2011年7月10日, 西澳佛光山道場约二十五位義工們參加由西澳協會第三及第五分會聯合主辦的植樹日,前往Bath St河邊的保留林共同為環保植樹造林。西澳佛光山道場每年都有善心的義工們支持這项由City of Bayswater及西澳協會一起聯辦的植樹造林活動。當天年齡最小的義工只有七歲,環保不分年齡,小朋友們耐心的態度,令大人們的讚歎不已。在寒冷的早上, 大家把一顆一顆的樹苗種在地上, 心中充满了歡喜。所謂植樹造林是造福後人的千秋大業,義工們在一個上午一共種植了约三千棵的小樹苗。City of Bayswater 的工作人員對大家的努力非常讚歎,並鼓勵大家在平時也隨手為環保努力。
Love and Care Group Annual X'mas Food Appeal Donation
14/12/2010 Rev Miao Yung led a group of committee members and volunteers of the Love & Care Group, including Linda Tang, Grace Collins, Adeline Lim, Kiat Nee Kho, Foo Guo Xiu, Dong Zhu, Zul Li and Terry Gaunt, for the annual X’mas Food Appeal donation to the City of Bayswater. This is an annual event when the City of Bayswater collects food and groceries to be donated to a chosen charity and distributed to the poor and needy at Christmas. Love & Care Group set up a donation box at the temple for devotees to participate in this act of charity for the Christmas season. The Mayor Terence Kenyon, his staff and councillors welcomed the Love & Care Group with a morning tea at the Civic Centre. In his speech, the Mayor praised the Love & Care Group for its commitment to the X’mas Appeal for the past years and the show of care and concern for others in the community. In particular, the annual gathering for the elderly at the temple and organising a tea party at the Mertome Village Aged Care facility last July where residents were treated to an afternoon of entertainment, food and warm company. For all the good work that they have done, the Mayor took the opportunity to present the Love & Care Group with a plague as an award of appreciation. In return, the Head of Love & Care Group, Linda Tang thanked the City of Bayswater for their show of support over the years and the providing the chance for our volunteers to participate in this annual event. It is hoped that the BLIAWA will have the chance to work with the council and its community in the coming Australia Cleanup Day and their attendance at the 2011 Buddha Birthday Festival.
西澳友愛聖誕食物捐贈 市政府頒發牌匾表揚愛心
西澳道場監寺妙湧法師12月14日帶領友愛服務隊隊長袁錦 玲、西澳佛光會分會會長、幹部及友愛隊員林慧蓮、林蘭芳、符國銹、Terry等八人,前往City of Bayswater市政府響應“Christmas Food Appeal”活動,捐贈乾糧飲食予無業遊民及貧苦人家。
“Christmas Food Appeal”由Salvation Army救世軍與City of Bayswater市政府聯合主辦,西澳佛光會及友愛服務隊熱心響應此活動多年。每逢十二月耶誕佳節,友愛服務隊即在道場設立募集箱,呼籲信眾關懷社會中 的弱勢族群。
City of Bayswater於會上準備豐富茶點招待佛光人,市長Terrence Kenyon率領多位議員與佛光人聯誼。Terrence市長代表市政府及救世軍感謝佛光會及友愛服務隊對社區的關懷照顧及互動;除了每年耶誕節的食物捐 贈,還參與其他社區活動,熱心無比。
市長特別提到今年冬季友愛服務隊在Mertome Village老人院舉辦的愛心聯誼會,由於許多長者不良於行、無法出外接觸外界,友愛服務隊因此走入老人院為其服務、表演,與他們交談,讓長者們深感溫 馨感動。對此,市長感激友愛對社區的服務及關懷,並頒發表揚牌匾,表揚佛光人對Bayswater社區多年的付出,致力於慈善活動;更讚揚佛光人慈悲助人 的寬厚胸懷。
友愛服務隊隊長袁錦玲致詞感謝City of Bayswater 市政府一路來對友愛服務隊的支持及鼓舞,並邀請議員們與佛光人一同參與明年澳洲清潔日活動及浴佛節慶典大會。
6月27日西澳協會力行國際佛光會所推動的行三好,綠化造林,守護地球運動,與西澳City of Bayswater市政府聯合主辦植樹活動。6月27日在妙綸法師及協會副會長蕭明祉的帶領下,一行30餘人早上9:30前往Crimea Park, Morley 進行第二波環保植樹苗活動。
西澳協會去年同期也在Crimea Park這個保護區種植了近千棵幼苗。今年除了觀察幼苗的成長狀況,也在附近區另外種植了千多棵幼苗。City of Bayswater市政府的官員Brad 跟大家說明,種植下去的幼苗通常都只有20%的成長率,植物都會因為氣候或人為的原因而枯萎或夭折。所以環保植林需要大家的關懷與行動,是長期持之以恆的工作,而非短期內就能夠看到成果。所以澳洲政府呼籲大家要節能減碳,更加關注環保,愛護地球。他也非常感激佛光人長期響應市政府的環保活動。佛光會積極參與環保守護地球的活動,深受市政府給予高度的肯定及認同。