Australian town celebrates 15th Filipino-Australian Fiesta

MANILA, Philippines - TThe Philippine Consulate General in Sydney participated last March 24 in the 15th Filipino-Australian Fiesta organized by the Central Coast Ugnay Kabayan in Tumbi Umbi, 95 kilometres from Sydney.

Booths were set up and a program was held at the sports ground of the Mingara Recreation Club in Tumbi Umbi. Father Tadeusz Seremet SDS, Parish Priest of St. Patrick's Parish in Gosford, led a prayer service which was followed by cultural presentations, entertainment numbers, and Philippine traditional games for children.

Guests at the event included Federal Member of Parliament for Robertson, the Honorable Deborah O'Neill, and Wyong Shire Councillor Doug Eaton.

In her speech at the fiesta, Consul General Anne Jalando-on Louis informed the Central Coast Filipino community of the initiatives and programs of the Consulate, including its economic diplomacy initiatives and the ongoing overseas absentee voting (OAV) registration and survey of Filipinos.

The team also responded to queries from the Filipino community on the Dual Citizenship program and other consular matters.

Central Coast Ugnay Kabayan President Robert Anderson thanked Consul General Louis for the services extended by the Consulate during the Fiesta, and looked forward to the Consulate's continued participation in the event which has drawn wide attendance and support from both Filipino and Australian residents of the Central Coast area in the past 15 years.