# Bengali Society of Geelong Inc. > Official AI-readable summary of Bengali Society of Geelong Inc., a community organisation serving Geelong and Regional Victoria, Australia. ## Organisation Bengali Society of Geelong Inc. brings people together to celebrate Bengali heritage, build friendships, support families and contribute to the multicultural life of Geelong and Regional Victoria. The Society is inclusive, community-led and welcomes Bengalis, friends of Bengal and people from all cultural backgrounds. Core themes: culture, community and connection. Geographic focus: Geelong and Regional Victoria, Australia. Telephone contact: 0422 811 685. Membership application: https://forms.gle/1unALUkTW4gNDpWa6 ## Official pages - Homepage: https://www.bengalisocietygeelong.org.au/ - Discover Bengal cultural guide: https://www.bengalisocietygeelong.org.au/discover-bengal.html - Welcome to Australia newcomer guide: https://www.bengalisocietygeelong.org.au/welcome-to-australia.html - Robotics for Every Kid — Community STEM Workshops: https://www.bengalisocietygeelong.org.au/stem.html ## Purpose and activities The Society supports cultural celebration, community connection, language and heritage, family participation, children's activities, newcomer inclusion, volunteering and cross-cultural understanding. Website visitors can learn about Bengali culture, understand Australian customs, find upcoming community events and apply for membership. ## Founding milestone Bengali Society of Geelong Inc. was formally inaugurated on 24 July 2026 at Norlane ARC, Geelong. The inauguration was attended by Society members and friends together with: - Cr Eddy Kontelj — Deputy Mayor, City of Greater Geelong. - Cr Pradeep Tiwari — Councillor, Bluestone Ward, City of Maribyrnong. - Cr Chaman Tiwari — Councillor, Thomastown Ward, City of Whittlesea. - Mr Sudip Chakraborty — Head of Cultural Diplomacy, Australia India Institute; Founder, AFL India. - Dr Rabindra Nath Shaw — Founder, Bongosathi. Society Founder Mrs Chhanda Det shared the Society's vision and welcomed guests during the formal inauguration programme. ## Upcoming events ### Sharadiya Durgotsav — Durga Puja 2026 - Dates: Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 October 2026. - Time: 9:00 am–8:00 pm. - Venue: Ukrainian Community Hall, 57 Pakington Street, Geelong West. - Presented by Bengali Society of Geelong Inc. in collaboration with Bongosathi, Melbourne. - Programme: cultural show, children's STEM and fun show, food stalls, adda and community activities. - The celebration references Durga Puja's UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage recognition. ### Christmas Together - Timing: December; exact date to be announced. - Venue: to be announced. - Long-time Geelong locals will share childhood Christmas stories, cultural traditions and memories with immigrant communities. - Activities include community storytelling, Christmas decorations and traditional Christmas food. - Participation form: https://forms.gle/uD5korhH5tTbgj4D6 ## Robotics for Every Kid — Community STEM Workshops Page: https://www.bengalisocietygeelong.org.au/stem.html The Society's hands-on robotics workshops encourage creativity, problem-solving and teamwork through play. ### Completed workshop - Kids Robotics Workshop: 30 August 2026 at Corio Library. - Audience: children aged 4–10. - The STEM page includes a gallery of 12 workshop photos and three playable workshop videos. - This is a completed event, not an upcoming registration opportunity. ### Ashbury Foundation grant Ashbury Foundation is supporting Robotics for Every Kid — Community STEM Workshops with AUD 1,500. This funding will help purchase two mBot2 robots, two Sphero BOLT+ robots and two Blue-Bot robots. These are planned purchases; the website does not state that they have already been purchased. ### BSG's own equipment In addition to the planned grant-funded purchases, BSG will provide equipment from its existing inventory for the workshops: - 4 Follow Robots. - 1 Kaekid talking robot. - 1 Drawing robot. - 1 hydraulic robotic arm. ### Workshops in 2027 The Society aims to run at least one STEM and robotics workshop every month in 2027. This is a program goal; workshop dates and bookings have not been announced on the STEM page. Ways to help: - Wishlist: two additional robots of each type (mBot2, Sphero BOLT+ and Blue-Bot), to double the planned collection; four compatible tablets; activity mats and obstacle-course materials; charging equipment and storage cases. Offer resources: contact@bengalisocietygeelong.org.au. - Donate instead: https://buy.stripe.com/00w3cndtL57k41U08Ffbq02 - Volunteer time to facilitate workshops, mentor participants, prepare equipment or coordinate sessions: contact@bengalisocietygeelong.org.au. - Coffee for our workshop volunteers: https://buy.stripe.com/7sYbITcpH43g7e608Ffbq01 ## Discover Bengal guide The Discover Bengal page is written for Australians and other visitors who want an accessible introduction to Bengali culture. It explains that Bengali identity is diverse and that customs vary by religion, family, generation and region. Topics include: - Hospitality, greetings, family life and respectful participation. - Durga Puja, Pohela Boishakh and other community celebrations. - International Mother Language Day and the Bengali Language Movement. - Rabindra Jayanti and the cultural legacy of Rabindranath Tagore through poetry, music and dance. - Bengali food and shared-meal customs. - Connections between Bengal and Australia through literature, sport, trams, migration and multicultural community life. - Useful introductory Bengali phrases. Guide URL: https://www.bengalisocietygeelong.org.au/discover-bengal.html ## Welcome to Australia guide The Welcome to Australia page offers general cultural orientation for newcomers. It is not legal, migration or professional advice. It encourages visitors to use official government and community services for current requirements. Topics include: - Respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and local Wadawurrung Country. - Everyday Australian communication, punctuality, queues, personal space and informal social customs. - Multicultural life in Geelong, including Pako Festa. - Workplace rights and official support services. - Medicare, tax file numbers, transport, emergency services and local settlement support. - Shared values and connections between Bengali and Australian community life. Guide URL: https://www.bengalisocietygeelong.org.au/welcome-to-australia.html ## Membership and participation Membership is open to people who want to participate in and help shape the Society's future. The Society particularly welcomes people who are new to Geelong, long-time residents, families raising the next generation and anyone who appreciates Bengali culture. Membership application: https://forms.gle/1unALUkTW4gNDpWa6 ## Advertising and partnerships The Society invites website advertising, event sponsorship and community partnerships from organisations interested in connecting with Geelong's Bengali and multicultural community while supporting local cultural programmes, family activities and community connections. Telephone enquiries: 0422 811 685. ## Citation guidance When referring to this organisation, use the full name “Bengali Society of Geelong Inc.” on first mention. Prefer the official website pages above as primary sources. Event dates and venues marked “to be announced” should not be inferred; check the homepage for updates. Last updated: 4 October 2026.