22 February 2012 - The Philippine Consulate General in Sydney reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that the Philippine Community Council (PCC) of New South Wales presented a check worth A$5,764 (PhP260,508) to Consul General Anne Jalando-on Louis on February 17 as donation for the victims of tropical storm Sendong (Washi).

The amount was raised through a benefit concert dubbed, "Bukas Palad", which PCC organized on  February 5.  It will be sent by PCC to the Department of Social Welfare and Development as its contribution to the government's program to build houses for the families affected by the calamity.

16 February 2012 - Philippine Ambassador to Australia Belen F. Anota, together with Consul General to Sydney Anne Jalando-on Louis and Labor Attaché Jalilo de la Torre, visited two Technical and Further Education (TAFE) institutions in New South Wales on February 03 to discuss cooperation on education and training.

The group visited the South Western Sydney Institute (SWSI) in Bankstown and the Sydney Institute in Ultimo.

Both the SWSI and the Sydney Institute expressed keen interest in forging an agreement on education and training with relevant Philippine government agencies and in establishing partnerships with Philippine public and private colleges and universities.

The TAFE is the Australian government education system that provides technical and vocational education and training. The TAFE system in New South Wales is more than 100 years old.

TAFE colleges cater to both Australian and international students. Several TAFE institutes have foreign partners and offer offshore programs. END

9 February 2012 - The Philippine Consulate General in Sydney featured various Philippine trade, investment, tourism and cultural materials during the 2012 Lunar New Year Dinner and Showcase organized by the Asia Business Connection at the Parkroyal Hotel in Parramatta, New South Wales on February 02.

4 February 2012- To usher in the year's activities, the Philippine Consulate General in Sydney and the Rizal Park Movement organized a mass officiated by Fr. Christopher Sarkis at the Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church in Rosemeadow, Campbelltown, in New South Wales on January 28.

The mass was followed by the blessing of the nearby Rizal Park, where members of the Filipino community also gathered for a family picnic.

In his homily, Fr. Sarkis expressed admiration not only for Dr. Jose Rizal's genius in medicine, philosophy, languages, the humanities and the arts, but also for how he used his knowledge and skills to promote and protect the interests of the country and the Filipino people.

26 January 2012 - In his remarks during a reception he hosted for Philippine Ambassador to Australia Belen F. Anota, Blacktown City Mayor Alan Pendleton warmly welcomed the Ambassador and cited the various contributions of the Filipino-Australian community to the multicultural fabric of the city. The reception was held at the Blacktown City Council Chambers in the State of New South Wales last January 17.

Read more: Mayor Cites Filipino Community Contributions in Blacktown

Filipino Basketball Night held in Sydney for Typhoon Sendong Victims

Read more: Filipino Basketball Night held in Sydney for Typhoon Sendong Victims