News Brief. More Beautiful Costumes

Transcription

1 News Brief Multicultural Leader s Reception On 1 July 2008, FCCCI executive members participated in 2008 Multicultural Leader s Reception invited by Mr. Jon Stanhope, the ACT Chief Minister, who acknowledged and thanked the contributions from community groups to the harmonious multicultural society in ACT. FCCCI Chinese School held its EOY Performance On 6 December 2008, FCCCI s Chinese School held its End-of-Year performance. Each class went on the stage to perform and showcase what they have learned for the past year. Every performing child received a present from the School. Government Grant Again In December 2008, Chinese School was awarded $1500 ACT Multicultural Festival Grant. The School has won this prestigious grant for seven years in a row. The School has expressed its appreciation for the ongoing support from ACT government. FCCCI Chinese New Year Celebration attracted around 200 people On 17 January 2009, FCCCI held its Chinese New Year Celebration Party at 83 Restaurant Woden Dr. Tim Wu, FCCCI s Vice President, was the Master of Ceremony for this event. As a landmark event, this annual FCCCI dinner party has always been popular, but it was particularly so this year. The tickets were totally sold out one week prior. The party was hugely successful and we apologize for those who missed out the fun due to space limitation. A Caring and Loving Heart On 17 February 2009: Chinese School donated $200 to Vitoria Bushfire Appeal. Our new Principal, Ms. Lihong Chen, presented the cheque to a representative of the Australia Red Cross (ACT Branch) on behalf of the School. More Beautiful Costumes FCCCI s New Star Dancing Group (above), led and coached by Ms. Lijun Ouyang, FCCCI Executive Member, has actively participated in multicultural events and performing activities. In January 2009, FCCCI purchased good quality costumes from China to further support this enthusiastic and quality dancing group. A New Vice President for FCCCI In February 2009, Mr. Fang Fang was elected as Vice President of FCCCI after

2 Monica Chen resigned. Mr. Fang is also a long standing committee member and has been actively involved in sports and entertainment activities of FCCCI. Congratulations to Fang! A New Representation at ACTESA On 5 May, Mr. Changming Zhang, FCCCI s Treasurer, was nominated and successfully elected as an executive member of ACT Ethnic School Association. Mr. Zhang graduated from Nankai University (Tianjin of China) and ANU. He also holds a Teaching Qualification from University of Canberra and currently teaches at Dickson College. Changming s election into ACTESA will surely benefit FCCCI Chinese School and FCCCI in the year to come. FCCCI Supports Opening of FM88 Radio in Canberra FCCCI welcomes and supports the opening of another Chinese radio in Canberra. In May 2009, Radio FM88 Grand Opening Ceremony was held at National Museum. 8 executive members attended this event. FCCCI believes this is a good channel and platform for Chinese in Canberra to voice their ideas and opinions. FCCCI has a website In May 2009, FCCCI website ( was launched thanks to Yifan Zhang s hard work and expertise. Since the website became available, the FCCCI executive committee has received very positive feedback. Grand Live-Band Dancing Party On 30 May 2009, FCCCI held its first Grand Live-Band Dancing Party following 3 social dance teaching sessions that FCCCI offered in May and April Support 2010 Shanghai World Expo On 30 May 2009, FCCCI held a celebration of 1 year countdown 2010 Shanghai World Expo in conjunction with Australian Shanghai World Expo Promotion Committee. ***************************** When Community Spirit Matters: a Message from FCCCI President How time flies! Almost half of 2009 has been over! Following a sensational Year 2008, Year 2009 has been and will be a busy and successful year for FCCCI! We started Year 2009 with a warm and bustling Chinese New Year Celebration dinner at Woden 83 Restaurant on 17 Jan Nearly 200 members and non-members attended this celebration. FCCCI invited both Counselor Mao Runlong from the Chinese Embassy and Mr Nic Manakis, Director of ACT Government Multicultural Office for this celebration to appreciate their strong support to this association over the years. Again we had our most exciting Chinese New Year Celebration on 15 Feb, the close ceremony of our Multicultural Festival held every year in Canberra. Our children showed their best ever performances (5) and courage in this year s celebrations. They are from both FCCCI School and FCCCI Star dancing group. They kicked start their performance with both energy and bravery under the wild hot weather in Civic in the first weekend of ACT Multicultural Festival. I am sure lots of our members will remember their beautiful performances and strong courage to beat both hot and cold weather. A number of successful activities organized by FCCCI are also worth a mention. Monthly social dancing party resumed on 28 Feb and has become a popular function to many members; airport farewell to Chinese leader Mr Li Changchun on 20 Mar; social dance

