UALM holds ceremony befitting of Australia Day, pledge Australia wide Flood fundraising drive

Sydney, Australia:� At the Holroyd Centre in Merrylands, the United Australian Lebanese Movement (UALM) held its Annual Australia Day Award Ceremony on the evening of Tuesday January 25, an event rich in its guests and award recipients making it a fitting tribute to Australia Day.Since 1999 the UALM has been honouring Australians of Lebanese origin for outstanding achievements and service to Australia in a multitude of fields.� Presenting these awards along with the UALM was the Ambassador for the Australia Day Council of New South Wales (NSW), Mr Corrin Varady, Chair and Founder of World Youth Education Trust.After being welcomed by NSW Coordinator Richard Tannous, Holroyd Deputy Mayor, Councillor John Perry officiated the opening of the ceremony, Federal Member for Parramatta Julie Owens who spoke on behalf of the Prime Minister, the Honourable Phillip Ruddock speaking on behalf of the leader of the federal opposition and State MP and Minister Barbara Perry of Lebanese origin was speaking on behalf of the NSW Premier.Guests spanning various Lebanese and community groups, Churches and Mosques were also in attendance in the presence of Mr Craig Kelly Federal MP for Hughes, Federal MP for Greenway Michelle Rowland, Mayor of Strathfield Councillor Tony Maroun, Holroyd Councillor Vasee Rajadurai, Holroyd Councillor Greg Ritchie, and former Parramatta Mayor Tony Issa.The official UALM Address was delivered by the National Coordinator Mr Bashar Haikal who praised Australia, its way of life and the opportunity it gives its citizens and reassured the audience that Lebanon, the country of origin for many Australians despite what some are reporting is just starting to emerge as a strong and stable state and that faith should be had in Lebanon?s democratic ideals that Australia cherishes so much.� Ambassador Corrin Varady gave a rousing speech and remained on stage with Mr Haikal to present the awards.With the venue to capacity, the event saw UALM representatives from all over Australia attend for the awards who were presented in the following order; Australia Day Youth Award Miss Mariam Chaalan, Sister Salam Mouawad and Janet Lahoud for the Antonine Sisters Maronite Order of Nuns from Lebanon who run Saint Paul's Hostel for the Elderly Melbourne, Father Maroun Moussa for Community Service, Mr Kamel El Murr for Literature, for Politics the Hon. Shaoquett Moselmane MLC, for Journalism Mr Anwar Harb and for Medicine Dr Fred Nasser.Mr Andrew Bertoncelj, representative from Woolworths who have been sponsors of the event for the last decade presented Mr Varady with an Australia Day Pin as a token of appreciation for his attendance.A moving video was shown on the recent floods across Australia after which Mr Haikal announced that within the first week the UALM had raised a few thousand dollars and launched an Australia wide fundraising initiative for the recent floods calling upon all UALM Branches across Australia to hold fundraising events before the end of February.The night ended with a presentation from Mr Varady and his special guests, children from Tanzania who gave the UALM a traditional gift of warrior attire along with a heartfelt hand written note.The evening concluded with the continuation of a cocktail party that had started prior to the ceremony where people from all walks of life who originate from all around the globe came together as proud Australians.Pictures: http://www.tayyar.org/Tayyar/Multimedia/Photos/PhotoAlbum.htm?AID=26103

Source: http://www.tayyar.org/Tayyar/News/PoliticalNews/en-US/129410445974501830.htm

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