- By Dr. Y. S. Yow
The
Hakka Association of Western Australia Inc. celebrated its 4th
anniversary at Serai Dining in North Lake Road, Bibra Lake on 1st
December.
The
occasion was attended by the Deputy Consul-General of PRC in Perth, as well as
community leaders and dignitaries. The Yarn Yee Tong 仁义堂School of martial
arts entertained guests with lion dance as well as martial arts, headed by
master Quyen LUONG.
The Hakka Association of WA, despite its recent history, is undoubtedly
one of the most visible, active and well run ethnic Chinese associations.
The official website of Hakka Association WA at http://www.hakkawa.com
provides general information of their activities.
The members come from a wide spectrum of countries including Australia,
Brunei, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mauritius, Singapore and Taiwan. In spite
of diversity of the country of origin, the cohesion amongst members is
remarkable. The cohesion is reflected by the fact that some of the activities
are often organised in members’ homes.
What is more remarkable is that some of the events are conducted in
Hakka dialect itself, rather than in English or Mandarin. Action speaks louder
than words; the ability to collectively conduct events in one’s dialect is a
manifestation of their language capability, as well as the will to perpetuate
this aspect of the culture. Social gatherings are held quite regularly,
reinforcing the bonds between members.
The Hakka Association of Western Australia was the brainchild of
Dato’ Tet K Yong in 2009 杨德强 (楊德强), a community leader from the state of Sabah (Malaysia). Remarkably
Dato’ Yong was also the founder president of the Hakka Association in Lahad
Datu, one of the major towns in the State of Sabah, some thirty years ago. He
certainly had the passion, the zeal and the energy to galvanise the collective
intelligence, imagination and energies of the Hakka people in both Lahad Datu
and Perth.
Two years ago the presidency was passed to his son. Both
father and son provide strong and stable leadership. They have a good
understanding of the dynamics of running an organisation, and have provided
immeasurable secretarial and other resources for the association. Their
generosity in allocation of personal resources is critical.
Their range of activities is multi-faceted and well documented in their
blog http://hakkawa.blogspot.com
In the past twelve months, notable events included:
November
2013: President attended
the 2013 Global Hakka Conference, Taipei 19-22 November 2013 2013 全球客家恳亲大会
September
2013: Fifteen
delegates from the Association attended the 26th World Hakka Conference in
Jakarta 雅加达第26届世界客家恳亲大会
July
2013: Hakka Lui Cha
(擂茶) Making
Demonstration
A group of ten
members attended the Dongguan Lychee + Guangzhou Tour 东莞荔枝品赏 + 广州之旅
June
2013: Eighteen members
attended the Penang Durian 2.0 + Southern Thailand Tour 槟 城
榴 莲2.0 + 南
泰 国
之 旅
Mandurah Day
Trip 游览一日棉九拉
May
2013: Mothers Day
Members Gathering 2013 年母亲节会员联欢聚餐
April
2013: Ten members attended the Hakka Guangdong
Ancestral Villages Tour – April 2013 年
四 月
广 东
探 亲
团
February
2013: Lunar New
Year Celebrations 2013 年农历新年会员联欢聚
Perth Chinese New Year Fair 珀斯中华新年文化节
Undoubtedly
this is one of the most active associations in Western Australia, whose
presence is felt not only in Perth but also at international gatherings.
An
Australian wide Hakka Association has also been formed by the branch. This
would serve as a platform to galvanise the energies of the Hakka Diaspora
within Australia. It would further bring the community closer through a whole
spectrum of cultural and other programs.
