Sri Lanka and India take out main titles in first-ever Miss South Asia Australia Pageant Sri Lanka and India take out main titles in first-ever Miss South Asia Australia Pageant 24 September 2017 Marie Pietersz Reporter A dazzling spectacle of couture and beauty vied for prominence at the first ever crowning of Miss, Mr, Ms and Mrs South Asia Australia at the Box Hill Town Hall, in Victoria. The National outfits worn by contestants from the countries of Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nepal represented a colourful fusion of traditions. The theme for the Sri Lankan designs was red and gold, by designer house, Savish. Miss Rita Kukreja representing India took out the prestigious title of Miss South Asia Australia 2017 from other outstanding contestants at this inaugural ceremony. Mr South Asia Australia 2017 was won by Mr Vaibhav Sharma, representing India. The Sri Lankan winners took out ...
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CALLING ALL VICTORIAN SENIORS: BE ACTIVE IN OCTOBER Story and photography by Marie Pietersz (Melbourne) Audience-main-stage-Celebration-Day paris-france-audience-watching-american-country-rock-singer-performing It’s Springtime again, when grand old Dame Melbourne sheds her It’s Springtime again, when grand old Dame Melbourne sheds her winter woollies and gets ready to celebrate the warmer weather. And, boy, it’s been a cold Melbourne winter this year. Brrr! Melbourne, the event capital of Australia in Spring is home to big ticket items such as the AFL Grand Final, Royal Melbourne Show, Fashion Week, Spring Racing Carnival, Melbourne Fringe Festivals, and the Melbourne Cup. There is something for everybody. ...
Read More →LORETTA JETS IN! Story and photography by Marie Pietersz (Melbourne) Loretta Koch, former singing sensation of one of Sri Lanka’s most popular bands of the 1960s, jetted into Melbourne this month to perform at the much-talked about event, ‘Alston Koch’s 50 Years in Showbiz’, at The Grand Receptions, on 9 September. Loretta, the Jetliner’s answer to ABBA’s Agnetha Faltskog, came out of retirement after 45 years for her “first and last public performing foray”, according to her. After years of declining invitations to perform publicly at reunion concerts both in Sri Lanka and Australia, she teamed up with cousin Alston Koch and international entertainers to show her fans that she still has what it takes. “Alston twisted my arm,” she said. “He convinced me to perform with him and get a crack at reliving the nostalgia and getting that adrenalin pumping again like we used to when we performed together ...
Read More →Rashmi Wijesekara, Miss Sri Lanka Australia 2017 and Face of Savish, Bridal Collection House Story by Marie Pietersz (Melbourne) Pictures courtesy of MSLA Rashmi, a rising star… Rashmi Wijesekara is the holder of the prestigious title, Miss Sri Lanka Australia 2017, winning it from other entrants in the annual Miss Sri Lanka Australia Pageant, which attracts participants from all Australian states. A High School student from Glen Waverley, Rashmi was born in Sri Lanka and moved to New Zealand when she was three years old, settling in Australia in 2013. Rashmi has always been very keen to participate in the Miss Sri Lankan Australia Pageant and has followed it since it commenced. She finally decided to take part in 2017 and does not regret starting this journey. ...
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Read More →South Asia Australia Pageant 2017 Launch – Miss, Mr and Mrs/Ms Story by Marie Pietersz (Pictures by MSLA) Savish Corporation, organiser of the Miss Sri Lanka Australia pageant for the fourth year running, launched the first South Asia Australia Pageant in Australia at a cocktail event on 6 August 2017. The Pageant, another first of its kind, will be held on 24 September 2017 at the Box Hill Town Hall. The Pageant will offer to young Australians of South Asian heritage an opportunity to develop as young leaders, showcase and integrate through fashion and beauty their country’s culture into the fabric of multicultural Australia, and empower them to engage in pivotal community roles and provide a voice in shaping Australia’s society of tomorrow. The Pageant will be theme based and participants will help to create awareness of domestic violence, a major issue in South Asian countries. ...
Read More →THE LEGACY LIVES ON – Story and pictures by Marie Pietersz, Melbourne THE LEGACY LIVES ON Sixteen-year-old Nisal Sri Jayamaha, older son of Dandenong residents Yasas and Pradeepa Jayamaha, took away the coveted second placing in the KATA Martial Arts category at the recent 2017 IKA (Independent Kyokushin Alliance) National Championships in Canberra in July. Nisal started learning the sport of martial arts at the tender age of six at the BJ Kyokushin dojo in Dandenong (Victoria) under the guidance of Sensei Z uz. He has competed and won many trophies and medals throughout his years of training in karate. He is currently a Brown Belt with a Black Tag. Nisal is the grandson of famous Sri Lankan boxer S.P Jayasuriya, Bronze Medallist in the Flyweight category at the Fourth Asian Games, Jakarta, 1962. Nisal dedicated his accomplishment to his grandfather who passed away before the Nationals and couldn’t see his grandson compete and win. Jayasuriya was a well-known athlete and boxer. In 2010 Jayasuriya was felicitated by the Sri Lankan Sports ...
Read More →CULTURAL EVENTS EMPOWER YOUTH FOR AUSTRALIA – Story and photography by Marie Pietersz Click on the photos below to view the Photos on eLanka Facebook page MSLA female winners MSLA Miss winner MSLA for Leader MSLA judges MSLA Winners MSLA VIPs MSLA teen winners CULTURAL EVENTS EMPOWER YOUTH FOR AUSTRALIA – Story and photography by Marie Pietersz The 2017 Miss Sri Lanka Australia national and state titles were awarded to winners of the categories of Miss, Mr, Mrs, Ms and Teen at this year’s pageant and crowning ceremony held at the Box Hill Town Hall (Victoria) on 6 August. The glamourous event presented by Melbourne-based bridal collection house, Savish Corporation, was patronised by about 350 guests and dignitaries, which included Victorian politicians and local and international community leaders, long-time supporters of this pageant, ...
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