March 25th to 27th, 2005 (Easter holiday) saw the first conference of Tibetan Communities of Australia and New Zealand. The gathering was organised by the Tibetan Community of Victoria (Melbourne), 150 delegates came from all states of Australia and from New Zealand, and included our region’s representative of HH Dalai Lama, Tenzin Phuntsok Atisha and Secretary Phurbu Sithar, from the Tibet Information Office in Canberra.
Friday
The first day of the conference began with ceremonies of incense burning, long life puja for HH Dalai Lama and ceremonial scarf offering to HH Dalai Lama’s photo. This was followed by serving of sweet rice and Tibetan tea to all delegates.
The conference began with a welcome speech by Victorian Community president Thupten Dhondup and Tashi Shopa dance by the community members of New South Wales (NSW) state. Then followed opening speech by Tenzin Atisha and speech by Thuten Kesang from New Zealand.
In the afternoon state community leaders from Melbourne (Victoria), Canberra (ACT), Sydney (NSW), Adelaide (SA), Hobart (Tasmania), and Perth (WA), gave opening speeches. This was followed by cultural stage performances from Canberra and Melbourne communities.
Delegates then formed 2 workshop groups; the younger generation, and the Elder generation.
The younger delegates discussed future co-operation and ways to study and maintain our language while living in this region.
The Elders discussed and put forward suggestions for co-operation and planning of activities for State Tibetan communities including activities during the forthcoming ‘Year of Tibet 2006’.
On Friday evening delegates gathered for an informal cultural evening of songs and dances.
Saturday
Saturday morning was devoted to a bus pilgrimage around the main Tibetan Buddhist Temples in the city of Melbourne. This included the traditional Gonpa built by Geshe Thupten Loden, Sakya Chokhor Lhunpo, Kagyu Evam Buddhist Centre, Rigpa Centre and Jamchen Buddhist Centre.
On Saturday afternoon the conference organisers invited the conference sponsors, Tibet support groups and other dignitaries, for a formal get-together with the Tibetan delegates. This included members of the Australia Tibet Council (ATC), The Dalai Lama in Australia Ltd. Organisation, The Buddhist Council of Victoria, and the leader of the Australian Democrats Party, Senator Lynn Alison.
Letters of support for the conference were also received and read out from the Victorian State Premier, Mr. Steve Bracks, and from the leader of the Australian Greens Party, Senator Bob Brown.
The guests were formally thanked for their support, offered khata, and treated to afternoon tea and a cultural performance of Tibetan dance and song by community groups.
Sunday
Sunday began with serious discussion on observations, suggestions and resolutions to be adopted at the conference.
Discussions were then conducted on ways to best help newly arrived Tibetans who have come to live in Australia.
Then a discussion on the Gyache Mangnul (Green book) tax collection and ways to simplify and make it more efficient.
Further comprehensive discussions were held on how to maintain our culture and language while living in the West.
We also discussed the formation of community groups in states where there is a small Tibetan population and no organised committee.
Finally four resolutions were discussed and adopted.
- That the year 2006 would be called ‘Year of Tibet 2006’ in Australasia, with many activities to be organised promoting all aspects of Tibet.
- To form a National body of Australian State and New Zealand Tibetan community groups.
- To work toward allowing us to have a representative (Chitue) for the Australasian region in our parliament in exile.
- To forward a report and minutes of the conference to all the delegates who attended.
The day’s discussions were finished with a speech of thanks by Phurbu Sithar from the Tibet Information Office and a farewell to everyone from Victorian Community president, Thupten Dhondup, with offering of khata to all delegates.
The day ended with dinner and an evening of informal song and dance.
The conference brought together Tibetans spread around the great continent of Australia and from across the Tasman Sea in New Zealand and established bonds and channels of communication. This was especially important for the younger members who were able to meet each other, form friendships and contacts and observe some of the traditions and examples set by the Elders at the conference.
Thupten Dhondup
President
