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Hamilton Malayalee Association Inc.

Our Vision
We started this year with a lot to achieve and to continue the good works of the Association in the past. We as one have moulded this young Association into one of the most vibrant, reputable and the most talked about community groups in this part of the world. We were also able to exert significant influence among non-Malayalee and the wider New Zealand community

We all can take pride in being a member of such a highly reputable community organization. We can still go miles ahead with your continued support and encouragement as in the past.

Annual Report 2009-2010

Presented on 27 March 2010

Time: 5.30PM
Venue: Age Concern,30 Victoria Street, Hamilton

Message from the President.

Welcome to the sixth annual general meeting of your association. We

have achieved a lot in these years and this is a perfect time to think of our goals for 2010 and beyond. It will take a lot of courage and hard work, believing and achieving, patience and perseverance, inner strength and hope to achieve these goals.

This is the moment when we must contemplate on the past six years and prepare for the years ahead. This is also a moment when we must reflect on our successes so they could be sustained and even enhanced and also on our failures so that we do not repeat our failures. It brings to mind the familiar adage "the sky is the limit."

Unfortunately, we are too often impeded not by external forces but by our own internal perceptions and limitations. For many people, 2009 was a great challenge, with the full impact of the economic downturn really biting. But things have started improving. Let us all, therefore, resolve to always adopt a positive mindset in 2010 when reaching for our dreams and aspirations.

I am also grateful to all our funders, sponsors, community leaders and community groups in Hamilton. I sincerely applaud your efforts and urge you to continue your good work in 2010. By working together there is no limit to what we can achieve.

Once again I would like you all to think of your future goals and aspirations, and thank you all for your help in making HMA a success in 2009.

Hamilton Malayalee Association Inc.

It is a great pleasure for every one of us in the Executive Committee to present the Annual Report of the year 2009-2010. This year can be marked as another year of achievements for the Hamilton Malayalee Community in general and HMA members in particular. As a community organization we lived up to fulfilling our objectives and were successful in uplifting our motto “WE ADD VALUE TO THE SOCIETY”.

The activities of Hamilton Malayalee Association Inc for the last five years resulted in making this organization among the most vibrant community groups in New Zealand. The foundation of the Association is built on the main objective of Adding Value to Society and it was achieved by greater exposure and interaction with the wider communities, various cultural and sports activities and by introducing our rich heritage and culture to our younger generation and to the various NZ communities in a professional manner.

The Committee

HMA XI who won the the finals of the Hamilton Malayalee Association Cricket tournament which was played on Monday the 13th April 2009 from 9.00AM at the Innes Common Grounds. In an exciting nail biting finish HMA XI deafeated KIWI Indians from Auckland.
Scores: HMA XI 151 in 25 overs. KIWI Indians 150 in 25 Overs.

Our Easter/Vishu Celebrations was be held on the 25th of April at the Phoenix Hall on Richmond Street from 5PM. There were entertainment galore- Skit, dances, songs games and mouthwatering food for the occasion. In fact there was something for everyone to enjoy

Community get together at the Community Hall, St. Peter’s Cathedral, Hamilton on 13 June 2009.

The fifth Anuj-Anjo-Richard Memorial Badminton tournament commenced at 08.45AM on Saturday the 4th of July at the Waikato Badminton Stadium in Hamilton.

To refresh your memory this tournament was initiated in memory of Anuj,Anjo and Richard who were killed in a road crash in July 2005 near Hastings and all other kids who have since lost their lives on the road. Car crashes are one of the leading causes of death among teenagers in New Zealand. Each year quite a few teenagers die on our roads. The problem confounds parents, teachers and researchers, who have not yet found effective methods to improve the grim statistics.

Our association is dedicated to minimizing the human, economic losses and the trauma resulting from motor vehicle crashes by working to make driving safer especially for the youngsters and those driving impaired not unacceptable socially.
We have been supported in this venture in the past by Hamilton City Council, LTSA, ACC, Higway Patrol, Waikato Times,Waikato Badminton, Pub Charity, Fairview Motors, Jim Wright Nissan, Ingham Booth among many others.
The message is clear "Drive Safely-Don't Lose Your Life On The Road"

There was tremendous response from the Malayalee Community teams and the greater New Zealand open teams. The tournament has been attracting many high caliber players including New Zealand Wisdom Cup participants. This year we had quite a few participants from local schools. Some great matches were played during the tournament. The final stage of the tournament was played on Sunday the 5th of July from 11.30AM at the same venue.

