Benalla Town Hall was looking good for the Benalla Migrants Association's Chinese New Year celebrations.
Photo by
Simon Ruppert
Benalla Migrants Association’s volunteers treated the town to the biggest Lunar New Year in the north-east on Saturday, February 15.
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At least 160 people turned up to enjoy the festivities.
They were greeted by BMA president Puna Gunaratne, with children receiving an ang pau, or red packet containing money, from him after learning a traditional Chinese New Year greeting.
BMA committee member and leading event organiser Yancy Brown was on hand to help children master the greeting. The volunteers were delighted to hear so many wishes for the Year of the Snake at the start of the event.
The volunteer team had been working tirelessly to bring the night together.
The team constructed BMA’s Chinese New Year living room setting for attendees to enjoy and take photographs together.
The team Yee Sang salad toss at Benalla's Chinese New Year celebrations. Photo: Rene Martens.
BMA’s volunteers made sure everyone was able to enjoy a yummy meal of noodles, dumplings and spring rolls from the Dumpling Kitchen, with Ruby Blue’s fruit platters enjoyed by the crowd after dinner.
Traditional new year biscuits were also available for attendees.
The Town Hall was looking the part ahead of the Benalla Migrants Association's Chinese New Year event.
Photo by
Simon Ruppert
After dinner, the kids of BMA treated the crowd to their dragon dance with the biggest dragon in the north-east this Lunar New Year, which they had excitedly prepared in the weeks leading up to the event.
Kaldon held the dragon’s fireball to direct its movements, while Esme was at the dragon’s head and Nangi, Sansu, Susan, Akshaya and Delvin carried the dragon’s body and tail.
Benalla's Dumpling Kitchen provided some tasty treats for attendees to enjoy.
Photo by
Simon Ruppert
Cr Gunaratne delivered a speech about welcoming the Year of the Snake,
“The snake can represent wealth and wisdom, and might also be considered a symbol of longevity,” he said.
“This sounds like the perfect combination for Benalla – we could do with a year of wisdom and more wealth to set us up for a long and fruitful life.”
The crowd then enjoyed a Lunar New Year-themed trivia activity with enthusiastic participants.
Benalla Migrants Association President Puna Gunaratne welcomes people to celebrate Chinese New Year. Photo: Rene Martens.
Photo by
Rene Martens
RenSmart Photography
A tiebreaker was won after contestants successfully named the animals in the Chinese Zodiac.
The kids then had a chance to play BMA’s “red packet game”, where they could learn more Lunar New Year greetings.
The volunteer team enjoyed a traditional Yee Sang new year salad together after the event.
Many wishes and hopes for the new year were offered among the team.
“BMA looks forward to a great Year of the Snake, together this year,” Cr Gunaratne said.
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