The Philippine Consulate General in Melbourne launched its permanent office located at the Level 10 of 257 Collins Street in Melbourne’s Central Business District (CBD) on 17 April 2021.
The event was attended by nearly a hundred leaders and members of Victoria-based Filipino-Australian community organizations, as well as present and former honorary consular officers. Ambassador Ma. Hellen Dela Vega flew in from Canberra to grace the occasion. She was joined by Maria Vamvakinou, Federal Member of Parliament for Calwell, and Andrew Cumpston, Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) State Office for Victoria, as guests of honor.
In her remarks, Ambassador De la Vega said the establishment of a permanent career consular office in Melbourne is “a reflection of the importance that the Philippine Government places on our Comprehensive Partnership with Australia,” a close neighbour and longstanding partner in the region. She said “this is a testament to the strength of bilateral relations between the Philippines and Australia which is celebrating its 75th Anniversary of diplomatic relations this year.”
Consul General Maria Lourdes Salcedo, in her brief welcome address, called the event “an auspicious and happy day,” as after more than three decades of succession by Philippine honorary consular officers, the Philippine government decided to reopen a full career consular mission in this part of Australia.”
At the event, the Consulate also formally launched its official website,
https://melbournepcg.dfa.gov.ph, and its online appointment system. The Consulate’s online presence seeks to improve its efficiency and public access to relevant information and services for the Filipinos residing in the states of Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania.
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For more information, visit https://melbournepcg.dfa.gov.ph.
