The Tasmanian Chinese community has celebrated the start of the Year of the Ox with a sparkling banquet in a packed Wrest Point restaurant in Hobart. About 140 members, friends, guests and supporters of CCAT attended the highly anticipated dinner held on Saturday, February 13, at Wrest Point’s trendy Kwan Ho Restaurant.
The evening began with the customary welcome and good wishes for a prosperous year ahead from CCAT President Brian Chung. Similar sentiments were expressed by Tasmanian Attorney-General Elise Archer representing the State Government, and by the head of the Tasmanian Chinese Buddhist Academy of Australia, Master Wang.
Other guests included long-time friend of CCAT and Speaker of the Tasmanian House of Assembly, Sue Hickey; Councillor Dr Zelinda Sherlock representing the City of Hobart; and key Lunar New Year Festival sponsors Harvey Norman Hobart City, Chemist Warehouse, The Federal Group, Tassal, ANZ Bank, Harcourt Signature and Bupa. Guests and VIPs joined in the celebration in an informal, relaxed evening of fellowship, conversation and laughter while enjoying the highly acclaimed banquet spread provided by the Kwan Ho Restaurant.
A key feature of the entertainment focused on the lucky door ticket prizes. Charismatic compere, the legendary Daniel Chan, supported by President Brian, delivered amusement and anticipation as diners waited eagerly to see which of them would go home with one of the glittering array of prizes generously donated by the sponsors and members. Everyone went home happy after what was unanimously endorsed as a most enjoyable evening.
(Report prepared by our Roving Reporter Steve Young)