SYDNEY: Homenetmen Australia's Antranig Chapter raised $78,000 at a cocktail fundraiser held to help complete the internal construction of the Galstaun College Smoky Dawson Centre - a multi-purpose hall to be used for indoor sports and performance.

The Smoky Dawson Centre's exterior was built courtesy of a Federal 'Building Education Revolution' Grant, as well as the financial contribution of community benefactors.

The purpose of this fundraiser was to raise the necessary funds to convert the inside of the hall into a basketball training and game facility, which will be utilised by Homenetmen Antranig's basketball and futsal teams over coming years.

Homenetmen leaders, including Viken Kortian, Diran Vahratian and Alex Warian, addressed those invited to the event about the importance of this facility to their organisation.

A timelapse video was presented to the audience, which showed footage of the hall's construction, as well as its future plans.



Vicken Kalloghlian spoke on behalf of the Galstaun College Board, thanking the Homenetmen family - and Antranig Chapter in particular - for this initiative, which would mean the completion of a facility that will benefit the school's students, Homenetmen and the greater Sydney Armenian community.

Vazken Pailagian, a former member of the Galstaun College Board and a long-time member of Homenetmen, highlighted the synergies between these two organisations and explained how the Smoky Dawson Centre was a step towards realising the community's goal when it invested in the Ingleside property over 25 years ago.

Vache Kahramanian was Master of Ceremonies for the event, which will go a long way towards completing the Smoky Dawson Centre vision.

The Cocktail was a dedicated, preliminary fundraising event organised by Homenetmen Antranig, leading up to, and to help bring forward, the official opening of the Smoky Dawson Centre before the Galstaun College community and the entire Sydney Armenian community.