Suprovat Sydney recognised for 18 years of community service and media coverage
Suprovat Sydney Report: Compassion and community spirit brought Lions leaders, volunteers and families together at Rockdale Function Centre on Thursday, 5 November 2026, for a fundraising dinner supporting the provision of winter blankets to people in need in Bangladesh.
Organised by prominent Bangladeshi Australian physician Dr Moinul Islam, President of Sydney South Shapla Shaluk Lions Club, the Shapla Shaluk Foundation Australia Fundraising Dinner united guests around a practical humanitarian purpose: helping vulnerable people face the winter with warmth and dignity.
The gathering demonstrated how community connections in Australia can support people facing hardship thousands of kilometres away. Alongside the fundraising appeal, the evening celebrated volunteering, friendship and the shared responsibility to care for others.
The master of ceremonies brought particular energy to the occasion. Moving from table to table and engaging directly with guests, the MC created a welcoming atmosphere and encouraged a sense of connection throughout the room. Singer Mehedi Hasan also contributed to the evening’s entertainment.
Strong representation from the Lions community
The dinner attracted a distinguished gathering of Lions representatives, reflecting broad support for its humanitarian purpose.
Among those attending were District Governor Peter Touzel, also Guiding Lion for Nepean Lions Club; First Vice District Governor Graham Estreich; and Past Council Chair Vin Pang JP, National Lions Clubs International Foundation Coordinator.
Other representatives included District Leadership Development Officer Elizabeth Lessells; District Service Chairperson and Guiding Lion for Harris Park Lions Club PDG Jennifer Touzel; District LCIF Chairperson Christy Tam; District Compliance Officer Tom Bozic; and District Sydney News Editor and Marketing and Communications Chairperson Sue Veen.
Also present were Zone 1 Chairperson Wendy Lin; Zone 5 Chairperson and Guiding Lion for Sydney Wings of Fire Lions Club Lalitha Mahadevan; PDG Mohan Nanayakkara; PDG Sunil Amaratunga; and PDG Ron Gattone, Guiding Lion for Sydney Multicultural Unity Lions Club.
Club presidents attending represented a wide cross-section of Sydney’s Lions network:
- Millar Su — Sydney Alliance Lions Club
- Tom Bozic — Sydney Autism Community Lions Club
- Dickson Wong — Sydney Building Lions Club
- Tony Moore — Sydney Champions Inner West Lions Club
- Wendy Lin — Sydney Concord Lions Club
- William Chan — Sydney Northwest Lions Club
- Dr Moinul Islam — Sydney South Shapla Shaluk Lions Club
- Lin Abbott — Sydney Waratah Lions Club
- Sarath Pamidiparthi — Sydney Wings of Fire Lions Club
Their attendance, together with family members and fellow volunteers, underscored the cooperative spirit behind the appeal.
Community organisations lend their support
The gathering also welcomed community representatives and supporters, including Sister Samar Jabeen, an active member of Muslim Women’s Welfare Australia whose community involvement also includes UAPW and Amnesty International, and Sister Sussan Darwiche, an active member of Muslim Women’s Welfare Australia.
Other guests included Delwar Hossain, Nadeem Faroque, Iqbal Hossain, Mobararak Hossain, Lion Faruqi and Lion Saiful Haque, Shabuddeen.
Suprovat Sydney Editor-in-Chief Abdullah Yousuf attended with the newspaper’s team, while ANM Masum of ssTV Australia provided livestream coverage, helping share the occasion with a wider audience.
Recognition for Suprovat Sydney
A special moment during the evening was the presentation of a commemorative crest by Dr Moinul Islam to Abdullah Yousuf, recognising Suprovat Sydney’s longstanding contribution to community news and support for community initiatives.
The recognition acknowledged the newspaper’s service over the past 18 years and its commitment to factual, truthful and fearless reporting. For the Suprovat Sydney team, receiving the appreciation in the presence of senior Lions representatives and community leaders was a meaningful honour.
The presentation also highlighted the contribution community media can make by bringing charitable appeals to public attention, documenting volunteers’ work and connecting organisations with the people they serve.
At the heart of the evening remained a simple purpose: helping people in Bangladesh stay warm during winter. Through the dedication of Dr Moinul Islam and the support of Lions members, community organisations and guests, the dinner brought that cause into focus with generosity and fellowship.
