Chinese Club of Queensland Chinese New Year Celebration

Thank you, President Chan, for your warm welcome this evening.

I too acknowledge our special guests – Chief Justice Holmes; Minister Hinchliffe; Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Mr Tim Mander; Justice Mullins; Lord Mayor; Commissioner of Police; and senior members of the Queensland Chinese community.

I also acknowledge the Indigenous Custodians of these lands, with respecter to Elders past and present.

May I also express the support of all of us for our fellow Queenslanders in the north at this time.

I know the Chinese community in Queensland has an enviable record of community support.

It is a great pleasure to celebrate with you the beginning of the Year of the Pig, the twelfth sign in the 12-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac.

And this zodiac has many flattering things to say about the characteristics of people born in the Year of the Pig – they are energetic, enthusiastic, and hard-working, among others.

One piece of advice given to those born in the Year of the Earth Pig is that they can enhance their good luck during 2019 by attending as many happy events as possible.

They have come to the right place tonight. We all have!

Who could imagine a happier start to Chinese New Year than this marvellous annual celebration, famous for generous hospitality, spectacular entertainment, and overflowing friendship and goodwill?

Happier still, tonight is a double celebration, because ‘six’ is a lucky number in Chinese culture and, this year, the Chinese Club of Queensland marks its 66th anniversary of the club.

In Chinese culture, the lucky number six is associated with traits such as ‘selfless’, ‘loyal’, ‘sympathetic’ and ‘trustworthy’, and with friendship and mutual support.

A better description could not be found of the role that the Chinese Club of Queensland has played in our community over six decades plus six years.

The club began life as a multicultural pioneer, well before ‘multicultural’ was an everyday word.

With the remarkable Eddie Liu as its unstoppable driving force for many decades, the club has played a vital role in championing the progress and well-being of the Chinese community in Queensland.

The club has also epitomised the continued contribution of the Chinese community to our State, including as a benefactor to major charitable organisations in medical and other fields.

Speaking for all Queenslanders, I congratulate the club on reaching the wonderful milestone of its 66th anniversary, and wish you all every success in the future.

I pay tribute to the officeholders and members whose commitment and hard work have supported the club across those many decades.

And I wish everyone a Year of the Pig that brings good fortune and happiness.

Thank you.