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About UsHISTORY
Cyclone Tracy disrupted the activities of the Association. Many Filipino families were displaced to other places in Australia for a considerable length of time as a result. Upon their return to Darwin, many spent their time rebuilding their lives as a priority. The group re-gathered in 1975 to host the celebration of the Philippine Independence Day celebration in a function aptly called “Filipino Night” at the St. Paul Primary School assembly. As a precedent to future celebrations, the function was aimed to promote Filipino customs and traditions to the wider community. The growing number of Filipino-Australian intermarriages was the basis for the change of the name of the Association to what it is known today as Filipino Australian Association of the Northern Territory (FAANT) to accommodate Australian spouses. FAANT became an incorporated body when Elena Ralph was its first President in 1977. Felicitas Milan facilitated the application of FAANT to become an incorporated ethnic organisation. Since its inception in 1973, FAANT has gained a reputation as a well-recognized ethnic body in the Northern Territory. FAANT was granted a piece of land at the corner of Amy Johnson Avenue and Batten Road in Marrara, NT where the Filipino Community Centre is located. A small building was constructed in the premises at Batten Road but proved to be too small to hold the increasing number of cultural functions and the increasing Filipino Australian population. In short span of time, a larger community hall was constructed through the major fundraising program of the Association and through further grant assistance from the NT Government. The OBJECTIVES of the Association are:
The NT government has recognised the role of FAANT in hosting the Philippine contingents to the Arafura Games, Philippine delegations to NT Trade Expo, AustAid and the several official visits of the Philippine Ambassadors to the NT Parliament and to the Department of Asian Relations and Trade. Mrs. Delia Domingo Albert was the first Philippine Ambassador to establish bilateral trade relation between the Philippines and the Northern Territory. She instigated a big push for the Philippine President, Fidel Ramos, to visit Darwin. As a result of that negotiation, Fidel Ramos became the first Asian President to address the NT Legislative Assembly with the Hon Shane Stone, MLA, Chief Minister at that time. President Fidel Ramos and the First Lady Amelita Ramos were given a huge reception in the foyer of the NT Parliament House where they had an audience with the Darwin Filipino-Australian residents. Through the promotion of an idea of the Honorary Vice Consul General, Dr. Renato Penaloza and his wife, Mrs.Rosalina Penaloza, Darwin Filipinos collectively contributed cash amounting to A$6000.00 that was handed in the form of a bank cheque to the Philippine’s First Lady, Mrs. Ramos’s project was known then as the Philippines First Lady Beautification Program of the Streets of Manila. The NT and the Philippine Governments established a bilateral trade arrangement under the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by the Philippine President, Fidel Ramos, and the NT Chief Minister, Shane Stone (MLA). Links between the Philippine and the Northern Territory Governments have been forged during the Philippine presidential visit to the NT. Other links between these two governments have been developed which included the biennial delegations of the Philippines sporting contingents to the Arafura Games. A large contingent of athletes from Davao, Cebu and Manila took part in various sports such as water polo, boxing, cycling, table tennis, athletics and swimming. The Philippine Boxing Team was honoured with a trophy as the “Best Boxing Team” and the Best Individual Boxer in 1998. The water polo team won their silver and bronze medals in two successive Arafura Games. The Manuel L. Quezon University Basketball Team won a gold medal in 1996. The diminutive Filipino athletes harvested several medals in the track and field events in 1994 Arafura Games. In 2000, Mrs. Violy Searby, Treasurer of the Philippine-Australian Business Council, brought a large contingent of Filipino performers and trade exhibitors to the NT Trade Exposition. Along with other contingents, Bobby Novenario, Filipino couturier, brought with him designer garments that were modelled by Filipino local models during the NT Trade Exposition that year. Marco Sison and Nikki Valdez, renowned Philippine stage performers, gave series of short concerts at the Trade Exposition. Sison and Valdez also performed a two-hour concert at the Filipino Community Centre for the Darwin Filipino-Australian Community, under the coordination of John Rivas, FAANT Vice President. Through the Australian Aid Program, Filipino delegates came to Darwin to study aspects of the local government at the NT University. They visited local governments in Darwin, Katherine and Sydney to take