3 teaching sessions on 19 Apr, 03 May & 17 May; welcoming FMRadio88 joint operating with China Radio International to Canberra s grand opening on 08 May; attending Tibet Picture Exhibition from 11 May to 17 May in Canberra Centre etc. As a result of Mr Zhang Yifan s hard work with Fang Fang s help FCCCI website has been launched and it will be updated from now on. FCCCI members can now find our news & activities on line FCCCI Executive Committee has had some personnel changes since our last newsletter. Ms Monica (Yi) Chen, a long standing executive member and Vice President as well resigned as a result of her family moving to interstate, Mr Fang Fang has been nominated and elected as Vice President since 28 Feb. Ms Lyn Ning has retired since beginning of this year as the Principal of FCCCI Chinese School and Mrs Lihong (Chen) Rambeau has been nominated and appointed as the Principal of FCCCI Chinese School. Lyn remains as our executive member. Lihong has joined as an FCCCI executive member since her appointment. I take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation for their past & present incessant hard work, their time and faith for the voluntary positions, their unremitting commitment to the Chinese cultural promotion. With their strong commitment FCCCI has done and been doing much for the Chinese community and the larger Community of Canberra as well. May I also take this opportunity to thank our members and supporters for the strong faith in FCCCI, participation, involvement over the years. My thanks also go to ACT and Federal Government and the Chinese Embassy for their continuous support. funding Dancing parties $ entry fee and selling water Ticket selling for 27 $2, Sept Dinner Party Ticket selling for $2, the 2009 New Year Dinner Party Credit interests $4.55 ATO GST refund $472 Total expenditure $8, Sept Dinner $2, Party 2009 Chinese New $2, Year Dinner Party FCCCI website and $ computer mouse State Government $ Tax GDT Newsletter print $ GNG 08 Insurance $ Dancing Party $ Multicultural $ performance expense (dancing costume) Portable chairs and $ hire of post box Activities expenses $45.00 (soccer field hire) PO Box Renew $ Balance $8, ***************************** Many Hands Together Make it Work A Report from FCCCI Chinese School ************************************* FCCCI Treasurer s Report (1 July June 2009) Balance forwarded from 30 June 2008 $4, Total Income $13, Membership fee $ Government $6, FCCCI Chinese School has a fruitful year in 2008 and the first half of 2009, thanks to the support from parents and students,

4 and particularly the selfless commitment from the volunteers at School Management Team, who have worked together as a team and who sacrificed their time and resources week in and week out for years. The School has a successful transition period in the beginning of FCCCI has appointed Ms. Lihong Chen as the new Principal since Ms. Lyn Ning retired from the position in early They have spent three months together to complete the orientation and transition. Ms. Ning and Ms. Claudia Liu, the former Treasurer, have kindly offered to remain on the School Committee to continue to support the School and FCCCI. Throughout 2008 and its first six months of 2009, apart from its routine language teaching program, the School has also organized extra activities. Some highlights are given below: On 23 February 2008, the School organised a Book Donation Ceremony to show appreciation to Education Office, Chinese Embassy, for their generous donation of 300 most recent Chinese books and teaching materials. All students, staffs and teachers and some parents attended this ceremony. the Sichuan Earthquake. All students, staffs, teachers and some parents attended this touching event. Students also donated some money, made beautiful paper crane and write on the cards, which has been sent to the Chinese Embassy. On 17 June, FCCCI Chinese School held a farewell dinner to the Minister Counselor for Education of the Chinese Embassy, Mdm Zhu Xiaoyu and welcomed her successor Minister Counselor Mr Wang. School representatives and FCCCI executives attended the dinner. On 12 July, the School sent Zhou Lifang, Shi Xiaosheng and Mi Yinan to attend 2008 Chinese Language Teachers Federation of Australia Conference held at ANU. On 12 September, the School invited Mr. Fang Fang, to talk to the students about his volunteer experiences for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. It was well received by students and teachers. On 6 December, the School has held its annual end-of-year performance attended by staffs, students, parents, FCCCI representatives and people from other community organizations. Madame Zhu Xiaoyu, the Minister Counselor for Education, was present and made a speech, followed by thank you speech by the Principal, student and teacher representative. On 24 May, FCCCI Chinese School held a mourning service for those children died in On 17 January 2009, five students from the School performed at the FCCCI Chinese New Year celebration party and applauded by 130 strong audiences. On 7 February 2009, ten students from the School performed at the central stage in

