December, 2012: After many years of generous support from the Australian High Commission in New Delhi, it was a great delight for Dr Kiran Martin to visit Government House in Melbourne, Australia, as an honoured guest at the launch of the registered charity, Australian Friends of Asha Slums.
This high profile event was hosted by the Governor of Victoria, the Honourable Alex Chernov AC QC, Patron of the organisation and was attended by over 100 guests, including representatives from the business community, universities and the Indian High Commission in Australia.
Australian Friends of Asha Slums will be chaired by Asha supporter and Chairman of Bendigo Bank, Mr Robert Johanson. The organisation aims to promote Asha’s work in Australia and help to release resources from across the country. The trustees are also keen to help raise awareness of Asha’s successful strategies for poverty reduction that may be usefully applied within Australia.
During the launch event, kind words of praise for the work of Asha were expressed by the Hon. Alex Chernov and a letter of support from the Australian Prime Minister, the Hon. Julia Gillard MP was read out.
Asha was delighted to celebrate the launch of this supporting body and is pleased to see the network of support for Asha growing across the world.