A Brief History of the AAA
A Brief
History of the AAA
The History of the AAA is linked with the history of the development of Ayurveda in Australia. It all started in 1979 with the 1st International Congress on Traditional Asian Medicine, or ICTAM, which was organized by Professor A. L. Basham, the author of A Wonder That Was India and the renowned Indologist and Head of the Department of Asian Studies at the Australian National University. Prof. Acharya Manfred Junius and Dr. Krishna Kumar, Italian delegates, were invited by Prof. A. L. Basham to this groundbreaking convention. This was the largest international gathering of like-minded scholars, physicians, and practitioners of Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tibetan Medicine, Korean Traditional Medicine, Japanese Traditional Medicine, and other forms of traditional medicine to date. Over forty delegates from India, including Ayurvedic scholars and practitioners, writers, and physicians, attended the conference, which was organized by the famed scholar, writer, and physician Vaidya Shiva Sharma of Bombay (now Mumbai).
A brief History of AAA in Australia - AAA Key Milestones
- The Australasian Association of Ayurveda Inc is a non-profit organisation governed by its constitution.
- The AAA was first registered in South Australia on 9th February 1988 under the Association Incorporation Act 1985.
- In March 1994 the AAA was included in the Schedule 1 of the Therapeutic Goods Administration.
- In October 1997 the AAA was registered with the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) as a National Organisation.
- In October 1999 the AAA was represented by Dr. Krishna Kumar as the President of the Association in the National Industry Reference Group (IRG) in matters of Ayurveda under the leadership of Mr. Leigh Blashki which led to the national uniform standard of education of complementary and alternative medicine resulting in the National Health Training Package HLT02 under the administration of the National Training Authority (ANTA) working with the Community Services & Health (CS&H).Since then formal education in Ayurveda was established approved by the Australian Govt.
- In July 2000 upon representation by Dr. Krishna Kumar as the President of the AAA to the Minister of Health and Ageing, the Hon. Dr. Michael Wooldridge, the AAA succeeded in getting Ayurvedic medicine recognised as a bona-fide system of health care and received GST free status for services by the professionally qualified members of the Association.
- In January 2001 as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Australasian Academy of Natural Medicine Inc. (now defunct) Dr. Krishna Kumar signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Gujarat Ayurved University INDIA, Jamnagar, under the Vice-Chancellor Dr. PNV Kurup for education, research and practice of Ayurveda in Australia within the project of globalisation of Ayurveda.
- In 2005 when the time came for the review of the National Health Training Package the AAA collaborated with the Community Services and Health (CS&H) in matters of Ayurveda that resulted in the endorsement of the HLT07.
- Since 1997 AAA has been an active member of the Federation of Natural and Traditional Therapists (FNTT).
- Since July 2007 the AAA has participated in consultations/discussions at Consultation Forums for Private Health Insurance; Proposal for Quality Assurance Requirements for Privately Insured Service. As a result, since July 2009 accreditation rules have been introduced by the Commonwealth of Australia regarding new accreditation requirements for providers of health services covered by the private health insurers.
- In April 2009 the AAA was audited by Benchmark Certification, Health Division Australia, on behalf of Medibank Private with a very pleasing result.
- It should be noted that as a result of the submission to the Review of the Australian Government Rebate on Private Health Insurance for Natural Therapies in 2013 chaired by Professor Chris Baggoley AO, the Commonwealth Department of Heath has declared that “On 7th April, The Minister of Health, Greg Hunt, MP, announced an updated review of the 16 natural therapies that were removed as part of a complying health insurance policy (CHIP). It should be noted that Ayurveda was not one of these 16 therapies and continues to be eligible for benefits under CHIPs”.
- It means that notwithstanding the other 16 natural therapies were removed from receiving private healthcare rebates the Ayurvedic Medicine remains as an eligible health care practice to receive rebates from private health funds independently and not part of Naturopathy.
- In 2013 for the 1st time in Australia a highly successful National Yoga and Ayurveda Symposium was organised under the presidentship of Dr. Krishna Kumar and his team. Ayurvedic Doctors and practitioners all over the state of Australia attended the conference.
- From 1988 till 2016 Dr. Krishna Kumar led the AAA as the President together with his dedicated team of (Late) Prof. Manfred H. Junius and (Late) Juliette Parkin as Vice-Presidents; Dr. Vishal Bhalla and Debbie Goss, Mathew James as Secretaries; Ms. Emilia Lopresto, Ms. Carolyn Watkins and Ms Olga Plionis as Treasurers; and committed committee members such as Dr Karuna Jaiswal, Ms Margaret Daly, Ms Pam Shiemeld, Dr. Karl Horst Poehlmann, Dr. Adriana Poelmann-Alexandru and others.
- In 2013, in Adelaide: AAA organized a National level conference. It was a big success among Ayurveda community and was outstanding event in Australia in the field of Ayurveda.
- In 2016, an increase in the number of Practitioners in Vic.; Due to more number of practitioners in Victoria and their motivation towards Ayurveda, collaboratively AAA moved to Melbourne from Adelaide. The EC Committee members in 2016-2017 were; Dr Santosh Yadav, Dr Kusum Lata. Dr Yshashwani Bhardwaj, Dr Manjot Garcha and Dr Vanita Sharma.
- In October 2017, Pre AYUSH Conference; AAA organized a pre AYSH Dr Santosh Yadav, Dr. Vanita Sharma USH Conference in collaboration with AYUSH ministry of India to establish AYUSH information cell in Melbourne.
- In 2018 RMIT Conference: AAA organized an international level conference in Melbourne in collaboration with AYUSH information cell. It was very uplifting event for AAA Members and Ayurveda community Australia wide.
