The Filipino Australian Association of Ballarat was established in 1988 by a group of Filipino and Australian families. Its aims are to promote friendship, preserve the Filipino culture, welcome and support newly arrived Filipino migrants.
The group is actively involved in the community of the Central Highlands Region and perform cultural activities in various places to other welfare or not-for-profit organisations.
The Association was incorporated in 1992. Membership has continually increased, with most coming from Ballarat, Beaufort, Ararat, Stawell, Maryborough, and Melbourne.
Now in its 26th year, the Filipino-Australian Association of Ballarat Inc. (FAABI), recently conducted its Annual General Meeting (AGM).
Mrs Sherley Hart was re-elected President for a record of 12 years. Other major office bearers appointed were Mrs Urbana Duffin (Treasurer) and Mrs Arlene Brewer (Secretary).
A record number of people attended and the AGM with new members elected onto the Executive Committee. Dignitaries from Melbourne also attended the AGM as observers.
Given that there are over 1,000 Filipinos living in Ballarat, FAABI is one of the largest cultural associations in the region. FAABI promotes Filo-culture in the wider Ballarat Community and facilitates a variety of social, religious and sporting activities.
Annual events include the celebration of Australia Day, participation in the Begonia Festival Parade, Easter Sunday Family Picnic and egg hunting in the Eureka Stockade Reserve, Mother’s Day Celebration, Gala Ball, Independence Day, bus trips to the snow, Daffodil Farm and the Beach. FAABI also supports regional events, such as Gala Balls in Geelong, Bendigo and Horsham, Pako Fest in Geelong, and The Philippine Fiesta in Melbourne.
FAABI regularly participates in Ballarat’s Harmony Fest with cultural dance performances and cooking demonstration. It also has representatives on the City’s Intercultural Advisory Committee (ICAC) and the Ballarat Regional Multicultural Council (BRMC), and the Victoria peak Filipina Organisation in Melbourne.
Throughout the years FAABI has continually joined and supported the City of Ballarat and most of the local community events and initiatives. Its contribution has been recognised, awarded and acknowledged by the community and event organisers.
The Association has been highly acknowledged that in 1999 they received a gift from the City of Ballarat the “Rizal Park”.
FAABI was nominated and awarded the Best Regional Filipino Association in Australia at the Toowomba National Conference in 2017.
FAABI president Mrs Hart was also presented with Certificate of Excellence by the Victorian Multicultural Commission in 2016. Its club members Ms Nila Reyes was crowned Victorian Beauty Queen, and Ms Cherry Corneluis was previously awarded the Charity Queen of Australia in Sydney.
The current Multicultural Ambassador for the City of Ballarat is Mr Rod Serojales succeeding Mrs Lia YU and Ms Cathy Porter.
FAABI is an extremely active and dynamic socio-cultural organisation that promotes the Filipino cultural background and identity whilst simultaneously contributing to Australia’s multicultural Society.
For more information about FAABI, visit FAABI.org.au or contact Arlene Brewer (Secretary) 0468 535 829 or Frank Williams (PRO) 0438 326 384.
