Fiji’s Assistant Minister for Health and Medical Services, Penioni Koliniwai Ravunawa, attended as chief guest, joining India’s High Commissioner to Fiji, Suneet Mehta, and scores of early morning participants from across the community.
All festival passes and event tickets are available at iffm.com.au. Early-bird packages sell out quickly—Melburnians are encouraged to secure their seats soon.
Designers from around the world, including those representing First Nations and diverse Australian communities, showcased their craftsmanship through garments that reflected both heritage and contemporary creativity.
Dr Sharma, who has a PhD in nematology (roundworms), migrated from India in 2000 with her husband and twins after quitting a prestigious position in the Indian Ministry of Agriculture.
The crash killed 42-year-old mother Nancy Lefrançois and her 11-year-old son Loïc Chevalier, who were travelling in a passenger vehicle struck in the collision.