AusHeritage Chairman Vinod Daniel to receive Indo- Australian Award – 17 Nov 2009

Australian Cultural Heritage Champion Vinod Daniel to receive Indo- Australian Award for 2009.

Vinod Daniel, Chairman, AusHeritage and Branch Head Australian Museum will receive the Indo-Australian Award for 2009 at the Silver Jubilee function of the Indo-Australian Association in Chennai on November 18, 2009. The annual award is given to an individual who has contributed substantially to the bilateral relationship between Australia and India. Previous award winners include cricket legend Mr. Dennis Lillee, Social Worker Sr. Mary Theodore Industrialist Mr. Ravi Mammen (posthumously), and Barrister Mr. Michael Lewis Abbot QC.

Mr K. V. Matthew, President of the Indo-Australian Association noted Mr Daniel’s extensive contribution over the past fifteen years in furthering the links between Australia and India. He highlighted Mr Daniel’s active role in repatriating 31 objects from the Australian Museum to the Government Museum, Chennai, and his leadership in bringing over twenty heritage delegations from Australia to India and in the process developing strong people to people linkages between heritage practioners in the two countries.

Mr Matthews added that Mr Daniel through his extensive interviews in the Indian media has raised awareness with regards to a number of heritage conservation issues. He was also instrumental in coordinating Australian assistance for INTACH to develop a conservation charter and for the Prince of Wales Museum in Mumbai to develop an international exhibition gallery.

The Indo-Australian Association was established in Chennai (Madras) 25 years ago for fostering friendship between peoples of India and Australia. Significant past programs in addition to their prestigious annual awards include introducing Australian studies and literature in Indian Universities, hosting events for significant Australian visitors to India including for two Australian warships and facilitating Indian student visits to Australia. The association members include high court judges, bureaucrats, academicians and four Padma Shri award winners. 

On the occasion of the Silver Jubilee, while congratulating the Indo-Australian Association, Mr Peter Varghese, Australian High Commissioner to India said that over the past 25 years the association has played an important role in bringing Australia and India together in a number of areas, especially in enhancing the greater understanding of each other’s cultures by supporting various activities of the High Commission. He said that he has been most impressed by the achievements of the association over the past 25 years and can say that its aim of fostering friendship between the people of India and Australia has undoubtedly been achieved.

He added that he was delighted Mr Daniel who was recently reappointed by the Governor General of Australia to the board of the Australia India Council is being awarded this year’s award.
 
For further information contact Mr K. V. Matthew on 91 94441 45520.

Mr Vinod Daniel’s contact in Chennai during the period November 17-20 is 91 98402 37322
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