Members of the Waikato Highway Patrol along with other dignitaries and the families of Anuj,Anjo and Richard distributed the prizes to the winners.

In the final analysis it was our intention to create a sporting event that embodied Anuj-Anjo-Richard’s zest for life and one that would long represent their passion for sports, especially Badminton and link it with road Safety . we can proudly say that we achieved this goal.

Onam celebrations 2009 was a grand occasion. From the feedbacks that we have been getting since the event, it provided a memorable time for all those present.

The Executive Committee wishes to thank everyone who helped make it happen especially Priya Babu & Family for leading the Pookalam/Flower Carpet decoration team.

Kurien Joseph for his perfect impersonation of Mahabali which was so good that it brought back nostalgic memories of Mahabali's reign.

Benny Antony for his artistic decorations and make up skills. traditional Onam games like tug of war, lemon spoon, sack race were conducted.

Thanks to Saffron Restaurant for a sumptuous Onasadyya. The prize distribution ceremony did not take place due to time constraints.

Nritta Sandhya an Evening of International Dances
03 October 2009 at the Founders Theatre, Hamilton.

Nritta Sandhya 09 was a great success. Hon Member of Parliament Sue Morony inaugurated it by lighting the traditional lamp of Kerala Nilavilakku. The theme of the evening was “Say No To Teenage Violence”

A special thank you to all the participants for making Nritta Sandhya 09 a stupendous success. Our appreciation to radio networks and the media for all the coverage given to us.

We would like to express our sincere gratitude and thanks to, Manoj Philip for the beautiful graphics, Arie Harris, and Ronnie Kurien for their stage management skills and Joel Joseph for his great work on the sound controls. Last but not least our heart felt thanks to the MCs of the evening Naveen and Ritu who did a great job.

We remember with gratitude our funding agencies, especially the Lion Foundation and sponsors who provided the necessary funds to make Nritta Sandhya 09 happen. We remember with gratitude the various groups who spent hours practicing and up great performances without any monetary rewards. Just to impart the theme into the community. Our heartfelt thanks to all the volunteers, Hamilton City Council Theater Services Crew and everyone who helped organize this event.

Cultural Evening, Onam Games prize distribution and
celebration of the success of Nritta Sandhya-08 on November 21, 09 at the St Peters Cathedral Hall.

The Cultural Evening 09 was a culmination of a variety of programmes. There were songs, dances, drama and a sumptuous dinner.

The singers of the evening were memorable The rendition of our traditional song brought back fond memories of our golden olden days. Kudos to our little Angels for their beautiful dancing on that night. The programme was specially arranged for our little ones. To find some quality time and to spend it with them was the ideas. Many games and lots of kiddie fun and food was also arranged. It turned out to be a memorable occasion.

Hamilton Malayalee Assn Inc Christmas/New-Year get together was held on the 2nd of January 2010 from 6.00PM-9PM. The venue was the Chartwell Square Room at the Hamilton Gardens Pavilion. We are sure that our families especially the younger children had a great time at this truly picturesque spot. A barbecue dinner was rranged for all our members and invited guests.

We had a variety of novel cultural programmes on that day like dances, vibrant Carols, songs, games for children etc etc. A Santa was present to give away the prizes

Family Camp at the Christian Youth Camps Inc., Ngaruawahia.
From 05 Feb 2009 07 February 2009.

Our Family Camp 2009 at CYC, Ngaruawahia, was a great success. Quite a few families congregated at CYC, Ngaruawahia for this much-anticipated family camp. The many facilities like Kayaks, Flying Fox, Trekking, a great number of indoor games and the swimming pool provided endless fun! Those present at the camp thoroughly enjoyed the seemingly endless supply of mouth-watering food cooked by our team of volunteers.

We are sure that this camp provided an opportunity to strengthen bonds, learn more about the environment, and form enduring friendships. It certainly helped to rejuvenate our minds, body and soul and gave everyone present a great vacation experience.

A special mention should be made of our Camp Coordinator and all the volunteers who cooked, cleaned and helped set up the camp. Thanks to Ted Muir, Director Christian Youth Camps Inc. and his staff for everything that they did for us. It is truly a great facility.

We owe thanks to many people who have contributed to the smooth functioning of the Hamilton Malayalee Association in the past . We are grateful to the Hamilton Malayalee Community for their invaluable support and guidance. Funding support from the following organizations, businesses and individuals are greatly appreciated

We thank the following individuals and organizations for their help and support:

We express our sincere gratitude to Manish and the Auckland Malayali Samajam team for their support during the year and acknowledge the contributions from all the members towards the activities of the association.