In a bid to strengthen community storytelling, The Indian Sun recently conducted a specialised media training workshop for the Malayalee Association of Victoria (MAV). Led by journalist Indira Laisram and supported by the Victorian Government, the session equipped MAV members with essential skills to amplify their community’s voice through effective media engagement.
The online workshop held on August 8 began with a traditional Acknowledgement of Country, followed by Laisram highlighting MAV’s remarkable 47-year journey—from its founding in 1976 to becoming a 3,000-member-strong organisation. With MAV’s Golden Jubilee approaching in 2026, the timing proved ideal for enhancing their communication strategies.
“Mainstream media often limits multicultural communities to festival coverage,” observed Laisram, urging participants to share deeper narratives.
“Stories build belonging,” she said. “When people read about someone with a shared experience, it creates connection and inspiration. That’s why multicultural stories matter—they go beyond festivals and food to reveal journeys, struggles, and achievements.”
Participants gained hands-on training in crafting press releases, building media relationships, and leveraging social media effectively. MAV office bearers, including President Madanan Chellappan and General Secretary Viswanathan Hariharan, engaged actively, discussing plans to apply these techniques for their Golden Jubilee celebrations.
During the interactive session, MAV members identified upcoming milestones that could make powerful stories, including the Golden Jubilee Onam celebrations. A highlight of this year’s festival will be a Mega Thiruvathira, a traditional dance performance featuring nearly 200 women from across Melbourne.
President Chellappan noted the significance of the event: “It’s not just Malayali women participating—there are Tamil and Telugu women too. It goes beyond religion and boundaries, making it truly multicultural.”
Treasurer Prakash added that his wife, Padma, has been coordinating the group for months, underscoring the dedication behind the performance.
Other cultural showcases, such as Ottamthullal (a satirical art form) and Kalaripayattu (a martial art from Kerala), were also discussed as examples of unique stories MAV could pitch to mainstream and multicultural media.
While acknowledging AI’s role in basic content creation, Laisram emphasised the irreplaceable human element in storytelling.
Established in 1976, MAV has long served as a cultural anchor for Victoria’s Malayali community, promoting cultural preservation and providing support services.
The workshop also explored strategies for identifying compelling stories through people, purpose, and impact, with Laisram stressing the importance of finding the “doorway” into stories such as the personal, human element that makes audiences care.
On a practical level, participants were guided on building relationships with media outlets, writing press releases, and leveraging digital platforms beyond WhatsApp and Facebook. “Communication is your superpower,” Laisram emphasised. “Every organisation, big or small, has stories worth telling. The key is how you frame and share them.”
The session closed with a renewed commitment from MAV’s leadership to strengthen their PR efforts ahead of their Golden Jubilee year.
“Powerful storytelling begins when communities own their narratives,” reflected Laisram after the workshop.
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Media Training Workshop with Malayali Association of Victoria | MAV | @indira_laisram ⭐ #TheIndianSun #MediaWorkshop #MediaTraining
📹 To watch full workshop video click belowhttps://t.co/1LHdmhgdNo
— The Indian Sun (@The_Indian_Sun) August 21, 2025
