The Committee,

C/O Mrs. P Kimtia

Email: kmtang1@bigpond.com.au

 9^th June 2003

 Project “History of Migration and Settlement of the Mauritian & Rodriguan Community in Victoria”

 Dear Friends,

 Thank you for your outstanding support and assistance provided during the exhibition held on Tuesday 11^th March and Sunday 16^th March 2003, your contribution made both days successful. The aims of bringing together the community, educating the community, and raising funds that will assist us during the next phases of this project, were achieved. 

You may be wondering what next! As previously communicated the ultimate goal of this project is to stage a similar exhibition at the Immigration Museum in Melbourne in the near future.  Unfortunately, our recent application to do so has been rejected, there was fourteen applicants and only four were selected to exhibit in 2004. However, we have been encouraged to resubmit by the end of this year for exhibiting in 2005. The Committee has decided not to let this unfavourable response interfere with our plans, we believe that such processes take time, only patience and perseverance will help us attain this long-term goal. 

In the meantime, we will be undertaking the following:

·        We will be lodging an application to register as a Non-for Profit Association in Victoria. The following name has been voted for “C.H.A.R.M VIC”, this stands for “Cultural Historical Association of Rodriguans and Mauritians in Victoria”.

·        We will be applying for government funding to further assist us in staging a series of cultural events, including another exhibition focusing on the “History of Migration and Settlement of the Mauritian & Rodriguan Community in Victoria”. We aim at addressing the weaknesses of our last experience and will make improvements based on your suggestions and feedback, and we will build on all strengths. The dates and venue have not yet been finalised, however this will most likely occur in March 2004 to coincide with the National Day Celebration and Victoria’s celebrations of Cultural Diversity. Could you please provide us with your Calendar of Events for the coming months as this will assist us in finalising all dates and venues for C.H.A.R.M Vic’s proposed activities.

·        We will be finalising the Committee. At this point the following founding members have been voted to fulfill positions on the Committee:

Chairperson: Patricia Kimtia

Vice-Chairperson: Pamela Paul

Treasurer: To be confirmed

Secretary: Liseby Lapierre

Assistant Secretary: Sabrina Lapierre

General Members: Paule Collard, Rajoo Chetty, Marie-Thérèse White, Michael North-Coombes and two volunteers from the Rodriguan community, we invite you to forward your nominations for these.

 We are also seeking one representative from each club/social group to be the point of contact between them and the Association.

Please contact us by the 30^th June 2003 to express your interest and to provide us with your Calendar of Events.

We aim at actively involving, as many members of our Mauritian/Rodriguan community as this will help us unite and consolidate the ties amongst various groups. It will also encourage the development of a strong support network in the community, and encourage the community to assist new migrants and students from Mauritius, to deal with the social, economic, cultural issues that they face during their adaptation and settlement process.

The success of this project depends on what our community is prepared to contribute; we are relying on your valuable support and assistance as key stakeholders in our community.

Continue to be a part of History, together we can achieve more, let us strengthen our ties and continue to promote what can become legacy to our future generations. Through future activities and endeavours we will continue to educate our children and other members of the community about a significant part of our history as a people.

Your continued involvement and support is appreciated. If you have any questions or concerns please fell free to contact us.

Yours truly,

 Patricia Kimtia,

“C.H.A.R.M Vic” - Chairperson