Chinese New Year 2012

Chinese New Year is not only celebrated by people born in China.  It is celebrated across the world in many countries such as China; Hong Kong; Taiwan; Vietnam and many more. This year Chinese New Year will be celebrated on Monday 23 January 2012, however, festivities continue throughout that week.

Animal signs are associated with each new year.  There are twelve animals repeated every 12 years.  2012 is the year of the dragon representing great and auspicious power.  Good deeds are encouraged as the dragon is meant to be an inspiration seeking to overcome all the wrongs in society. Thus an angry dragon is always justified because it has to do with correcting the erring.

The evening meal on New Year's Eve is traditionally fish.  Sweets and steamed cakes symbolize all the good things that one can expect from the year to come.  Clams and spring rolls are both symbolic of wealth.


I found a great site called Taiwanese-Secrets.com with some great pictures of dragons (see above)

There will be two celebrations in Box Hill this year.

1. Saturday 21st in Market Street Box Hill
2. Monday 23rd in Centro Box Hill (in the shopping centre) Chinese Lion Dance at 10:30 (South precinct) and 11:30 (North precinct) 

Wishing all our participants a Happy New Year and also a Happy and Prosperous Chinese New Year

Student End of Year Party

The Student End of Year Party marked the end of 2011 for all our students.  Students, staff and volunteers were entertained by various acts - involving movement, singing and dancing.  Thank you to all our acts -

• Lilian for her excellent rendition of Amazing Grace and Silent Night
• Sabine - Holistic Movement Therapy, thank you to the students and volunteers that got up to try out some of the movements
• Loris - from the 3WBC 94.1FM, she sang a beautifully
• Jasmine Dance Group - presented a Japanese Dance and a Peacock Dance
• Julie - accompanied by Sai Kit, sang several Christmas Carols

A BIG thank you to our students  and volunteers as well!  Everyone was invited to bring a plate of food to share - I have it on good authority that some of our faithful students where up at the crack of dawn baking!  And may I add all the food was delicious and well worth the effort!  Congratulations to our practical placement student Mai for all her hardwork in the organisation of the party.

Wishing all our students happy holidays and looking forward to seeing them in the New Year!

VOLUNTEER THANK YOU DINNER

An evening of good fun and entertainment was had by all at The Athenian Restaurant for the "Volunteer Thank You Dinner".  Among the sweet smells of Greek culinary delights, some of us danced the Zorba in true Anthony Quinn style.  Whilst more daring staff members showed off their belly dancing skills!  Amid the awards and adulations, one thing is clear:  LMCC's volunteers are marvelous group of people!  Congratulations to you all for a fantastic effort this year.