United Nations 76th Gala Celebration with Dr Sandy Chong, President.

By Dr Renée Ralph, Co-Founder, The Brilliant Foundation

Photo : Dr Sandy Chong, President, United Nations of Association of Western Australia (UNAAWA)

PERTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA (WA) – The 76th United Nations Association of Western Australia (UNAAWA) Gala Event was celebrated at the Boola Bardip, WA Museum of Culture, Hackett Hall led by Dr Sandy Chong, President. Over 250 distinguished guests and UN Association members attended the evening. Ten Consul-Generals representing China, Germany, Greece, Indonesia, Italy, India, Malaysia, Japan, United States of America, Vietnam were there to give their warm support including Dr Judith Edwards, Former Minister of Environment and Heritage (2001-2006), Christine Tonkins, Member of Churchlands and former UN Staff and Sarah Hooper from Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

Photo : Consul-Generals from various countries supporting the UN 76th Gala Event with

Dr Sandy Chong, President of UNAAWA.

The Welcome by Country was given by Auntie Kerry-Ann Winmar, Elder of the Noongar First Nation Peoples. The keynote address was presented by Sandy Anghie, Deputy Lord Mayor, City of Perth and she recognised that multiculturalism, integrity, peace and harmony were integral values for a better world. She understands the intricacies and pleasures in life, as she is happily married to her wonderful husband of Indian descent as they both nurture their children in Western Australia.

Dr Sandy Chong said that United Nations (UN) is now in its 76th year, emphasising the need to progress human rights, gender equality, environment and social impact. It is not good enough that poverty still exists in our abundant world where children are starving and the young not receiving an education in different parts of the world. How can we, all make it better? How can we ensure that young girls are safe and that females receive the same access to education, career development and equality in today’s world? We have to be equitable in our business decisions, to be fairer and we have to build sustainable communities.

The United Nations serve as a platform to foster health bi-lateral trade and international relations. The UN Charter codifies the major principles of international relations, from sovereign equality of States to the prohibition of the use of force in international relations.

The UN Charter represents a beacon of hope creating a place for continuing conversations and a call to action for us to advance human rights.

A digital address was given by Guy Ryder, Director-General of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) from Geneva – highlighting the continuing quest for a kinder and generous world to eradicate hunger, inequality and safety for the young.

He thanked the UN Association WA Division (UNAAWA) for their continuing support and active participation.

United Nations Association of Australia (UNAAWA)

The UN in WA are dedicated to informing, inspiring and engaging the West Australian community and leaders regarding the work, goals and values of the United Nations to create a safer, fairer and more sustainable world. Established in 1946, the Western Australian Division of the UNAA is run solely by a small group of passionate and committed volunteers.

In WA, there is the Human Rights, Environment, Gender, Equality, Education and SDG Business Forum Committee with a strong emphasis on achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Photo: Welcome by Country was given by Auntie Kerry-Ann Winmar, Elder of the Noongar First Nation Peoples.

Photo (Left to Right) : Dr Vanessa-Atienza Hipolito, Director and Principal, Women's Breast Imaging Clinic, Cottesloe with Sandy Anghie, Deputy Lord Mayor, City of Perth and

Dr Renée Ralph, Co-Founder, The Brilliant Foundation

Ms Jamiela Sungkar, the Master of Ceremonies for the UN 76th Gala Celebration at Boola Bardip. Jamiela is a practising psychologist in Subiaco.

Photo : Full-house attendance at the WA Museum Boola Bardip.

Photo : A digital address was given by Guy Ryder, Director-General of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) from Geneva

Photo (From Left to Right) : Dr Sandy Chong, President of United Nations of Australia, Western Australia Division with Mr Simon Wu, Founder and Co-Chair of WA-Asian Business Awards 2022 and guest.

Photo (from left to right) : Dr Renée Ralph, Co-Founder, The Brilliant Foundation, Professor Harlene Hayne, Vice-Chancellor of Curtin University with Dr Vanessa Atienza-Hipolito, Principal and Director, Women's Breast Imaging (WBI), Cottesloe.

Photo : John Curtin College of Arts, Chamber Choir singing Skyfall.

The nights’ entertainment included John Curtin College of Arts, Chamber Choir singing Skyfall. Followed by the String Ensemble playing Brandburg Concerto No.3 Movement1 by J.S. Bach.

Photo : John Curtin College of Arts String Ensemble

Photo : Western Australia Guzheng "Zither" Ensemble

Photo : Western Australia Gu Zheng "Zither" Ensemble playing Edelweiss

The wonderful young girls playing Jasmine Flower and Edelweiss from the Western Australia Guzheng Ensemble. Finishing off with a soprano performance by the Couch Divas singing The Prayer.

