AYF reunited after 28 years
The Armenian Youth Federation of Australia held its first ever reunion on Saturday 1 July 2006 at the Armenian Cultural Centre, attracting 250 former members and guests.
The evening, organised by the Armenian Revolutionary Federation Rosdom Group, was a magnificent success, with all in attendance applauding the initiative and pledging to attend all AYF Alumni functions in the future.
Guests walked into the ‘Agoomp’ via the red carpet, where they were met by Hagop Boghossian, who interviewed them on their experiences as members of the organisation.
The Armenian Cultural Centre was specially decorated with images stretching through the 28 years the AYF has been in existence down-under, while two walls were occupied by looping projected images of the AYF in action from 1978 to 2006.
Apo and Roupen Manjikian, the Masters of Ceremony, opened the evening with welcome speeches before fellow former members, Gladys Berejiklian and Vicken Kortian delivered the night’s keynote addresses.
Both revealed their joy at being present in such company, while admitting their time in the AYF contributed to their success in the government and business worlds, respectively.
Maggy Kayserian spoke on behalf of the current members of the AYF, stating their need for role-models had been answered by the organisation of this evening, and that it was the hope of her colleagues that such events were organised more frequently.
Videos of AYF Camps in the 1970s and 1980s were shown to the emotional audience, before many took to the stage to share their experiences in the youth organisation of the ARF.
All attendees were presented with a DVD slideshow of over 200 pictures collected by the committee over the last six months of organisation.
Father Vartan Navasartian closed the evening with a prayer, stating his delight at seeing the assembled youth, who exhibited a readiness to benefit the Armenian community through their organisation; the Armenian Youth Federation.
Click here to view images of the evening
Click here to view the 28 Years of AYF gallery
