Shoulder to Shoulder Event Organising Committee

As many of you know, we have been busy among all the Chinese New Year events and other various activities, helping to organise a fundraiser for the Qld Premier's Disaster Relief Appeal along with the Tamil Assoc, the Singapore Business Council, the Singapore Club, the Taiwanese Friendship Association, and many other groups.  The event is coming up on the 5th March and all your support would be greatly appreciated.

Umesh Chandra from GOPIO is also on the committee and he is also the publisher of the Brisbane Indian Times.  He put the following photo on the front page of his paper and the story in his paper and on his website:

http://www.indiantimes.com.au/index.php?mid=1&ssid=1&page=1

Multicultural communities and businesses unite to support Queenslanders


By Janeth Deen

BRISBANE: Multicultural Communities and business houses in Queensland have joined forces in an effort to raise $100,000 for the Queensland Premiers Disaster Relief Appeal. This committee, is aware of the fact that many fund-raising events are in progress and many have already taken place.

Mother nature has unleased destructive forces which have disrupted the lives of Queenslanders in many ways, sparing little of Queensland. Out of the destruction and despair has risen a fighting spirit which has amazed the world. Queenslanders have united to show they are “ True Aussie Battlers” and willing to join in to help those who have faced bushfires, cyclones, drought and flooding rains.

Each of these Multicultural Communities who have joined in this venture have already had fund raising events and donated to the Queensland Premiers Disaster Relief Appeal. However, mother nature has struck another blow, in the form of Cyclone Yasi which has spread the destruction of infrastructure, homes and industry even further. Queensland has also lost most of its fruit and vegetables production due to the floods and cyclone.

Jessica Watson, our Young Queenslander of the year, is the patron of “ Shoulder to Shoulder event,” This united group is organising this event under the leadership of Dr K. K. Nava. Jessica had the spirit to conquer the elements, and now will support her fellow Queenslanders by joining in with the Multicultural Communities in this event.

The economic climate is a challenge at the moment for fund raising, but Queenslanders have always managed to support those who have suffered from natural disasters. This time, it is their own fellow Queenslanders, and real charity begins at home.

The Multicultural Communities need to be supported in this event to make it a success. The ticket prices are $50 per person, Funds for which can be deposited into the bank account of GOPIO Queensland Inc, Flood Relief account BSB 124-077 Account Number 21560856. This is a special account created for this project separate from GOPIO Queensland’s main account. Please include the name of the ticket buyer. Donations of any amount however small, may also be deposited into this account. A list of all donors and ticket buyers will be forwarded to premiers office.

The event will be held on 5th March between 4pm to 7pm at Queensland Police Academy, Rudd Street, Oxley. Entertainment by multicultural performers will include Brisbane Babas Band, South Pacific Island Dance Group and Getano Bann. Finger foods (including Halal) and drinks will be provided, however it will be an alcohol free event. A fundraising auction will be run by Councillor Graham Quirk.

We encourage all community organisations, business houses, community leaders and individuals to join in this united effort for a deserving cause.

For further information contact any of the following Dr K. K. Nava 0400 820 013. Dr C T Bui 0414 738 093, Umesh Chandra 0421 388 465, Grace Tan 0408 418 833, Shona Leppanen – 0419 088 378, Janeth Deen 0435 086 796, Christine Gomes 0408 721 052.