SYDNEY: Over 500 members of the Sydney Armenian community brought their participation to ANC Australia Advocacy Week by attending and enjoying ANC Australia Day at Ryde Park on Sunday, 15 November.

Guests were treated to five-star entertainment on stage, featuring Karnig & Hovik, Hagop Gulumian, and the internationally-renowned Maxim Panossian, who ended his month-long Sydney visit from the United States with a rousing hour of his most popular songs.

Galstaun College students treated the audience with three performances of song and dance from their much-acclaimed 'Trip to Armenia' concert.

And the Armenian National Committee of Australia's guest of honour for Advocacy Week, His Excellency Ara Papian (former Armenian Ambassador to Canada), made an appearance and thanked the community for such a warm welcome.

Children were treated to a jumping castle and face painting, while delicious kebab, sweets and coffee made up the menu on a perfect, sunny Sydney day.

The event, organised by ANC Australia in conjunction with the Armenian Relief Society and Armenian Youth Federation, was a resounding success.

"We want to thank all the volunteers who helped organise and run ANC Australia Day, our entertainers, and most of all, the members of our grassroots community who turned up to show their support," announced Master of Ceremonies Troy Abolakian.

ANC Australia Advocacy Week continued Monday when an ANC Australia delegation, accompanied by His Excellency Ara Papian, visited Canberra for meetings with over 30 legislators to promote the concerns of the Armenian-Australian community.

On Wednesday (18 November, 7:30pm), His Excellency Papian will take part in a mediated Panel Discussion on the 'Armenia-Turkey Protocols & The Aftermath', and he will be keynote speaker at Friday's (20 November, 7:30pm) ANC Australia Annual Banquet.