Nagesh Joshi, hailing from Galgali in the Bagalkot district, is deeply committed to community and cultural values. Inspired by the significance of food and culture in his community, he saw this event as a fantastic opportunity to get involved. Outside of volunteering, Nagesh is passionate about music, particularly Hindustani classical music, and enjoys learning instruments such as the sitar, harmonium, flute, and harmonica. He currently manages a medical center alongside his wife, who is a GP.
With a background in volunteering, including serving as the president of the Association of Young Indian Talents of Australia (AYINA) for four years, Nagesh has organized numerous events like outdoor picnics, sports, and music activities. He is especially excited about this event, which showcases Karnataka's food and culture, as a proud Kannadiga eager to contribute to the community.

Dr. Meera Joshi hails from Hungund in the Bijapur District of Karnataka and now resides in the Western suburbs of Melbourne. As a passionate Kannadiga, she is deeply connected to her roots, especially in language, food, and culture, which inspired her to volunteer for this event. A poem by KVP, “Kannadake Horadu Kannadathe Kanda,” has been a motivating force in her journey to promote Kannada culinary traditions and linguistic heritage.
Dr. Joshi is a General Practitioner and clinical educator, with over 14 years of experience as a clinical supervisor for undergraduate medical students at the University of Melbourne. She has also been actively involved in community service, including volunteering with the Wyndham City Council and participating in fundraising activities for Cancer Council Victoria and ASHA charity.
For this event, Dr. Joshi is most excited about immersing herself in music and connecting with the Kannada-speaking community. She believes that the event will benefit the community by promoting the Kannada language and culture,

Nagendra, affectionately known as Nags among friends, is a Human Resource Manager from the picturesque town of Chickmagalur in Karnataka. Deeply passionate about preserving and sharing the rich heritage of his home state, he eagerly volunteered for this event to showcase Karnataka’s vibrant flavors and traditions. When he's not volunteering, Nags enjoys experimenting with classic recipes like Bisi Bele Bath and Neer Dosa, and he’s particularly drawn to the cultural significance of practices like eating on a banana leaf.
With a background in organizing similar events, Nags finds immense joy in giving back to the community. He's excited about this opportunity to connect with others who share his love for Karnataka's culture. He believes that this event will not only strengthen cultural identity but also support local businesses by promoting traditional foods and crafts. Nagendra's personal goal is to keep deepening his knowledge of his heritage and to stay involved in more cultural celebrations in the future.

Shruti Nagendra, a naturopath and yoga teacher from Karnataka, India, is passionate about holistic health and well-being. She finds joy in helping others lead healthier lives. As a foodie who loves Karnataka's traditions and cuisine, Shruti is eager to stay connected to her roots. This event's combination of culture and food inspired her to volunteer and share her heritage with the broader community.
Outside of her professional work, Shruti enjoys spending time in nature, cooking traditional Karnataka dishes, practicing yoga, and exploring new places. She has previously volunteered for Sri Krishna Brindavana events, where she enjoyed seeing the community come together.
Shruti is most excited about showcasing Karnataka's rich culture and traditional food to a new audience. She believes the event will provide a sense of community and belonging, especially for those who miss home. Her personal goal is to ensure the event's success and leave participants with a deeper appreciation for Karnataka's culture.

Prahlad, originally from Hyderabad, is passionate about preserving his culture while living away from home. This passion inspired him to volunteer for the event, seeing it as a great opportunity to network with others who share similar interests. In his free time, Prahlad enjoys playing badminton and participating in local tournaments. Professionally, he is involved in the construction industry and runs a couple of businesses.
Although he hasn't volunteered for similar events before, Prahlad is enthusiastic about working with like-minded individuals to promote and preserve his culture and heritage. He believes that hosting events like this is essential for keeping cultural traditions alive, especially for those who have been away from home for a long time. It's also a valuable way to pass on strong values to the next generation, ensuring they understand the depth of their roots.His personal goal is to expose his two daughters to their cultural heritage, something he feels he and his wife can't fully achieve on their own.

Arati, originally from Jamkhandi in Uttar Karnataka, is eager to be part of her community and explore new opportunities. Inspired by the chance to try something different, she is volunteering for the first time at this event. Arati enjoys cooking and listening to music in her free time, and she currently works in a food warehouse. 
Excited to showcase Karnataka's cultural food, Arati looks forward to meeting new people and helping others learn about her heritage. Her personal goal is to gain new skills in event organization and contribute to the community by sharing the culture and flavors of Karnataka.

