By NERIA N. SOLIMAN
Passionate to make a difference and the desire to politically, spiritually, economically and socially empower Filipino Australians, FAME Inc (Filipino Australian Movement for Empowerment Inc) launched the maiden formation of a suburban council last 22 October 2010 a date that marks the calendar and structure of the movement.
The monumental and historic event was the launching of Woodcroft Suburban Council in a ceremony held at Woodcroft Macdonald, Woodcroft. The occasion was witnessed by the State Directorate, new members of the newly-formed council, MP Ed Husic and Councillor Jacqueline Donaldson. Husic gave a short Remarks and Donaldson inducted the 14 Founding members from the 21 financial members, all residents of the beautiful suburb of Woodcroft. Other FAME members, guests and supporters of the movement who attended the special event were Max Encomienda, David Isaac, Benjie de Ubago, Dino Cresini of Sentinel Newspaper, Philip Ranoso, Dr. Tito Soliman, Ben Indolos, David Barker and wife Malou Barker.
The nine elected Woodcroft suburban councillors were Mauricio de Vera, George Gayagay, Dennis Viray, Delia Perez, Leonie Martirez, Giancarlo Villadiego, Federico Dagandan, Nestor Batoon and Ruel Talosig. Other members present were Dennis Viray, Emmanuel Alger, Ernesto Capulong Jr., James Castillo and Carlos Perez. Financial members who were not able to make it were Grace Canaveral, Gil Belarmino, Diosdado Banas, Jess Arranz, Bienvenido Perez, Delfin’Boy’ Posada Jr. Delfin ‘Nonoy’ Posada, Alice Posada and James Chan.
The officers are expected to meet and elect the office bearers such as Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer and Auditor. One seat is reserved for the youth representative. The moving induction ceremony of the nine founding officers of the suburban council was conducted by FAME State Executive Director Ferdi Francisco.
A presentation of the Objective and structure of the movement by Cesar Bartolome as Secretariat Adminstrator was well received to generate some questions from the floor. Assistant Excutive Director Ross Iglesia, who is credited for chairing the creation of the council acted as master of ceremonies and was very much in control of the proceedings. State Public Relation Officer Neria Soliman, in her closing remarsks, said that, “while the tiny grains of sand make the fruitful land, tonight we, members of FAME Inc are neither grains of sands nor pebbles but are indeed stones and bolders because our goal of creating our first suburban council have been reached and made explicit.”
Other Fame Directorate who took part in the evening proceedings were Dennis Laxamana, Mayumi Bartolome, Floro Valdez and Ronaldo Villaver. C. M. Francisco Pty Limited sponsored the Big Mac for all the attendees. Coming activities of FAME are the formation of the Oakhurst, Quakers Hill and Marayong Suburban councils. FAME invites the community to be proactive in recruiting residents of these areas to become members of the suburban council of their respective suburbs and become a distinct and empowered ethnic group thereby gain confidence, respect and recognition in mainstream Australia.
