Dear Professional Colleagues,

It is my humble privilege and honour to serve as the 15th Chairman of the Melbourne Chapter of the ICAI and thank you for reposing your trust and confidence in me for leading our distinguished profession & chapter. I am grateful for being a founder member and Treasurer of the First Managing Committee in 2006 and being able to serve and assist the chapter in its journey in various roles and as Secretary for 2018-20, Vice-chairman 2020-21. We started with only 30 members joining hands with a common goal of creating a new chapter to help gain friendships and come together to share our knowledge and have a home away from home. Over the years, we have had some peaks and troughs and currently, we have around 200 Members and we strive to grow bigger and better.

I congratulate all the dedicated & experienced committee members for 2021-22 elected on the 1st August 2021 Annual General Meeting and wish them the very best to grow the chapter further and enhance our Profession.

I also wish to announce formally the MC in its meeting has appointed the following members to the Advisory Committee for 2021-22 comprising of all past Chairpersons:

  • Anbu Mohan
  • Anand Agarwal,
  • Sameer Manduskar and
  • Vimal Gehlot

The Managing & Advisory committee will work towards our Chapters’ Vision & Mission and will help us think for the long term and have continuity of our leadership goals.

I would like to thank CA. Vimal Gehlot, Chairperson 2020-21 and all past managing Committee Members for doing a wonderful job in the last term under the spectre of Covid 19 lockdowns. The earlier efforts on technology adoption for cloud books, self-service Member’s portal, zoom usage for MC meetings, hold online surveys, voting, elections, and most importantly managing to run the chapter and transition to a virtual mode easily. We missed the chance to interact and be there together but it also enhanced attendance at programs from the members being able to give time from home without the travel and dealing with family life and chores on the weekends.

I would like to also thank the previous ICAI President CA. Atul Guptaji and Current President CA Nihar Jambusariyaji and Head office team, Melbourne Chapter Advisory Committee members, Newsletter Editor & team, Internal Auditor, Electoral Officer, previous Managing Committee Members and founding members for taking the first initiative in establishing this Chapter.

We, as Chartered Accountants, are known for our commitments, both to the profession and our society.

I had the privilege to address and represent the Melbourne Chapter at the Virtual Signing MOU signing ceremony event held on 10th September 2021 between ICAI with CAANZ.  You can see the same on YouTube on this link https://youtu.be/5FCFeyJ3J38

This year at the AGM, I had mentioned that one of the main points we want to work towards is more member engagement and communication.  I wish to announce our New Melbourne Chapter Inbound phone calling number “0370 181 626”.

We are currently seeing an increasing number of daily cases and appreciate the Australian government’s efforts to get everyone vaccinated. Given the disruptions and restrictions, our sincere hope since last year of being able to conduct an in-person event remains on our agenda once vaccination targets are hit. It has been a tough time for everyone in the community. Our best wishes to every member and their families, relatives & friends for their health & safety.

Please feel free to get in touch/reach out to our managing committee to convey your concerns, feedback, or suggest a webinar topic at any time or send messages on email to chairman@icai.melbourne. Your feedback & suggestions are always welcome and it will help us to serve our members most efficiently.

Looking forward to your active support and continuing participation.

Thanking you,
CA. Pankaj Damle
Chairman 2021-22.
Melbourne Chapter, ICAI
01 October 2021