Recommendation by Mr Diby Habel, for TRANSACT Executive - 1999

 

SENT BY SAFETY & STANDARDS         8:22    AIR SERVICES AUSTRALIA 02 6288 9229

To Mr Mervyn Willoughby - Thomas

Outstanding Community Service

Mr Lionel Bopage
Mr Bopage came to Australia with his wife as a refugee from the conflict in Sri Lanka some 20 years ago,

As a result of his deep commitment to human rights, he has immersed himself in community work to improve the lot of other human beings.

 In 1996 he was elected Chair of the Torture Rehabilitation and Network Services ACT Inc. (TRANSACT). He has held this position for four years until mandatory retirement under TRANSACT rules. During this time, I sat on the TRANSACT Executive Committee and served under his guidance, and was thus able to observe his dedication at close hand. Prior to 1996 he acted as a Sri Lankan representative on the TRANSACT Consultative Forum,

During his time as TRANSACT Chair, the organization developed an international reputation, assisted over 200 clients per annum, provided support to Kosovo refugees in both the ACT and Victoria and had 15 paid staff. Many refugees from conflict and war or political persecution from all over the world now lead much better lives as a result of the counselling and other support at TRANSACT.

He dedicated every spare minute to his task as Chair and steered the organization through some very difficult times.

However, he has been active in other community activities also. He helped found the Friends for Peace in Sri Lanka and remains an executive member. He is also on the Executive of the Australia Sri Lanka Association. He is on the organizing committee of the Canberra School of Sri Lankan Dancing and is part of the community network, which advises the ACT Chief Minister on multicultural affairs.

From my personal perspective, he's an exceptional human being, selfless to a fault and totally dedicated to the welfare of those who have suffered torture or trauma, as indeed he had. It is deeply heart-warming to have a new resident to our country put so much back into the broader Australian community. Recognition of his services to the community at the time of his retirement from the TRANSACT Executive would be most appropriate.

I thoroughly recommend him to you.

Digby Habel

Former Public Officer and founding member of TRANSACT

19 Grylls Cres

COOK ACT 2614

Phone 02 6268 4831