Record uptake of Active Kid vouchers

Fantastic to see parents taking advantage of sports program to help get kids active, says NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian

More than half a million parents in NSW have downloaded an Active Kids voucher since the program launching on 31 January, proving the programs overwhelming success.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said she was thrilled that parents were using the opportunity to download their $100 voucher to cover the cost of sports and active recreation fees.

“It is fantastic to see mums and dads taking advantage of this program to help get their kids active,” Ms Berejiklian said.

So far more than 500,000 vouchers have been downloaded since Active Kids launched 31 January which is a phenomenal result. More than 315,000 vouchers have been redeemed, meaning a collective saving of $31 million in sport registration fees for parents.

“We know the cost of kids sport and activities can often stretch the family budget. Active Kids is one of the ways the NSW Government is easing cost of living pressures on parents,” she added.

Sports Minister Stuart Ayres said parents can now register online with Service NSW to receive their $100 voucher to provide to their approved sport or physical activity club or organization.

“If we can change the habits of many kids, get them off their devices and out in the sunshine and kicking a footy or playing a sport they love then we are helping to give young people a healthier start in life,” Mr Ayres said. “Almost 9,000 sport and activity organizations have already registered, and we expect a range of sports to continue to sign-up across the state. Along with traditional sports, there are physical activities such as swimming, dance lessons, athletics, Scouts and PCYC that parents can use their vouchers on,” said Mr Ayers.

“Active kids are healthy kids and as long as their program is more than eight weeks long and involves a moderate to strong degree of movement—it will qualify,” he added.

Parents have until 31 December 2018 to claim and use their voucher.

For more interesting news do visit: Healthy Lifestyle, Indian Community in Melbourne, Indians in Adelaide, Bollywood in Melbourne

Source: http://www.theindiansun.com.au/health-lifestyle/

The Title “Business Woman Of The Year” Goes to this Indian-Australian Chaiwali

“Love what you do and do what you love. Don't listen to anyone else who tells you not to do it. You do what you want, what you love. Imagination should be the center of your life.” 

― Ray Bradbury

This quote beautifully summarizes the story of Uppma Virdi. A 26-year old Indian Businesswoman in Australia has an inspiring story which can be a good motivation for the youth of current times. She became an icon in the field of Indian Businesses in Australia when she won the title of the 2016 Business Woman of the year by Indian Australian Business and Community Awards (IABCA) in Sydney. Hailing from a family of Indian origin, Uppma grew up making tea for her grandparents, parents and all the guests that came to her place. Soon she realized that making tea is something she enjoys greatly. This feeling was reinforced when she went to Austria for an exchange program and again she made tea for her friends. She could feel that tea brings people together and this is very true because tea time is actually considered as “family time” in India. 

Indian businesses in Australia

Moreover, having a grandfather who was an expert in Ayurveda taught her the art of making ayurvedic tea which has great medicinal benefits. This was another add-on to her profession as a chai-wali. Having seen the dearth of tea places in Australia, she wanted to start her tea business in Australia to provide an alternative to non-coffee drinkers. This is where the idea germinated and she realized that maybe she could do her little contribution towards Australian community by bringing them closer to the Indian tea drinking culture. 

Being a successful lawyer, it was initially difficult for her to convince her family about her business idea. But it is commendable that a 26-year old Indian Australian girl could see the entrepreneurial potential in the Indian chai wallahs who are not well educated. But she had the courage to admit that they have those skills and she could learn from them. It is definitely evident that she not only learned from them but also enhanced it greatly. 

The youth of today can learn from her immensely. She combined her skills that she accrued from her family, her studies, and her visits to India and brought everything together to build a successful business.  She is a great example because she showed that without giving up her already existing profession as a lawyer, she worked extra hours to set up a new enterprise and succeeded in it greatly. She used her personal contacts, social media and put in a lot of hard work to attain what she attained at such a young age. Her exciting story has the capability to motivate millions who give up on their dreams without even trying once thinking that it is worthless and unattainable. Always remember that there would be resistance from all sides when you are trying to do something big but the only thing that can get you going is by having faith in yourself. With a lot of hard work and positive energy, it is not hard to achieve the impossible.