Blair, Ellen (nee Gardner) and the Gardner family in Sydney
Fund raising organizers in Sydney
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Blair, Ellen (nee Gardner) and the Gardner family in Sydney |
Fund raising organizers in Sydney |
Ellen and I have just returned from a month long
trip to Australia. We attended a conference in Melbourne on Anglo-Indian ethnicity
and literature at which Blair presented a summary of his book on Anglo-Indians
in North America, the UK and India in the 21st Century ('Anglo-Indians - Vanishing
remnants of a bygone era'). More on the conference at another time.
The highlights of our trip, however, were the numerous public and private meetings
held to raise awareness of and collect funds for CTR (the fund helping less
fortunate Anglo-Indians in India). In all over $12,000 (yes twelve thousand)
were collected in Australia.
In Melbourne a bipartisan group led by Marilyn and Roger Goss (including Linda
and Joel Williams, Sandra and
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Brian Brookes and Sherry Chater) organized a stellar
Dinner/Dance attended by over 350 persons, including 30 to 40 youngsters. It
was a many splendid affair, with women in long gowns and men in suits (we never
saw so many well dressed people in one place in Australia (where the national
dress seemed to be shorts and thongs). Guests were welcomed by a glass of sherry.
There was a band and a DJ and a raffle with the first prize a trip to Tahiti.
The goals of CTR were discussed and applauded and the dance raised a large sum
of money.
Sydney had a fund raising picnic organized by the incredible Avril Ayo and her
team (Colin Ayo, Betty McMullen, Caroline Pritchard) and attended by over 100
persons, including members of many different
Anglo-Indian organizations. Again a lot of money was raised. We all had the
pleasure of hearing Kaye Gordon International artiste, Larry Stellar with a
wonderful Sinatra like voice and Pat Thomas. Many folks committed themselves
to helping CTR The NSW Anglo-Indian Association provided an opportunity to talk
to their members and also made a donation.
In Brisbane, Deanna Gomez of the AusInd association organized a dinner and Aelred
Murphy and friends had a picnic (in rainy weather in this sunshine state?).
Both functions got a lot of local Anglo-Indians together and raised awareness
and funds.
 St Thomas' Old Pupils Association who generously donated $500 to the Tiljallah Relief Fund |
In Perth, STOPA (St. Thomas' Old Pupils Association)
coordinated by Jean Andersen made a generous donation to CTR. The Perth Anglo-Indian
Association provided an opportunity to make their members aware of CTR and its
projects.
All the while, 'Anglo-Indians -Vanishing Remnants of a Bygone Era' was being
sold (remember the gross proceeds go to CTR) and over $1800 were collected from
the 80 copies airmailed to Australia (there is a waiting list for more)
We have established a Bank Account in Melbourne where all the funds raised will
be deposited. We have also set up teams of organizers in Melbourne, Sydney,
Brisbane and Perth to continue the good work. The funds will be coordinated
and disbursed to projects from Melbourne; as is done by Toronto and London (UK).
