PCC-NSW Activities
and Accomplishment for the Year 2007
(President's
Report)
The following are the activities and
projects initiated, supported and attended by the members of the PCC-NSW Board
of 2007 pursuant to its objectives as state peak body of the Filipino-Australian
community. (This listing may not be complete so I am asking apology for any
unintentional oversight).
PCC-initiated
projects and activities
1.
Organised
a 2-day live-in pre-induction for planning and bonding, Wilberforce (10-11
March)
2.
Submitted
and passed the audit by Racing, Gaming and Liquor Board (23 March)
3.
Organised
the Induction of PCC Officers, Blacktown Council Chambers (April 1)
4.
Made
courtesy call on Opposition leader Kevin Rudd, Parliament House, Canberra, (30
May). I also handed over the housing coops' position paper re affordable
housing debate.
5.
Organised
Philippine National Day Ball, Sydney Hilton (10 June). Guest of Honour was Sen.
Ramon Magsaysay Jr. In a symbolic gesture of community unity, all past PCC
Presidents attended and participated for the first time.
6.
Organised
PCC Special General Meeting and Community Consultation to identify current
community concerns, problems and needs as basis for project and activity
planning, Rooty Hill (30 June)
7.
Submitted
for approval of Amended PCC Constitution to OFT (26 July)
8.
Co-organised
the 5th Global Filipino Networking Convention, Rooty Hill (6-7 Sept)
with FILCCA, GFA and NaFFA.
9.
Created
PCC website, located the PCC Office at Harris Park Community Centre and
transferred Post Office Box to Granville (Sept)
10. Co-organised Job-seeking Skills
Training/Workshop with IAA and AMES Employment (27 Oct and 3 Nov). Fed MP
Ferguson opened while ConGen Lazaro closed the training.
11. Initiated meetings with MPC leaders
re the Centre issues (11 Oct and 18 Nov)
12. Initial works on creation of 24-hour
Filipino Helpline and women's and children's refuge
13. Launched Pasko sa Blacktown where
Miss FILCCA Ambassador for NSW was also crowned (8 Dec)
14. Applied unsuccessfully for funding
grants of various community projects
15. Continuing negotiation with Auburn
Council for a Filipino organisation office at the proposed Auburn Community
Centre
16.Renewal
of PCC public liability insurance with Altiora Insurance Brokers (Nov)
17. PCC AGM and Elections 2008, Pinoy Sentral (3 Feb)
Support and participation to affiliates',
FILCCA and other organisations' activities and projects
1.
FDAA
Terno charity Ball, Olympic Park (24 Feb)
2.
Meeting
with special gov't envoy for Mindanao development hosted by PACCII, Blacktown
(1 March)
3.
APO Australia's Tree Planting activity on National Tree Planting Day,(July 08), Induction of Officers, Blacktown (9 June) and GK
fund-raising dances (13 Oct)
4.
Ugnayan
Kabayan's Central Coast Fiesta, Gosford (10 March)
5.
SAFSI's
Senior Citizens Concert, Marayong (18 March)
6.
FILCCA
National Sports Festival, Canberra (7-8 April)
7.
Visited
FASHVI office, Boolaroo hosted by Mr and Mrs Robert Bell
8.
Migrante-West
organisational launch, Blacktown (28 April)
9.
IAA's
Alay Kay Nanay Concert, Mt Druitt (6 May)
10. Filipino Community Workers Network
monthly meetings
11. Illawarra Women's Support Group's
Miss Luzviminda Quest, Bulli (19 May)
12. Pres. GMA Reception, Philippine
Embassy, Canberra (30 May)
13. Pres. GMA Parliamentary Reception,
Parliament House, Canberra (31 May)
14. Philippines Independence Day Celebrations in various communities: Parramatta - 9 June; Blacktown - 9 June; Campbelltown - 23 June in which Ruben Amores was a speaker on History; Campsie - 7 June and Bathurst - 22 June).
