Victorian chapter distributes Hindu Chaplaincy Kit

February 7, 2019 by ·

By: Makarand Bhagwat, Melbourne.

Hindu Council of Australia’s Victoria chapter has completed distribution of kits to 11 accredited Hindu Spiritual Care Providers (Chaplains). The kit contains a lanyard and ID, a copy of Bhagvad Geeta, Rudraksh Mala, and a neck scarf.

HCA Victoria is currently looking for volunteers who can be trained as Spiritual Care Providers especially from linguistically diverse backgrounds. We encourage interested persons speaking Gujarati, Bengali, Punjabi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Malyalam languages to send their expression of interest to melbourne@hinducouncil.com.au with your contact details.
 
A training session is proposed in April 2019 for volunteers.

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Hindu chaplains help Hindu Women prisoners in Melbourne

November 15, 2018 by ·

By : Makaran Bhagwat, Melbourne.

Hindu Council of Australia (Vic) currently has volunteer spiritual care providers (Hindu Chaplains) who have been providing their services in the health care system and are now extending it to other areas include prisons.

The chaplains received following request from a female prison :

A Women’s Prison in Victoria : We currently have an Indian woman here  who follows Hinduism and she has requested to be linked in with someone from a Hindu Temple. It was suggested that you might be able to assist with organising someone to come in and meet with her. I am also seeking some advise in regards to her celebrating Shradh. She has requested specific food items for these celebrations, but I have not had much luck through the prison, so was hoping you might be able to direct me in regards to this as well.

 
We visited the Centre and had an opportunity to meet the 2 inmates requesting this meeting.
 
It appears that both of them have 2 main requirements / requests to be granted, which are related to the Hindu faith and Indian ethnicity, which Hindu Council of Australia  are able to fulfill.
 
We were told that in the multifaith chapel at the centre, while there were provisions for other faiths, there is nothing at present for the Hindu faith.
 
We can assist here by providing, religious texts, and also picture frames of Hindu Gods which can go on the Chapel wall to support their prayers.
 
Secondly, both of them were saying that the other inmates belonging to other  communities, could buy the food items of their taste and choice from the store within their weekly allowance. Unfortunately there is no Indian grocery available for them to cook food of their choice. Again on this point Hindu Council of Australia can assist by engaging with the Centre to identify some basic items, like spices, Basmati rice, lentils etc so that they can be purchased for their cooking needs.
 
In addition to this, for the forthcoming important Hindu festival “Diwali” ,the festival of lights, they would like to light a candle at the current interfaith place / chapel.
 
Overall it was a good visit and we have given them some printouts of the prayers, which can hopefully bring in some positive feeling in them in the current circumstances.
 
Makarand Bhagwat
Director
Hindu Council of Australia (Vic)

 

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Survey of University Students

October 29, 2018 by ·

Hindu Council of Australia is conducting a survey of University going students to understand their issues and see how the local community can help them. Take a Survey here.

1. What course are you studying?

MastersBachelorsDiplomaOthers

2. Name of the Institution where you are studying?

UWSUTSUSydUNSWTAFEMQUOthers

3. How was your experience in finding an accommodation in Sydney?

4. To what extent do you agree that you faced cultural shock?

5. How pleasant was your experience with the Australian education system?

6. Was it easy to find part time or casual work?

7. Are you an Overseas student? YesNo

8. What help can make your stay happier?



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Hindu chaplains help a Hindu women in prison

October 14, 2018 by ·

Hindu chaplaincy committee was contacted by another religions Chaplain to help a Hindu prison inmate with a beads mala and some religious books.

Somesh Sibal from Hindu Council got in touch and is sending the books. Mala has already been provided by a Buddhist Chaplain. Somesh Ji will stay in touch for any further help that may be required.

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Hindu Chaplaincy course in Melbourne

June 22, 2018 by ·

Hindu Council of Australia, Victoria chapter is conducting a refresher course for Hindu Chaplaincy on 23 and 30 June in Melbourne. This course is a part of an ongoing commitment by Hindu Council of Australia to increase the number of trained Hindu Chaplains in Australia. Hindu Council offers scholarships for practicing Hindus to train as Hindu Chaplains. Further information about the scholarship can be obtained at http://hinducouncil.com.au/new/hindu-chaplaincy/

Location: Sankat Mochan Temple –  1289A North Rd, Huntingdale VIC 3166 Map Link
Time : 10.00 am to 1.00 pm
Dates : Saturday 23 June and 30 June
There will be a short break in both the sessions where light refreshments will be served.
 
If you would like to join this course and become a chaplain, please contact Mr Makarand Bhagwat.

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Hindu Chaplains visit patients in Hospitals

May 2, 2018 by ·

Hindu Council of Australia got an urgent request today from a relative of a terminally ill patient to speak to a Hindu Chaplain in order to understand and seek some guidance help for a terminally ill family member presently in north shore hospital.  Our Hindu Chaplain Ms Jayanthi Ramanan had a long chat with the relatives and consoled them. The request was fulfilled in a matter of hours.