notes on how Australian local governments make and implement policies. FAANT assisted the Aust-Aid Program coordinators by hosting a reception for the Filipino delegates at the Filipino Community Centre. With the crisis in East Timor, the Philippine army came to Darwin enroute to East Timor as a part of the peace keeping program. Upon the request of the Honorary Consul General, Robert Matthewson, AM, FAANT President, Samuel Marquez gathered, within a short span of time Darwin urban and rural Filipinos to host a reception for a large troop of Filipino soldiers. The NT Government has recognised the vital role of FAANT in its trade mission in the Philippines. In 1998, the NT Government Trade delegations took with them FAANT President, Sam Marquez and his wife, Lilia Marquez, to the Philippines to have an audience with the outgoing Philippine President, Fidel Ramos. Again in 1999 to undertake the same mission to visit the newly elected Philippine President, Joseph Estrada. The outcome of such trade delegation forged further the trade and business links between the two governments. The role of the Marquezes in this delegation was clearly to impress upon the President the special interest and support of the NT Government of the Filipino Community and as advisers to the delegation regarding cultural matters. The NT Government has increasingly recognised the significant contribution of Filipinos to the wider Community. Through the favourable reports from the Director of the Office of Ethnic Affairs, Janicean Price, to the Minister for Ethnic Affairs, Minister of Asian Relations and Trade, Minister for Sports and Recreation and the Chief Minister, FAANT became well-recognised by the NT Government as a reliable, reputable and well-managed association. NT Government Ministers were in attendance at various formal and cultural functions organised by John Rivas, function coordinator, held at the Filipino Community Centre. Such function includes the celebration of the Philippine Independence Day, Barrio Fiesta and Concert with Filipino international concert performers, Harmony Day celebration and other special occasions. FAANT has made several grant assistance applications to the NT Government for the improvement of the facilities of the Filipino Community Centre with the growing population of Filipinos in Darwin. In 1995, a small building was erected at a cost of $96,000.00 which included the fencing of the entire premises. The construction was first carried out during the time of Nerissa Goodrem, FAANT’s President. This small amenity building was built by Aubsley, Building Construction, owned by Sam Padro. Jorge Arao Arao was the engineer for that building project. The small building proved too small for the increasing number of cultural and social functions of the Filipino community and the growing population of Filipinos in Darwin. The NT Government has continued to value the contribution of the Filipino community to government functions and its trade missions with the Philippine government. This led the NT Government to further grant the Filipino Australian Association of the NT, $100,000.00 for the construction of a larger community hall which is seen today. FAANT supplemented that amount with funds it raised from the Barrio Fiesta. The financial assistance of the NT government was complemented by the industrious efforts of the fund raising officer, John Rivas, FAANT’s Vice President, under the administration of Sam Marquez, as President. Through the assistance of the NT Government Office of Ethnic Affairs, the basketball court and car park at the Filipino Community Centre were paved during this time, FAANT has been in existence for 30 years and the Filipino Community is increasingly confident of the role of FAANT in the promoting the affairs of Filipinos in Darwin. FAANT collaboratively works with the Office of Ethnic Affairs, and other NT governmental departments such as Asian Relations and Trade, Ethnic Affairs, Sports and Recreation, local government such as Darwin City Council and the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs to forge the link between the Northern Territory and the Philippines. The NT Government has a viable business link with Davao City.
Being the founding Filipino association in the NT, it has been held in high regards by the NT Government and its agencies and by the public sectors in the wider Darwin community. FAANT owns the land title for the Filipino Community Centre at the corner of Amy Johnson Avenue and Batten Road in Marrara, NT. Through its active fund raising program, the Office Bearers and Executive Committee Members of this Association were able to build this Centre which is debt free and the only one of its kind in Australia. The Filipino Community Centre, a well-managed Centre by the Executive Committee, has been used extensively by this Association, by the Filipino Community and patronised by many school and cultural groups. Barrio Fiesta – one of the four largest cultural festivals
in the NT.
