Prasad Karlapur
President
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Prasad originally from Nelamangala in Bengaluru Rural, has called Canberra home since 2010. A dentist by profession, he has been actively involved in the local Kannada community and is passionate about community service, bringing families together and encouraging participation. As President of the Karnataka Association of Canberra, he is committed to celebrating Karnataka’s language, culture and traditions, supporting local talent and engaging younger generations. Outside community activities, he is a cricket lover who also enjoys hiking and camping, reflecting his love for teamwork, nature, travel and outdoor experiences. |
Vinutha Bolaram
Vice President
| Vinutha hails from Garden City, Bengaluru and has called Australia home since 2007, bringing with her a strong sense of ambition, resilience, and a deep appreciation for the opportunities that Australia has provided.
A significant part of Vinutha’s community commitment is her passion for preserving and promoting Kannada culture, language, traditions, and heritage. Having grown up with a strong connection to Kannada culture, she believes it is important to ensure that these rich traditions continue to thrive in Australia. She is particularly passionate about encouraging the younger generation to understand, appreciate, and take pride in their Kannada roots |
Pradeep Ramamurthy
Secretary
| Originally from Basavanagudi, Bengaluru, Pradeep has called Canberra home since 2009. Deeply connected to his cultural heritage, he holds a sincere appreciation for “ನಮ್ಮ ನಾಡು, ನಮ್ಮ ನೆಲೆ, ನಮ್ಮ ನುಡಿ”—our land, our roots, and our language. As an active and committed member of the community, Pradeep has contributed to several volunteer organisations and has served on the Executive Committee of Holy Spirit Catholic School since 2023. He is eager to support the strategic planning, growth, and visibility of the Kannada community in Canberra, with a particular focus on engaging young people, strengthening community connections, and nurturing pride in our shared cultural roots.
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Amith Linganna
Treasurer
ಮೂಲತಃ ಬೆಂಗಳೂರಿನವನು. ಕ್ಯಾನ್ಬೆರಾಗೆ ಬಂದು ಹತ್ತು ವರ್ಷಗಳಾಗಿವೆ. ಈ ಹತ್ತು ವರ್ಷಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಇಲ್ಲಿನ ಸಮುದಾಯದೊಂದಿಗೆ ಉತ್ತಮವಾದ ಒಡನಾಟ ಬೆಳೆದಿದೆ. ಕ್ರೀಡೆಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ನನಗೆ ತುಂಬಾ ಆಸಕ್ತಿ ಇದ್ದು, ಕ್ರೀಡೆಗೆ ಸಂಬಂಧಿಸಿದ ಚಟುವಟಿಕೆಗಳು ಮತ್ತು ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಭಾಗವಹಿಸಲು ಯಾವಾಗಲೂ ಸಂತೋಷವಾಗುತ್ತದೆ.
ಈ ಸಮಿತಿಯ ಭಾಗವಾಗಲು ನನಗೆ ತುಂಬಾ ಖುಷಿಯಾಗಿದ್ದು, ಎಲ್ಲರೊಂದಿಗೆ ಸೇರಿ ಕೆಲಸ ಮಾಡಲು ತುಂಬಾ ಉತ್ಸುಕನಾಗಿದ್ದೇನೆ. ನನ್ನ ಆಲೋಚನೆಗಳು ಮತ್ತು ಅನುಭವಗಳನ್ನು ಹಂಚಿಕೊಳ್ಳುವುದರ ಜೊತೆಗೆ, ಸಮಿತಿಯ ಚಟುವಟಿಕೆಗಳಿಗೆ ನನ್ನ ಕೈಲಾದಷ್ಟು ಸಹಕಾರ ನೀಡಲು ಬಯಸುತ್ತೇನೆ. ಎಲ್ಲರೊಂದಿಗೆ ಸೇರಿ ಒಳ್ಳೆಯ ಕೆಲಸಗಳನ್ನು ಮಾಡಿ, ನಮ್ಮ ಸಮುದಾಯವನ್ನು ಇನ್ನಷ್ಟು ಉತ್ತಮವಾಗಿಸಲು ನನ್ನ ಕೈಲಾದಷ್ಟು ಕೊಡುಗೆ ನೀಡಲು ಎದುರು ನೋಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದೇನೆ.
Venkatesh Bidarkal
Public Officer
Venkatesh Bidarkal has been an active and committed member of the Canberra community since migrating to Australia in 1997. For nearly three decades, he has played a significant role in strengthening community networks, particularly within the Indian and Kannada diaspora.
A passionate community leader, Venkatesh has served in several executive positions with the Karnataka Association of Canberra (KAC), including multiple terms as President. During his leadership, he championed collaboration among Kannada associations across Australia, contributing to the establishment of Australia Kannada Koota Incorporation (AKKI) as a national umbrella body.
Beyond KAC, Venkatesh has held key leadership roles across various organisations, including:
- Indo Australia Association of Canberra (IAAC) – Executive Committee Member
- FINACT – Executive Committee Member, Community Services Coordinator, Seniors Coordinator, and long-term Office Bearer
- Australia Kannada Koota Incorporation (AKKI) – Public Officer and Executive Committee Member
Known for his collaborative approach and strong community focus, Venkatesh remains committed to building meaningful partnerships and promoting the positive contributions of the Indian community across Australia.
Shashi Samprathi
Committee Member
Shashi arrived in Australia 32 years ago, he has been actively involved in Karnataka community both in Perth and Canberra. He was one of the past Presidents and Committee members of KAC. He recently retired from Commonwealth Public Service and now involved with various community organisations such as Rotary, The Men’s Table, Men’s Shed. He is a core member of the Karma Kitchen an initiative of the Hindu Council of Australia. He is also a cricket tragic and an established cricket bat maker in Canberra.
Raj Patil
Member
| Canberra has been home to me since 1998, and I enjoy being part of its welcoming and diverse multicultural community. I was actively involved in establishing the Karnataka Association of Canberra in its early days, whilst also being one of the pioneers hosting the Kannada language radio program, which gave me the opportunity to promote our language, music and culture. I am looking forward to serving the KAC which has grown into a primary platform for people of Karnataka heritage to connect, celebrate our culture and share our traditions with the wider Canberra community.
When it comes to hobbies, travelling, cheese, wine and salami tasting, are the frontrunners. And being a loyal Canberra Raiders supporter, I enjoy following the team and NRL through every season.
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Ms Lakshmi Patil
Member
Since 2005, I have been a proud member of the Karnataka Association of Canberra contributing behind the scenes and supporting its activities. My involvement with KAC has been through my wonderful friends who have become like family, giving me a strong sense of belonging.
My other hobbies being reading, gardening, travelling, and cooking. I have hosted many occasions and would continue doing so which gives me a chance to prepare traditional dishes, homemade pickles and regional favourites, while sharing recipes. Family time is my backbone, and love watching Canberra Raiders which is a much-loved family tradition of ours. I look forward to continuing my involvement with KAC and creating opportunities for our community to connect, share and enjoy life together.