(1) Royal North Shore Hospital.jpg
By Sardaka (talk) 08:44, 17 January 2012 (UTC) – Own work, CC BY 3.0, Link

Hindu Chaplains visit Hospitals at Westmead and Royal North Shore hospiyals in Sydney. Two more Hindu Chaplains have been placed in Blacktown hospital and we soon expect that Hindu Chaplains will become available in Cocord Hospital and in Liverpool Hospital also.

Hindu Chaplains provide an invaluable service to Hindu families in times of such crisis.

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Liverpool police community engagement

April 13, 2018 by ·

By:Somesh Sibal

Liverpool police community engagement program was attended by Somesh Sibal of the Hindu Council of Australia’s Chaplaincy team along with members of about 15 different cultural and religious groups in the area. The program was organised on 29th March 2018 to meet the new Liverpool area commander Superintendent Paul Albury. Paul addressed the attendees. Among the topic discussed how to have healthy community engagement with police with respect to both police and community. 

Liverpool police is currently working on improving protocols to:
 
Greetings:   What are the protocols with greetings each other within the culture (physical proximity and touching)
 
Cultural Influence in Interaction: Are there any religious/cultural practices which may influence the way people interact with police?

 Protocol for entering church/temple: Are there any special considerations when entering church/temple.
 
Protocols in Searching temple/Church:  Is there any protocol to follow in case police need to search the temple/Church, including religious objects such as statues, altar, tabernacle etc.

Role of Religious and community leaders: What is the role of religious and community leaders in case community protests, demonstrations or any other circumstances involving police and community confrontation.
 
Providing Specimens:  Does providing blood samples, body fluid or any other specimens for investigative purposes present problems? Are there any dates or religious significance when we should not approach an individual for an interview?

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Quarterly update from Victoria Chapter

April 9, 2018 by ·
A quick update from Victoria chapter on activities during the first quarter of 2018
 
1 Quarterly participation at Multifaith Advisory Group within the Premier’s Cabinet Office
2. Feb 18 : Participation in the multifaith consultation called by the PM on freedom of religion, chaired by Philip Ruddock
3. Presentation of Certificate of Honour to HH Mahant Swami of BAPS by HCA on behalf of participating organisations – 10 Feb
4. Ongoing Chaplaincy funds distribution from Spiritual Health Victoria to volunteer health care chaplains through ISKCON Melbourne. 
5. Review of last year’s contact made for prison chaplaincy to identify ongoing needs. Currently ISKCON handles this on their own.
 
Upcoming events
 
1. 18 March 18 – Spiritual Discourse by Sri M , visiting accomplished Yogi from India.
2. International Yoga Day 21 June
3. Diwali in Vic Parliament with BAPS – date TBD
 

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Hindu Chaplains send a copy of Bhagwat Geeta to a Hindu prison inmate

March 16, 2018 by ·

A request was received by Hindu Council of Australia through its web site from a Christian Chaplain in one of the prisons. A Hindu inmate in the prison wanted to obtain and read a copy of Bhagwat Geeta. Our Chaplaincy team immediately sprung into action. Somesh Sibal from Hindu Council procured a copy of Bhagwat Geeta and sent it to the authorities. He has now received a confirmation of receipt of the Bhagwat Geeta. Congratulations Hindu Chaplains and Congratulations Hindu Chaplaincy team.

Inquiries are now being made now to find out if the inmate would like to see a Hindu Chaplain on a regular basis. Hindu Council of Australia has over 25 trained Hindu Chaplains who provide services in Sydney and Melbourne.

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Gargi Woman Jayanthi Ramanan

March 11, 2018 by ·

Winner of Gargi Woman Award 2018 – (Carer)

By Bharathi R

Jayanthi Ramanan has been awarded Hindu Council of Australia’s Gargi Woman Award 2018 for her outstanding contribution as a carer. The award consisting of a plaque was presented to her by Member of Parliament – Parramatta Hon. Geoff Lee and by Anita Sharma NSW Vice President of Hindu Council of Australia.

She used to work as an IT consultant, took early retirement. She saw a Christian chaplain helping a friend in a hospital. In anguish, she thought why no Hindu chaplains in Sydney. She did her own  research and took many months to find out about how to become a Chaplain. Finally she took the training and became a Hindu Chaplain. Now, she inspires others to become chaplains and more than 12 people have taken to Chaplaincy on her encouragement. She conducts regular workshops and information sessions and guides would be chaplains.  She is a good role model for youngsters on how to break barriers and integrate with the main stream. Hindu Council of Australia appreciates her for being the first women to come up with the idea of starting a Hindu Chaplain service in Sydney.

Jayanthi left the stage immediately after receiving the award, reason – she got a call for help from a terminal patient from a hospital.

Jayanthi ramanan has been awarded the Gargi Woman Award for her outstanding service to the community as a carer.

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