BEST OF LOVE SONGS 2025

BEST OF LOVE SONGS 2025

As we wrap up a truly wonderful year, we want to take a moment to thank you for your support and connection—both online and offline.

This year, we released many songs in both Lao and English, and we hope you’ve enjoyed listening to them. If our music has brought you joy, we’d love for you to share it with your friends.

We wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a safe, joyful, and prosperous New Year. May this holiday season bring happiness, good health, and time to enjoy what matters most.

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FRIENDS

FRIENDS

Last weekend, I had the chance to reunite with my old friends for a special occasion at the Liverpool Catholic Club. Two of my friends’ misses were celebrating their birthdays, and it was the perfect excuse for us to dine out together. It had been years since we’d all gathered like this.

Seeing familiar faces after such a long time was truly special. We enjoyed delicious food, refreshing beers, and the kind of company you can only hope for. After dinner, we spent hours catching up, sharing stories, and even setting a date for our next meeting.

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WAT BUDDHALAVARN

WAT BUDDHALAVARN

🌿 Wat Buddhalavarn Forest Monastery: A Lao-Australian Legacy in Bloom 🇱🇦🇦🇺
Just 10 minutes from Campbelltown, Wat Buddhalavarn rises from 55 acres of peaceful bushland—a sacred space built by the hands and hearts of Lao refugees who arrived in Australia after 1975. Today, it stands as a beacon of faith, culture, and resilience.
✨ The new Lao-style Simm has just been completed, house a majestic Buddha statue. This temple is more than architecture—it’s a living story of generosity, devotion, and community spirit.
🕊️ For our younger generations, this is home. A place to reconnect with heritage, celebrate Buddhist traditions, and honor the sacrifices of our elders. There’s no going back—only forward, together.
🙏 Built through decades of hard work and heartfelt contributions, Wat Buddhalavarn is a reminder: when we give, we grow. When we gather, we thrive.
📣 Come support our community. Visit, volunteer, donate, or simply share the story. Every act helps preserve our culture and strengthen our future.
📍 Learn more at laopress.com and watbuddhalavarn.org.au
#WatBuddhalavarn #LaoHeritage #BuddhismInAustralia #LaoAustralianCommunity #Campbelltown #Laopress #LaoCulture #RefugeeLegacy #SoutheastAsianDiaspora #SupportLocalTemples

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NEW PATTHASIMA AND HORIZON

NEW PATTHASIMA AND HORIZON

Wat Buddhalavarn has grown significantly over the past five decades. Starting in Cabramatta as a rented house, the community soon purchased their own property through donations.
In the late 1990s, the temple moved to Wedderburn, acquiring over 50 acres with two houses and a large shed. One house is now for monks, the other for guest monks, and the shed serves as a temporary Patthasima.
Since 2000, major improvements have occurred. The shed transformed into a beautiful temporary hall, now the temple’s central hub. Construction of a new, permanent Patthasima began with a foundation stone laid by then-Governor Gordon Samuels already completed. The temple’s front now boasts a new brick wall, enhancing its appearance.
Ongoing support through donations is crucial for Wat Buddhalavarn’s continued development and its role as a vital spiritual center.

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MELBOURNE VACATION

MELBOURNE VACATION

After years away, we return to Melbourne on a memorable road trip from Sydney, discovering a city that’s buzzing with life once again. With the help of public transport and the kindness of family, we explore both the vibrant heart of the city and its quieter outer suburbs. From lively streets filled with people enjoying cafes and shops to quiet moments of connection and reflection, our two-week stay paints a picture of a city recovering its energy post-pandemic. Despite some visible social challenges, Melbourne feels warm, welcoming, and full of charm — reminding us why we fell in love with it in the first place.

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MY ISLAND HOME: DONKHO

MY ISLAND HOME: DONKHO

I last stood on Mekong riverbank in Saphay looking over to Donkho in 2000. It might be 1980, the year that we left Donkho, my island home, my birthplace.

Back then, the river was our playground. We ran barefoot on sandbars, fished with homemade nets, and hunted grasshoppers in the dry fields or nearby islands. Donkho’s soil gave us everything: rice, sweet potatoes, beans, watermelons, herbs, vegetables any at all.

When the tide dropped, the river revealed its secrets—rocks, beaches, hidden pools—and we’d explore them like adventurers.

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HOMEOWNER: COMMITMENT

HOMEOWNER: COMMITMENT

Owning a home involves several financial commitments and ongoing costs. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the typical expenses associated with homeownership in Sydney: mortgage repayment, rates, power bills, internet or mobile phone bills, insurance, maintenance costs, etc….Owning a home in NSW is a significant financial commitment, but with careful planning and budgeting, it can be a rewarding investment.

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CAR OWNERSHIP COSTS

CAR OWNERSHIP COSTS

Owning a car in Sydney, Australia, is often considered essential due to the city’s sprawling nature and the convenience it offers for commuting, grocery runs, and other daily activities. However, car ownership comes with several ongoing financial commitments, but for many, the convenience and flexibility it provides are worth the cost. Proper planning and budgeting can help manage these expenses

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