The Australian Chinese Charity Foundation – 2013 NSW Chinese Community New Year Celebration Dinner was held on Saturday 16th February 2013 at Marigold Restaurant, 5/F 683-689 George Street, Citymark, Sydney NSW to celebrate the Year of the Snake. The function was well attended by over 390 guests from over 35 organisations. We were honoured to enjoy the company of the following distinguished guests for the evening:
- The Hon. Senator Matt Thistlethwaite, representing the Prime Minister of Australia, The Hon. Julia Gillard MP;
- The Hon. Philip Ruddock, MP Federal Member for Berowra, representing the Leader of the Opposition and MP for Warringah, the Hon. Tony Abbott MP;
- The Hon. Victor Dominello, MP Minister for Citizenship and Communities and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, representing the Premier and Minister for Western Sydney, the Hon. Barry O’Farrell, MP;
- The Hon. John Robertson MP, NSW Leader of the Opposition.
- Other distinguished guests present at the Dinner also included:
The Hon. Gregory Smith SC MP, NSW Attorney General and Minister for Justice;
The Hon. Gladys Berejiklian MP, NSW Minister for Transport;
The Hon. Mark Coure MP;
The Hon. Barbara Perry MP, Shadow Minister for Ageing, Shadow Minister for Disability Services, Shadow Minister for Mental Health, and Shadow Minister for Heritage;
Mr. Henry & Mrs. Jenny Ngai of ABC Tissue Products Pty Limited; and
Other Members of Parliament, Mayors and Councillors, ACCF’s patrons, trustees and many Chinese Community leaders.
The evening commenced with the Lion Dance from Tommy Tom’s Traditional Chinese Performing Arts Centre, followed by the singing of the National Anthem led by the Hon. Greg Smith SC, MP, NSW Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Victor Tsang, the MC of the Dinner, and Dr. Peter Wong, our founding Chairman. The highlight of the evening would have to have been the outstanding professional performance by the Hon. Greg Smith MP. His singing drew a stream of donations in red packets from the audience. The beneficiary of the evening was Parkinson’s NSW in recognition of their excellent work and support for people suffering from the disease. The Dinner was widely supported by a huge participation from members of Parkinson’s NSW. One guest, Ms Elaine Mah, personally donated $10,000 at the Dinner, taking the total donation for the evening to $33,000.