5 Civic to celebrate multicultural festival despite of the 40 degree heat. In February 2009, the School established a bilingual class catering for preschool age children from non-chinese speaking background. The School has been fortunate enough to employ Mr. Lu Han, former teacher at Girls Grammar School, to teach this special class. The class has been very popular to the students and their parents. In March and April 2009, some teachers attended monthly professional training program for ethnic school teachers organised by ACTESA. The teachers who attend this program regularly and who have successfully completed the whole workshops by the end of 2009 will receive a certificate. The School is looking forward to more successful year in 2009 and the School Management Team led by Principal Lihong Chen will continue to work together and contribute to Chinese community in Canberra. Thank you. Call for Enrolment Do you have school age children? Do you want your children to be literate in Chinese? Do you want your children to be advantageous and competitive at School? Then come to FCCCI Chinese School Established in 1994, the FCCCI Chinese School is a community based and nonprofit school catering for preschool and school-aged children. It is one of the largest ethnic language schools in Canberra. Currently about 110 children enrolled in 10 different levels of classes. Tuition: $50 per term (FCCCI member); $55 per term (non-fccci member) Class Time: 10:00 12:00 pm Saturdays Venue: Lake Ginninderra College, Emu Bank, Belconnen. Enrolment for new students is open on the day as well as during the term. Prospective students are welcome to have one free trial class. The School follows ACT school term and do not have classes on long weekend. Please contact the following people for information about the school Lihong Chen (Principal) or Jenny Erb(Deputy Principal, Treasurer) or Hua Zhang (Deputy Principal) or Lyn Ning (School Supervisor) or Claudia Liu (School Supervisor) or Zhengfeng Li (School Assistant) or Xiaoli Lin (School Secretary) or **********************************

6 FCCCI Dancing into the Future - Grand Live-Band Dancing Party on 30 May When it is said Canberra is a boring city, with no night life and entertainment, please think again. Canberra s dark night is enlightened once every month by the dancing party organized by FCCCI. It was particularly so for the night of 30 May FCCCI started to organize monthly dancing party (on the last Saturday of each month) since March The monthly dancing party started in Griffin Centre and moved to the current site of Lutheran Church, in central Canberra. Canberra has a large Chinese community and an increasingly large Chinese student population. The dancing party will provide a platform for Canberran Chinese to make friend, to communicate and to entertain, let alone social dancing has always been an effective way to keep fit and to relax from a busy and stressful life style. FCCCI monthly dancing party has become popular as time went by with more dancing fans (some even from Sydney) and some dancing gurus emerged from the crowd. As soon as the idea of a live-band dancing party is proposed, the FCCCI Executive Team have commenced the preparation work. Three teaching sessions have been organized and a social dance tutor was invited to teach Waltz, Latin and Chacha. The big night of 30 May has arrived with much excitement and expectations. More than 70 people turned up for the night. Car park was full around the Lutheran Church. Sue Han, Changming Zhang, Fang Fang, Yifan Zhang, Lisa Ping Jiang and Helen Guo from FCCCI Executive Committee, were as busy as bees to collect entry fee, prepare the stickers and prize, control the crowd and set up the site. The invited live band arrived with heavy gears and professional sound systems. Robert Wong, from the band, was dressed up as Elvis Presley to sing his songs. Participants were reminded and carried back to the years of this undisputed King of Rock N Roll. People on the dancing floor were lost in the live music and songs. The sense of community was hallucinated throughout the night with decorations, lights, costumes and music. Quality social dances were shown and glamorous costumes were seen everywhere. The organizing team had difficulty in judging the best dancing couple and best dressed couple. Finally 16 lucky draws were handed. Our distinguished guests, Mdm Li Hong and Mr. Hongbin Zhu, from the Cultural Office of Chinese Embassy also participated in this event. Many executive members from other Chinese community organizations also came to enjoy the lively night. FCCCI Supports 2010 Shanghai World Expo - a joint celebration of one year count-down from FCCCI and Australia Shanghai World Expo Promotion Committee Another highlight of the live-band dancing night on 30 May is the celebration of one year count-down for Shanghai World Expo. This celebration was co-organized by

