Welcome to our rich history
The genesis of Queensland Telugu Association came about due to the efforts of a wonderful group of Telugu speaking families that were the early arrivers to Brisbane. The community originated in 1969 with the arrival of the family of Dr. Yugandhara Rao Vadlamudi who migrated from Armidale, NSW to take up an academic position at Queensland University St.Lucia. The community grew to 3 families in 1970s with the arrival of Dr. Daniel Jillella family and Dr. Shankaraiah Chamala family who also came to join Queensland University at St. Lucia.
In 1980s Dr Rama Sastry Vedam family moved to Queensland from Victoria to join Queensland Electricity Generating Board and Dr Prasada Rao Nagulapalli family moved to Brisbane from Nigeria and subsequently joined the Australian Bureau of Meteorology.
The need to associate with people speaking a similar language, having common culture and heritage gave birth to a thoughtfully created directory of Telugu residents initiated by Mr. Venkat Pattabathula. This directory was later updated by Mr. Venu Chamala. Dr. Kameshwara Rao Ayyalaraju, an academician at central Queensland university (then Capricornia Institute of Advanced Education (CIAE)), diligently maintained this directory from 1997.
Word was spread around the community to voluntarily register details of newly arriving Telugu speaking individuals in this directory. It was the first effort made to bring a clustered community with a common heritage together.
The 80s, 90s and 2000 saw more families arrive. As the number of families and student numbers increased, Telugu community members started gathering for social occasions like Ugadi (Telugu New Year), Dasara and Deepawali.
Queensland’s first Telugu Radio – Telugu Lahari – is a community radio group based in Brisbane, Australia. This group was formed by a few families and friends with Telugu background in Brisbane. On 7th September 2005 it broadcast its very first program in Telugu on Radio 4EB. Dr Kameswara Rao Ayyalaraju was the champion of this initiative.
It was these sustained efforts through the years that initiated the first official meeting at 140, Main Street, Kangaroo point Qld 4079 on 21 June 2008 to form a legally registered incorporated association. An interim body consisting of Dr Prakash Nallamilli as president, Mr Dasaradhi Karamchedu as treasurer was elected unanimously. An interim executive committee of 12 members was born on the day with people present at this very first official meeting.
They collaborated, advised and helped complete the formalities of incorporating Queensland Telugu Association or QTA as we call today. We acknowledge and thank the founding committee members Mrs. Bala Denduluri, Mr Joga Rao Nakka, Dr.Prasad Rao Nagulapalli, Mr Raju Chamala, Mrs Rama Kanchibotla, Dr Sarma Kanchibotla, Mr.Sai laxminarayana Gollapudi, Mr. Srinivas Reddy Kota, Mrs Vani Chamala, Mr.Vinayaka Rao Ramagiri, Mrs Vijaya Madhavi Gollapudi and Mr. Viswanath Denduluri. Soon after the Association was registered, Mr. Sai Lakshmi Narayana Gollapudi was co-opted as Secretary.
The QTA organized its very first cultural event “Annamayya Aradhana” on 6th Sep 08, with the help of Mr Joga Rao Nakka and his family, at Sree Laxmi Narayan Temple, at Burbank, QLD. Participation came from Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and various other groups who celebrated the 600th birthday of Saint Annamacharya.
Who we are
Telugu is an ancient South Indian language spoken in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana in India spoken by at least 75 million people world-wide and constitutes 15th most spoken language world-wide. Telugu, as most of you are aware, is also referred as Italian of the East. The phrase ‘Desha Basha-landhu Telugu Lessa’ (Telugu is the best language amongst all the Indian languages) glorifies the respect Telugu language and the Telugu community have garnered for themselves.
The global demand for young qualified personnel saw the arrival of many more talented young Telugu families to Brisbane. Telugu community in Queensland is growing very rapidly and it is estimated that there are around 2000 families with Telugu background within Brisbane and Queensland as of 2022. In addition, Queensland especially Brisbane also has a huge overseas Telugu speaking student population which is increasing ever so rapidly as opportunities grow.
QTA in its present form, in line with its goal to serve the Telugu community, endeavors to predominantly represent the diverse group of 1600 odd Telugu speaking families in Brisbane.
What We Do
Queensland Telugu association today aims to bring together many more Telugu people through various annual cultural and social events.
We assist newly arrived Telugu international students or families from overseas. We facilitate accommodation and other initial needs of such a cohort of people through our volunteer network of existing and past committee and community members where possible.
We broadcast community news and information about various events through email to over 1200 recipients. We also share important information on our Facebook page. We
QTA is currently recognized by the Government of Queensland as well as Brisbane City Council as a valuable contributing member to the community with grants being sanctioned regularly to further promote its ethnic presence. QTA also enjoys the support of local Telugu business community through various sponsorships that it receives either in cash or kind.
We continue to grow as an association and increase our presence. We encourage all Telugu speaking families living anywhere in Queensland to join us, register with the association and help continue this wonderful legacy through to future generations.
Our Proud Sponsors
