H.E. Ma. Hellen B. De La Vega, Ambassador of the Philippines to Australia, delivered her remarks during the Filipino community engagement in Queensland on 01 June 2021 at the Philippine Multipurpose Centre in Beryl Park. The event was organized by the Filipino-Australian Foundation of Queensland (FAFQ) led by its President Ms. Cecilia J. Somodio. They are joined by FAFQ Founding President Mauro Somodio.
07 June 2021 - H.E. Ma. Hellen B. De La Vega, Ambassador of the Philippines to Australia, undertook her first Official Visit to Queensland on 01 to 04 June 2021 and celebrated 75 Years of Philippines-Australia Diplomatic relations with the Filipino community and state and city government officials. Ambassador De La Vega was joined by Honorary Consul General to Queensland Margaret Grummitt.
There are more than 50,000 Filipinos and more than 4,000 Filipino students all over Queensland. Queensland hosts the 3rd largest Filipino community all over Australia.
Ambassador De La Vega engaged with Filipino community leaders in an evening event organized by the Filipino-Australian Foundation of Queensland Inc. (FAFQ) on 01 June. Ms. Lisa Crawford, Home Affairs Regional Director for Queensland and Acting Chief Police Superintendent Andrew Pilotto were among the guests from the Queensland Government. In her remarks, Ambassador De La Vega congratulated the Filipino community for the success of their activities in celebrating Philippines Australia Friendship Day and the 75th Anniversary.
On the same day, the Ambassador met with the Queensland Filipino Youth Association (QFYA), Association of Filipinos and Filipino-Australians at the University of Queensland (FilOz UQ) and the QUT Filipino Students Association (QUTFSA) and shared opportunities for collaboration with the Philippine Embassy to promote Philippines-Australia relations.
On 02 June 2021, Ambassador De La Vega joined the Plant a Tree activity organized by the Filipino-Australian Teachers Association of Queensland Inc. (FATAQ) and supported by the Brisbane City Council. Councillor Kim Marx joined the Philippine Ambassador in planting the first seedlings in Karawatha Forest Park. From an initial donation of 75 seedlings from the Brisbane City, it was announced during the ceremony that 500 seedlings would be provided for planting in Karawatha.
The Philippine Embassy in Canberra expresses its appreciation to the Filipinos in Queensland for the warm welcome and looks forward to their support in deepening engagement between the Philippines and Australia. END
(Left photo) H.E. Ma. Hellen B. De La Vega, Ambassador of the Philippines to Australia and Councillor Kim Marx of the Brisbane City Council plant trees at Karawatha Park in Brisbane on 02 June. (Right photo) Ambassador De La Vega and Mr. Joveno De La Vega plant the first tree. The Plant a Tree activity was initiated by the Filipino-Australian Teachers Association of Queensland Inc (FATAQ) and supported by the Brisbane City Council.
H.E. Ma. Hellen B. De La Vega, Ambassador of the Philippines to Australia, with Councillor Kim Marx Honorary Consul General Margaret Grummitt, officers of FATAQ and members of the Filipino community in Queensland on 02 June 2021 at Karawatha Park.
H.E. Ma. Hellen B. De La Vega, Ambassador of the Philippines to Australia, met with Filipino students in Queensland on 01 June 2021 at the University of Queensland in a forum organized by the Queensland Filipino Youth Association, the QUT Filipino Student Association and the Association of Filipinos and Filipino-Australians at the University of Queensland.