7 FCCCI and Australia Shanghai World Expo Promotion Committee. Ms. Sue Han, FCCCI President, opened the celebration and Mdm Li Hong, Counselor, Cultural Office of Chinese Embassy made a speech. She highly appraised the contribution that overseas Chinese in Canberra have made to support this important event. Up to now, more that 238 nations and international organizations have confirmed to participate including many companies from Australia. Mdm Li encouraged more overseas Chinese to go to Shanghai to support China. It is no doubt the Chinese people will present to the world a successful, splendid and unforgettable exposition in Mr. Andrew Yan (former President of FCCCI, currently the Chair of the Australian Shanghai World Expo Promotion Committee) also gave a speech on behalf the Australian Shanghai World Expo Promotion Committee. He hoped that more people will engage in the promotional activities one way or another and the Chinese communities in Canberra would organize some tour groups to Shanghai after May 2010 and its surrounding cities like Nanjing, Suzhou, Wuxi, Hangzhou and Pudushan. Finally Mr. Yan distributed some mascot and souvenir from Shanghai Expo Organizing Committee Shanghai World Expo will be a great event for China to showcase the world its strength and to open a new vista into the future. It would also be a happy reunion of people from all over the world. FCCCI and its 200 strong members are proud to be a part of its celebration and promotion. ********************************** Press Release - FCCCI Web Site Alive FCCCI has been always trying to set up a proper web site to publish latest news and events on internet so Canberra Chinese community can receive updated information just by one click on computer. Fang Fang, vice president of FCCCI took the initiative and drafted the basic colour, skin and theme for FCCCI home page. He also contacted ISP and DNS companies to have internet domain locked in. However, due to lack of help and extra time, Fang Fang had trouble collecting information and creating all sub pages. New executive member of FCCCI, Yifan Zhang, was assigned to develop FCCCI web site on base of what Fang Fang had created. It was a bit difficult for Yifan to start because he was new to FCCCI and knew nothing about details of deferent FCCCI parts. Everyone in FCCCI offered their help to Yifan after he mentioned his issue in a regular meeting. Lihong from Chinese School sent him the Chinese School Flyer and Newsletters. Tim, another vice president of FCCCI, sent Yifan several copies of old FCCCI newsletters as well. Lijun as the leader of New Start Dance Group also provided introduction and photos about New Start Dance Group. After receiving all the details, Yifan found himself overwhelmed by the help from other FCCCI executive members. The job to set up FCCCI web site became much easier with all these information. He designed web site structure and translated PDF documents into HTML pages. Chinese pages were finished first. Every executive member was really glad to have their own web site and provided feedback to correct some minor issues. Once Chinese pages were ready, Yifan moved on to rewrite every page into English. English pages are quite important because Australia is an English speaking country no matter what language we speak at home. English pages provide an interface to let all Canberra residence and the ACT Government officials have a

8 chance to know FCCCI and what FCCCI does to Canberra community. After Chinese pages and English pages were both available, Yifan moved on to create event calendar pages with photos. The photos were taken from some activities organized or joined by FCCCI. With the photos on FCCCI web site, people can have a direct view of what happened and what the next event will be like in FCCCI. Like one feedback said, these photos made FCCCI alive on the web! If you have time, you are more than welcome to visit our new FCCCI web site ***************************** Important Notice Due to the Swine Flue becoming pandemic, FCCCI most reluctantly has to cancel the Sydney Trip scheduled on 11 July Another trip (not necessarily to Sydney) will be organized when possible. We will refund those who have paid for this trip. Thanks for your understanding. FCCCI Executive Committee Get to know us Sue Xueye Han, President Place of Birth: Tonghua, Jilin Place of Education: Hebei & Canberra Years in Canberra: 17.5 years Hobbies: Travel, Dancing, movies, walking, swimming, Yoga Favorite places in Canberra: Reget Point on Lake Burlin Griffin, Mt Painter of Cook, University House of ANU, CocoBlack Favorite Restaurant: Boffins Restaurant of Uni House Contact: xueye.han@anu.edu.au Tim Wu, Vice President Place of Birth: Harbin of China (why I mention China? Because there are 4 "Harbin"s in the world, the other three "Harbin"s are in the USA) Place of Education: Harbin of China, Newcastle of Australia, Brisbane, Canberra and Wagga Wagga Years in Canberra:16 years Hobbies: Socializing, community activities, gardening, shopping, traveling, investment, watching processes of cooking and commenting on dishes and then cleaning afterwards (used to love reading a lot, now too old to read - having a bit of sight problem) Favorite place(s) in Canberra: 76 Gurrang Ave, Ngunnawal and the Parliament House Contact: tim.wu@deewr.gov.au Fang Fang, Vice President Place of Birth, Beijing, China Place of Education, Beijing & Melbourne, Years living in Canberra: 7 years and love Canberra because of all you my friends,

