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 ...