Sada-e-Watan
Sydney ™
sadaewatan@gmail.com
OVER $48000 RAISED IN THE QUEENSLAND FLOOD APPEAL DINNER HELD BY THE AUSTRALIAN ARABIC COMMUNITY AT ROCKDALE TOWN HALL SYDNEY
The Australian Arabic Community raised $ 48,711 dollars through the inaugural Queensland flood appeal fundraising dinner held at Rockdale Town Hall Sydney on last Saturday night, 22 January 2011.
The death and destructions caused by the Queensland Floods called on all of us to extend our helping hands. The event was a great success attended by over 350 guests from across diverse Communities.
Joining the Hon. Shaoquett Moselmane MLC, were acting High Commissioner of Pakistan H.E. Mr. Tasawar Khan and Mrs. Khan, the Hon. Linda Burney MP, the Hon. Barbara Perry MP, the Hon. Paul Lynch MP. Also in attendance were Mayors and Councillors from various local Government areas including Mayor Tania Mihailuk, Mayor of Bankstown and Candidate for the State seat of Bankstown, Liverpool Mayor Wendy Waller, also in attendance was Mr. Steve Kamper Labor Candidate for the State seat of Rockdale.
Other major supporters of the outstandingly successful event were; the Islamic Council of NSW, Al Zahra Muslim Association, the Coptic Church, Auburn Sports Club, Darulfatwa Australia, Alawi Youth Movement, the Vietnamese Community, Arab Business Network, Michel Jarjoura, Ella Rouge, KK Civil, Sydney Civil, All Star Solutions, Al Minia Association, Al Rahmeh Association, Meryatah Association, Kfarhelda Association, The Lebanese Community Council lead by its newly elected President Mr. Mahmoud Elkheir, Buildum Construction, Dr Ali Bazzi, Dr Mustapha Alameddin, Fouad Chami, Hurstville City Council, Ibrahim Pastry, Clr Joe Awada, Ghassan Afiouni the Nut Roasters, Peace Bakery, Kip McGrath Education Centre, Rockdale City Council, Rockdale MacDonald’s, Arncliffe Aurora Soccer Club, Sam Asmar and many more.
Raffle and Auction items were generously donated by The Hon. Shaoquett Moselmane MLC, Anthony Mundine, All Star Solutions, Ella Rouge and Kip McGrath.
Deepest Thanks to the Arabic Media, Mr. Tony Kazzi and Mr. Tony Sabella, El Telegraph, Mr. Ahmed Salim, Annahar, Mrs. Ilham Hafez 2ME and Mr. Abbas Mourad SBS.
The Australian Arabic fund raising Committee, led by the Hon. Shaoquett Moselmane MLC, said, “Although we are all very much saddened by the enormous damage and loss of lives caused by the recent floods in Queensland and Victoria, we give thanks for all those who have worked tirelessly and courageously to help those affected by this catastrophe.
We are just so incredibly thankful for the generosity of the community; I Sincerely thanks them for their public undertaking to making such a great contribution to help our Queensland Brethren. Special Thanks to the Acting High Commissioner of Pakistan the Hon, Mr. Khan for his attendance and kind support.
The funds that you all have helped raise will go directly to the premiers flood appeal and The Australian Red Cross.
The Hon. Barbara Perry MP said, “ I really want to thank the members of the fund raising committee led by the Hon. Shaoquett Moselmane MLC, Louay Mustapha, Ali Ibrahim, Clr Fadwa Kebbe, Clr Joe Awada, Khalil Ibrahim, Sam Asmar and Adnan Mourad, I cannot thank them enough for the work they have done. They are an inspiration to our community”
The Hon, Linda Burney and the Hon, Paul Lynch, also thanked the Arabic Community for a job well done and recognised the work that this Community has done over the years when it comes to supporting those in need whether in Australia or Overseas.
The Committee is currently in the process of planning its next venture with the aim of raising $100,000 for the St George Hospital Children’s Ward in May 2011, for further information and to lend your support please contact Ms. Fadwa Kebbe on 9230 2526 or Mr. Louay Mustapha 02 - 9790 7555 / 0404 313 414.
The Hon.Shaoquett Moselmane MLC, Speech
* Acting High Commissioner of Pakistan Mr. Tasawar Khan & Mrs Khan
* The Hon, Paul Lynch
* The Hon, Linda Burney
* The Hon, Barbara Perry
* Her Worship Mayor of Liverpool Wendy Wheeler
* Her Worship Mayor of Bankstown Tania Mihailuk
* Candidate for Rockdale Mr. Steven Kamper
* Media representatives, Mariana Papadelias- Leader
* Mr. Antoine Kazzi, El-Telegraph
* Mr. Ahmed Al-Salim
* Mr. Tony Sabella, El-Telegraph
* Clr Mark Adler, Canterbury City Council
* Clr Fadwa Kebbe, Canterbury City Council
* Clr Ali Karnib, Liverpool City Council
* Clr Joe Awada, Rockdale City Council
* Clr Angelo Anestis, Rockdale City Council
* Clr Shane Obrien, Rockdale City Council
* Clr John La Mela, Rockdale City Council
* Clr Nick Katris, Kogorah City Council
* Clr Jeanette Wang, Ashfield City Council and all other Guests:
I welcome each and every one of you for joining us here tonight in support of the people of Queensland and the people of Victoria and other areas ravaged by massive Land Tsunami.
Good evening and welcome to this Arabic Community Fund Raising Dinner for the Flood effected people of Queensland.
Before we commence proceedings tonight I ask you to please stand up for the national Anthem.
* Thank you and welcome again.
* Sadly natural disaster such as floods, earthquakes, bush fires to name a few are now a common occurrence and when they hit they hit with such ferocity that they cause mass death and devastation and the impact of that devastation can really and truly be felt by the people where the disaster hits.
The damage to lives and people has been immense with loss of life and significant damage to infrastructure. We not only mourn the loss of life but we express our deepest and heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and all Australians who have suffered as a result of this natural calamity.
Many local Government areas across the States of Queensland, Victoria and NSW have been declared natural disaster area. The Flood had spared nothing, destroying lives and livelihood, destroying homes, factories, businesses, destroying Farms and farm houses, roads, bridges and other critical infrastructure and if in the first wave of floods the damage was not complete, many Queensland and Northern NSW Communities had to endure a second wave of flooding devastating whatever was left.
* As you will see in a short Video to be played tonight, chilling images of the deaths and destruction beamed into the house holds of every Australian and many around the World. In the Australian Spirit, every individual Australian and all Federal and State Government rose to the massive challenge ahead, a great sense of mateship and solidarity was on display and the massive Queensland
Flood response effort kicked in.
* SES Volunteers, Emergency Services, Police, Community Services and many other Humanitarian organisations all as one, swung into action, just as you are doing tonight.
* It is this same Australian Spirit of mateship and this deep sense of solidarity that you showed for the people of Indonesia when the Tsunami hit, it’s the same spirit displayed when the floods hit Pakistan devastating the lives of over 2 Million people.
* Tonight I salute you and your sense of generosity and express my respect to each and every one of you for the kind support you have shown. I ask you to dig deep for the Auction Raffles, please enjoy the friendship, the company and the wonderful food.
* In closing I wish to thank you all for your kindness and for your attendance.
* I'd like you all to show your appreciation to this dedicated group of young people without whom this Function would not have occurred let alone be such a success.
* Louay Mustapha, Adnan Mourad, Fadwa Kebbe, Ali Ibrahim, Khalil Ibrahim & Tare.
