Sydney, Australia — History was made at the New South Wales Parliament House on 14 October 2025, as the Australian South East Asian Network (ASEAN) Ltd reached a defining milestone in its journey of advocacy, inclusion, and community empowerment.
Distinct from the ASEAN regional bloc, the Australian South East Asian Network is a registered Australian organisation dedicated to promoting social cohesion and Australian values. The group has recently formalised its Constitution with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), marking a significant achievement in its institutional development.
For the first time in Australia’s history, an organisation founded and led by a former refugee from Cambodia has had its Constitution formally recognised by a Justice of the High Court of Australia, His Honour Justice James Edelman AC, who also serves as the Network’s Honorary Patron.
In a congratulatory letter addressed to Founder and CEO Mr. Sawathey Ek OAM, Justice Edelman praised the ASEAN Board for establishing a Constitution that upholds Australian values and commended its innovative community initiatives. These include cross-cultural performances featuring artists from Cambodian, Filipino, Burmese, Lao, Indian, and Khmer Krom backgrounds — all working together to promote harmony through the arts.
Adding to the significance of the event, one of Australia’s most respected jurists and international figures, The Hon. Michael Kirby AC CMG, formally endorsed the newly created Michael Kirby ASEAN (MKA) Award. The award recognises defenders of human rights and champions of Australian values across the Asia-Pacific region.
The inaugural MKA Award recipients were:
• Aiden Ek MKA AFM, an emerging young advocate from the Network;
• Professor Sev Ozdowski AM, a distinguished human rights educator and former Commissioner for Race and Human Rights; and
• Hugh de Kretser, President of the Australian Human Rights Commission.
The ASEAN Founder Award (AFA) in the Community Category was also presented to the Burmese Community Development Collaboration in recognition of their generous sponsorship and long-standing partnership with the Network.
The event likewise marked the launch of the ASEAN Economic Council (AEC) — a platform designed to promote economic advocacy, investment opportunities, and inclusive development, particularly for members from disadvantaged backgrounds. The AEC aims to strengthen people-to-people connections and support ASEAN’s arts, awards, and cultural programs.
This historic occasion celebrated visionary leadership and multicultural collaboration while reaffirming the enduring strength of Australia’s diverse communities in shaping a shared national identity grounded in respect, inclusion, and unity.
Among the attendees were Filipino community leaders Rox Molavin and Rado Gatchalian, both founding members of ASEAN. A Certificate of Recognition was also presented to Purificacion Molintas, Philippine Tourism Attaché, for her role as a signatory of the Joint Statement on strengthening Australian values in multicultural advocacy.
Marilie Bomediano, a well-known figure in the Filipino community media, and Rita Agostino, a dedicated community volunteer who participated in the cultural presentation, also actively contributed to the event’s success.
