By Lady Imelda McLean, President, KRI Victoria Chapter
The members of Kababaihang Rizalista Inc. Victoria Chapter (KRI) and Knights of Rizal Victoria (KOR) attended the Philippine Consulate office in Melbourne on Thursday, 07 August 2025, from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm at Level 10, 257 Collins Street, Melbourne.
KRI Ladies present were: Ladies Melba Cabato-Waugh, Maria Lourdes Lorenzo, Josephine Quintero, Fe Martin, Nelia Ramirez, Nelda Extores, Nini Jover, Sherlita Hart, and me. Knights of Rizal members present were: Sirs Walter Villagonzalo, Arlan Fajardo, Fred Jover, Mars Salazar, Manuel Asuncion, Adrian Prophet, Rommel Cao, and Frank Jaffer.
We were all enthusiastic and eager to meet our new Consul General, waiting patiently in the conference room. At around 10:30 am, Sir Gary Domingo entered with a big smile on his face and warmly welcomed everyone. He was just as excited as we were.
Sir Gary, himself a Knight of Rizal (KGOR), began by acknowledging that KOR and KRI are unique organisations that command state honour similar to the Commonwealth of Australia. He shared that he has been with the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs since 1991, serving in various overseas postings. Wherever he was assigned, he helped create KOR organisations. While Ambassador to New Zealand, he even established a Diplomatic Chapter of the Knights of Rizal, where he served as Founding Chapter Commander. He also mentioned that the Knights of Rizal should be co-ed, made up of both Knights and Dames.
In New Zealand, he recalled, Filipinos have reached national-level positions in Parliament. The DFA’s activities there included protecting overseas Filipinos, as well as work in political security, economics, and education.
Here in Melbourne and Victoria, Sir Gary expressed his wish to establish KOR and KRI in Tasmania and South Australia, as SA is included in his portfolio. He also spoke about building a Philippine Consulate and Diplomatic Corps made up of Consuls, consulate staff, and Australian government officials.
He highlighted Melbourne as the cultural capital of Australia—best known for its food, cultural heritage, and love. Filipinos, he said, live out kapwa, the spirit of treating others as family. He also praised Filipinos as among the best professionals, including nurses, IT specialists, and housewives.
Sir Gary encouraged Filipinos to engage in trade investments, become active in political parties at the Federal and State levels, and aim for professional advancement to the highest levels possible. He said he wants to see Filipinos in the Parliament of Australia. I mentioned that we already have a Filipina councillor, Jennifer Dizon of the City of Casey.
He also shared his commitment to advocate for recognition of Philippine credentials – academic qualifications and degrees – and to push for Victorian universities to establish campuses in the Philippines. He called this both nationalist and global in vision. Among his goals are to support new migrants, reach out to regional areas, and assist the community with resources such as food, shelter, and legal needs.
Sir Gary promised to work closely with KOR and KRI to promote individual excellence among Filipinos and to help us become better in all aspects of life. He described Filipinos as the “original global people,” with four identities: Pacific Islander, Spanish, American, and Asian.
It was a very pleasant and engaging meeting with Consul General Gary Domingo, with KRI and KOR members actively participating in the discussion and Q&A.
