As we usher the lunar new year and the year of the Ox, CPFWP Australia held the Chinese New Year celebration on Sunday, 21 February 2021 at the above venue. The program was live-streamed by Zoom to Melbourne, Perth, and overseas. The program was graced by the attendance of Mr. James Chen and community leaders such as Sammy Lee (Counselor, Teacher & Speaker), Dr. Anthony Pun, (National President of Chinese Community Council of Australia), Sir Lucas Woo (Ambassador for Peace), Phil Chau (Member of Ethnic Communities’ Council of NSW Inc), and Pablo Barreto (Instructor of Chinese Kungfu). They were joined by enthusiastic youth in the room. In NSW, the day was the 36th day of no local cases of COVID-19.
Prof. Thomas Hwang
greet everyone in a virtual meeting
In line with the Chinese tradition of revering Heaven at the first hours of the lunar new year, pastor Sammy Lee offered the opening prayer to express gratitude to Heaven. Rev. Yutaka Yamada, Oceania Universal Peace Federation (UPF) Chairman, delivered the welcoming remarks. Mr. James Chen, who grew up in Shanghai and moved to Australia 31 years ago, delivered the keynote address highlighting the Chinese tradition of filial piety and the meanings of Chinese New Year celebration.
This was followed by two beautiful songs performance from the youth choir. The new year song was about the nature welcoming the spring season. After that, two martial artists performed Tai Chi ball and Praying Mantis form.
Prof. Thomas Hwang, the International Advisor, delivered a congratulatory message through Zoom, highlighting the importance of upholding family values. Mr. John Adamedes, President of UPF Australia, encouraged the audience with the second congratulatory speech.
Mr. Soon Teck Lim, President of CPFWP Australia, initiated the kick-off of Family Festival which is slated to take place in May in the autumn season. The purpose of the festival is to promote and foster the core family values such as filial piety or honouring one’s parents and parental love as the foundation to build happy and harmonious family and society.
Tai Chi ball Martial Arts Performance
Throughout the program, the atmosphere was warm, youthful and heart-felt. Lastly, we shouted three cheers of “Ok-mansei” as a way to make a new start and make a determination to achieve our dreams in 2021. The gathering ended with the serving of several Chinese dishes.
