2015 APCO Freedom Day Ball

performers.
6. Supported the Sydney Sacred Music Festival by
providing a dance performance by MEDG and VSD
Dancerz.
7. Nominated ASCON that eventually won the Jim
Samios Memorial Award for Multiculturalism awarded by
Ethnic Communities Council of NSW Inc.
8. Attended the Africultures event held at Auburn Park.
9. Attended the House of Welcome’s Community
Lunch and Program held fortnightly at Auburn Centre for
Community.
10. Attended and performed at the Ethnic Communities
Council of NSW Inc’s 40th Anniversary Celebration
11. Attended Afghan community festival in Auburn
Centre for the Community
G. Other Responsible Roles/Awards Received by APCO
Leaders
1. Dr Cen Amores was designated one of the inaugural
ZEST Ambassadors for her strong advocacy, capacity
building and leadership in Greater Western Sydney.
2. Dr Cen Amores was designated into the Members
Forum of Ethnic Communities Council of NSW
3. Dr Cen Amores was designated as a Steering
Committee Member for the Tour Guide and Cook Training
Projects provided by ASCON and supported by Auburn
City Council
4. For her untiring voluntary work, leadership, advocacy
and promotion of the benefits of multiculturalism, Cen was
featured at the Western Sydney Business Access Newspaper’s
Special Edition for the 2015 ZEST AWARDS
5. Following the incorporation of the Auburn Small
Community Organisation Network, Inc (ASCON) Ruben
Amores was elected as the inaugural President while Cen
was appointed as Public Officer.
REPORT
6. Ruben Amores was awarded the Lifetime Community
Service Medal by Premier of NSW during the Premier’s
Harmony Dinner for 2015.
7. To commemorate the 25th anniversary of ABS-CBN,
Ruben was featured at the Starlight magazine for embodying
outstanding Filipino traits. One of Ruben’s many community
initiatives, the multi-awarded Kapit-bahayan Cooperative
Ltd, is the sole awardee from Southern Hemisphere and
Oceana of the prestigious Global Bayaning Filipino (Hero)
award given by ABS-CBN and UGAT Social Institute!
H. Future Plans
1. To organise APCO’s low-interest credit facility for its
members
2. To source more funding for its community development
projects
3. To assist affiliates in preparing funding grants
applications
4. To intensify engagement and partnerships with local
councils and CALD communities for the delivery of more
public services
5. To encourage members to attend capacity building
trainings and recruit new leaders to continue the growth
and effectiveness of their organisations.
Mabuhay to all APCO organisational and independent
members and the broad Filipino-Australian community for
another year of outstanding partnership and collaboration!
Ruben Amores
APCO President
Presenting APCO at an Anglicare group in Cabramatta