New Branch of TWA Formed in Australia
A new branch of the Tibetan Women's Association has recently formed in Australia. On Sunday 22nd April an inauguration dinner was held for the new organisation in Melbourne, Victoria, at the Wild Yak Tibetan Restaurant.
Over 70 people attended the event with guests of honour, His Holiness Dalai Lama's representative in Australia, Mr. Tenzin Phuntsok Atisha, and Ngodrup-la Secretary of Tibet information Office in Canberra, and Senator Lyn Allison, leader of the Australian Democrats party. Best wishes and success for the new organisation was sent from Greens Senator Bob Brown, who was unable to attend the event in person. Also attending was Thupten Dhondup, president of the Victorian Tibetan community and Huw Slator, Victoria branch secretary of the Australia Tibet Council.
There is enormous support for this new group in Victoria and the positive, supportive energy that existed on the night was palpable with Tenzin Atisha-la officially launching TWAFA with an encouraging speech. Sonam Dolkar-la, President of TWAFA introduced the guests and used the opportunity to raise awareness of the plight of Tibet and briefly outlined the aims of TWAFA.
This was followed by everyone praying for the long-life of His Holiness Dalai Lama and the Tibetan guests offering kata to large portrait of His Holiness. Tashi-la, Ama Allo, Sonam-la and Thupten-la then sang Kunsang nyime kyikhor ley for auspiciousness.
Everyone then enjoyed a wonderfully delicious Tibetan banquet, many thanks to Dorje-la and Choni-la of the Wild Yak restaurant.
A really big thank you to the new TWAFA committee members who worked so hard to organise this inauguration dinner and many thanks to the Tibetan businesses who contributed items for the raffle and door prize.
It was decided, in many discussions, including with B. Tsering-la, TWA president, that as there are few Tibetan women in Australia at this time, and a lot of Australians with much energy to offer in helping TWA, that the new branch would be open to membership for all, and would be called Tibetan Women's Association & Friends Australia (TWAFA)
TWAFA welcomes new members in Australia and anyone interested in joining please email to:
TWA currently has 48 different chapters around the world. To check if there is one near you, and to get involved, please click here