OPEN LETTER TO THE FILIPINO COMMUNITY
17 March 2021
Dear Filipino community leaders, members and friends
RE: FILCCA National Conference – Adelaide 2021 POSTPONEMENT
On behalf of the FILCCA Executive, it is with great disappointment that we have made a formal decision not to proceed and host the FILCCA National Conference this year as planned for October 2021 in Adelaide.
COVID has brought much uncertainty to the world, and in Australia we see the impact of this pandemic threatening daily lives, livelihoods and crippling our ability to plan for the unknown. That being said, COVID has also shown the strength and resilience of our Filipino community helping others in need, with grass roots community support from financial aid to food supplies to connecting with our isolated elderly. For this, each and every one of you should be commended, and as FILCCA we are truly proud and grateful for this compassion and community spirit.
Our National Conference was postponed in October 2020 due to COVID, and now we face the dilemma of proceeding with planning and financial commitments in a very unpredictable environment. Although many community members have signaled the bringing together of community in this national community event every two years is important, it has also been raised that many are not in a financial position to commit to attendance and reluctance with travel restrictions at this time. Similarly, our loyal sponsors are also struggling in these economically challenging times and are also not in a position to guarantee support, of which we have come to rely on.
Our concern as FILCCA, as not-for-profit organisation, is we do not want to place additional pressure to our community members and planning events of this nature requires significant lead in time and financial resources. As such we have taken a risk adverse approach to postpone this year’s National Conference and defer to our next AGM in October 2021 to reconsider a new date, once vaccination distribution and control of COVID is better understood. For this we are truly devasted but believe this is the responsible action we need to take at this time.
Last year marked the 30th Anniversary of FILCCA and 2021, we celebrate the 75th Anniversary of Australia-Philippines diplomatic ties in May. As such, FILCCA will focus its attention on commemorating this milestone and will find a way to recognise our community leaders and organisations who have gone above and beyond with their contributions to community with a smaller National Awards event to be held later this year. Details will follow.
Thank you for your ongoing support and active community involvement in helping Filipinos and the wider Australian community get through these difficult times.
Maraming Salamat!
CARMEN GARCIA
National President
Filipino Communities Council of Australia
READ MORE: FILCCA turns 30
