Ms Aida Garcia, one of the representatives from South Australia, was elected as the new President of the Filipino Communities Council of Australia (FILCCA) in the election held at the 12th FILCCA National Conference in Perth, Western Australia on 12-14 October 2012. Ms Garcia is the former VP external of FILCCA and the current adviser of the Filipino Settlement Coordinating Council of South Australia Inc. (FSCC).
Other officers elected were Perlita Swinbank (ACT), VP External; Mena Edmonstone (QLD), VP Internal; Carmelita Baltazar (WA), VP Youth; Cholly Winter (SA), Secretary; Serna Ladia (NSW), Treasurer; and Vicki Wotherspoon (WA), PRO. The oath-taking of new officers was conducted by HE Belen F. Anota, Philippine Ambassador to Australia.
FILCAA, the national umbrella body of all state councils of Australia, convenes every two years to discuss and make resolutions for the benefits and welfare of the Filipino councils all over Australia.
The conference is attended by officers and members of the Filipino community councils of the different states of Australia.
This year’s theme was “Strengthening partnerships, creating opportunities” which, according to Ms Vedar, the outgoing FILCCA president, was envisioned to “affirm the need for more dynamic and pro-active leadership across all community councils and member organisations.”
The conference was hosted by the Filipino Community Council of Western Australia Inc (FACCWA) under its president Mr. Marino Salinas.
FILCCA was the offshoot of the first national conference held in Victoria in 1990 which envisaged the formation of a national body that will initiate policy changes, provide services and program development, and respond to the needs of specific target groups such as youths, children, women, and elderly.
Guest speakers have been invited from government agencies and business sectors to address delegates and participants on the welfare and issues relevant to the Filipino Australian communities.
The Keynote speaker of the 12th FILCCA national conference was Hon. Donna Faragher MLC, Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier of WA and member for the East Metropolitan Region, welcomed the delegates from the different Filipino community councils in Australia.
Other speakers were: Hon Michelle Roberts, MLA Shadow Minister for Police; Road Safety, Crime Prevention, and Tourism, who articulated the strengthening the partnership between Australian and the Filipino community and Mr Jose Maria Montelibano, journalist of the Philippine Daily Inquirer who tackled “How can overseas Filipinos make a difference to the Motherland.”
Topics discussed at the workshops were: Family and community relationships; Migration and settlements issues, Family migration, Setting up cooperatives, and Youth volunteerism.
The highlight of the conference was the FILCCA Awards night which aims to raise the profile of the Filipino-Australian community and celebrate the achievements and contributions of Filipino in Australia.
Filipino Australian Achiever Award: Pablo Javier (NSW); Rodolfo Gomez (SA); Dante Maribay (WA); Erwin Cabucos (QLD); and Nestor Fuertes (VIC).
Leadership Award: Carmelita Baltazar (WA); Mena Edmonstone (QLD); Perlita Swinbank (ACT); Norma Serrano (VIC); and Lourdes Kaiser (NSW).
Youth Achievement Award: Natasha Thiele and Genevieve De La Pena (VIC).
Outstanding Community Award: Sto Niño de Filipinas of South Australia Inc. (SA); Philippine Cordilleras Association, NSW Inc. (NSW); Philippine Australian Medical Association (NSW) ; FILCOMSPORTS Club (ACT), Filipino Australian Care Trusts (QLD); Filipino Australian Club of Perth (WA); and Philippine Fiesta of Victoria (VIC).
The conference was formally closed by a community BBQ party tendered by the Filipino Community Council of South Australia.
