Sydney: The Armenian-Australian community’s #TogetherForSyria fundraiser has concluded, raising $110,468 Australian dollars for the Armenian community of Syria, which is committed to rebuilding the lives of Syrian-Armenians following the devastating earthquake on 6th February 2023.

As the death toll of the earthquake in Türkiye and Syria soars over 40,000, prior to the #TogetherForSyria telethon appeal, the Armenian-Australian community opened its community centres across New South Wales and Victoria, welcoming donations from community members on 13th February 2023.

On Monday, 20th February 2023, Armenia Media Inc.'s dual products, "Armenia TV" and "Armenia Radio" broadcast via Facebook Live and Sydney's 99.3FM the #TogetherForSyria telethon from 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm (local time). Armenia Media Executive Director Nora Sevagian was the TV and radio anchor who was joined during the broadcasts by Armenian-Australian community leaders and youth representatives for interviews throughout the night.

The live stream featured video messages and cultural performances from, Primate of the Armenian Apostolic Church of Australia and New Zealand, Bishop Haigazoun Najarian, Nerses Baliozian - Chair of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF-AU) Central Committee, Kaylar Michaelian - Republic of Artsakh's Representative to Australia, Galstaun College Principal Edward Demirdjian, and the Chairperson of the Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANC-AU), Vache Kahramanian.

The Armenian Relief Society of Australia (ARS-AU) was in full force on the night, answering the phones and speaking with hundreds of Armenian-Australians, Armenian-owned businesses, non-Armenian businesses and individuals in support of the telethon.

Throughout the night, live donations were also received from representatives of Armenian-Australian community organisations, who pledged their support for Armenians in Syria and appealed to the Armenian-Australian community to donate any amount, big or small.

The #TogetherForSyria telethon was supported by the Armenian Revolutionary Federation - Australia, Armenian Relief Society of Australia, Armenian National Committee of Australia, Homenetmen Sporting & Scouting Association - Australia, Armenian Youth Federation of Australia, Armenian Resource Centre of Australia, Armenia Media Inc and the Karen Jeppe College Alumni Association - Australia.

Nerses Baliozian, chairperson of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation of Australia (ARF-AU), thanked all the organisers, volunteers and participants in this telethon. 

“Tonight couldn’t have been possible without our hardworking organising committee. Many of our organisations and individuals put their scheduled plans on the back burner and committed their funds and time to assist this campaign. We thank each of you for your dedication and commitment towards preserving and supporting the Armenian community here in Australia and around the world,” he said

The coordinating committee of the #TogetherForSyria telethon Fundraiser praised the Armenian-Australian community for their outstanding efforts.

“Our community has once again come together, providing donations of $5 up to $10,000 to assist our Armenian community in Syria in their efforts to rebuild their homes, churches, schools and community centres, which is one of the oldest and most influential Armenian diasporas in the word,” said Aram Tufenkjian. 

“On behalf of the Committee, we would like to thank each donor for standing in solidarity with our community in Syria and contributing to a worthy humanitarian cause.” Tufenkjian added.