by Penny Perfecto
There is more work to be done for our community. If given another opportunity to serve in any capacity within the peak body organisation, I am willing and able to fulfil the requirements of that position.
“Many are called but few are chosen” ━ I believe I am one of those few chosen ones most capable of leading a community organisation to represent a unified voice in the Filipino community.
Over the years, I have been involved in many community undertakings whilst fulfilling my full-time work as a Nursing Professional in the NSW public sector.
Prior to migrating to Australia in 1987, my post graduate studies (under a Rotary scholarship) in Rehabilitation Nursing in Disability in 1978 provided me an opportunity to continue serving my clientele with developmental disabilities, and mental health issues. At the same time, I continued my involvement with the Filipino community.
I joined the Philippine Jaycees, Sydney Chapter in 1989 and was elected Chapter President. After then, I became Regional President of the Junior Chamber of Port Jackson. My volunteering values earned me the position of State President of the Australian Junior Chamber NSW & ACT Jaycees in 1996.
In 1995, I was a recipient of an Ambassador Award and Geoff M King Award in the National Oratorical competition.
As the years went on, my passion to serve the community grew stronger as I got involved with various community organisations. In 2014, I held the position of Chairperson in the Bicol Communities League Inc., and remain an active member of its Bicol Inc Council In 2017, I was elected as PCC-NSW Inc Vice-President Internal and during my tenure, I saw the need for a peak body to promote cooperation, and interaction with various community organisations in order to improve the social and well-being of not only its Affiliate/members but the Filipino community as a whole.
There is more work to be done for our community. At present, I now have a better understanding of the dynamics required to lead a peak body such as PCC NSW Inc. If given another opportunity to serve in any capacity within the peak body organisation, I am willing and able to fulfil the requirements of that position. I am very passionate with the following advocacy issues and new projects such as:
- Improving benefits for Senior citizens/ Elderly members;
- Increasing social and health awareness for Filipino family members
- Government grant for 2 Day Camp Workshop for Community leaders on governance issues, leadership styles etc.
- Succession leadership-workshop for all affiliate organizations and;
- Collaborating with other Community organizations in the “Spirit of
- working together” on important and relevant themes like Independence Day and Pasko Festival etc.
It is a fact of life that not all individuals are the same. Leadership can sometimes be natural to someone or could be acquired through experience. I am guided by the principles of accountability, integrity and uprightness which to me are important values of a true leader.