By Sandup Tsering
The Melbourne Tibetan Community of Australia celebrated 68th Birthday of His Holiness The Dalai Lama with the Australia Tibet Council and Tibet Welfare Group on Sunday July 6 at the Petrie Community Hall of Montmorency. The event began by Tibetans paying homage and offering kata (Tibetan greeting scarve) to the throne of His Holiness The Dalai Lama, and reciting long life prayers to His Holiness. Then, George Farley, the founding president of the Australia Tibet Council, and the President of all four visits to Australia so far by His Holiness, gave a warm welcome speech capturing the profound qualities of His Holiness. Other speakers included Mr Greg Ryan, Councillor, City Council of Banyule, and Samdup Tsering, President of the Melbourne Tibetan Community. The highlight of the speeches was by John Bruekel,who is a staff member of the Victorian Parliament House announcing the establishment of the Parliamentary Friends of Tibet Group which currently consists of fifteen parliamentarians.
The gathering was entertained by a Tibetan flutist Tenzin Tsewang; songs and dances by Tibetan Community members including children; Wylie J, a musician; an African drumming group led by Mathew. Invited as guest were representative from various Tibedtan Buddhist Centres, long-time friends and supporters of Tibet, including the Board members of the 2002 Dalai Lama tour to Australia. Well over 150 people attended and the day clearly showed that the Tibetan culture is surviving, and the spirit of Tibetan people still very high, despite the People’s Repiblic of China’s continous effort to wipe off the Tibetan race and culture from the face of the earth.
Thank You & Tashi Delek
Sandup Tsering
President
Tibetan Community of Victoria, Australia
8 Wilson Street, Bentleigh, Victoria 3204 Australia
Tel: +61 3 9557 9745
email: purang@alphalink.com.au
