LOCAL LIFE
BLACKTOWN’ S FINEST... by Lorna Gordon
When Priyan Rajaram first visited Australia in 2009 for a work trip, he had no idea that it would change his life. He had been invited to Brisbane to receive a
Priyan makes giving back to the community a priority in his life.
company award, and the experience left a lasting impression.
Back home in India, Priyan and his wife, Adhi, decided they wanted to live overseas. While Adhi initially dreamed of moving to the United States, the couple found that the visa process was difficult. Remembering how much he liked Brisbane when he visited for work, Priyan suggested they try Australia instead, and they never looked back. Australia is more than just a new home for Priyan, it is a place of belonging, purpose, and community.
“ What started as a foreign land is now my motherland,” Priyan told me.
“ We’ re so happy to be part of this multicultural community. There are wonderful opportunities here for children and for elders, everyone feels included.”
Priyan is a clinical specialist for a renal company, working all over New South Wales. With a degree in dialysis and a master’ s qualification, he has more than 20 years’ experience in healthcare. He trains nurses in dialysis, supports patients, and helps advance home dialysis programs that improve quality of life.
“ I’ ve always loved working with people. Even when I visit patients I worked with years ago, they still remember me. That makes me happy, and it gives my work meaning.”
But while his professional life is fulfilling, Priyan’ s heart lies in community service. His compassion is deeply personal, rooted in his childhood.
“ I lost my father when I was young,” he says.“ It was a struggle for my mother to make ends meet. I know how bad it feels to have nothing. My mum made sure we never went to bed hungry, even when it was hard for her to pay my school fees.”
The family were helped by local organisations in India, one that he specifically recalled was a German church who gave him a scholarship to attend school. This exposure to hardship, but also the kindness his family was shown, has made Priyan into a person who cannot sit and let others suffer if there is something he can do to help.
This in turn has seen him become very community focused and determined to give back to the community and country he now considers home.
“ Kind-hearted people helped me when I needed it,” he says.“ So, I promised myself I would give back. No one deserves to suffer. If you can be a light in someone’ s life, be that light.”
That personal philosophy became the driving force behind Karma Kitchen, a volunteer-driven initiative Priyan helped establish in 2015. What began as a simple idea, to build a better Greater Western Sydney, has now spread to cities including Canberra, Darwin, and Bourke.
The organisation’ s mission is simple yet profound, provide food, dignity, and connection to people in need. Priyan explained that it’ s the people behind the scenes which makes it possible.
“ It’ s all volunteer driven. Without them, it wouldn’ t be possible. People join us because they see what we do, and that inspires them. I’ m proud that we’ re creating a ripple effect.”
Karma Kitchen has forged partnerships with groups like Parramatta Mission and the Greek Orthodox Community, providing meals to anyone who needs them.
“ When we started, we didn’ t have many community connections,” he says.“ But when the Greek Orthodox Church invited us to collaborate, it became a beautiful relationship. People could come and take what they needed, it was simple and full of heart.”
The group has also worked with the Early Morning Centre in Sydney’ s CBD, helping to prepare fresh meals for the homeless on weekends, and with the Hope Foundation to support those facing hardship.
“ Sometimes people feel bad asking for help. We don’ t wait for them to come to us, we go to them.”
While Karma Kitchen’ s core focus is providing meals, Priyan says the
6 ISSUE 56 // NOVEMBER 2025 theindependentmagazine. com. au BLACKTOWN CITY INDEPENDENT