Well-known Filipino-Australian artist, philanthropist, inspirational speaker and community leader, Daisy Ann Gonzalez-Cumming has added another feather to her cap. She received the Paul Harris Fellow from the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International, on June 25, 2022 at the changeover of officers of the Norwest Sunrise Rotary.

Norwest Sunrise Rotary highlighted that Ms Daisy Ann Gonzalez has received the nomination for the significant Rotary recognition for her extensive work for the community.

Daisy Ann has bravely played the role of a father, a mother and businessperson and demonstrated her resilience, business acumen, and strength as an extraordinary woman.

She is highly spirited, solutions-oriented and supportive.

She gives back to the younger generation by mentoring, guiding and life coaching. She teaches art for relaxation and creativity and shares her wisdom and knowledge of the qualities of a good leader and entrepreneur through her speaking engagements. Her exemplary outlook on life motivates and encourage others to share their talents, time and energy in helping others in need. With her generous spirit, she continues to contribute her time and effort in the community- in fundraising events, conducting art sessions, holds financial literacy seminars and life coach individuals in large network locally and internationally.

She sends care packages and raises money to send to the Philippines for her son to assist in feeding families in their community that are going hungry. She collects children clothing from op-shops which she machine-washes and irons and makes available to poor families from the Philippines.

She raised funds for Rotary project in Medicos Bolivia Medical Mission, aid with Afghanistan Refugees and recently raised almost $3K from her contacts to support Lismore flood victims in NSW.

In summary, she is a humanitarian, a leader in her community and someone we should feel very proud to have as part of our Rotary Club.

What is a Paul Harris Fellow?

When $US1000 is contributed to The Rotary Foundation a request can be made for an individual to be recognised as a Paul Harris Fellow, that person can be a Rotarian or a member of the community who is not a Rotarian.

When a person is recognised as a Paul Harris Fellow, they are presented with a Certificate signed by the Rotary International President and the chairman of the Trustees of the Rotary Foundation and a lapel pin and medallion.

A Paul Harris Fellowship is not an award, it is simply recognition. When a Club contributes $US1000 to The Rotary Foundation the Club sets its own criteria for naming a Paul Harris Fellow.

The Australian Filipina is glad to catch up with Ms Daisy Ann to congratulate her and ask her a few questions.

* What does this recognition mean to you?

This recognition was unexpected for me but something I have proven to myself.  I am not holding any position in our Rotary Club, and yet I was recognised by my sincere and continuous services to the community. I have proven to myself that my services to people are not in vain because God rewards me for being obedient to His commands of loving my neighbour as myself. I anchor my life to the promises of God and in doing so, I find myself at peace and happy.

I found my purpose in life and I truly understand my whole being as a spiritual creative being in a physical body that expresses my purpose.

* What else do you wish to achieve in life?

I am in my third season of my life, but the 4th season is death. My goal is to completely focus on how to follow God’s command of giving back to His Kingdom all the gifting and talents He has blessed me with. I realise that I can’t take anything with me when I die and so with the time I am given to be in this earth, I have to share and give back to people everything that I have. To God be the glory.

* What is your advice to the leaders and members organisations in the community?

My advice to the leaders and members of various organisations:

* Be God-centered because being self-centered is self glorification.

* Know yourself well; your mind has to be renewed all the time to better yourself and the intention of your heart must be carefully check if it is aligned on God’s will.

* Keep learning and acquire knowledge to be implemented in your life. Learning is a lifetime lifestyle.

* Love people unconditionally.

* Always pursue for excellence in everything you do.

ABOUT MS DAISY ANN GONZALEZ CUMMING

Ms Daisy Ann Gonzales Cumming is a survivor and an achiever.  She migrated to Australia in 1986 together with three (Anna Donna, 6 yrs; Roanne, 11 yrs; and Rosemae, 16yrs) of her five children to leave a hostile domestic violence; Dennis, 20 yrs and Triza, 21 yrs was on tour and working overseas respectively at the time. She later on married Mr Edward (Ted) Cumming and led a happy life with the family.  She was a devoted wife to the end, till Mr Cumming passed away in nursing care in March 2022.

She is truly an extra-ordinary woman.  She was never employed in her entire life. Since the family was not subject of the Australian government as they were holding ‘visitor visas’, she designed and embroidered clothes (each one being unique) which she sold to an exclusive designer boutique in QVB. She also became a seasoned networker to provide the needs of my family. She attended several prestigious real estate gurus in America like Donald Trump (before his presidency) and Robert Kiyosaki in New York.  She became successful in the field of real estate, holding information sessions and mentoring people in that field.  

She has shared her gift of painting with so many by holding painting classes at her home, community centres and other venues arranged by organisations.  She holds fondly as her achievements having painted and donated three significant artworks.   The first one is the painting of the Philippine National Hero, Dr Jose Rizal which is on display at the Bulwagang Rizal at the Philippine Consulate General Sydney. 

She also did a painting of Andres Bonifacio in time with the Philippine celebration of his sesquicentennial (150 years birth anniversary on 30 November 2013) which she has donated to the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the country’s primary agency and highest institution governing culture and arts and the Philippine. 
 
The paintings of Apolinario Mabini were donated to the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (18 June 2014).  The Apolinario Mabini’s paintings displayed in the Philippine Consular Office in Sydney is a reproduction of the original painting donated at the National Historical Commission of the Philippines in Kalaw Street in Luneta.

Other paintings she donated are as follows:

“Bayanihan” ACI Arts Culture & Innovation Narra ( Jan. 2020)

“Tanawin Sa Simbahan” (Binondo Church Scene); and

‘Larong Pinoy” displayed at the Philippine Embassy in Canberra (12 June 2018) in celebration of the Philippine Independence sperheaded by Ambassador Minda Cruz.

“Sa Kabukiran”; “Larong Pinoy”; “Bayanihan” displayed at Blacktown City Library (28 April 2018).

“June DallyWatkins OAM Portrait (1 March 2000) The University Centre Clarence Street Sydney;

“Love Birds” (1997) Singapore Minister for Information and the Arts;

“Abstract” 3 art pieces (27 February 1997) president of Singapore Ong Teng Cheong ;

“Faces of Australia” 1989 - Germany Embassy in Australia.

Ms Daisy Ann’s generosity also is well-known.  On her 75th birthday, she gave all the guests  a potted plant.  During the events held by the National Alliance of Responsible & Respected Associations (NARRA) and the Filipino Sports, Arts and Recreation Club, she also donated raffle prizes to raise funds, as well as gave free door prizes to attendees.

Earlier this year, she was awarded as Filipino Sports and Recreational Club (FILSPARC) 2022 Inspirational Mother of the Year, in the recognition of her extensive community work and inspiring projects for the organisation to undertake.  True to the title of the award, she was also inspiring having overcame adversities to provide for her children who all have become successful in their chosen careers.


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