By Alesha Capone
The non-profit Bridge Builders for Australasia is creating community connections while helping out people at home and overseas.
BBFA president Melba Cabato Waugh said the group began when several ladies decided to band together to help the poor and the sick in the Philippines.
Ms Waugh said the original group of founders, including Edith Robertson, Lourdes Douglas, Glenda del Pilar, Helen Acuna and Elvira Murdoch, were later joined by more women.
“Currently, we have about 75 members, most of them are Wyndham residents,” Ms Waugh said.
“We continue to recruit new members focusing on the younger ones as the founders of BBFA are now mostly in their senior years.
“All that we want to do is to be able to give back to the community where we live now and to be able to share our blessings to our motherland.”
In addition to running the FILOZ (short for Filipino-Australian) Idol Singing Contest for several years, BBFA has supported numerous causes including recreational activities for Melbourne senior citizens.
Overseas, they contribute to annual Christmas food and gift-giving programs, sponsor students, help build schools and assist people who are elderly, sick or who have a disability.
The BBFA is currently organising an Australian barbecue competition and multicultural festival.
Ms Waugh said the BBFA wanted other local organisations and cultural groups to join the yearly event, which will include singing, dancing and crafts.
She said the BBFA’s activities were mostly funded by “generous donations of our own members”, with Philippine Tours Travel Agency, Wyndham Partners and Dennis Family Corporation also providing support.
Businesses interested in sponsoring the festival can contact 0403007950, email bbfa.wyndham@gmail.com or visit bbfaustralasia.wixsite.com/mysite
