The first Filipinos who arrived in Australia were called the "Manila Men/ Lugger men."

Watch the i-Witness documentary by Howie Severino on how they arrived as Pearl Divers, integrated into the local Indigenous Community, and how their current Ancestors traced their roots in the Philippines. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Tm-cP6IFw4

by GMA Public Affairs

The Lugger men of Australia were early Filipino migrants who played a significant role in the fishing and pearling industries, particularly in northern Queensland during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Here’s an overview of their history, contributions, and the challenges they faced 

Filipino Australian related Events:

October 2025

• 11 Oct – KZ Tandingan & Montreéd – Live in Melbourne
  📍 Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre
  🎤 TFC Australia, New Zealand & The Pacific
  
  

• 13 Oct – Seniors Night
  📍 Clayton RSL, 171 Carinish Rd, Clayton
  🎤 Pilipino Elderly Association of South East Region
  
  

• 18 Oct – Tara, Sayaw Tayo
  📍 St John Paul II Polish Hall, 6 Helene St, Ardeer
  🎤 Sayaw Tayo Group of Australia, Inc
  
  

• 19 Oct – YG 27th Anniversary
  📍 John Pandazopoulos Hall, 78 Power Rd, Doveton
  🎤 Young Generation Filipino Senior Citizens Club
  
  

• 25 Oct – Bisd’Rag Ki Khinana with K, Hana and Gigi Era
  📍 UBQ Upstairs Melbourne, 978 Smith St, Fitzroy
  🎤 Two Houses of Entertainment
  
  

• 25 Oct – 22nd Annual Halloween Charity Ball
  📍 Freccia Azzurra Club, 784 Springvale Rd, Braeside
  🎤 Circulo Capizeno of Melbourne, Inc
  
  

• 26 Oct – Philippine Spring Festival
  📍 Pipeworks Market, 5 Dunstans Ct, Thomastown
  🎤 RDV Sports and Entertainment Promotions
  
  

• 26 Oct – Don Petok – Live in Melbourne
  📍 Pipeworks Market, 5 Dunstans Ct, Thomastown
  🎤 RDV Sports and Entertainment Promotions
  
  

• 27 Oct – Filipino Music Festival (SA)
  📍 Plant 4 Bowden, Adelaide

 Live performances by local Filipino bands (genres like OPM Pop, R&B, Alternative, Rock), Filipino-inspired food stalls, drinks. plant4bowden.com.au

• 31 Oct – Halloween Horror Night Party
  📍 Menzies Hall, 41 Menzies Ave, Dandenong North
  🎤 ASLAVi (Australian Samar-Leyte Association in Victoria)
  
  

November 2025

• Early Nov – Philippine Christmas (Pasko) Festival

 📍 Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour, NSW

 🎤 Celebrating Filipino Christmas traditions: food, entertainment etc. Hosted by the Philippine Community Council of NSW. darlingharbour.com

• 1 Nov – Melbourne Cup Dinner Dance
  📍 Melrose Events, 2 Carrick Dr, Tullamarine
  🎤 Mega Nurses
  
  

• 3 Nov – 43rd Melbourne Cup Eve Dinner Dance
  📍 Ferraro Reception, 104 Orsclaw Ave, Campbellfield
  🎤 Pampangueno Club of Melbourne, Inc
  
  

• 8 Nov – Face Australia Fashionista Night
  📍 Philippine Community Centre, 1 Thomas St, Laverton
  🎤 Face Australia Promotions & Management
  
  

• 8 Nov – A Night with Jek de Castro
  📍 Philippine Community Centre, 1 Thomas St, Laverton
  🎤 EW Silent Star Entertainment
  
  

• 9 Nov – Summer Goddesses: Marina Summers & Miss Jade So
  📍 Trak Lounge Bar, 445 Toorak Rd, Toorak
  🎤 Invasion Productions
  
  

• 15 Nov – Elias J TV Band – Live in Melbourne
  📍 Enjoy Venus, 41 Lance Rd, Sunshine North
  🎤 Liz Honey Promotions & Entertainment
  
  

• 15 Nov – SPAG MS Austral-Asia Quest Charity Pageant Coronation
  📍 Venue TBA
  🎤 Samahan ng mga Pilipino at Australian sa Gippsland (SPAG)
  
