John Alexander (Bennelong, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am delighted to inform the House about a local organisation celebrating a big milestone later this year. The Eastwood Chinese Senior Citizens Club will be celebrating 25 years since its foundation. The club is responsible for bringing together the Chinese community in Eastwood, one of the largest ethnic communities in my electorate of Bennelong. They hold weekly events to celebrate Chinese culture, while helping migrants to stay active and involved in their new home of Australia. These include table-tennis tournaments to keep members active, Chinese opera concerts to celebrate their cultural heritage and English language lessons to help members access the services they need.

For many years, this has been led by Eastwood stalwart Hugh Lee OAM, a local champion of whom I have spoken many times in this parliament. His leadership of the Chinese community has been essential in maintaining contact with their cultural identity whilst integrating into the broader Australian society. Bennelong's greatest asset is our diverse multicultural community, but key to their success is robust local groups like Eastwood Chinese Senior Citizens Club. I thank Hugh and his many members for everything they do in our Chinese community and for the great strength they provide for our local Bennelong region.