In keeping with the new committee’s promise of "connection, collaboration, culture and joy for Zoroastrians in Perth,” the Zoroastrian Association of Western Australia (ZAWA) organized a Navroz celebration on March 29, 2025. The event that reflected "Persian splendor” saw participation from 96 adults and 26 children.
At the entrance, children welcomed guests in traditional fashion with sprinkling of rose water, a view in the mirror and sweets. A Gatha rendition in candlelight by Aryan Khosravi was followed by a video presentation by Dr Rashna Writer, political scientist and author of several books on Zoroastrianism and history of Ancient Iran showcasing the origins of Navroz, the Haft Seen table and the link to the Amesha Spentas.
Top: Zarine Kharas; 2nd and 3rd rows: Haft Seen table and artworks
by children; bottom row: evening with Boman Irani
To make the event more meaningful for the youngsters, 18 children enacted a play that explained the symbols of the Haft Seen table and ended by singing Chhaiyé Hamé Zarthoshti. Besides the elaborately decorated Haft Seen table, prominently displayed were the art and craft efforts by the children, based on the theme of the seven Amesha Spentas. A prior Zoom meeting had given the children a basic understanding of these seven immortal beings and each family was asked to pick one and create an art form depicting that Amesha Spenta which they explained to the visitors. "The creativity and effort behind each one was commendable,” noted ZAWA president Zarine Kharas in her report on the event while acknowledging the commitment of all those who had contributed to make the event memorable, "reaffirming the values that bind us — respect, kindness and compassion.”
Persian dances, both modern and traditional, by professional dancers who engaged mirthfully with the audience were enjoyed by all. Dinner was a delicious combination of Iranian and Parsi specialities — aush-e-mir and sabzi polo by the Iranians and tamota-per-eeda, cashew chicken and lamb gravy by the Parsis, wrapped up with almond and orange cake served with ice-cream.
The ZAWA committee, elected in September 2024, has been bringing the members together through a combination of sport and networking events. They currently have 135 members with 70 adults, 31 seniors, nine students and 25 children, stated Kharas, a former restaurateur. Working with her on the committee are vice president Hutoksi Surty who is a homemaker; secretary Parinaz Patel who works for WA Mental Health; treasurer Arzan Patel who is employed at Murdoch University; and members Adil Bodhanwalla, a chartered accountant; and Pedram Mozghani, active with the Iranian Zoroastrian Youth Network. In the last quarter of 2024 they organized a table tennis tournament, hosted a "MeAt, Greet and Celebrate” barbeque at a scenic park. Yet another enjoyable evening was spent at Mas Vino Wine Bar at the Pan Pacific Hotel interacting with cine star Boman Irani who had been invited by the Indian Society of Western Australia and despite a very hectic schedule, happily agreed to meet his coreligionists and entertain them with his wit.
In the first trimester of 2025 ZAWA held a throw ball and volleyball tournament and sports carnival, and hosted a Bunnings Sausage Sizzle, their annual fund raiser with good food and company wherein the Association profits by about AUD 750-800 (Rs 41,000-43,000).