Presented 18th March 2007
It has been a tremendous honour for me to have had the great privilege of being your President during these formative years.
The shaping of an organization is always a difficult task. To work out priorities, and at the same time projecting an image, bringing about awareness of the institution among the community both the Buddhist community and the community at large is not easy.
The first management committee was appointed in March 2003 with the inauguration and establishment of FABC, and the next elections were held on 19th March 2005 in Bendigo Victoria, the next AGM was held on the 25th June 2006 by way of telephone hook up.
During these years FABC I believe has effectively represented the Buddhist Community in Australia. both domestically and internationally.
A lack of a website in the initial years stunted growth as the state Buddhist Councils were better know. I have many times been approached directly when there had been difficulty in identifying the national body.
We must have a website and we must help update the information on the website to make it an active organ of growth for FABC. In today's technological world everyone accesses the internet for information; we must ensure that information is available for those who seek Buddhist representation.
We now have an ABN and a tax file number and await confirmation from ATO that we are exempt from paying tax.
Internationally
* Ven Thich Quan Ba carried and delivered our message to a conference held in Sri Lanka to form a Buddhist international Relief Organisation
* Extensive amendments to the proposed rules of governance for the relief organization were proposed by me.
* Tsunami aftermath addressed NSW Buddhist blessings directing charitable donations to the Tzu Chi Foundation -a Buddhist charity.
* We have had discussions with the European Buddhist Union and drawn up a memorandum of understanding for the EBU's consideration.
* A delegation from FABC attended the 4th Buddhist summit held in Thailand last year and a message provided for the conference magazine
* Messages to World Buddhist Leaders conference in India organized by the Maha Bodhi society of India.
* Commissioned an Artist Lachlan Warner to sculpt a Buddha statue representing Buddhism in Australia to be displayed in Nenbutsushu Headquarters Kobe Japan .
* Commenced discussions with American Buddhist Union to be continued by Brian Ashen with a view to forming an International Association of Buddhist Councils.
* Supported Director of Great Stupa of Universal Compassion and Atisha Centre in requesting His Holiness the Dalai Lama visit Australia .
Domestically
* Correspondence with Federal Attorney General seeking recognition as a federal body for appointment of Buddhist marriage celebrants.
* Contributed to Ron Adams special project for the institute of Family studies on Child abuse in both lay and sangha communities and how complaints have been dealt with in the Buddhist community.
* Made several successful submissions against use of Buddha image inappropriately
* Assisted Buddhist organizations with setting up procedures.
* Opened exhibition styled - Buddha in Suburbia - at Liverpool New South Wales encouraged organisors to make it a travelling exhibition
* Attended international Buddhist conference held in Perth June 2006
* Forwarded submissions in relation to industrial relations legislation
* Participated in providing a statement on the Buddhist perspective on climate change and was a part of the launch of a publication titled combined statements from religious communities on climate change and was subsequently interviewed on ABC Radio
* Joined census support group encouraging Buddhists to be counted at the 2006 census.