PRESS RELEASE
Philippine Embassy, Canberra
1 Moonah Place, Yarralumla, ACT 2600
www.philembassy.org.au *Tel. No. 02-6273-2535*
27 December 2024, PERTH – The Embassy of the Philippines in Canberra successfully conducted the Perth Townhall Meeting on 20 December 2024 at the Filipino Australian Club of Perth Inc. Clubhouse. The townhall meeting, supported by Honorary Consul to Perth Melissa Aguasa and her team of volunteers, was attended by over 100 individuals representing the various Filipino-Australian Community Groups in Western Australia. After his introduction by Honorary Consul Aguasa, Ambassador Morales first thanked the Filipino Community in Western Australia for the warm welcome and hospitality and congratulated them for their successes in Western Australia. He then went on to discuss the continued strengthening of the Philippines Australia Strategic Partnership and how both benefit from it. He called upon the Filipino community in Western Australia to continue to build upon its successes, stating:
“At the heart of this partnership are the strong people-to-people connections that bind us. Filipino communities here in Australia are our best champions in showcasing our culture, heritage, and the warmth of Filipino hospitality. You are our best ambassadors in deepening Australia’s appreciation of the Philippines. We hope that with your steadfast support, we will continue building on these strong foundations.”
The Ambassador’s remarks were followed by the presentations of the overview of the Strategic Partnership of the Philippines-Australia by Consul Rainier Casis and the services offered by the Philippine Honorary Consulate in Perth by Honorary Consul Aguasa.
The event ended with lively performances of songs and a modern take on traditional dances by Filipino cultural community groups in Western Australia.
Western Australia has welcomed waves of Filipino migrants since the 19th century. Among the earliest were the Manilamen, who settled in northern Australia as early as the 1870s, including in Broome, where they worked in the pearl and maritime industries. Today, the state is home to more than 46,000 Filipinos and Filipino-Australians. END
