"Since its inception in or just prior to 1975, Manashni has served as the voice of the New South Wales (NSW) Zoroastrian community, chronicling events, achievements and traditions while ensuring members stay updated,” noted current editor Farhad Khurshed in the special edition of the newsletter dated March 2025. Giving credit to Ernani Giambuzzi, then honorary secretary of the Australian Zoroastrian Association (AZA) of NSW for starting the newsletter, Khurshed added, "Over the years, Manashni has evolved from a simple bulletin into a vibrant, full-fledged newsletter with a modern look and feel while remaining true to its core purpose — a publication that brings our community together.”
Serving as editor since 2009, Khurshed told Parsiana, "It has been a privilege to nurture the newsletter’s growth, ensuring it remains a vital platform for informing, connecting and celebrating our community activities.” Starting his career with an advertising agency in Hyderabad, over the years his professional journey in Muscat and Sydney "has evolved into digital marketing, copywriting and now using Artificial Intelligence in marketing.”
Clockwise from top (l): Viraf Hathiram, Julian Khursigara, Tehmasp Parekh,
Nazneen Billimoria, Anahita Billimoria, Yezdan Irani
Farhad Khurshed (top) and Homaxi Irani
Included in the 50th anniversary issue was the three-page July 1975 edition of the newsletter where Giambuzzi requested members to contribute five dollars (Rs 268) per family towards the cost of purchasing a small photocopying machine on which newsletters and other communication could be printed. That was the time when annual membership fees were two dollars (Rs 107) per family and the charge for joining in the Pateti celebration that included a play and dinner was $ 4.50 (Rs 241) per adult even though diners had to carry their "own cutlery, strong and soft drinks.” While they no longer publish a physical copy of Manashni, the soft copy is emailed to 896 recipients, reported Khurshed.
One page of the 50th edition issue names those who have served as editors and designers in the last 50 years. Besides Khurshed, other long-serving editors were Mithi Daver for eight years, Giambuzzi, Shirley Mahableshwarwalla and Kersi Meher-Homji for more than three years. Homaxi Irani has been the designer for over 10 years.
The current edition also introduces the new AZA management committee that was elected three months ago. President Viraf Hathiram with experience in the cyber security domain admitted that "I’m not naturally a people person and being involved with the AZA helps me improve in that regard.” Secretary Julian Khursigara with executive experience in marketing and entrepreneurial journey in his property investment company hopes to contribute with "strategic planning, financial management and a results-driven approach.” Treasurer Tehmasp Parekh has been actively involved with AZA for the past 25 years from Sunday School activities to jashans, gahanbars and social events.
The four other members include Anahita Billimoria who has worked as a Sunday School teacher and volunteer; Navroz Sethna, an electrical/electronics engineer by profession who too has worked as a Sunday School teacher; Yezdan Irani who "looked forward to contributing towards the greater good of AZA;” and Nazneen Billimoria undertaking a double degree in science and sustainability who "aims to be a liaison person between our Zoroastrian youth and the AZA committee.”