ACCA Elderly Service hosted a Chinese New Year Luncheon in celebration of Lunar Year of the Monkey. The luncheon was held at the Marigold Restaurant in Sydney Chinatown and was attended by more than three hundred and eighty clients, carers, volunteers and staff.

The Luncheon began with the Chinese traditional Lion Dancing, which was the symbol of power, happiness, longevity, and good fortune.  “Kung Hei Fatt Choy! San Tai Kin Hong! Loong Ma Ching San! ” (means Happy New Year! Wishing You Healthy and Happy! ) President of ACCA, Mr. Felix Lam greeted everyone with great New Year spirit.  He said: “Ladies and gentlemen, thank you all for coming to join us on this once a year great traditional festive occasion.  I am very happy to see so many of you are here today!”

President Lam explained a bit of symbolic meaning of the year of Monkey. “I hear that the monkey is a smart and intelligent creature.  This year is the Fire Monkey. Fire brings passion, creativity and joy. I hope this year brings to you and your family lots of joy, happiness and prosperity.  Also brings to ACCA lots of energy, innovation, growth and great success.” President Lam emphasized “ACCA will continue to deliver the best possible quality of services. If there is anything else that ACCA can do for you, please do not hesitate to discuss with our staff.”  President Lam acknowledged the senior groups who were there on the day.  He thanked senior staff Amy, Yan and Margaret and other staff members, as well as the volunteers who have worked so hard to organize the celebration.  

President Lam then introduced ACCA’s new Chief Executive Office Ms. Xuyen Tang.  She has extensive community services management experience.  Dressed in elegant traditional Chinese clothing, Ms. Xuyen Tang went up to the stage gracefully, and delivered a short speech with a warm smile.  She said that she felt very privileged to join ACCA, taking on this new and exciting role.  She was so happy to join in the Chinese New Year celebration, a great time for her to meet everyone.  “Monkey has enthusiastic energy, is fun and creative, risk taking and likes to take actions.  I thank ACCA for the opportunity to lead a great team. I am committed to build on ACCA’s success, to consolidate existing services and to look for opportunity to grow, meeting the needs of the community.”  Xuyen concluded by inviting all staff to come up to the stage and together, the entire team wished all the clients, volunteers and their family a very happy and healthy Year of Monkey”.

Vice President Shirley Chan also delivered a brief speech, dressed in traditional Chinese dress.  She praised the team effort and conveyed her best wishes to the elderly clients and family, staff and volunteers a very happy New Year.  Shirley joined in the activities and lucky draws, with a great sense of humor, working with staff and made people laugh. 

The celebration was followed by the traditional Chinese dancing, performed by the MOSAIC Multicultural Taiwanese Dance Group of Willoughby City Council.  The first dance was called “Gao Shan Qing” which means high and green mountains.  This dance, which originates from Taiwan, is well known to Chinese people.  It is about a young aboriginal man who falls in love with a beautiful aboriginal young lady at Mount Ali.  The dance group was dressed in traditional colorful clothing.  The second dance “Jasmine Flower” is also well known to the Chinese community.  It is a popular Chinese folk song.  The folding, unfolding, and moving fans formed a variety of flowery shapes which were so beautiful.

There were cheers and applause aplenty throughout the event as everyone was delighted with the exquisite banquet, the entertainments, and the lucky draw prizes. A little later the “God of Fortune” appeared, giving out Red Pockets and wished everyone a blessed and wealthy Year of the Monkey. ACCA would like thank the UNIKC Group, Travel Express Services, White Glo, Heng Fai Trading Co., and Ettason P/L for sponsoring of table prizes and lucky draws.