Since 1981, the Filipino-Australian Society of the Hunter Valley Inc. (FASHVI) has brought Filipino Australians, their families and friends together across the Hunter and surrounding regions. From its beginnings as a place for a growing Filipino community to connect, FASHVI has developed into a strong and enduring community organisation with more than 500 members, a permanent home in Boolaroo and a proud record of cultural, social and community service.

Our story

FASHVI was established in 1981, when the Filipino community in the Hunter was much smaller than it is today. For people building a new life in Australia, finding others who shared their language, culture and experiences could make an enormous difference. FASHVI provided that connection: a place to meet, form friendships, celebrate Filipino traditions and help one another navigate life in a new country.
Over the decades, that sense of community has remained at the heart of FASHVI. The Society has grown alongside the Filipino-Australian community and today brings together people of different generations and backgrounds. Some members were born in the Philippines and later made Australia home; others have grown up in Australia with Filipino heritage. Families, partners and friends are also an important part of the FASHVI community.

In 2026, FASHVI celebrates 45 years of bringing people together - a milestone that reflects the commitment of generations of members, volunteers and community leaders who have given their time and energy to the Society.

A home for our community

A major milestone came in 1994 when FASHVI purchased a former church at 27 Fourth Street, Boolaroo. Over the years, members have worked to renovate, maintain and improve the building, transforming it into a multi-purpose community hall and a permanent home for FASHVI.

The hall is more than a building. It is a place where people gather, friendships are formed, culture is shared and community life happens. It has hosted meetings, celebrations, cultural activities and social events, while also serving the wider community through use by other community groups.

Having a permanent home has helped give FASHVI continuity across generations and provides a place where established members and newcomers alike can feel part of the community.

Celebrating Filipino culture and heritage

FASHVI helps keep Filipino culture alive in the Hunter by creating opportunities for members and the wider community to experience and celebrate the traditions of the Philippines. Through food, music, dance, traditional dress, history and community celebrations, members can maintain a connection with their heritage and share it with the next generation.

Cultural performance has long been part of FASHVI's activities, including traditional Filipino dance and performances by community dance groups. These activities are not only about preserving tradition; they give younger Filipino Australians an opportunity to understand, experience and take pride in their cultural heritage.

Philippine Independence Day

One of the highlights of the FASHVI calendar is the annual celebration of Philippine Independence Day. For decades, the event has brought the community together to celebrate Filipino history, culture and national identity through food, music, dance, traditional dress and friendship.

In 2021, FASHVI's Independence Day celebration was especially significant, marking the Society's 40th anniversary, the 123rd anniversary of Philippine Independence and the 160th birthday of Philippine national hero Dr José Rizal. Almost 300 people attended the celebration. The tradition has continued, with FASHVI marking its 45th anniversary in 2026.

Helping people find their place

For many Filipino migrants, community connection can be particularly important during the first months and years of life in Australia. FASHVI has long provided an informal network through which newcomers can meet people, make friends, find information and become part of their local community.

Members have helped new arrivals with practical matters such as finding accommodation, understanding local services and identifying employment opportunities through community networks. Just as importantly, FASHVI provides something that cannot always be found through formal services: familiar faces, shared experiences and a sense of belonging.

This tradition of helping others is part of FASHVI's enduring character. People who once found friendship and support through the Society have, in turn, helped welcome and support those who came after them.