Chinnaswamy was born and raised in a small village near Hiriyur, Chitradurga district, in a farming family. After completing his education, he moved to Bangalore to pursue a career in the IT industry. For the past 17+ years, he has been living in Melbourne, working as a Lead Engineer at ANZ. Inspired by the opportunity to introduce Karnataka's local food and culture to the Western world, Chinnaswamy eagerly volunteered for this event.
Outside of work, he's passionate about playing badminton and tennis, which he practices five days a week, and enjoys watching movies with his family. Chinnaswamy has a strong background in volunteering, having contributed to major spiritual events, fundraising activities with the Australia India Foundation Inc., and local environmental clean-ups. He’s excited about the chance to raise awareness of Karnataka’s rich cultural heritage through this unique event. His personal goal is to see this event become a significant topic in the community, increasing awareness and appreciation for Karnataka's diverse traditions.

Kaushik, born and raised in Bangalore, Karnataka, has a deep connection to his roots, having worked with the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) for two years.  Living in Australia for the past four years, Kaushik's love for his native cuisine and culture inspired him to volunteer for this event, where he can combine his passion for cooking with cultural celebration.
Outside of volunteering, he is running the "Namma Australia" page, which supports the community by helping students find jobs, housing, and organizing events. Currently working as a "Data Analyst" at Mercedes Benz Financial Services, Kaushik has experience in hosting events, including the recent "Kannada Sandalwood DJ Night" in Melbourne.
He is excited about the opportunity to support local homemade food and connect with like-minded individuals while helping to organize the festival. Kaushik believes this event will be particularly beneficial for bachelors and students who miss the food and culture of home, providing them with a taste of familiarity in Australia. His personal goal is to ensure that everyone in the community participates and makes the festival a big success.

My name is Sangamesh Sajjan, and I'm from Vijayapura District (formerly known as Bijapur). I was born in the village of Balaganur, located within the Vijayapura district.
I completed my education in Bagalkot and Dharwad. I have been living in Melbourne for the past 15 years, working in the IT industry." After living abroad for over 15 years, I often miss my roots. This feeling has led me to look for ways to reconnect with my heritage. My strong desire to reconnect with my language, food, and culture inspired me to volunteer for this event. I hope to revive my connection to my heritage and share it with others in the community. I am working as a Data Architect within Data &AI area of Telstra. Bringing together the entire culture of Karnataka in one place is a genuine and innovative idea. I look forward to experiencing the diverse food, clothing, culture, and
art from all districts of Karnataka. It promises to be an incredible event. This event will benefit the community by showcasing Kannada language and culture.Each district in Karnataka has its own unique food and traditions, and this event will introduce these to people in Australia and to the younger generation who may not be familiar with them.

Anusha, originally from Hyderabad, has lived in the Middle East and Tasmania before settling in Melbourne. Her diverse experiences have deepened her connection to her roots and inspired her to volunteer. With a strong background in organizing university events, this festival offers her a unique chance to serve her community and represent the younger generation. Currently in her final year of a Doctor of Physiotherapy course at the University of Melbourne, Anusha enjoys playing badminton and listening to music in her free time. She’s excited about the promotional side of this event and sees it as an excellent opportunity for different communities to connect over Karnataka’s food and culture.
Anusha aims to bring her event-planning skills to ensure the success of the festival, applying her experience in managing promotions, sponsorships, and timelines.

Priyanka, known as Pri to most, is a proud Bengaluru native who thrives on staying active and connected to her roots. Currently working as a Systems Engineer, she finds fulfillment in volunteering to maintain a connection to her culture while living away from home. Priyanka is passionate about sharing Karnataka's rich traditions and cuisine with others, especially in a foreign land. Outside of volunteering, she enjoys playing badminton, organizing local tournaments, trekking, and strength training. With experience in managing cultural events during her college days in Bangalore, Priyanka is excited to collaborate with like-minded individuals at this event. She believes such events are crucial for keeping cultural heritage alive, especially for those who have been away from home, and sees it as a way to pass on these values to the next generation. Her personal goal is to ensure her two young children are exposed to their culture and learn from the community.

Puneethkrishna, or Puneeth, hails from Tumkur, Karnataka, and is currently pursuing a master’s in data science while working as a manager at Domino's. Having moved to Australia six months ago, he misses the cultural events and food from home, which inspired him to volunteer for this event. Puneeth is an adventurous spirit who enjoys traveling, hiking, and playing outdoor sports like cricket, kabaddi, and badminton. Although new to volunteering in Australia, he has previous experience with sports and cultural programs during his undergraduate days. He is excited to showcase Kannada culture in Australia and sees this event as a valuable opportunity for the community to connect with their roots. Puneeth hopes to continue volunteering, expand his network, and enhance his management skills while proudly sharing his culture abroad.