The Kababaihang Rizalista Inc. Sydney Chapter held its annual general meeting at Club Blacktown on September 28, 2025.
After the happy social catching up and enjoying lunch together, the incumbent president, Lady Michelle Baltazar, publisher of The Australian Filipina, called the meeting to order and formally declared a quorum for the annual general meeting to proceed.
The first part of the meeting was the taking of Oath of Allegiance by all present. The minutes of the previous meeting on May 18, 2025 was adopted with an amendment on the date of the Annual General Meeting.
A formal expression of congratulations to Lady Carol Israel, KRI Adviser, on her election as deputy mayor of the Blacktown City Council was tabled. This was followed by an update by all on their involvement in community projects and activities.
Lady Michelle read out the President’s Report. She shared the various events that KRI has supported such as IWD 2025 in collaboration with Adhika, the Knights of Rizal Fundraising Golf event, the commemoration of Dr Rizal’s birth and attending the lecture of Professor Ambeth Ocampo. On the other hand, it was agreed that the Financial Report will be prepared by the Treasurer to cover the end of the calendar year.
There was excitement in the air as the main aim of the AGM to elect new officers was being conducted. Nominations per position were tabled and a secret ballot was conducted. Lady Violi Calvert read out votes; Lady Judith del Prado acted as scrutineer and Lady Aileen Labiga kept the score tally.
The result of the elections is as follows:
President - Lady Marilyn Mendez
VP - Local Affairs- Lady Linda Santos
VP - International Affairs - Lady Len Puzon
Secretary - Lady Lauriz Buitizon
Asst Secretary - Lady Marideth Laquian
Treasurer - Lady Aileen Labiga
Asst Treasurer - Lady Judith del Prado
PRO/Archivist - Lady Marilie Bomediano
Auditor - Lady Nenita Weekes
Immediate Past President - Lady Michelle Baltazar
Adviser - Lady Daisy Cumming
Adviser – Lady Councillor Carol Israel
Lady Michelle thanked the previous Board, particularly Lady Judith del Prado as vice president, Lady Violi Calvert as secretary, and Lady Marilie Bomediano as archivist, and congratulated all newly elected Board. "I would like to thank the board for your support during my presidential term and look forward to our fellowship and future projects as KRI. May we always uphold the vision of Rizal through our collective efforts and individual endeavours," she said.
Lady Linda requested the floor to personally thank Lady Michelle for her KRI work and dedication as president.
The meeting then spoke about holding a meeting at a date to be decided to plan for the anniversary of the death of Dr Jose Rizal. In the meantime, as a fundraising initiative, it was agreed to support the Filipino Unlimited Elevate your Lifestyle (FUEL) event, to be held on Sunday November 15 at the Granville Community Centre.
After the AGM, Lady Linda Santos had kindly asked to withdraw from her VP duties for health reasons. This was accepted by board officers Lady Michelle, Lady Judith, Lady Violi, Lady Len and Lady Daisy. Lady Linda stays on as board adviser.
The new Board’s term starts from January 2026 for three years. The date for its induction is to be confirmed.
KRI is a global network of not-for-profit organisations incorporated in 1959 in the Philippines, with country chapters in the US, the UK, Europe and Asia. As protocol, officers and members use the formal honorific of "Lady" to address each other as a sign of respect and a reminder of the conduct and behaviour expected by the organisation.