Grand Hyatt - Melbourne
Friday, 14 January 2005

All proceeds to Plan Australia REBUILDING ASIA Tsunami Appeal

With 'classic notes and jazz overtones', a special tsunami fundraiser brings together Indonesian royalty from Bali, an award-winning pianist and a jazz ensemble at Melbourne's Grand Hyatt hotel on Friday, 14 January 2005.

The fundraiser has been organised by the King Pandji Sakti Sangha Vajrayana Buddhist Society International - a non-sectarian, charitable organisation founded by His Eminence Prince Ratu Pandji Sakti from Bali, who was holder of the Vajrayana Buddhist Sakya Lineage of Indonesia. The society's Australian office is based in Hawthorn.

Admission is by donation and all proceeds will go to Plan - a child centred community development organisation assisting with the tsunami relief effort. both in the immediate response and long-term rehabilitation and reconstruction work.

Ian Wishart, Plan Australia national executive director said money donated to Plan will be used to support rehabilitation in Sri Lanka in Hambantota and possibly other districts.  In India and Indonesia , Plan is currently undertaking assessments for interventions on rebuilding communities.

"In Indonesia Plan, along with the World Bank and UNICEF has agreed to be part of a task force to help rebuild education in tsunami-affected areas of Aceh Province," Mr Wishart said.

Lady Lestari Pandji, Director of the KPSS Buddhist Society and Ambassador to the Balinese Royal Family of Pandji said that "understanding the very real and on-going urgency to help people who have been affected by the disaster, the Society has decided to organise this fundraising event."

HRH Princess Marianne Pandji Sakti and HRH Prince Leo Yudhasangha Pandji Sakti from Bali , Indonesia will attend the event that features renowned German pianist Laurens Patzlaff and a jazz ensemble lead by Australian musician Peter Harper.

Australian Open tickets, a Grand Hyatt weekend package, an exquisite evening gown by Karen Merkel Australia and At Zia Teresa restaurant dinners will be major raffle prizes.

Lady Lestari said she was unsure how much the event would raise as entry is by donation. .We have decided to leave the admission open because we believe that if you touch a person's heart with your sincerity, you open theirs to generosity,. Lady Lestari Pandji said.

The tsunami REBUILDING ASIA benefit:

Date & Time:	6pm, Friday 14 January 2005
Where:	Grand Hyatt Hotel, 123 Collins St, Melbourne

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For further comment and photograph opportunities contact:

Tim Cansfield Smith,
Media & Communications Manager, Plan Australia
(03) 9672 3656 Mob: 0411 642 194

Lady Soma Pandji
King Pandji Sakti Sangha Vajrayana Buddhist Society
Mob: 0405 847 147 or email soma@somapandji.com