Forum's invite

10th Chairperson of the Forum

Mr Phout Mingsisouphanh, representing the Families of Ex-Police and 10th Chairperson of the Forum of Lao Australian Organisations in NSW, standing next to the Phatthasima at Wat Phra Yortkeo, holding in his hand is the bag of green paw-paws which he will donate to the Lao-Oz Foundation BBQ on Saturday 19/5/2012.  Lao-Oz Foundation has already received a lot of donation such as green paw-paws, chillies, bread, sticky rice, noodles, drinks, fruits and food for their BBQ.  This generosity clearly shows that Lao community in NSW is very much together as "One Community".

All Presidents of the now 16 Members of the Forum take turn in chairing the quarterly meeting of the Forum.  The Chairperson also has the mandate to make final decision on any matters raised at the meeting.

Forum and Fundraising

In the past few years, The Forum has organised two big fundraising events to help the Victoria Fire Victims and the Queensland Flood Victims, raising more than A$25,000 for both events.  Lao Community has been recognised and praised by the Australian Government for their contribution to help the Australian people who are in need.  A big congratulation to the Lao organisations who participated in organising the two fundraising.

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Top: The Forum Representatives gave a Certificate of Recognition to the Bonnyrigg Sports Club Manager for their generosity by providing the free hall for the function. Usually the rent of the hall could amount up to more than one thousand dollars. on the stage was MC Somvilay Vongsouvanh.

(L to R): Mr Khamha Sithirajvongsa, Mr Phanh Aryavong, Ms Phayvanh Phoumindr, the Club Manager, Mr Sychanh Chitdamrong (then Chair of Forum) and Mr Toulanh Chounlamountry.

Bottom: The ex-Chairs of the Forum and Presidents of other Lao organisations who are the members of the Forum took photo with Superintendent Ray King, Police Commander from Cabramatta Police Station who came to address the function. The Lao organisations who participated in the fundraising were: Lao Buddhist Society in NSW, Thong Long Ngum, Savanh Samphanh, Saychai Lao Tai, Lao Lanxang Luang Prabang, Ex-sammakone, Lao Community Group Service Assoc, Seniors Group, Families of Lao Ex-Servicemen, Families of Lao Ex-Police, Silapin Lao NSW, Peuan Kru, Seuksa Sangkhom, Lao Sports Association, Khuam Pen Tham, Taidam United and Hmong Group and Champa Media.

Invitation to Forum Party July 2012!

You are cordially invited to join the ForLao Party organised by the Lao Australian Organisations in NSW. Pls contact Mr Toulanh Chounlamountry (Fundraising Committee Coordinator) on 0451 657 027, Khamsene Sychampanakhone (Fundraising Committee Member) on 0403 008 456, Ms Vongchanh Chanthavong (President of Lao Aust Service Group Assoc Inc) or the Presidents of all Lao Community Organisations who are the Members of the Forum of Lao Australian Organisations in NSW. Looking forward to seeing you all there. Together we can progress and succeed!

Radio Champa celebrates 10th Anniversary

Radio Champa has been broadcasting for 10 years.  Every Sunday from 10am to 12noon, DJ Khamsene, DJ Boungninh and DJ Douangdao have been entertaining their listeners in Sydney and other States of Australia as well as listeners from overseas such as Laos, Canada, France, England and USA (on-line www.swrfm.org).  Please come and join us and celebrate - among friends and families!  The celebration will bring in Lao culture - both traditional and modern lifestyle of Lao overseas.  All welcome! You can buy tickets with Radio Champa team or at the door!  See you there.

Lao Forum Meeting 27/11/2011

 Mr Toulanh Chounlamountry, Chairperson of the Forum of the Lao-Aust Org's in Australia

The Forum discusses major issues that affect Lao community.  18 Lao-Aust Organisations in Sydney meet quarterly at the Forum.  This Meeting welcomed two newly elected Presidents of two Members ie Mr Boungninh Onemany (President of Southern Lao Friendship Society) and Mrs Ratthanaphone Vongsy (President of Lao Artists Assoc in NSW)

Congrats to Forum Chairs

Khamsene Sychampanakhone, Chair No 5 of the Forum of Lao Aust Organisations in NSW.

The previous Chairs of the Forum received a Certificate of Recognition for their valuable contribution to the success of the Forum.  The Certificates were handed to the recipients by Superintendent Ray King (Far Right) from Cabramatta Local Area Command and the Crime Manager, also from the NSW Police Force  (Far Left).

Welcome to the Fundraising for QLD Flood Victims

The bouquets represent kindness, sincerity and unity of Lao people in Sydney. We welcome you all to the fundraising for the Queensland Flood Victims. The fundraising was organised by the Forum of Lao Australian Organisations in NSW who is authorised as a promoter and third party fundraiser for the Premier's Disaster Relief Appeal, Fundraiser Ref No TF/11/2708. Thank you for your generous donations and your tremendous support - from the event organising committee.

