Danny Armstrong confirms the amount raised for the QLD flood appeal
*Update 9 Feb 2011. Swannies National Treasurer Danny Armstrong has just confirmed that an additional AUD1,100 has been donated to the Appeal lifting our total contribution to AUD36,116.06.
The Vietnam Swans National Treasurer and General Director of the Commonwealth Bank, Danny Armstrong, confirms that AUD35, 016.06 has been raised for the Queensland Premier’s Disaster Relief Appeal Account. Below is a copy of Danny’s email.
After amazing contributions from right across the Vietnam Australian and broader community including funds raised in functions in HCMC, Hanoi and Vung Tau, I have finally rounded up all of the money and remitted same to the Queensland Premier’s Disaster Relief Appeal Account. There may be some small amounts yet to come in, which of course we will remit when received. Funds received to date were remitted in two parts:
- Some contributors found it easier to send money to my personal account in Australia (see receipt from Bank Transfer Form);
- The balance of contributions were received in cash in VND, AUD and USD in Vietnam (international money transfer confirmation attached).
For the funds remitted from Vietnam, the Commonwealth Bank – HCMC branch sought a specific approval from our regulator, the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV), to remit the funds in compliance with Vietnam’s foreign exchange regulations. We were assisted greatly by the Australian Chamber of Commerce – HCMC in this regard, as the SBV advised us that we would need AusCham to remit the money and that they would need to open a specific foreign currency bank account with our Bank for this purpose, credit the funds to it (obviously after conversion to AUD), remit them and then close the account and report back to the SBV what we had done. I would like to acknowledge the great assistance received from AusCham in this pursuit, particularly Rachael Thompson the National Executive Director and Wayne Bannon the Chairman. Nothing was too much trouble and their help was fantastic. I would also like to pay tribute to the SBV who fully appreciated the humanitarian need of our cause and were extremely efficient in rapidly approving our request – again, nothing was too much trouble. My compliance team were pretty good in this process too.
Receipts for the funds remitted are attached and set out below. Separately, I understand that Boomarang Restaurant remitted AUD10,000 direct and Meinhardt remitted AUD5,000 direct.
Including these contributions the total amount raised by the Vietnam community was AUD35,016.06. While a small drop in the ocean in the context of what will be required for the reconstruction effort, I’m sure you would agree that we can all be proud of how the local community came together to support our Queensland friends, family and colleagues as best we could in their hour of need. I’m sure that our efforts will be appreciated.
As promised, the Commonwealth Bank has remitted all funds free of any fees or foreign exchange margin and we have also ensured that the funds remained fee free on receipt at the Australian end. i.e. the net amount raised will go directly to assisting the cause. Huge thanks must also go to Jaspas both in HCMC and Hanoi and Vino for providing their premises to aid the cause and effectively giving up their regular business takings for the evenings of the functions. Of course, the biggest thanks must go to the amazing supporters in the community who contributed so generously.
- Receipt number: N012919689126
- From account: Danny xxxx xxxxxxxx
- Your transaction description: Qld Flood Appeal
- To account: 064-013 10006800 Premiers Disaster Relief Appeal
- To account description: Vietnam Swans
- Amount: $4,400.00
- When: 29/01/2011 5:27:46 pm Sydney time
