Victoria’s growing Indian diaspora will be the focus of a new free media training project rolling out over the next five months, with workshops designed to build communication skills, media confidence, and storytelling capacity across 17 community organisations and four specialist groups.
Led by The Indian Sun, the training will be delivered across Melbourne and Bendigo, and is supported by the Victorian Government’s Multicultural Media Support 2024/25 program.
The program will offer tailored training sessions in media writing, digital content, social media skills, and public messaging, with mentoring to help participants confidently share their stories in the media and within their communities. Community volunteers, youth leaders, and representatives from grassroots organisations are encouraged to join.
The program will kick off with the Manipur Association of Australia on 24 May. Several other organisations have already expressed strong interest. Each group brings a distinct voice—reflecting the linguistic, regional, and cultural richness of Victoria’s Indian community, from Tamil and Punjabi speakers to those working in mental health and family support.
Indira Laisram, who is leading the training delivery, brings decades of journalistic experience to the role. She began her career at India’s premier news agency The Press Trust of India (PTI) and went on to work at The Times of India and Businessworld before relocating to Australia in 2009. She has since written for numerous community outlets, and last year received the Judith Neilson Institute grant for community journalism for her work on the impact of COVID-19 on Indians in Victoria.
“We publish hundreds of stories each year,” said Laisram. “It’s important that organisations who genuinely need editorial support or communication expertise reach out. The idea behind The Indian Sun Media Training and Capacity Building Project is to equip people with the confidence and skills to tell their own stories in a way that connects with broader audiences.”
Workshops begin in May. Expressions of interest are now open. Community organisations and individuals who wish to participate can get in touch via email at indira@indiansun.com.au or call 0457 770 207. Sessions are free and open to volunteers and community groups across Victoria.
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