茉莉花 (Jasmine Flower)

好一朵茉莉花, 好一朵茉莉花, 满园花开香也香不过它, 我有心采一朵戴 又怕看花的人儿要将我骂.

好一朵茉莉花, 好一朵茉莉花, 茉莉花开雪也白不过它, 我有心采一朵戴, 又怕旁人笑话.

好一朵茉莉花, 好一朵茉莉花, 满园花开比也比不过它, 我有心采一朵戴, 又怕来年不发芽

Photo: Couch Divas singing The Prayer

Photo : Paris Laurie, West Coast Eagles AFLW Best Club Person 2021

The VIP Speech was given by Paris Laurie, West Coast Eagles AFLW Best Club Person 2021

UN Day Award Ceremony

The UN Day Awards were presented in the categories of Human Rights, Gender Equality, Environment, World’s Teachers day and SDG Challenge. Mr Mark Anderson, CEO and Director Foundation for Indigenous Sustainable Health (FISH) was one of the judges for the Human Rights Awards 2021.

Photo (From Left to Right): Aunty Kerry-Ann Winmar and Mr Mark Anderson, CEO and Director of Foundation of Indigenous and Sustainable Health.

Congratulations to United Nations Day 2021 Award Winners

Human Rights Awards - Law Access

Gender Equality Award - Kendal Galbraith

Environment Action Award - Rotary Club Elizabeth Quay

Congratulations to World Teachers' Day 2021 Award Winners

Collective Impact Award - Coolbinia Primary School

Primary Teacher Award - Nikki Fairhurst Oakwood Primary School

Secondary Teacher Award - Jacqui Edwards, Woodvale Secondary College

Special Mention Award - Association of Independent Schools of WA (AISWA) - "Purposeful Pedagogies: Global Competencies in Action."

Kathleen Booth, Kent Street Senior High School

Photo : Christine Tonkins, Member of Churchlands and former UN staff presenting the award to the winner.

Photo: Dr Judith Edwards, Former Minister of Environment and Heritage (2001-2006) presenting the award.

Photo : Ms Najwa Hass, Edith Cowan University - Winner of the 2021 SDG Challenge Award for Community

Photo : Senior Constable Sam Lim, WA Police Force to present of the UN awards to the winner. Senior Constable Sam Lim of the department’s Community Engagement Division was named Officer of the Year at the Nine News Police Excellence Awards in December 2020.

As a Chinese man born and raised in Malaysia, Senior Constable Sam Lim was given the opportunity to learn nine languages, including Malay, Mandarin, Indonesian and Burmese. Sam is a Chinese-Australian who speaks 10 languages and has received the Western Australian Police Force’s highest honour for his work with multicultural communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Photo : Indian Dance - our own Bollywood dancers in WA

Photo : Dr Nau, United Nations Organising Committee Member is wearing her traditional Burmese costume made by her grandmother. The silver beading and accessories in her beautiful hand-made outfit weigh 7 kilograms.

Photo : An eclectic mix of cultures celebrating the United Nations international community spirit.

Photo : Ms Louisa Cotter, Dr Vanessa Atienza-Hipolito, Dr Renée Ralph

Photo : These amazing Asian ladies from distinctive cultures -The lady in the far right is wearing a beautiful Mongolian dress.

Photo : Couch Divas with Dr Siddier Chambers in her Jamaican traditional costume.

Photo : Dr Sandy Chong with President Chung Wah Association, Mr Chen Ting and United Nations guest.

We thank the wonderful volunteers that helped in the event. Thank you for your time and effort.

Photo : The WONDERFUL First Year Commerce Students, School of Management and Marketing, Faculty of Business and Law, Curtin University volunteering at the UN event

More celebratory photos from the evening:

Photo (From Left to Right) : Dr Subhardisini Parida, Dr Vanessa Atienza-Hipolito, Dr Amy Wei Tian, Guest of United Nations, Dr Vidy Podtar

Photo : Dr Sandy Chong giving the closing address and thanks to the UN Event Sponsors and Partners.

Photo (From Left to Right) : Dr Renée Ralph Dr Sandy Chong and Dr Vanessa Atienza-Hipolito

Photo (From Left to Right) : Dr Amy Wei Tian, Dr Vanessa Atienza-Hipolito, Dr Sandy Chong and Dr Renée Ralph - The Brilliant Foundation

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