ARMENIAN RELIEF SOCIETY - ARMENIAN-AUSTRALIAN SYRIA APPEAL



For over a year now, the significant Armenian community of Syria has been subjected to the effects ofthe political upheavals in that country.

The Syrian Armenian community, just like the Armenian communities in Iran and Lebanon, has strategicnational importance for the Armenian people and the Republic of Armenia.Syria became the first safe haven for the survivors of Armenian Genocide. It is beyond doubt that the Syrian Armenian community has made considerable contributions to the cultural and educational life ofArmenians in the Diaspora. Today, in communities throughout the world there are thousands of Syrian Armenians who have takenon cultural and educational leadership roles and carry out these roles with distinction.

Above all, the Syrian Armenian community has been the community closest to the ancestral Armenianhomeland and a firm bridge for cooperation amongst the Armenian communities in the Middle East andthe Republic of Armenia.

It is evident that the Syrian Armenian community has been and is a crucial player in the realisation ofArmenian national aspirations and as such, we need to spare no effort to keep and ensure its vitality until the dark clouds gathered over Syrian skies disperse and peace reigns supreme once more.

Immediate aid to the endangered Syrian Armenian community has become a top priority for the Armenian Relief Society in Australia. To meet this challenge, the ARS has mobilised all its chapters and members and will spare no effort in reaching out to our compatriots in Syria, so that they may witnessthe united care of the Armenian people throughout the world.

All funds raised through our appeal in Australia will be allocated to help the Armenian Schools in Syria and the Syrian Relief Cross Refuge.

We call upon all Australian Armenians and our Australian friends to be generous with your donations to this worthy cause.

The Armenian Relief Society Regional Executive has established collection centres in the following locations:

1-Armenian Cultural Centre, 259 Penshurst Street, Willoughby(Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday night’s 6.30-9.30 pm.)

2- Armenian Cultural Panoyan Centre, 685 Cabramatta Rd, Bonnyrigg.(Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday night’s 6.30-9.30 pm.)

3- Hamazkaine “Nayiri” & H.M.E.M. “Ararat” Scouts Hall255 Quarry Rd, Santa Rosa Park, North Ryde.(Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday night’s 6.30-9.30 pm.)

4- H.M.E.M. “Antranig” Scouts Hall.Corner of Park Rd and Station Street, Artarmon. (Friday nights only).

5- Ryde Multicultural Centre - Shaftsbury Road, West Ryde. (Day time only).

6- DIRECT DEBIT Commonwealth BankARS Regional Executive Of Australia INC.
RELIEF FOR SYRIAN ARMENIAN SCHOOLS FUNDBSB- 062192 - Account No. 10314290

With our help we are hopeful that Syrian Armenian community with all its important organisations andinstitutions can withstand this latest threat to its existence.

Armenian Relief Society Regional Executive of Australia
9 August 2012