On behalf of BAAWA, I would like to say a big “Thankyou” to all of you who attended BAAWA Annual Cultural Program 2021 on Saturday night. It was great to see our community members coming together to enjoy a night of cultural extravaganza with 160+ performers (with a large number of children as young as 3) from our own community. It was very encouraging to see one of the biggest attendances in recent years who thoroughly enjoyed a very well planned and executed show that mesmerized everyone. The instant feedback during the interval and after the show was all positive and very satisfying – all the hard work by our cultural team and the volunteers were all worth it.
Global pandemic like Covid-19 is a once in a hundred years’ phenomenon – it was never meant to be easy, but we are trying our best to fight back. It’s been a difficult time since late 2019, but we returned with our annual program after 2 long years. Despite all the challenges, losses of many of our near and dear ones, we came together to engage ourselves with arts and culture, music and dance to bond and uplift, to sing the song of hope. We’re virtually in a state lockdown – yet, when I looked at your faces on the night, all the faces of the performers, volunteers, everyone involved with this program – I saw no sign of negativity – all I saw is a fighting spirit that cannot be defeated, and that can conquer all the challenges that are to come.
And that’s exactly what we wanted to achieve – and we thank our prime supporter “Lotterywest” for once again extending their helping hand! Thank you Lotterywest. You’ve always supported us to help promote multiculturalism, but this year’s support is very special – because an engaged and healthy community can contribute so much more to today’s Australia.
Program of this stature is not possible without selfless support, time, and effort from many people – and this year was no different. However, to bring them together, to get them going, you need a mastermind – and that mastermind is our Cultural Secretary Dr Tanmoy Deb Nath – who worked relentlessly over the last few months. He was well supported by very energetic Assistant Cultural Secretary Zareen Lima and dependable Assistant Cultural Secretary Partha Deb.
Thanks are due to all the coordinators, choreographers, 160+ performers, stage managers, back-stage helpers, costume and makeup artists, families of performers, volunteers, photographers, videographers, news reporters, rehearsal venue providers, ticket-sellers, members of the cultural subcommittee, BAAWA EC 2021.
As mentioned earlier, this program was impossible without the support from the selfless volunteers of our community. And I am very pleased to see the presence and active involvement of our youngsters – this is very encouraging. So, special thanks to our youngsters!
We are always grateful to Penrhos College and the Rixon Theatre for their amazing support. Thanks Ryan and Matt. Thanks to our guest performers from the Nepalese and Chinese community – we look forward to continuing our friendship in future.
Our cultural secretary Dr. Tanmoy Deb Nath will publish names of all the individuals who were involved with the cultural content and production later this week. However, I would like to convey my special thanks and gratitude to a few individuals who have worked very hard to make this program possible. Our President Dr. Mohammed Shahid (Rajoo), Vice President Dr. Anisur Rahman, AGS Mr. Abu Anwar Saeed, Treasurer Mr. Kazi Shahid Kingshuk, EC Member Dr. Saumitra Seal, EC Member Dr Tania Urmee, EC Member Mr. Kifayat Islam Mazumder, Mr. Shahid Islam of Ausbangla, Ms Sabera Sultana Apy, Ms Swarna Afsar, Ms Lovely Nath, Ms Khodeza Khatun Khuki for their hard work in various areas for last couple of months.
I would also like to thank you all for being so supportive and staying till late even though we couldn’t serve any food on the night. I hope next year things will be a lot better and we will resume food sales.
The current BAAWA committee is truly blessed to have received so much support from our beloved community – and your attendance was the proof. After a long time, we have issued over 650+ tickets this year! THANK YOU dear Perthbashi – Thank you for all the love, trust, and support!
Best regards,
Tasneemul Galib (Amit)
GS, BAAWA Inc