15
Philippine
Independence Celebrations in Adelaide, SA and Canberra, ACT (16 June)
16
Global
Ilocano Induction with Sen. Magsasay, Sydney (11 June)
17
Jess
Diaz candidacy launch, Rooty Hill (24 June)
18
Aguman
Capampangan's Christmas in July, Seven Hills (7 July)
19
Phil
Cordillerans' Canao, Marayong (14 July)
20
PAMA
charity fund-raising show, Parramatta (15 July)
21
Fil-Oz'
Fund-raising for Cebu project, Christmas in July, Liverpool (28 July) and
Visayan Family Night, Liverpool (25 Aug). I was the guest speaker
22
Banag-banag's
Night with the Stars, Bossley Park (18 Aug)
23
Bicol
Inc, Miss Phil-Aust Contest fundraiser, Bankstown (18 Aug
24
Steps
in Harmony and Friends' Spring Dance, Kearns (1 Sept)
25
Read
Philippines project launch (Hornsby (3 March), Campbelltown (12 May), Bathurst
(24 June), and Penrith (29 Sept),
26
Black
and White's Dinner and Dance, Bankstown (12 May)
27
Kapit-bahayan
Coop Debt Equity Affordable Housing project in Canley Vale. An initiative of
the Filipino-led community housing provider that showcases the viability of
coop housing model in NSW.
28
Western
Sydney museums and art centres' Philippine Cultural Presentations and
Promotions Program: Blacktown Arts Centre urban group exhibition (17 March),
Oversite Arts Exhibition launch, Liverpool Museum (31 March), launch of the
Folding Wife stage presentation, Blacktown Arts Centre (20 April), Storytelling
Around the Dining Table, Fairfield City Museum (13 Oct)
29
Phil
Consulate's Phil Independence Day celebrations: flag-raising at the Philippine
House and Consular Reception in NSW Parliament House (12 June)
30
Rizal
Day ceremonies organised by KoR and Phil Consulate: Dr Rizal's birth
anniversary, Sydney's Iberria Park and launch of Rizal Hall, Consulate Bldg (11
June) and Rizal's 111th death anniversary, Ashfield Park (30 Dec)
31
IAA
and Global Ilocano's picnic and Aguman Capampangan's reception for GNFC
delegates (8 Sept)
32
President
GMA Reception, Sydney (6 Sept)
33
Penafrancia
Fluvial Parade, Penrith (15 Sept)
34
Maharlika's
Spring Dinner and Dance, Bankstown (22 Sept) and Halloween Party (14 July)
35
SAFSI's
Diamond Anniversary Celebration, Blacktown (28 Oct)
36
Migrante's
Pre-election Forum, Blacktown (3 Nov)
37
Bicol
Inc's Bicol Regional Trade Exhibition, Blacktown (10 Nov)
38
CRFCC
Dual Citizenship Forum, Campbelltown (10 Nov)
39
Inducted
officers of Maharlika Motorcycle Riders, Rooty Hill (1 Dec)
40
Supported
IAA's candidate as PCC representative to Miss FILCCA Ambassador
41
Attendance
to Miss FILCCA Ambassador 2008 coronation, Davao City, (18- Jan)
42. AGM of CRFCC on 17 Feb, KCL on 7 Oct, FilCoop, IAA on 22 Dec
43. Philippine Embassy's Pasko Celebration on 2 Dec
44.Christmas celebrations of FilCoop
(1Dec), IAA (9 Dec), APO, PACSI (14 Dec), Plaza Filipino (15 Dec); Migrante (15
Dec), Kapitbahayan (22 Dec)
45.Fiesta
Senor Sto Nino organised by Confradia del Sto Nino, Plumpton (20 Jan)
46.
Campbelltown Sto Nino Festival (20 Jan)
Participation and Involvement with the greater
community
1.
CRC Community
Volunteer Award, Parliament House, (8 Feb). Ruben was an awardee.
2.
Youth Harmony Day,
Parliament House (20 March)
3.
WSAS/CDSE
workshops, Auburn (29 March)
4.
Rosella Multicultural
Festival, Harris Park (16 Sept)
5.
Cyprus Community
Independence Day Reception, Stanmore (1 Oct)
6.
Immigration
Minister's Community Leaders reception, Parramatta (Aug, Oct and Dec),
7.
