An Aussie who fell in love with the Filipino Media
By Richard J. Ford
NSW-Australia
October 29, 2018
Richard J. Ford with his Filipina wife Dian
Where do I start, well I guess at the beginning is to me best and I guess a reminder is best remembered to move forward.
I was born on Anzac Day in the year 1957, which explains why after leaving High School I was moved to enter the Army. I served in the Royal Australian Army Medical Corps (RAAMC) leaving in 1977. Then I served as a Youth Leader in the Anglican Church, where in the CEBS Anglican Boys Society serving a Junior to Senior Leader, the n Branch Governor then Assistant District Commissioner, that by 1990 I was awarded the Order of Merit and National Awards for my services to Youth. Then when I joined the Public Service where I worked for 22 years, earning (4) four promotions, I then embarked on a series of TAFE Studies in Personal Management, then in Welfare, earning a credit in Diploma in Welfare.
Then when I became a Christian I went to Theological College earning a credit in Biblical Studies Diploma. All completed by 1985. Of which I started Preaching and leading Church Services serving as a Lay Minister since 1990, now as a Chaplain in Nursing Homes for my own Church in Hoxton Park Anglican. Also during this time I have served as a Scripture Teacher in Schools for three (3) Public Schools. Then during that time serving in the Canterbury State Emergency Services as a Rescue member, then becoming a Staff Officer Welfare, in which I designed the Welfare Training Manual for the members of the Canterbury Branch, of which I left to devote time to a new role, as husband to my newly married asawa Dian when I married in 1993. Since working and up to now I have been a Justice of the Peace since 1979. In all that time I have been studying in TAFE and other related Colleges for some 15 years including Management, Business Diplomas plus Accounting and Computing Courses.
Then putting all aside I see my most memorable moment has been when I joined the Filipino-Australian Community, whom I call my second family. I joined Fil-Oz Liverpool in 2003, then the Visayan Association in 2004, becoming respectively as their Press Relations Officer till now and then Vice-President also. Then in 2010 becoming the Press Relations Officer till now. In all groups I have been fill-in Secretary when required. When I became Press Relations Officer I became addicted with the need to study bug and joined workshops started by Jaime Pimentel in 2009, becoming one of the original founding members of Filpressyd that held Media and Press Writing Skills, of which I have learnt what I know and have demonstrated by the many articles I have been honoured humbly in being published in the Filipino-Australian Media, even as far as the Netherlands.
Finally, to say I have come a long way for someone who overcame being badly burned by hot tea at 14 months old and the subsequent skin grafts till I was 21. Also suffering bullying at school and then discrimination at work through my hearing impairment, of which I have never been ashamed of, and of which has spurred me on to do what I can to make my world and others a little better, and for that I hope I have been able to humbly achieve. So Through all that I can see where my study and life experiences have made me the person I am today, no anger but thanks for being an example so that one can see that the best enjoyment in life I have found is this…. serving others in the Community and in your Faith.
It is to all those concerned I give you thanks for the opportunities you have given me and the chance to humbly serve you all, and I pray I can do so as long as God gives me the ability to do so.