📢 Latest update: ATCS Family Kondattam — Sunday 21 June 2026. See event details →
About ATCS
The Australian Tamil Cultural Society of the ACT Inc (ATCS) is one of the oldest multicultural organisations in Canberra. Tamil (pronounced Tamizh) is one of the world’s oldest languages and the native regional language of Tamil Nadu in South India. It has been spoken for centuries across India, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Malaysia, Mauritius, South Africa and Fiji.
ATCS was formally incorporated as an association under the Associations Incorporation Act in 2004 and is a member organisation of FINACT. ATCS unites Tamizh-speaking members in Canberra, and we are grateful to our founding members and past office bearers who foresaw the need for a Tamizh community here.
The primary purpose of the society is to provide a platform for Tamil-speaking members in the ACT and surrounding regions to unite and celebrate Tamil culture through formal and informal social events.
ATCS operates Chennai Tamil School (CTS) to teach the Tamil language to children — ATCS membership is mandatory for CTS families. We also have a Youth Wing supporting international Tamil students at ANU, UC and UNSW (ADFA), and our own radio channel, Tamil FM 91.1, broadcast on Sundays 2–3 PM and Wednesdays 8–9 PM.
ATCS has evolved significantly as a mature community organisation, playing a vital role in supporting Tamil community members from all walks of life while weaving into the beautiful fabric of multiculturalism in the ACT. This is only possible because of the tireless efforts of our current and past committee members and the active participation of our community. We are proud of who we are and how far we have come.
Tribute to our Founder & Ex-President
Dr Palaniappan Muthiah
Founder & President
Dr Palaniappan Muthiah was the Founder and President of the Australian Tamil Cultural Society. A community volunteer for over 40 years, he was fondly known as “Uncle Muthiah” by his well-wishers and Society members, and was widely admired across the multicultural community for his humility, authenticity, kindness and simplicity.
Uncle Muthiah passed away on 16 June 2022 and is greatly missed by all of us. We strive to continue the great legacy he has left behind for the Canberra Tamil community.
ATCS Core Values
ATCS is an apolitical, secular association. Our core values are:
- Treat everyone equally
- Be inclusive
- Be transparent in our actions and decisions
- Embrace opposing views
- Listen to members’ feedback
Australian Tamil Cultural Society of the ACT Inc (ATCS) 