President’s Report Half a year is gone with many accomplishments which FAANT has successfully achieved. All of these achievements are attributed to the support of the Executive Committee and our financial and honorary members and supporters. The social and cultural calendar of year 2005 began with the Valentine’s Day Dinner Dance at Furlanos in Fannie Bay in February. In spite of the rather shortness of time since its planning and execution, this event went on well both in financial and social aspects. Eunice de Ramos and Ron Greaves coordinated this event very well and Edna Rivas, as usual took the mammoth task of boosting the ticket sales and became the highest ticket sellers for this event, again. In March, we participated in the national campaign for the Harmony Day by staging for the third successive year a Harmony Day Youth Concert. More than 22 school and community groups joined in this celebration which aimed to enhance multicultural diversity and counteracting racism in the NT. This event was recognised by Hon Kon Vatskalis, Minister for Multicultural Affairs with a Charles See Kee Award for being the “best community initiative”. Aside from the Plaque which is now being displayed on the wall in the Bar area, $500 cash prize went to our building funds. This event could continue not only in giving us merit and recognition but as a valuable contribution of FAANT to the wider community. Again, the success of this event is purely due to your untiring support and the strong will and desire to make it happen. Likewise, the nomination of Celsie Marquez for me was also recognised with the Charles See Kee Award for individual over 25 years of age. I am humbled with this honour for my dedication to the work as your President and leader of this community. I honestly thank you all for being a part of that award. In May, we hosted the Philippine Sporting delegation to the Arafura Games. Forty Nine Filipinos came and represented the City of Cebu in 5 sports. Out of the 25 athletes who competed in their sports, 22 medals were received. A mighty effort for a small and hardworking team. Bringing athletes to Arafura Games is a very costly exercise. However, the cost factor was minimised by the families who welcomed the athletes and officials as guests into their homes. Many have made friendship as a result of. The homestay accommodation went on reasonably well. A huge thanks to those who volunteered to become Ambassadors and Team attaches. Special thanks go to the families who do not get tired in extending their hospitality to our countryfolk. A huge bonus came our way when the NT Government approved our grant application for the construction of the eaves around the building. $129 000 was granted for this project over a period of three years. The first two instalments amounting to more than $100 000 have already gone into our bank account for the building improvement fund. The construction of the eaves has started with the footings being laid. Frank Toth, the builder who did our kitchen and toilet facilities, has already been given the tender to construct the eaves extension of the building. Unfortunately, we have to leave the cementing of the floor as the future major construction work when money comes our way again. We have to work on a strategy to raise that fund for that work. In June, we successfully celebrated the 107th year anniversary of the Philippine Independence. The Committee worked hard again in making this event truly successful. As part of our tradition, we recognised members of our community for their exemplary voluntary work. Plaques of Appreciation and Recognition went to Eunice de Ramos, Belinda Thiel and Tessie Muscat Couturier. Now, we are embarking on the Barrio Fiesta project. The preparations are going on smoothly. In this regard, we have many big attractions for the 9th Barrio Fiesta. Ka-anyag Pilipinas Dance Company from West Negros College in Bacolod City is to be brought to the Barrio Fiesta by the Le’Fem Lifestyle Management, Inc. a company owned by Emma Kalaw and her family. The original promise of the Philippine Sports Commission Chairman William Ramirez was ditched due to lack of funding and resurrected by Emma Kalaw, who pays for the 70% of the airfare of this Dance Company. Ramirez contributed P100 000 to the 30% which gave us then only $1000 to contribute towards the dancers’s airfare. They are here to give skills development program to Darwin High School dance, Casuarina Senior College and Tracks dance classes as well as performing for 1.5 hours at the Barrio Fiesta. Homestay accommodation is still needed for the 56 dancers who are college students. Bimbo Cerrudo Live Concert is the finally of the Barrio Fiesta. We have contracted him through the Philippine Entertainment Network in Sydney by paying his fees and airfare. The third segment of the Barrio Fiesta is the Philippine Business Presentations and Exhibits. 22 business people from 6 companies are heading our way to participate in the Barrio Fiesta. This is an important aspect of the program which FAANT is undertaking. The work may sound enormous but in reality it is not. The objective of this visit is to make a business link between the local business and those of the visiting companies. Having a vision to extend the revenue from the bounds of the local supporters we have in Darwin, these companies, if supported well, could be the potential source of income through sponsorships in near future. As of now, these businessmen have paid P387 000 for the airfare of Ka-anyag. We could not do that on our own, therefore inviting them to come to the Barrio Fiesta is a gift from above. A Dinner-Presentation Evening is organised by me to be held here in our Community Centre on Wednesday, 24 August 2005 at 7 pm. Attendance is by invitation only and there is a registration fee of $20 to cover the dinner. Drinks extra. Apol Craufurd and Edna Rivas came with me to discuss the visit of the Philippines Business Companies to Darwin with Mr. Quentin Killian, International Business Manager of DBIRD. He welcomes gladly the initiative we have to make this connection to happen in preparation for the BIMP-EAGA project which they are trying to get off the ground. This project, I am hoping a full support from all of your, is a part of the vision and mission statement FAANT has. This initiative is in consonance with the Policy of the NT Government (Labour Government) in utilising cultural or ethnic groups to create a partnership in promoting business links between the NT and those of their country of origin. I believe that we could do the task well. FAANT serves more than a bridge in this particular case. On to the individual Committees. Risk Management – Ron Greaves has been efficiently handling this portfolio. Our insurance policy has been positively impacted by the creation of this Committee. Thanks to Ron for his keen implementation of his duties in this area. Tambuli – Everyone is enjoying Tambuli. It has become a
