise all possible opportunities<br />
presented by Ravi Shankar from Ravi Shankar Financial<br />
Planning Pty Ltd<br />
26 th July 2016 – July Networking - How Google Platform can help<br />
small businesses to compete with Big Boys is the topic for July<br />
2016! Digital Disruption and Online Sales has change the way we<br />
do business, it is important that we learn and utilise new ways to<br />
capture revenue. The one hour workshop includes the benefits of<br />
having the Google cloud platform for business presented by Nathan<br />
Sooriyakumar So or
31 st August 2016 – August Networking - Want to start a<br />
business!! What to consider and where to start Dr.<br />
Parameswaran of UNSW shared his and his<br />
colleague/student’s experiences with creating enterprises.<br />
His presentation includes aspects such as unique value<br />
propositions, risk profiles, presentation to customers and<br />
venture capitalists, protecting intellectual property and<br />
business models.<br />
9 to 10 th September 2016 – Sam, President attend 25 th<br />
Silver Jubilee Celebration of the Canadian Tamil Chamber of<br />
Commerce in Toronto, Canada.<br />
28 th September 2016 – September Networking –<br />
employment and business opportunities in Infrastructure and<br />
Construction presented by Deva Mylvaganam, Director of<br />
Major Projects at United Group Limited.<br />
2 to 5 th Oct – Vindran, Vice President -Finance attended<br />
the World Tamil Conference in Chennai. He presented a<br />
paper on start-up companies and initiatives by ATCC to<br />
help small business owners.<br />
26 th October 2016 – October Networking – how to<br />
start a small business, understanding insurance,<br />
believable budgets and smart marketing presented by<br />
Robert Green of Small Biz Connect Business.
3 0 th November 2016 – November Networking – franchise<br />
option, advantages and disadvantage of a franchise, factors to<br />
consider before buying a franchise and how to find the right<br />
finances businesses by Sanjay Siva of SNAP Printing Burwood.<br />
10 th December 2016 – Tamil Business Awards Night at<br />
Parkroyal Parramatta.<br />
FUTURE EVENTS<br />
22 nd January 2017 – January Networking<br />
26 th January 2017 – ATCC Walkathon, proceeds from the Walkathon will be donated to a non-profit<br />
organisation.<br />
NATIONAL INNOVATION AND SCIENCE AGENDA<br />
Over the past several months, most of you would have seen the focus the Australian Government is providing<br />
around Innovation. It has become apparent that the Australia’s long term dependency on manufacturing and<br />
mining will not be sustainable into the future, and as such viable alternates are needed. The Australian<br />
Government, in consultation with the wider industry has acknowledged that a renewed focus on innovation is<br />
required to allow Australia to pivot and tap into opportunities in digital technologies, agriculture and<br />
biomedical enhancements. A series of policies and changes to tax regulation is currently in train and will<br />
provide a raft of options for people interested in pursuing entrepreneurial activities, people who wish to<br />
invest, and businesses who want to innovate internally. Information around options that will be available in<br />
the near future around this can be found at www.innovation.gov.au.<br />
Key components of the new regime include:<br />
· Improved and easier access to Crowd-Sourced Equity Funding (CSEF)<br />
· Tax breaks to encourage investment in innovative start-up including:<br />
- A 20 per cent non-refundable tax offset on investment capped at $200,000 per investor, per year.<br />
- A 10-year capital gains tax exemption for investments held for three years.<br />
· Improvement to current insolvency laws<br />
· Better access to company losses to help companies innovate and grow<br />
· Support to establish or improve start-up incubators and accelerators<br />
Globally, the Tamil community has proven itself as being capable to innovate and capitalise through<br />
innovative startups. People like Sundar Pichai (CEO of Google), Karthik Ramasamy (Engineering Manager at<br />
Twitter), Rangaswamy Srinivasan ( LASIK surgery inventor), Jay Vijayan ( Former CIO of Tesla), Ananda<br />
Krishnan ( Owner - Usaha Tegas Sdn Bhd), Ratheesan Yoganathan ( CEO Lebara Mobile), Subaskaran<br />
Allirajah ( Chairman Lycamobile), Maha Sinnathamby ( Property Developer – Greater Springfield<br />
Development) all demonstrated capacity to innovate and take risks in establishing themselves. As we live in a<br />
time where technology has transformed the way we live and operate – there are now more than ample<br />
opportunities to capitalise on the many opportunities afforded to us here in Australia. As ATCC seeks to help<br />
develop, promote and foster Tamil businesses, feel free to reach out and contact us with innovative concepts,<br />
ideas or solutions that can improve or enhance things that we do, and we will work with you to see how we<br />
can help foster, accelerate and support your innovation in making an impact in the broader community.