Heading several charitable organisations and spearheading causes from gender equality in sports to advocating for new migrants, this 38-year-old Indian-Australian is determined to make a difference.
For Deepak Bhardwaj, his study, work and volunteering were always on the same page, which is why, after being the voice of the new migrants and taxi industry for several years; he left his profession and decided to make his passion his profession.
“I knew the problems that new migrants were having. So I stepped forward,” said Deepak in an interview with SBS Punjabi.
Deepak received this year’s prestigious Governor’s Multicultural Award at a state level function held at Adelaide last month.
Governor’s Multicultural Awards celebrate South Australians who promote multiculturalism and increase understanding of the benefits of cultural diversity in the community.
The Awards are administered by the Department of Human Services and Multicultural SA and are presented by Hieu Van Le AC, Governor of South Australia.
Deepak is currently working as a community liaison officer for South Asian communities with Relationships Australia South Australia (RASA).
Source: SBS
At RASA, he aims to spread awareness against gambling and about blood bone viruses.
“Our community members are hesitant to come forward to discuss gambling issues,” says Deepak.
“RASA encourages social interactions and discussions over such topics and community issues in order to resolve specific personal and broader concerns.
“I try to help newly arrived migrant groups in settling into their new environments and exploring the new possibilities available in their current surroundings.
“I aim to play role in motivating and building the confidence of these new arrivals thus empowering them to have a positive impact on their new communities.
Deepak is a full-time student with the Flinders University pursuing Masters in Social Work and is also inclined to commence his PhD in the near future – with a topic that focuses on society.
On the sports front, Deepak is the founding member of the new Multicultural Sporting Hub program. He is currently working with peak sports bodies in developing sporting hubs for multicultural youth in SA.
“I am also advocating for the welfare of Indian international students who are under-resourced upon arrival in SA,” says Deepak.
With a strong interest in sports, Deepak is involved in several programs to promote the games of footy and cricket.
Source: SBS
“Aussie Rules, being a local game of Australia, is less popular among migrants. But I’ve tried to involve kids from various migrants’ families in the game because sport is one of the best ways to gain a sense of belonging in a new country," he said.
“While kids played the parents had an opportunity to engage and communicate with each other. I encouraged parents to be volunteers within the program. We had several families of Afghan, Pakistani, Nepalese and Indian-origin.
“Most recently, the Adelaide Crows got together with Multicultural Communities Australia to organise an introduction to Footy trainings session at AAMI stadium.
“More than 50 kids from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds attended the first training session.
“We are hoping that programs like these create more cohesive, tolerant and inclusive communities that value diversity, increase the culture of respect and tolerance among young people, and reduce crime and in alcohol and drug misuse.
As a founder member of the Hindu Social and Welfare Association of SA, Deepaks helps to organise religious, traditional and cultural festivals like Janamashtmi and Shivratri in Adelaide where the wider community is welcomed to participate and familiarise themselves with Indian culture.
Source: SBS
