PR-02-2022
Not one but at least three events marked the celebration of Australia Day by the Filipino Community in Greater Melbourne on 26 January 2022.
The Filipino Community Council of Victoria, Inc. (FCCVI) received guests and affiliate organizations around regional Victoria in their celebration of “We are all part of the Story” at the Filipino Hub in Brooklyn just 11 kms from Melbourne CBD.
Consul General Salcedo cheers Filipino-Australians for contributing to the rich tapestry of “Australian story” as guests brave the heat in the outdoor program with the threat of the new Omicron variant. Right: She joins the organizers visit the booths. |
“I have heard of many stories of heroism, brilliance and even selfless service in your midst. It may be time to see some from our Filipino community to elevate their services in high public places,” challenged Consul General Maria Lourdes Salcedo as she congratulated FCCVI’s President Marlon De Leon for earning a distinction as “Citizen of the Year” earlier that day.
President of 5Bs Humanitarian Liz Ficnerski, left, joins members of PAFI and friends. Below, the Ambassadors Club of Melbourne with Consul General Salcedo.
In a nearby suburb of Ardeer, Consul General Salcedo celebrated with the 5Bs Humanitarian and their more than 200 guests and supporters, including Filipino international students and members of other FilCom groups such as Philippine Australia Foundation, Inc. (PAFI), Ambassador’s Club of Melbourne, the Ilocanos, Cebuanos and other groups.
Liz Quimora Ficnerski, President of 5Bs Humanitarian, said that the National Australia Day with its theme “Respect, Reflect and Celebrate” acknowledges the involvement of those who went an extra mile to help others during the COVID pandemic crisis in 2020-21.
Earlier in the day, an innovative way to commemorate Australia Day was spearheaded by The Silent Witness Network (TSWN) in partnership with the Living Museum of the West in Maribyrnong. TSWN’s convenor and leader Melba Marginson thought it proper to listen to stories of aboriginal leaders, the traditional custodians of the land now called Australia.
Consul General Salcedo congratulated Australians who have come to embrace history and the truth that this vast country was first inhabited by hard-working and peace-loving people of the First Nations. She added, “although the pages of history spoke of the most heart-rending stories, they instruct us and give us lessons on our journey onward.” END