9 not the cold winter. Your hobby: Smoking but forced to give up, Fishing but no patient, travel but no financial support, surf the internet but computer crashed, the best activity I enjoy the most is "Kan Da Shan" with friends, Your favorite place(s) in Canberra: my office the best, just kidding, of course not. Shops such as Bunnings Warehouse, Good Guys, Bin Lee, NOT Woolworth, Spotlight, DFOs Contact: fang.fang@centrelink.gov.au Changming Zhang, Treasurer Place of Birth: Harbin, China Place of Education: Tianjin and Canberra Years in Canberra: 5 years Hobbies: cooking, singing, playing video games, swimming Favorite place in Canberra: Civic Shopping Centre Contact: or changming.zhang@y7mail.com Hong Guo, Secretary Place of Birth: Jiangsu, China Place of Education: Nanjing, Suzhou, Melbourne Years in Canberra: 9 years Hobby: travel, dreaming, having dinner (not lunch and breakfast) at restaurant, Favorite place(s) in Canberra: none Contact: or hong.guo@centrelink.gov.au Zhengfeng Li, Committee Member Place of Birth: Guanshan, Henan Place of Education: Henan, Beijing & Canberra Years in Canberra: 12 years Hobbies: visit Open Houses on Weekend, bushwalking, dancing and movies Favorite places in Canberra: ANU libraries and Belconnen Mall Favorite Restaurant: Friends' dinning room Contact: or zhengfeng.li@deewr.gov.au Lisa Jiang, Committee Member Place of Birth: Changsha, Hunan, China Place of Education: Hunan Uni, Uni of South Australia, ANU How many years living in Canberra: 9 years Your hobby: Badminton, dancing, Music, shopping, watching TV, swimming (not in the winter as too cold), cooking but not the kitchen hand part Your favorite place(s) in Canberra: I am still thinking which place I like most as I do like Canberra in general before retirement Contact: or lisa-ping.jiang@ato.gov.au Lyn Ning, Committee Member Place of Birth: Harbin, Heilongjiang Place of Education: Beijing and Australia Years in Canberra: 10 years Hobby: being with Elvin Lee, learning to cook, watching DVDs, travelling, shopping, dining with friends Favorite place(s) in Canberra: ANU Campus, the walking path along the lake and Aranda Primary School Oval or lyn.ning@anu.edu.au Lihong Chen, School Principal Place of Birth: Hebei, China Place of Education: Beijing and Australia Years in Canberra: 7 years Hobby: reading novels, going to cinema, Favorite places in Canberra: all playgrounds for children, ANU campus, Chinese church, Chinese school or lihongr@bigpond.net.au

10 Lijun Ouyang, Committee Member Place of Birth: Yunnan Place of Education: Yunnan and Canberra Years in Canberra: 23 years Hobby: Dancing, Interior Design and Travel Favorite place(s) in Canberra: Black Mountain, Commonwealth Park and the walking path along Lake Griffin or Yifan Zhang, Committee Member Place of Birth Guiyang. Guizhou Place of Education Hangzhou and Sydney How many years living in Canberra: 8 years Your hobby: Swim, Soccer, Badminton, Internet Surfing Your favourite place(s) in Canberra: Sweet Home, Woolworth Supermarkets or zhang_evan@yahoo.com.au Call for Inputs for next issue FCCCI is always appreciative of any suggestions and inputs for its Newsletter. Please send your items to lyn.ning@anu.edu.au; Photos of any community events and group activities are also welcomed. The next issue is expected to be released in December 2009/January 2010.