CASS Community Services Info Expo @West Ryde on 17 June 2021 attracted over 300 Chinese speaking residents to join to enjoy great advice of community services available.   

“CASS Community Services Info Expo” held on Thursday 17 June 2021 at West Ryde Community Hall, showcased a wide range of community services and activities available locally, attracted over 300 residents to participate to acquire updated and useful resources.

This expo-style event first organized at Hurstville in 2019 received overwhelming response and positive feedback. Therefore, we are encouraged to launch the event again to provide a one-stop platform for the community at Northern Sydney Region, to connect with the information of our comprehensive community services available in different areas.

A long queue of participants was found at the main entrance of the venue before the event started at 10am, COVID-19 safety plan was in place to ensure all our guests and participants stayed safe. We were honoured to have the Councillors of City of Ryde including Ms. Penny Pedersen, representing Mayor Jerome Laxale, Mr Simon Zhou, Mr. Christopher Gordon and Mr. Bernard Purcell to participate in this meaningful occasion. Members of the Board of Directors of CASS, Dr. Bo Zhou, Mr Henry Pan OAM, Mr Anthony Pang, Dr. Stephen Li and Ms. Tica Lee were present to support this community event.  

COVID-19 vaccination was absolutely the most concerned issue this year. We had Professor Stephen Li, a renowned professional pathologist, as one of our speakers to kick-start the event by presenting an Information Session about COVID-19 Vaccination. Professor Li made clear illustration and analysis of prevailing doubts and suspicion towards the COVID-19 vaccine, which either the participants on site or via Zoom were benefitted a lot from the talk.

Several Information Sessions in Mandarin and Cantonese on the topics about Home Ageing Services, NDIS & disability services, settlement services for migrants, pension for elders presented by our professional staff members were held to provide the latest and practical information. The community hall was fully seated with people from all walks of life. They were fervently to ask questions and pleased to have their enquiries being answered.

A young couple were found among the participants at the Information Sessions, who came to solicit Aged Care Service and relevant information for their grandparents. Many seniors came with friends in a group. They expressed that the Info Expo was very useful for them, information about home ageing services and other support they need in everyday lives could be obtained at the Information Stalls. They were also happy to have free blood pressure checks and assistance with My Aged Care registration on site.

To express our heartfelt thanks for their participation, all seniors above 60 years old who have a valid photo identification would receive a $6.80 meal voucher. Besides, Zoom was arranged during the whole event for those who were unable to attend in person. All the participants enjoyed a fun and fruitful morning.