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Date and Time: 15th February, 2026 Sunday 10 AM

Location: Speers Point Park, Lake Macquarie, NSW 2284

Celebrating Language, Heritage and Community in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie

• The Newcastle Bangladeshi Community (NBC) Inc. proudly celebrated International Mother Language Day 2026 on Sunday, 15 February, at Speers Point Park, Lake Macquarie.
• Held from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm, the celebration brought together more than 100 members of the community, including children, young people and families. The event honored the Bengali Language Movement and celebrated the importance of preserving mother languages, cultural heritage and identity for future generations.
• For Bangladeshis living in Australia, International Mother Language Day holds profound historical and emotional significance. The celebration provided an opportunity to remember the sacrifices made for the Bengali language while helping children growing up in Australia understand the history behind Ekushey February and remain connected to their language and cultural heritage.
• At the same time, the event embraced the broader message of International Mother Language Day by recognizing and celebrating the linguistic and cultural diversity that enriches Australia's multicultural society.

Celebrating Together as a Multicultural Community

• The event was attended by Councilor Madeline Bishop, representing the Mayor of Lake Macquarie City Council, together with other community guests.
• Councilor Bishop acknowledged the contribution of the Bangladeshi community to the multicultural character of Newcastle and Lake Macquarie and highlighted the importance of preserving language and cultural heritage within Australia's diverse society.
• Members of the Afghan community also joined the celebration, adding an important multicultural dimension to the occasion. Their participation reflected the wider purpose of International Mother Language Day: creating a space where different communities can celebrate their languages and heritage while building understanding, respect and connection with one another.

A 3.7 Meter Shaheed Minar Built by Our Community

• One of the most significant features of the 2026 celebration was a full-scale portable Shaheed Minar designed and constructed by members of the Newcastle Bangladeshi Community.
• Built primarily from timber, the structure stood approximately 3.7 meters high and 8.5 meters wide, creating a striking centerpiece at Speers Point Park.
• The Shaheed Minar provided a meaningful place for the community to remember the Language Martyrs and reflect on the sacrifices associated with the Bengali Language Movement. For Bangladeshis living thousands of kilometers from their homeland, recreating this important symbol in Australia carried special significance.

Connecting the Next Generation with Language and Heritage

• Speaking at the event, NBC President Dr Saiful Habib reflected on the significance of International Mother Language Day and the responsibility of the community to pass its history and heritage to younger generations.
• He emphasized that International Mother Language Day is more than an annual commemoration. It represents identity, history and cultural pride, and provides an important opportunity for children growing up in Australia to learn about the Bengali Language Movement and understand why the preservation of mother language remains so important.
• Representing the NBC Bangla School, Mrs. Nazma Islam highlighted the importance of Bengali language education for children growing up in Australia. She reflected on Bengali as an important connection to family, heritage and cultural identity and emphasized that preserving language also helps preserve the stories, traditions and history carried through generations.

Culture, Language and Community

• The cultural program brought the celebration to life through children's rhymes and recitations, poetry performances and a humorous debate featuring different regional varieties of Bengali.
• The children's performances were a particular highlight, with families enthusiastically supporting the younger generation as they participated in Bengali language and cultural activities.
• The humorous regional language debate added another dimension to the celebration, demonstrating the richness and diversity that exists within the Bengali language itself while encouraging active community participation.

Sharing Food and Friendship

• Food was also an important part of the community gathering.
• Alongside sausage and bread, guests enjoyed familiar Bangladeshi favorites including khichuri, egg bhuna and pickles. Sharing traditional food and hospitality created a warm and welcoming environment where families, guests and community members could connect and enjoy the occasion together.
• The event concluded with appreciation to the guests, participating families, volunteers and community members whose time and contribution made the celebration possible.

Keeping Our Language and History Alive

• For the Newcastle Bangladeshi Community, International Mother Language Day is more than the celebration of a single day. It represents an ongoing commitment to preserving the Bengali language, remembering its history and passing cultural heritage to future generations while promoting respect for all mother languages.
• The 2026 celebration demonstrated how language can connect generations, strengthen community identity and build bridges between cultures.
• Standing at Speers Point Park, NBC's 3.7 meters Shaheed Minar carried a simple but powerful message: even thousands of kilometers from Bangladesh, the language, history and spirit of Ekushey remain alive in our hearts.