Communities Parade
and Display at Easter Show (13 April)
8.
Harris Park Community
Centre's Management Board meeting (24 Sept)
9.
Aftar Inter-faith
Harmony Reception, NSW Parliament House (8 Nov)
10.
Auburn's small and
emerging community organisations meetings
11.
Membership to Auburn Employment Working Group
12. Launch of African Shop, Auburn (29
Oct)
13. Launch of Saha Multicultural Food
Catering, Regents Park (31 Oct)
14. Multicultural Forum, NSW Ethnic
Communities Council (25 Jan)
15. Australia Day, Ruben is a
citizenship awardee in Auburn (27 Jan)
Advocacy and welfare
1.
Co-hosted
Juriel Amora (boy with artificial limbs) refitting with Kapitbahayan (20 June
-11 July)
2.
Community
forum on Human Trafficking organised by NSW Women Speak-out, Parramatta (3
April)
3.
Interviewed
by Human Rights Youth re youth welfare (18 June)
4.
Direct
assistance to Filipinos in difficulties: homeless, missing, problems with
immigration, police, domestic violence, finance and in detentions
5.
On
going support to GK's second PCC Village, Nueva Viscaya
6.
Implemented
project: "Modernising Instruction in Disaster-Prone Schools in the
Philippines". Beneficiaries are: Santa Paz National High and Santa Paz
Elementary School, San Francisco, Southern Leyte.
7.
3
Philippine High School Scholarship grants through CFO, .
8.
Rotary
speaker re possible co-projects, Vigan City (24 Jan)
9.
Guest
at ABS-CBN ETV and Wowowee program (22 Jan)
10. Donated to various Philippine-based
charities.
PCC-NSW
ICT-Related Project (ICT- Information and Communication Technology)
1.
Creation
of PCC-NSW website (www.pcc-nsw.org) -
generated 7,381 visitors as of 8 Jan 08.
2.
Creation
of Visayan Association of Australia Inc. (VAA Inc) website - www.vaa.evestcco.org
3.
Creation
of EVESTCCO website (www.evestcco.org)
4.
Creation
of La Union Dancers Group website (www.launiondancersgroup.blogspot.com)
5. Establishment of
PCC-NSW Board of Directors Yahoo Discussion Group
6. Implement ICT Capability Project of
PCC-NSW through the acquisition of lap top
and data projector
7.
Creation
of Philippine project website at Southern Leyte (www.educationsouthernleyte.evestcco.org)
8.
Promoting PCC-NSW Events through You
Tube
Recommendations:
1.
Have at least 2
years term for PCC Officers and Members of the Board to give more time for
grant application and project implementation.
2.
Re-organise the PCC
to a board of management- type organisation with a paid Executive Officer and
staff to manage the day-to-day community services and activities while the
elected Board of Directors legislate and act on organisational policy and
decision-making.
3.
The PCC should
endeavour to have at a permanent office and meeting space of its own.
Acknowledgment:
I would like to
thank all members of the PCC Board of 2007 for their remarkable team effort and
whose unbounded enthusiasm for accomplishment and commitment in volunteering
their skills, time and resources for the good of the whole Filipino-Australian
Community is outstanding. I am very honoured and most blessed by having you
around me!
I am especially
grateful to Mr Jimmy Lopez, outgoing Immediate Past President, for his many
years of voluntary service to the Filipino-Australian community through his
involvement to PCC-NSW and many other affiliate organisations. Jimmy embodied
the 2007 PCC-Board's sincere commitment, dedication and industry to community
service. I am very honoured to hand over to him this simple Certificate of
Appreciation signed by all members of the PCC-NSW Board of 2007.
Of course, I would
like to thank all the members of the affiliate organisations through their very
dynamic officers for their active participation, generous contribution and constructive
cooperation during this very successful term of office. I would like to mention
specially the Ilocano Association for their outstanding support to this
administration.
May we continue and
even improve on this very impressive record of accomplishment by strengthening
our unity and cooperation within the community.
Mabuhay po tayong lahat!
RUBEN
AMORES
President
3
February 2008
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