The Elders of the Lao Community

Mr Tianethone and Mrs Viengxay Chantharasy (middle) kindly took photo with some of the Forum's Members. (L-R) Mr Xieng Luangrath, Mrs Phayvanh Phoumindr, then Mr Ratsamy Phimmachanh and Mr Khamha Sithirajvongsa. We thank you for your continuing support and your valuable advice always. Khob jai der kha noy!

The elders force

(L-R) In this photo - Mr Xieng Luangrath from the Elders Group, Mr Phanh Aryavong (President of Lao Buddhist Society of NSW & Elders Group Representative to the Forum) and Mr Khamky Sourignavong, an elder in the community. Their presence was considered as an encouragement to the organising committee. Thank you.

The elder guests

Mr Champa Baramy and Mrs Thom Baramy are always present when it comes to community events. Thank you.

The elder guests

Mr Nouane Manivong, Mrs Phila Manivong (R) and Mrs Beng Xayanavong were there to support the younger generation. Thank youuuu ...

The Music Band

The combined band consisting of all talented musicians from different bands entertained the evening with pride. Here, Mrs Vilayvanh Sisounonh, one of the top female singers was entertaining the audience. A big applaud to all the Lao artists!

Lao Australian Community Group Services Association Inc

The Lady in Red ... Mrs Vongchanh Chanthavong, President of the Lao Australian Community Group Services Association, is a beautiful and capable lady. Here, she is seen dancing Lamvong with colleague Mr Khamha Sithirajvongsa (Coordinator of Forum Support Committee). LACGSAI has contributed greatly to the event. Thank you!

The Official Photographer

A very talented young man, an incredible asset to Lao community ... Mike Phetchareun volunteered to the be the official photographer of the night - which was an unusual sight. Most of the time, we would see Mike playing guitar and singing "Hotel California". But little did we know about this young man ... he is a musician, a song writer, a singer, an MC at FM89.3, a photographer, a businessman, an interpreter and the list goes on. Mike was interviewed by SBS Radio once and surprisingly, his favourite song is not pop, rock, rap or even heavy metal but "Champa Muang Lao" which he sang as lullaby for his little daughter. Mike has a most promising future lying in front of him. When asked why he loves "Champa Muang Lao"? He said he loved the bit that says: "Xao Lao phoum jai, keuth yu phay nai daen din Lan Xang". Mike expressed his emotion as "whenever I heard this bit ... I feel so proud to be Lao". Good on you Mike! Good on you!

Southern Lao Friendship Society

A man with multi-talents and wearing many hats ... Mr Bounnhing Onemany is the Vice President of Southern Lao Friendship Society (as community contributor), the broadcaster of Champa Radio SWR FM99.9 (as hobby) and the photoshop expert (which is his paid job, well ... he has to work to earn a living right?). Usually we see him wearing the hat of official photographer, but at this event we let him off the hook so he can enjoy a little bit dancing with his lovely wife, nha eauy Lay Onemany.

The Amateur Photographers

Among the keen amateur photographers is Mr Toulanh Chounlamountry, Coordinator of the Forum Fundraising Committee and President of Savan Mutual Assistance. Mr Toulanh is also the Fundraising Coordinator who managed to raise more than ten thousand dollars for the victims of the VIC Bush Fire last year. What can we say ... You are such a wonderful man Mr Toulanh ... a real asset to the Lao community in Sydney. We thank you for your continuing sacrifice.

The Masters of Ceremony Team Leader

MC Soumountha Sirimanotham (R), the Team Leader of the 5 most in-demand MCs in Sydney is up on the stage with MC Khamsene Sychampanakhone entertaining the audience.

The MCs

The event was entertained by the most popular 5 MCs who are well known in Lao community in Sydney. Coincidently, all their names start with letter "S", thus they were referred to as the five "S" MCs (or hah sor in Lao language). Here the 4 MCs (L-R) Mr Somdeth Nhungnouvong, Ms Soubankham Sikaypack, Mr Soumountha Sirimanotham and Mr Somvilay Vongsouvanh were announcing the prize winners. The fifth "S" is MC Sene Sychampanakhone who appears in the previous photo with the MC Team Leader. The MCs were very important people for the event ... a big credit goes to them! Thank you so much!

The Fair Go Team

Mr Ratsamy Phimmachanh, Chair of the Fair Go Team, showed interest in one of the many books which were on the table for auction. In the background, there were also some Lao costumes for auction which attracted huge interest and good sum of money from the Lao ladies. 100% of the proceeds from the auctioned items will go to the Premier Disaster Relief Appeal. Many thanks to Mrs Ling Chittanonh for her generosity by donating those beautiful Lao products and a big thank you to Siriphoum Foundation for donating those rare and interesting books.

