Since June 2010, a number of individual residents, volunteers and workers of Chinese descent and persons who work closely with the Chinese community and assist with many issues with this community in the Northern Metropolitan Region of Victoria, have been working to establish a Chinese From The North (Association). A Steering Committee held a meeting on 28 July 2010 to discuss the Statement of Purposes of the proposed Association, the Constitution, as well as organisational and project activities. Arthur Yong was the Convenor of the Steering Committee.
The purposes for which the incorporated association is established are as follow:
- To promote heritage and culture for Chinese community in the Northern Metropolitan Region of Victoria. This Region encompasses the Cities of Whittlesea, Banyule, Darebin and Moreland, and Shire of Nillumbik.
- To undertake the social, cultural, educational, recreational and sport activities, healthy lifestyle and other needs of the Chinese community in the Northern Metropolitan Region of Victoria.
- To enhance harmony and cross-cultural interactions of the Chinese and local residents in the Northern Metropolitan Region of Victoria.
- To encourage community building, development, engagement, strengthening and partnership for Chinese community in the Northern Metropolitan Region of Victoria.
- To advocate better health and quality of life for Chinese community in the Northern Region of Victoria, especially for newly arrived migrants, socially isolated and disadvantaged Chinese people.
- To promote better community relations and understanding of Chinese history, art and culture in the Northern Metropolitan Region of Victoria.
- To promote the inclusion of persons across all genders, ages and cultural background in the activities of the association.
Convenor Arthur Yong said, ”A priority is to apply for incorporation to give it legal status and recognition which is essential to act as a not-for-profit community organisation and seek funding for organisational and project activities.”
A Formation General Meeting of Chinese From The North was held on Wednesday 1 September 2010, at 6 May Road Lalor. There were thirty four applications for financial members received on the day. Kathy Lizio and Alex Haynes attended the meeting as the guests. Chairing the meeting was Cr Kris Pavlidis, President of Whittlesea Multicultural Community Council.
At that meeting, the following persons were elected for the Committee of Management:
President: Arthur B.W. Yong JP
Vice President: Dr Jenny Martin
Treasurer: Lidia Argondizzo JP
Secretary/Public Officer: Ken Lee Tet
Assistant Secretary: Vickie Ly
Committee Members: Richard Wong, Marian Lau OAM JP
Cr Pavlidis congratulated the elected officers and said, “Whittlesea Multicultural Community Council looks forward to working with the Chinese From The North.”
In 2011 The Association organised Chinese calligraphy workshops at the Lalor Library. An exhibition of East and West artworks and a celebration of the Chinese New Year (Year of the Rabbit) were also celebrated at Lalor Library.
Reference: Arthur B.W. Yong JP, Ken Lee Tet, Vicki Ly and Dr Jenny Martin, Chinese From The North (Association)”, Town Crier, Volume 246, October 2010, p.19.
Photo: Arthur Yong at LaTrobe University book launch of Chinese Settlement in Whittlesea 2008
