'Pasko Pinoy-Style' celebrated in New South Wales

Filipinos in Australia joined the celebration of a "Pasko Pinoy-Style" on December 10 in Blacktown, New South Wales (NSW), about an hour's drive from Sydney. The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the event at the Tregear Community Hall on December 10 was organized by the Australia Filipino Business and Workers Club Inc. (AFBWCI).   Several New South Wales public officials spoke at the event, including Federal MP for Chifley Ed Husic, Federal MP for Reid Laurie Ferguson, Senator Cate Faehrmann of the NSW Legislative Council (Upper House), Blacktown City Mayor Alan Pendleton and Bankstown Multicultural Group representative Rebecca Kay.   The DFA said NSW public officials lauded the contribution of the Filipino community to Australian society.   Blacktown City Councilor Jacqueline Donaldson also graced the event. Consular services Meanwhile, the Philippine Consulate General in Sydney also conducted mobile consular services during the event. "The mission in Blacktown marks the start of a series of mobile consular missions to be conducted by the Consulate in various areas of New South Wales from December 2011 and throughout the coming year," the DFA said.   During the event, Consul General Anne Jalando-on Louis announced the consulate's plan to conduct more regular mobile consular missions in the future.   She also encouraged eligible members of the community to register as Overseas Absentee Voters. - VVP, GMA News