On 27 May & 2 June 2022, Mr. Chris Minns MP, State Member for Kogarah, Leader of the NSW Labor Party, visited our CASS Hua Kang Seniors Group in Hurstville joining the celebration for Dragon Boat Festival with our elderly members. It was exciting to have face-to-face celebration again since the pandemic.

Mr. Minns was warmly received at the Hurstville Senior Citizen Centre by our CASS Chairperson, Dr Bo Zhou, Deputy Chairperson/Secretary Mr. Anthony Pang, Board members Ms. Teresa Chu and Ms. Winnie Fung, and General Manager of CASS Home Ageing Services, Mr.  Ivan Wong, together with members of the Seniors Group.

Dr Zhou welcomed and thanked Mr. Minns for the visit. He explained the origin and tradition of the Dragon Boat Festival. The festive celebration was also strongly connected with inheritance of traditional Chinese culture. Dr. Zhou emphasized the significance of unity among the Chinese and Asian community, as well as the virtue of caring for each other, in order to build a harmonious community in Australia. 

Mr. Minns shared his first understanding of the Dragon Boat Festival. He recalled watching the Dragon Boat Race at Darling Harbour when he was three years old. He was attracted by the races and the exciting moment was kept in his mind. He expressed his appreciation to the Chinese residents for their continuous contributions to the local community even though there were various challenges during the pandemic. Facing the pressure of increasing cost-of-living, he was pleased to see the determination and dedication of the Chinese community in supporting each other, making our society a better place to live.

Afterwards, Mr. Minns and CASS Board Members distributed rice dumplings to the group members. They chatted and exchanged festive greetings to one another and took photos together. The event concluded on a joyful and heartwarming note.

Apart from dragon boat race and glutinous rice dumplings, Dragon Boat Festival also has the meaning of keeping people safe and healthy. CASS wishes everyone stay safe and healthy!