Your Community

Chinese Association of Geelong Inc.

Your President & Secretary

Sophia F. Shen

Your Address

6 Regency Close, Wandana Heights, VIC 3216
Mailing Add: P O Box 82, Newcomb, VIC 3219

Community Hall or Meeting Place Address

GECC – Geelong Ethnic Community Centre

Your Phone/Fax/Email

Tel: 5248 6568 Fax: 5227 8303 Email: ccageelong@gmail.comageelong@gmail.com

Objectives of CAG

* To promote and maintain the Chinese language and culture in the Geelong Community;

* To give a representation voice on behalf of the Geelong Chinese Community;

* To provide an infrastructure for closer communication and interaction for Chinese families and individuals;

* To assist Chinese families and individuals in being integrated into the Australian society.

How long has your community been operating?

Ten Years

How many members does your community have?

150

What is the first language of your community?

Chinese

When did members of your community first start arriving in australia? Was there a period of peal immigration? (Provide a brief history)

* The early history of Chinese Australians had involved significant iimmigration was about mid-19th century during the gold rush,

* Since the advent of Multiculturalism as a government policy in the 1970s, many Chinese from Hong Kong, Mainland China, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia ( Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia and the Philippines) have immigrated

* After the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989, the Australian Prime Minister of the day, Bob Hawke, allowed students from mainland China to settle in Australia permanently. Since then, immigrants from mainland China and Taiwan have arrived in increasing numbers.

What National Days, religious days or special events does your community celebrate?

National Day: 1 st October

Traditional Festival: Spring Festival & Mid-Autumn Festival

Briefly describe your national dress – including any items of special significance.

Traditional Dress: Qipao, Zhongshan Uniform, etc. The Celestial Chinese Dragon is comparable as the symbol of the Chinese race itself. Chinese around the world, proudly proclaim themselves “Descendents of the Dragon”. Dragons are referred to as the divine mythical creature that brings with it ultimate abundance, prosperity and good fortune.

Breif describe your community’s arts – including music/dancing/ song or artworks

Art: Chinese calligraphy, tradintional water painting and papercut; Music/dance: Beijing Opera, Chinese Acrobats, Dragon Dance and Lion Dance etc.
Instruments: Erhu, Lute(Pipa) and Flute etc.

Briefly describe your community’s traditional food & drinks – including foods and drinks you would avoid (if any)

Food: Spring rolls, Fried rice, Fried noodle, dumplings and Beijing Roast Duck, etc.

Drinks: Chinese tea and rice wine