25/06/2024
Thank you so much, Daily Express Malaysia, for your news coverage! 🙏🏼
This article covers two significant events.
From our side of the story
“The name "Borneo Cultural Organisation" was suggested by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Dr. Jeffrey G. Kitingan Page during his visit to the Mildura Harvest Festival in 2023. It materialized after a group of Sabahans agreed to organize a Harvest Festival in Shepparton, Victoria.”
The Sabah Harvest Festival, organised by Borneo Cultural Organisation (BCO), was recently held on April 26-27, 2024, at the McIntosh Centre Hall in Shepparton.
Borneo Cultural Organisation (BCO) was established in 2023 with the aim of providing a platform to unite the people from Borneo, including Sabah, Sarawak, Brunei, and Kalimantan, who share similarities in cultures and languages.
During its initial phase, BCO will focus primarily on Sabahans. In Victoria, Australia, Sabahans have formed several prominent NGOs where they can come together, organize recreational activities, and host events tailored to their needs.
It's crucial to foster our own community so that we can support each other, especially during challenging times. Some Sabahans have migrated to Australia permanently, while others have married locals and started families. Many young Sabahans pursue higher education, while others seek refuge in Australia due to safety, rights, or religious concerns.
Sabahans are scattered across Australia, particularly in states offering abundant job opportunities in farming, manufacturing, legal services, education, healthcare, business, and entrepreneurship.
The establishment of BCO serves as the primary NGO for the Sabah State Government to establish official connections and as a networking platform for Sabahans, fostering unity among them.
The name "Borneo Cultural Organisation" was suggested by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Dr. Jeffrey G. Kitingan during his visit to the Mildura Harvest Festival in 2023. It materialized after a group of Sabahans agreed to organize a Harvest Festival in Shepparton, Victoria.
Youngcrippen Lohindun was elected to chair the event, given his familiarity with Shepparton and years of experience working in the suburb. The theme for Sabah Harvest Festival Shepparton 2024, "Togetherness Brings Unity," was chosen by the chairman of the event.
A dedicated committee successfully organized and executed the event.
Shepparton Mayor Cr. Shane Sali and Member of Parliament for Shepparton Mr. Sam Birrel, along with a representative from the KadazanDusun Cultural Association (KDCA), Gundohing George Mojigoh, were invited as the VVIPs of the event.
This collaborative event involved Sabahan organizations such as the Persatuan Murut in Australia (PMA) led by Herman Ampulas, Rungus in Australia (RA) led by Wesley Marupin, and KadazanDusun in Australia (KDA) led by Edward Pena.
BCO is committed to ensuring the well-being of Sabahans in Australia and preserving the unique cultural identity of the Bornean people, thus promoting our cultural heritage internationally and contributing to the development of tourism in Sabah.
Mosses Paul Anap, who was elected as the President of Borneo Cultural Organisation, moved to Australia due to political reasons. He is committed to ensuring that the existence of this organization brings benefits to the Sabahan community, Borneans, and Australia in general.
KOTA KINABALU: The Kaamatan is being introduced to more faraway lands by Kadazan Dusuns from Sabah residing in these places.
For the first-time Tido-Lindo in Vasteras City, Sweden, witnessed the celebration due to the initiative of three Sabahans who have set up home there - Gail Labacci, Kee Gawah and Carolyn Chong Norsater.
They started planning for it since last November and announced it in February this year after 45 fellow Sabahans living across Europe responded.
Full story:
https://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news/236644/kaamatan-reaches-sweden-s-shores/
