News

 

2010~2011 Committee

 
We will be found of informing you that The Association of Zgharta held an annual general meeting on the 20th of June to elect a new committee for the year 2010 and 2011. The new committee for The Association of Zgharta Youssef Be Karam Batal Lebnen is:
 
COMMITTEE MEMBERS 2010-2011
 

Antoine Gittany
 
President
Raymond Mokdassi
 
Vice President
Sayed Halabi
 
Secretary
Badwi Ndaira
 
Treasurer
Badwi El-Bacha
 
Asst Secretary
Sayed Elachi
 
Asst Treasurer
Raymond Mawad
 
Legal Advisor
Alia Halabi
 
Ladies Relations
Marcel Al-Chalouhi
 
Media Relations
Yacoub Finianos
 
Youth Relations
Youssef Naoum
 
Public Relations
Antonios Akle
 
Events Organiser
Nicolas Karam
 
Financial Advisor
Jessica Gittany
 
IT Officer
Tannous Finianos
 
House Keeper
Jamil Antoun
Chairman

 Zgharta Stadium

 

 

The inauguration of the first phase of the Zgharta Stadium took place on Saturday, 26th December 2009.
 

Among those attending were: Bishop Samir Mazloum, Vicar General Patriarchal of Zgharta; Minister of Youth and Sports Dr Hussein Ali Abdullah; Minister of State Youssef Saade; Members of Parliament: Sleiman Frangieh with his wife and eldest son, Estephane Douaihy and Salim Karam; Gen. Joseph Maarrawi as President of the Union of Zgharta Zawie District Councils; Fr. Estephane Frangieh President of Salam Zgharta, and other local dignitaries.
 

 

Thanks To The Zgharta Community

 

 

The Association of Zgharta (Youssef Bey Karam Batal Lebnan) wishes the Zgharta community a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. It also announces that the Zgharta House is now fully owned after paying off the entire mortgage with the final payment of $10,400.00 being made. The Association extends warmest congratulations to the Zgharta community for this wonderful achievement. 
 
The Association’s president and committee members thank all of the community members who contributed financially and through various means since the establishment of the association in 1962 and especially toward the purchase of the Zgharta House in Homebush and later in Guildford. May Saydet Zgharta reward all of you with health and happiness.
 
The Association is pining great hope on your sustained assistance and support for the sake of a better and progressive community future that would feature more achievements. The construction project of the new Zgharta Community Centre is one of the most important steps which need your full backing and generous contribution.
 
The association invites every Zgharta community member to offer assistance in line with his/her profession as far as demolition and construction plans are concerned.
Once again, the Association congratulates the Zgharta community, hoping that soon enough the community will celebrate the completion of the new Zgharta Community Centre.

 

"In The Bloom of Love"

Article by Sarkis Karam 

 
 
On Sunday 6th of December 2009, visiting young Lebanese poet Cynthia Jelwan launched her new English poetry book “In the Bloom of Love” at the Bahayra’s Association House in Punchbowl.  
 
Before I humbly review the book it is imperative that I acknowledge the hospitality of the Bahayra Association, hailing its efforts over the years which culminated in the construction of a beautiful community centre capable of hosting various events and activities such as Cynthia’s book launch. It is essential as well to note that the association consists of a very small number of families, 50 families to be precise, and yet it has managed not only to build a centre, but also to make its positive presence felt in many proud ways.
 
“In the Bloom of Love” reflects the beautiful nature, friendly characteristics and pretty looks of a writer whose soul is exposed willingly and daringly in defiance of a very reserved and secretive society. 
In her elegant book of poems, Cynthia is waging an endless war against all forms of hatred and deceit. She has thus far succeeded in breaking down many walls of discrimination to prove that love has no barriers and nothing could stand in its way, not even the chronic and thorny monster called “politics.”
She vows “We can’t stop the fight.”
“My dream has no chain, no void, and no space...”says Cynthia as she searches for the missing link to cure her heart “the need for love...” However, love seems to surround her presence, spilling over from a heart filled with joy, laughter and ironically plenty of tears.
All you have to do is look at people’s eyes in the “Nation of Love” to find an answer, to explore an explanation; “Is it passion in disguise?”
“The world is mine ...” declare the love warrior whose ambition is to conquer the frozen feelings by bringing them back to the warmth that is ruling supreme in a world of resilient humanity where dreams can often triumph over the sadness and disappointments of reality.
Cynthia, go on, win your bloodless war... live your creative thoughts... enjoy your peaceful dream... always defeat “the love that grows on lies” and stay an advocate of unity and love for the sake of passionate souls and for the survival and enrichment of our beloved nations Lebanon and Australia.
 

The Association of Zgharta support Cynthia Jelwan

 
On Sunday the 6th of December 2009, The Association of Zgharta (Youssef Bey Karam, Batal Lebnen) attended the signing of the poet Cynthia Jelwan for her book “In The Bloom of Love” at the Bahayra’s Youth Association.
 
In her speech, Cynthia spoke about love and its power and especially about her love to her beloved country Lebanon. In addition, she thanked all her family, relatives and friends who supported her in order for the signing to be successful.
 
Once again, The Association of Zgharta support Zgharta youth so they can succeed in life and achieve their dreams.
 

The Zgharta Association meets Cynthia Jelwan

 
The Association of the Zgharta (Youssef Bey Karam, Batal Lebnen) met with the Zgharta Zawie's poet Cynthia Jelwan at the Zgharta House.
 
Cynthia Emil Jelwan was born in Bhairet Toula, 1985, her parents being Emil and Nouhad Jelwan, and now lives in Mejdalia. She went to the Nazareth school and has a psychology degree from the Lebanese University. She has always written poetry since a young child.
 
The first collection, “Outside the Frame” consists of some forty-nine poems. The poems are in English and dedicated to her friend, Marie-Clair Alam, who tragically died in a car accident.
 
 
 
 
The second collection, “In The Bloom of Love” consists of 40 English poems. Cynthia dedicates this book “to every Juliet who didn’t find her Romeo yet... To every Romeo who didn’t heal from a vile Juliet... To every Romeo and Juliet who aren’t allowed to be together... To every happy couple... To every happy Romeo and Juliet.”
 
 
 
 

Congratulation to Mr Michel Douaihy

 
The Association of Zgharta (Youssef Bey Karam, Batal Lebnen) congratulate Mr Michel Douaihyfor being recently elected Vice President of the World Lebanese Cultural Union.
 

Honouring President Alia Halabi 

 

 
Mrs Alia Halabi, President of the Zgharta Ladies Committee received an award for her services to the Zgharta community by the Lebanese Consul General Robert Naoum.
 

Ehden Makes mincemeat of world record

 
 
The small town of Ehden in north Lebanon gained an entry in the Guinness Book of World Records on Saturday for producing the largest ever kebbe -- a dish of minced meat and cracked wheat. A representative of Guinness World Records was on hand to certify that the giant meal prepared in a festive atmosphere by 25 women in the town square measured up before presenting the official paperwork.
To create the giant circular 20-square-metre (215-square-foot) kebbe they had to mix 120 kilos of mince, 80 litres of olive oil, 80 kilos of cracked wheat, five kilos of salt and a mere kilo of pepper.
After the huge dish was cooked the certificate was officially handed over to Rima Franjieh, wife of MP Sleiman Franjieh
 For photos, visit: www.ehdeniyat.com