Philippine Ambassador to Australia Her Excellency Ma. Hellen De La Vega met with the Filipino-Australian community leaders, business owners and Filipino students in Victoria during her Official Visit to Victoria on 19-21 August 2019.
Her first meeting was with the Filipino community leaders in Victoria to discuss unity, cooperation, and service. The Ambassador proposed to hold one Independence Day and Fiesta event wherein all organisations will cooperate and participate to have one big celebration.
At the moment, there are several Independence Day celebrations and fiesta events being held in all areas of Victoria. The group is amenable to the proposal and would want a further discussion to make it a reality.
It is suggested that the Office of the Philippine Ambassador spearhead the event, in close cooperation with the Philippine Consulate and all Filipino organisations. The proposal also aims to raise the profile of the community and work together in marking the 75th Anniversary of Philippines-Australia relations in 2021.
The meeting, held last 19 August 2019 at the Yarraville Community Centre, in Footscray, was hosted by the Mayor of the City of Maribyrnong, Cr Martin Zhakarov.
Meeting with Filipino students
On 22 August 2019, the Ambassador met with the students led by the Filipino Australian Student Council of Victoria (FASTCO) where she discussed with Filipino students their upcoming activities including the International Research Forum on the Philippines on 11-12 November 2019 and the student group’s support for newly-arrived Filipino students in Victoria. The meeting was held at La Trobe University.
Philippine Honorary Consul to Victoria Felix Pintado was the over-all coordinator of the Ambassador’s three-day visit. First Secretary Corina Reyes; Third Secretary Nicole de Castro; Labor Attache Cynthia Lamban and Assistant Defense and Armed Forces Attache Col. Nhel Patricio were part of the Ambassador’s official delegation to Victoria.