Lao Chinese Association

Mrs Kongchanh Sitou has a good reason to smile. She was at the event together with the generous group of Lao Chinese Association members. Mrs Kongchanh is always a supporter to any charity events. She is also the recipient of the 2010 Lao Champa Media Award as a "Loyal Listener and Great Supporter to Radio Champa". Congratulations nha euay Kongchanh ... Keep smiling der ... We love that smile :)

Lao Buddhist Society of NSW

Mr Bounphayvanh Sodarak, Secretary of Lao Buddhist Society of NSW, was seen here in a relaxing and happy mood! Thanks to the Lao Buddhist Society of NSW for their continuing support to the Forum. May Buddha bless you Bounphayvanh!

Lao Teachers Society

Mr Nhouaykham Sanoubane, President of Lao Teachers Society, giving big donation on behalf of the members, creating satisfactory smiles to everybody. Nhouaykham was also the event floor manager overseeing the overall operation on the floor. Good work Nhouaykham!

Big donation

(L-R) The Forum Chairperson, Mr Sychanh Chitdamrong, Mr Khamsene Sychampanakhone (Chair of Lao Champa Media & Member of Forum Fundraising Committee) and Mr Khamsing Inthapanya (Southern Lao Friendship Society) looked excited to see that big donations kept coming in.

The Chairperson

The Chairperson of the Forum of Lao Australian Organisations in NSW, Mr Sychanh Chitdamrong (F) and Mr Vetsouvanh Vilaysarn, President of the Lao Artist Association in NSW, with big smile on their faces ... because the event went very well! We will announce the preliminary amount of donation we got in SWR FM99.9, Radio Champa in due course.

Guest of Honour

Our Guest of Honour, Superintendent Raymond King, Commander from the Cabramatta Local Area Command with Phayvanh Phoumindr, Deputy Coordinator of the Forum Support Committee. Mr King said in his speech that: "Lao community is small in quantity but very big in quality". In Lao proverb we have something like: "noy mark pik kee noo"!

Money ... money ... money

Southern Lao Friendship Society's Mr Khamsing Inthapanya and Mrs Bounhom Souvannalay were busy counting the donated money. Mr Toulanh Chounlamountry (middle) was there to help out.

A bit of fun

After all the hard work, the organising committee members and the guests had a little bit of fun. In fact, they had fun all night, dancing their night away ... Good on you!

The Fashion Parade

The fashion parade of Lao modern costumes was made possible by our mighty nong Tiou Vicky (Viphavady) Rattanavong (wearing green). We are so proud of you Vicky! yehhh ...

And the Winner is ...

Here comes the 1st Prize Winner, Mr Xieng Luangrath presented A$400 cash to our Winner who generously donated back A$100 to the Appeal.

2nd Prize Winner

Our 2nd Prize Winner was presented with A$300 cash by the Forum Support Committee Coordinator, Mr Khamha Sithirajvongsa.

3rd Prize Winner

Mr Chanthanith Chittasy showing off his prize (A$200) with a broad smile, is congratulated by his lovely wife, Ramphay.

The women forces

(L to R) Nina Long, Phayvanh Phoumindr and Viphavady (Vicky) Rattanavong could now smile because the event went well.

Visit by Liberal Candidate for Cabramatta

Ms Dai Le (wearing pink), Liberal Candidate for Cabramatta dropped by to say Hello and the event. The office of Mr Nick Lalic, Labor Candidate for Cabramatta sent an apology for not being able to attend. Don't forget the NSW State Election day is Saturday on 26 March 2011!

Together we can progress and achieve!

(From L to R) Mr Samly Phimavong, Mr Xieng Luangrath and Dr Viliam Phraxayavong addressed the inaugural meeting of the Forum on 25 July 2009. The historic meeting was attended by nearly 50 key people in the Lao community in NSW, Australia. This meeting lead to the establishment of the Forum of Lao Australian Organisations in NSW (For Lao NSW) and yield 18 member organisations which constitutes nearly 90% of the whole number of Lao community organisations in NSW.

The historic inaugural meeting of the Forum

(From left to right in photo) Mr Samly Phimavong, Mr Xieng Luangrath, Mr Phokhamphet, Mr Phanh Aryavong, Dr Siasavath Sirimanotham, Mr Champa Baramy, Mr Sengkeo Sisouphone and Mr Voraveth Siackhasone at the inaugural meeting of the Forum of Lao Australian Organisations in NSW (For Lao NSW) which was held on 25 July 2009, in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.