  

• 16 Nov – Pasko sa Geelong
  📍 Beckley Park, Broderick Rd, Corio
  🎤 Filipino Australian Friendship Association of Geelong (FAFAG)
  
  

• 16 Nov – Gippsland Filipino Fiesta
  📍 Venue TBA
  🎤 Samahan ng mga Pilipino sa Gippsland (SPAG)
  
  

• 22 Nov – PAFI 31st Anniversary
  📍 Philippine House, 93 Cowper St, Footscray
  🎤 Philippine-Australian Foundation (Vic) Inc
  
  

• 29 Nov – FilAus 4th Anniversary
  📍 Freccia Azzurra, 784 Springvale Rd, Braeside
  🎤 Filipino Australian Seniors Association (FilAus)
  
  

• 29 Nov – Pasko sa Melbourne
  📍 Queen Victoria Market, Melbourne
  🎤 The Empowered Australian Multicultural Society (TEAMS)
  
  

December 2025

• 5 Dec – El Amor de Rizal Dinner Dance Ball
  📍 Polish Hall, 6 Helene St, Ardeer
  🎤 Knights of Rizal & Kababaihang Rizalista (KOR & KRPI)
  
  

• 6 Dec – Ilonggo Association Christmas Party
  📍 John Pandazopoulos Hall, 78 Power Rd, Doveton
  🎤 Ilonggo Association of Victoria (IAV)
  
  

• 7 Dec – YG Christmas
  📍 Sandown Hotel, Corrigan Rd, Noble Park
  🎤 Young Generation Filipino Senior Citizens Club
  
  

• 7 Dec – Give Love Christmas Luncheon
  📍 Noble Park Community Centre, 46 Memorial Dr, Noble Park
  🎤 Give Love Inc
  
  

• 13 Dec – Pasko ng Pinoy 2025
  📍 St Pius X Hall, 32 Hoddle St, Warrnambool
  🎤 Filipino Community of Warrnambool Inc
  
  

• 14 Dec – Christmas Party
  📍 Philippine Community Centre, 1 Thomas St, Laverton
  🎤 KOR & KRPI
  
  

• 30 Dec – Rizal Day Unveiling & Program
  📍 Philippine Community Centre, 1 Thomas St, Laverton
  🎤 Knights of Rizal & Kababaihang Rizalista (KOR & KRPI)
  
  

• 30 Dec – Rizal Day
  📍 Ballarat Park, Cashel Dr, Invermay Park
  🎤 Filipino/Australian Association of Ballarat (FAABI)
  
  

Connect:

UP Alumni Association South Australia

Congratulations to the UP MBT foe being the 2024 UAAP Champions!

Filipino Communities Council of Australia Inc. (FILCCA)

Australia

The national representative body advocating for the interests of Filipino-Australians, promoting unity and cultural heritage. 

FILCCA

Australian-Filipino Community Services (AFCS)

Victoria, Australia

A non-profit organization promoting harmony and well-being among Filipinos and multicultural communities in Victoria. 

afcsvictoria.org.au

Filipino Community Council of Victoria Inc. (FCCVI)

Victoria, Australia

The umbrella organization for Filipino-Australian communities in Victoria, offering various community services and cultural programs. 

filipinocommunitycouncilofvic.org.au

Albany Filipino Association of Australia Inc.

Albany, Western Australia

Focuses on promoting and preserving Filipino heritage in Albany, fostering unity and mutual support among migrants. 

albanyfilipinoassociation.com.au

Filipino-Australian Association NT Inc.

Northern Territory, Australia

Provides community services and cultural activities for Filipinos residing in the Northern Territory. 

FAANT

Filipino-Australian Foundation of Queensland Inc. (FAFQ)

Queensland, Australia

Organizes cultural and charitable events, such as the Charity Queen Australia, to support various advocacies. 

fafq.org.au

Filipino In Australia Group

Online

A Facebook group where Filipinos residing in Australia can connect, share experiences, and support each other. 

Log in or sign up to view

Filipinos in Australia

Online

Another Facebook community for Filipino-Australians to engage in discussions and community activities.