- In 2020, COVID-19 period AAA constantly helped and guided its members regarding the COVID-19 hygiene, protocol and safe clinical practice.
- In 2020-2022, Online education during COVID: The COVID period was truly unprecedented to every one including our AAA members. So to improve the knowledge and skills of members and gain the CPE points, AAA Decided to run free webinar series in the leadership of Dr. Kusum Lata and Dr Naveen Shukla. From time-to-time AAA continued to provide educational program to their members.
- In 2021 The change in the Executive committee members come out through mutual understanding and the main office was moved to Sydney. The executive committee members were; President Dr Naveen Shukla, Dr Kusum Lata Dr Deepti Yadav, Gurnam Saini, and Dr Alka Mishra.
- Dr. Naveen Shukla's tenure as a representative of AAA has been marked by a dedicated commitment to advancing our objectives and fostering fruitful collaborations. One of the most notable achievements during his representation has been the initiation of communication with various Australian universities and institutions, including the prestigious NICM (National Institute of Complementary Medicine).
- Establishing these lines of communication has opened doors to invaluable partnerships and opportunities for knowledge exchange and collaboration in the field of complementary medicine. The engagement with NICM, in particular, holds great promise for advancing research and promoting evidence-based practices within our community.
- Furthermore, Dr. Shukla's visionary leadership has propelled AAA to new heights, inspiring innovation and driving strategic initiatives that align with our mission. His passion for our cause and tireless efforts have undoubtedly played a pivotal role in the success we have achieved thus far.
- As we reflect on these accomplishments, it is evident that Dr. Naveen Shukla's leadership has been instrumental in shaping the trajectory of AAA and positioning us for continued growth and impact in the future.
- Current EC Members are: President Dr Naveen Shukla, Secretory Mrs Sreekala Kanan, Treasurer Dr Kusum Lata, Vice President Dr Bosco Paul, Assistant Secretory Dr Vishal Sharma and Patron Dr Krishna Kumar are taking care of the association.
PROF. ACHARYA MANFRED JUNIUS
The same year Prof. Acharya Manfred Junius together with Dr. Krishna Kumar with his
family migrated from Italy to South Australia with the assistance and encouragement
of the South Australian Government to establish a herbal industry in the State that
led to the establishment of Australerba Herbal Products and Spagyric Laboratories at
Ridleyton, South Australia.
Dr. Krishna Kumar
Having an Ayurvedic background both Prof. Acharya Junius and Dr Kumar in association
with a well known Transcendental Meditation and Yoga teacher, Mrs Athena Yiossis,
considered introducing Ayurveda for the first time in Adelaide. At that time
Ayurveda or Ayurvedic medicine was an unknown terminology except for a few yoga
practitioners who had been to India for their yoga training.
Vaidya Bhagwan Dash
After several consultations and considerations in 1981 it was suggested that Mrs.
Yiossis while attending a Transcendental Meditation conference in Delhi, India,
should contact Vaidya Bhagwan Dash, a renown Ayurvedic scholar, practitioner of
Ayurveda and author of several ayurvedic books, if he would consider coming to
Adelaide for a lecture/seminar on Ayurveda.
Mrs. Athena Yiossis
Upon her return from India Mrs Yiossis advised that Vaidya Bhagwan Dash would be
delighted to come to Adelaide for a lecture/ seminar on Ayurveda.Sponsored by the
Australerba Herbal Products and Spagyric Laboratories Vaidya Bhagwan Dash came to
Adelaide with the excitement of the participants of the lecture/seminar on Ayurveda
in March 1982 for four weeks.
Vedic Homa (fire) Ceremony – 1982
Prior to commencing such an important event in the history of Ayurveda in Australia
Vaidya Bhagwan Dash performed a Vedic Homa (fire) ceremony to bless the occasion and
for its future prosperity.Mrs. Yiossis generously provided lecturing facilities in
her meditation hall and hospitality to Vaidya Bhagwan Dash. There were twenty-three
students enrolled for this first lecture/seminar on Ayurveda.
Prof. Dr. P.H. Kulkarni
After a few years of correspondence with Prof. Kulkarni the ASA developed courses
that led to first two years study for the Certificate of Proficiency In Ayurveda and
a further two years studies for the Diploma of Ayurveda.In March 1986 the first
batch of students for the Certificate of Proficiency In Ayurveda were enrolled,
Prof. P.H. Kulkarni came from Poona to conduct the course.
Prof. Parchure presents
Since then the eminent scholars, academics and practitioners of Ayurveda, such as,
Prof. Arun Shitre, Prof. Vijay Doiphode, Prof. Sadanand Sardeshmukh, Prof. Suhas
Parchure, Prof. Kinjawadekar, Prof. Jayant Barde, Dr. V.V. Bhagwat and others
lectured at the Australian School of Ayurveda along with Acharya Manfred Junius and
Dr. Krishna Kumar.
Prof. Dr. Sadanand Sardeshmukh
In 1988 the first batch of twelve graduates went to Pune for their placement,
practical training and official graduation ceremony.
Students – Lectures – 1990 Pune, India
The AAA was first registered in South Australia on 9th February 1988 under the
Association Incorporation Act 1985 with Dr Krishna Kumar as the first President and
Treasurer, Acharya Junius as Vice-President, Mrs. Athena Yiossis as Secretary and
Dr. K. H. Poehlmann as a Committee Member and Prof. Dr. P H Kulkarni as an advisor.
1st Batch (1986) Ayurvedic Students
Prof. Dr. P.H. Kulkarni, then the Dean of the
Faculty of Ayurvedic Medicine at the University of Poona, India, start a structured
academic course of Ayurveda. Prof. Kulkarni had also been a Director of the
Institute of Indian Medicine based in Poona (now Pune), India.