self-financial publication since we approached sponsors to cover
printing and mailing cost. Celsie Marquez has sustained her energy
in producing this twice yearly publication. The local libraries
have been supplied copies of Tambuli. The next edition will come
out in November. Email your article to Celsie Marquez at Lloyding@bigpong.com. Ground Maintenance – Aside from his job as the Treasure, Arnold somehow manages to maintain his passion for looking after the building. Social and Cultural Committee – Whiskey Valles has continued to use his brain and talents in imparting his artistic talents to our youth by teaching them Filipino cultural dances in the Independence Day Anniversary Celebration and again in the Barrio Fiesta. Food Stalls – Nannette Thiel has taken over the job of Dr. Cristeta Kabasares in managing the food stalls at the Barrio Fiesta. Aside from this duty, she also assists Whiskey with the cultural dances. Technical work – we all notice the excellence in our cultural shows and that is due to the application of technical knowledge of Eunice de Ramos in her job. Many have given us positive feedback about the quality of the show and Minister Vatskalis at the Charles See Kee Award Ceremonry said, “If you want to see quality show” go to FAANT’s functions. One person alone could not do running the show. We are honoured to have the assitance of Edna Rivas, Nannette Thiel, Flora Garcia and Celsie Marquez. Photography is a costly exercise if we hire a photographer. Celsie Marquez and Arnold Marquez have been sharing their photographic prowess by taking the snap shots of the activities in all events. Thanks to both of you. There are many important jobs which this Executive Committee Members carry out and often they are the most difficult. To mention specifically –
Bar attendance is a hard job but it job has been alleviated by the time Edna Rivas spend in calling people to volunteer for the bar rostering system. Cashiering – looking after the takings in every function demands good attention to details. Virgie Sharpe, with the assistance of Danny Sharpe, has done her duties in looking after the cash takings in all occasions. Membership – There has been a increase in the financial membership mainly from the contract workers. Thanks to Violy Searby for making the contract workers joint as financial members of FAANT. Lisa Greenslade has also been active in reminding people to renew their membership contributions. Website. There will be a creation of FAANT website. Thanks to the insight of Oscar Parian for making the news about FAANT into the World Wide Web. If you wish to help Oscar, please see him on what you can do. We reserve the right to audit what has to be published in the website. Floral Arrangement and Sash making – Athough Apol Craufurd is not in the Officership list, yet her umbilical cord has not been severed. She is still working in full capacity in helping us in many ways. Your commitment and dedication to FAANT and your friendship is highly valued and appreciated. From 2 September to 5 October, Edna and I are touring the UK by going to travel with Mary Duff to England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland. I would give the job as Acting President to Arnold Marquez with the Assistance of Ron Greaves who would look after the finance of the Building Constructions. Bernie Salandanan and Dr. Cristeta Kabasares are not longer in the Committee but their help does not stop there. Bernie has been a big help in giving me technical advises on building matters. He still liaises with the Builder much to our favour. Judith Ventic is still doing well in the radio program. We have received the funding from MCCNT for our radio needs. Judith submits things she needs for the efficient running of the Filipino Broadcast at Top FM which we buy for her. Thank you Judith for that exemplary commitment. To those who helped in compering the shows – Judith, Betchay Mondragon, Whiskey Valles, Estelle Mondragon, we thank you for your command in giving high quality to our cultural presentations. My job has been made systematic due to the direction and kind assistance from my wife, Edna Rivas. We often discuss FAANT matters not necessarily in bed but often in the gardens during our long service leave when we spend much of our energy there. Once again, thank you all for your support. We have two more years
to go before the next election. We have to start looking for my
replacement. By then, much of the major building works is completed
and the job would be relatively easier. Perhaps we need to have
a female President since is has become a trend now a days. |
A
small group of professional Filipinos formed the Filipino Association
of the Northern Territory (FAANT) in October 1973, with John Rivas,
(first President) and Nicanor Pagsanjan (Vice President), Elena
Javier (Secretary) and Lilia Marquez (Treasurer). The Office Bearers
were inducted to office by the late Darwin Mayor, Tiger Brennan,
at a function at the residence of Lino and Cynthia Molina, Parer
Drive, Wagaman. (NT News, 1974)
| Mailing Address: P.O. Box 41639 Casuarina NT O811 ABN 59 373 783 856 |
Contact: John Rivas - President |