Community Involvement
Some members of the Lebanese community in New South Wales may remember Anthony Alam. As well as being a significant political figure, he and his wife were well regarded in the Lebanese and wider community and participated in many charitable, business and social events.
Alam and his wife Therese Alam (née Anthony) were instigators behind many charitable endeavours for the Maronite community, the Lebanese community, and the community in general. One of Mrs. Alam's notable efforts was raising funds to purchase ambulances to transpont Australian troops and others injured during World War II as President of the Lebanese Ladies War Comforts League of Australia.
A number of the ambulances apparently found their way to Lebanon, where they were used to transport injured civilians in addition to injured Australian troops.
It has been said that some years later, in gratitude, the Lebanese Government presented Australia with a number of cedar saplings (Cedars of Lebanon). Some members can remember being shown the saplings growing strongly in a garden in Canberra. However, with the passing of years, their exact location has been forgotten. Alam died on 9 August 1983, aged 87.
Read more about this topic: Alexander Alam
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