'Stress buster': Diwali celebrations bring communities together and tackle loneliness in regional Victoria

Diwali celebrations in Australia are expanding each year, bringing communities together through events that go beyond traditional rituals. At a Diwali gathering in Mildura, a regional city in Victoria, locals told SBS Hindi how these events foster a sense of belonging and support mental well-being.

Although Diwali will be celebrated on 1 November this year, festivities in Australia have already begun.

Large crowd attended Mildura's Diwali event on 12 October.

On 12 October, the

Sunraysia Indian Association Inc (SIA)

organised a Diwali event, that drew hundreds of community members and local residents.

The annual celebrations, showcasing various musical and dance performances by local residents, took place at the Mildura Arts Centre, where Daniel Linklater, Mayor of Wentworth Shire Council, lit the lamp along with other community members.

This event highlighted the growing unity within the Indian community in Mildura, which comes together every year to celebrate the festival of lights on a larger scale.

SIA's secretary, Sunita Kalkal, told SBS Hindi that this event has become a significant occasion for the Indian community in this remote area, fostering connections and a sense of belonging.

Sunita Kalkal, Sunraysia Indian Association's secretary, lives in Mildura, Victoria. Credit: SBS Hindi

According to the Australian census, India ranks among the top five countries of birth in Mildura, following England and Malaysia.

"In recent years, the Indian community has grown, and while all of us have been celebrating their customs and traditions individually, the aim is to bring everyone together," Kalkal explained.

"The idea was to unite and bond for one major event, and Diwali is the ideal festival for that," Kalkal said.

"Back home, it’s the biggest celebration of the year, and we aim to recreate that spirit here," she said.

The Diwali event featured a traditional Indian dance called 'Bihu'. Credit: SBS Hindi

"The celebration is all about the little things—what to wear, what to eat, and sharing laughter with family and friends. These aspects are important to us as they help us stay connected and relieve stress," she said.

Children performed Bollywood dance at the event. Credit: SBS Hindi

Satwant Kaur Grewal from Sunraysia Punjabi Association remembers that a few years ago, there were no such social events like this, and it was challenging to bring the community together.

Satwant Kaur Grewal (centre) with guests at the Diwali event in Mildura. Credit: SBS Hindi

"Clearly, there is now significant interest among all members, including the children, who often ask about the event and the preparations."

"Our children are far from India, and this is the only way we can teach them about their traditions and connect them to their roots. For adults like us, it also helps relieve stress," Grewal said.

"We gather for rehearsals and learn the dance steps together; it's an amazing feeling. Moments like these are very important for us," she added.

Find our podcasts here at

SBS Hindi Podcast Collection. 

You can also tune in to

SBS Hindi 

at 5pm on

SBS South Asian 

on digital radio, on channel 305 on your television, via the

SBS Audio app 

or stream from

our website.