ASCON’s Tribute to Multicultural Seniors
By Dr. Cen Amores
Sydney-Australia
March 9, 2020
The Organising Committee composed of past and present ASCON officers include (L to R) Ruben Amores, Founding President; Fatma Mohamed, former treasurer; Glorina Papaioannou, current Assistant Treasurer; Kanesarajah Sritharan, current treasurer, Ghassan Alassadi, current president, Dr Cen Amores, Immediate Past President and Izeta Zecevic, current Secretary.
The Berala Community Centre’s main hall was transformed into a very vibrant hub to celebrate Cumberland Multicultural Seniors’ Festival on 10 February 2020. Dressed in their traditional regal and colourful costumes, seniors from Cumberland LGA and surrounds were once again, treated with an entry-free cultural performances, delicious multicultural cuisines and a brief information on the services offered by Resilience to Recovery, an NDIS provider and major sponsor to this event.
In a show of unity, ten organisational members of Auburn Small Community Organisation Network (ASCON) Inc bonded together to acknowledge the invaluable contributions made by the Seniors. This community initiative of ASCON is an ideal platform to encourage a family-friendly cultural exchange, promote inclusion and community harmony.
A group photo of the participants, ASCON officers, sponsors and other guests
The Filipino community was enthusiastically represented by the Alliance of Philippine Community Organisations Inc, led by Acting President Charles Chan and Dr Cen Amores, APCO Founding President and Immediate Past President of ASCON. Another Filipino community leader, Ruben Amores, Founding President of Kapit-bahayan Cooperative Ltd and ASCON, respectively, was in the organising committee. Members of ASCON from CALD and refugee communities who provided entertainment and sumptuous traditional food include: Australian Middle Eastern Association Inc, Bosnian Seniors and Disability Association Inc, Cumberland Tamil Society Inc, Diompillor Kissia Association Inc, Iraqi Renaissance, NSW Multicultural Seniors Association Inc, Somali Welfare and Cultural Association Inc and Sri Om Foundation, Kapit-bahayan Cooperative Ltd and Alliance of Philippine Community Organisations Inc.
In his words of welcome, Ghassan Alassadi, current ASCON President made everyone feel at ease. Among the guest speakers were the Hon Linda Voltz MP, Member for Auburn and Philippine Consul General to Sydney, the Hon Ezzedin Tago. It was such a delight to see Consul General Tago who speaks fluent Arabic, surrounded by Arabic-speaking ASCON members and guests alike, wanting to talk to him! The program was ably co-emceed by Acting APCO President Charles Chan and Dr Cen Amores, Immediate Past President of ASCON. A variety of cultural presentations and authentic food from diverse communities were provided by the above mentioned organisational members of ASCON.
The Cumberland Multicultural Seniors Festival 2020 was proudly supported by the Cumberland Council, Resilience to Recovery, an NDIS provider as main sponsor and Sastra Pty Ltd.