Association of Bhutanese in Australia (ABA Sydney) celebrated its 4th anniversary amidst a special function in Sydney today.
According to the organizers, the main goal of the program was to highlight the Bhutanese culture and tradition among the multicultural communities and different service providers.
Chief guest, MP David Bradbury formally inaugurated the program by lighting a candle, which was followed by swastibachan (recitation of holy mantras) by Bhutanese priests. Meanwhile, Bhutanese children showed cultural dances.
Om Dhungel, adviser of ABA Sydney, welcomed the guests. In his welcome speech, Dhungel, who is also ABA’s former president, appreciated Australian Government’s decision to resettle Bhutanese refugees on humanitarian grounds. “We are also celebrating the fourth year of our life in Sydney,” he said.
Speaking in the program chief guest Bradbury highlighted different aspects of emerging communities in multicultural Australia. He praised the Bhutanese culture of respecting elders and exemplary works done by Bhutanese community in Western Sydney to stand on its own.
Meanwhile, ABA Sydney President Dr.Om Dhungyel presented a report on highlights of Bhutanese community in Sydney. Addressing the program, he said, “Our main aim should be to focus on empowering community members to start their new lives in this wonderful land of opportunities.”
The program, which was managed by executive committee of ABA Sydney, ended with a vote of thanks from its cultural coordinator Nanda lal Bhandari.