Date and Time: 21st June, 2026 Sunday 10 AM

Location: Wallsend Pioneer Memorial Hall, 54 Cowper St, Wallsend NSW 2287

• For the first time, Newcastle Bangladeshi Community Inc. (NBC) is proudly hosting Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea in support of the Cancer Council Australia.
• We warmly invite you all to join us for a heartfelt community gathering featuring a delicious selection of traditional Bangladeshi homemade snacks, sweets, and refreshments.
• There is no entry fee — simply come along with your family and friends, enjoy a variety of authentic delicacies at affordable prices, and support a truly meaningful cause.
• All proceeds from food sales will be donated to Cancer Council Australia to help fund vital cancer research, prevention programs, and support services for individuals and families affected by cancer.
• Together, over a warm cup of tea and shared moments of kindness, we can bring hope, support, and strength to those facing one of life’s greatest challenges.
• Join us in making a difference — every cup, every snack, and every contribution counts.
• And "Together we will build a better Community!" - Team NBC

অস্ট্রেলিয়ার নিউক্যাসেলে বাংলাদেশি কমিউনিটির নতুন কমিটি গঠিত

আজ অস্ট্রেলিয়ার নিউক্যাসেলে বাংলাদেশি কমিউনিটির একটি নতুন কমিটি গঠিত হয়েছে, যারা আগামী দুই বছর এই অঞ্চলে বসবাসরত প্রবাসী বাংলাদেশিদের প্রতিনিধিত্ব করবেন। এই কমিটি নিউক্যাসেলের বাংলাদেশি কমিউনিটির সার্বিক কল্যাণে কাজ করার পাশাপাশি, প্রবাসে থেকেও বাংলাদেশের কৃষ্টি ও সংস্কৃতিকে অস্ট্রেলিয়ার মাটিতে প্রবহমান রাখতে নানান সামাজিক ও সাংস্কৃতিক কর্মকাণ্ড পরিচালনা করবে।

২৮শে সেপ্টেম্বর ২০২৫, রবিবার বিকাল ৪টা থেকে ৬টা পর্যন্ত ফ্লেচার কমিউনিটি সেন্টারে বাংলাদেশি কমিউনিটির বার্ষিক সাধারণ সভা অনুষ্ঠিত হয়। বিদায়ী সভাপতি নাজমা ইসলাম সভায় সভাপতিত্ব করেন এবং সভাটি পরিচালনা করেন সাধারণ সম্পাদক জনাব মামুন-অর-রশিদ। ।

নতুন কমিটি নির্বাচনের প্রক্রিয়ায় প্রধান নির্বাচন কমিশনার ছিলেন ড. মোঃ আবদুল কাদের এবং সহকারী নির্বাচন কমিশনারের দায়িত্ব পালন করেন ড. মনিরুল হক পাভেল।

নির্বাচন কমিশনের প্রস্তাবিত ১৭ সদস্যের নতুন কমিটি সাধারণ সভায় অনুমোদিত হয়। নবগঠিত কমিটির সভাপতি নির্বাচিত হয়েছেন ডাঃ সাইফুল হাবিব। সহ-সভাপতি হয়েছেন দুজন – জনাব মাহমুদ হাসান ও সেঁজুতি খান তিথি। সাধারণ সম্পাদক নির্বাচিত হয়েছেন ড. আশীক মোহাম্মদ শিমুল এবং সহ-সাধারণ সম্পাদক হয়েছেন ড. মোহাম্মদ তানভী নেওয়াজ। নতুন কমিটির কোষাধ্যক্ষ হিসেবে দায়িত্ব পেয়েছেন জনাব মামুন-অর-রশিদ। সাংস্কৃতিক সম্পাদক নির্বাচিত হয়েছেন মনিরুজ্জামান মাসুদ।

এ ছাড়া ১০ জন সাধারণ সদস্যও নির্বাচিত হয়েছেন। তাঁরা হলেন—

* নাজমা জামান রুমা

* ড. মনিরুল ইসলাম

* শাহাবুদ্দিন সরওয়ার সোহাগ

* মোহাম্মদ ইয়াসিন

* ড. মোমিনুল হক জিয়া

* ড. সাবিহা মতিন বিপাশা

* তোফায়েল হোসেন

* ডাঃ রিয়াজুল হাসান মিল্টন

* আরিফ আহমেদ

* আলি নূর মোহাম্মদ আকিব

নতুন কমিটি দায়িত্ব নেওয়ার পর অস্ট্রেলিয়ায় বসবাসরত বাংলাদেশি কমিউনিটির উন্নয়ন, ঐক্য ও সাংস্কৃতিক অগ্রগতির জন্য কাজ করার অঙ্গীকার ব্যক্ত করেছে।

The Bangladesh Consulate General of Bangladesh, Sydney is pleased to announce a Consular Camp in Newcastle Auslatralia, scheduled for Saturday, 28 June 2025. This camp aims to provide convenient and efficient consular services to Bangladeshi nationals residing in NSW. Prior appointment is required for all services. Please read all information carefully to receive a seamless service from the camp.