The Chair of the Canberra Multicultural Community Forum, Sam Wong, has paid tribute to the Forum’s retiring co-patron, the Ambassador for Mexico and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Martha Ortiz de Rosas.
Mr Wong said it was accepted practice for the Forum to invite the current Dean of the Diplomatic Corps to be its co-patron. Ambassador Ortiz de Rosas had agreed with enthusiasm when approached to take on the role after she became Dean in October 2008.
“During her term as co-patron Mrs Ortiz de Rosas has been a strong and consistent supporter of the Forum and multiculturalism generally,” Mr Wong said.
“She has ensured the diplomatic community has been well represented at significant Canberra events such as the National Multicultural Festival and Harmony Day and we are the richer for her hard work and expertise.
Mr Wong said there are strong links between the ACT multicultural community and the diplomatic corps. “Throughout her time here Ambassador Ortiz de Rosas has worked hard to ensure these links are maintained and enhanced.”
“We are losing a true friend but, of course, we wish her and her family well in her next posting as Ambassador to South Korea.”
Appointed Ambassador for Mexico to Australia in 2004, Mrs Ortiz de Rosas was also designated as Ambassador to Papua New Guinea and Fiji. She is married to Jorge Carvajal. They have two daughters.
Mr Wong said the new Diplomatic Dean is the Ambassador for Peru, Claudio de la Puente.
“We will invite him to assume the title of CMCF co-patron and we hope he will accept, especially in this year when a number of Latin American countries are celebrating important anniversaries,” Mr Wong said.
CMCF’s other co-patron is Ellnor Grassby, a former Member and Minister in the ACT Legislative Assembly and widow of the Federal Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs in the Whitlam Government, the late Al Grassby AM.
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