Daniel Mulino (Fraser, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Filipino community is one of the fastest-growing communities in western Melbourne. There are almost 100,000 people with a Filipino background in Victoria, and that number has increased by 13,000 since the last census. The Filipino Community Council of Victoria Incorporated is based in my electorate and is very active in Fraser. The FCCVI is integral to building a strong Filipino Australian community in Victoria with a range of activities, from organising social events to helping students and workers adjust to Melbourne. It also helps in the delivery of aged-care services and emergency relief.

I was very pleased to host senior leaders from the FCCVI and other members of the Filipino community in Parliament House earlier this year, when President Marcos Jr delivered an address to a joint sitting. Roxanne Sarthou, the CEO of the FCCVI, is known to everyone in my electorate and her community, and within the Filipino community of course, for her tireless dedication to bringing people together and supporting those in need.

Recently, in the Filippino community's TaxSmart Cafe's Best of the Best awards, in which there were six awards for social entrepreneurialism and leadership, Roxanne received the award for Business Mentor of the Year for her selfless support of others. She has long been building up others in her community to help her in providing critical services for that community. I look forward to the next FCCVI event, to celebrate the 126th Philippine Independence Day. Congratulations again to Roxanne.