By Sahar Foladi
Springvale is ready to be transformed at this year’s annual Lunar New Year festival.
The Springvale Asian Business Association (SABA) has everything in motion for the community to enjoy on Sunday 4 February.
SABA’s secretary general, Vincent Golf said they look forward to another year of hosting the second largest festival in Victoria.
“We have the dragon prepared and imported from Malaysia as part of the dragon parade on the day.
“It’s 60 metres long and will take 40 of the Hung Hing Cultural Association lion dance performance crew to operate the dragon.”
The festival will see lion dances, non-stop performances, firecrackers, firework to mark the end of the festival, rides for different age groups and 80 different cuisine stalls to choose from.
Greater Dandenong deputy mayor Mr Lim said he’d love to see increased participation on the day.
“I have high hopes for this year’s festival. I came to the council for that reason to support diversity and multiculturalism in our community.
“As a diverse community we must support community organisations and events that demonstrate who we are.”
In preparation for the event, discussions and a tour of Springvale was held on Wednesday 20 December with Eltham MP Vicki Ward Minister for Employment, Mulgrave MP Eden Foster along with councillors Jim Memeti and Richard Lim and Springvale traders.
President of SABA, Daniel Cheng said the organisation is working on a new project of erecting the 12 zodiac signs and four lions at the Springvale Asian Gateway.
“The details of the project were discussed upon our meeting where it was fully supported by the Greater Dandenong Council and the Victorian Government.
“Currently, we’re in the design process, after that we will work with the council to gain a permit to get the works started.”
The statues of the 12 zodiac signs will be rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig.
It’s estimated that works may commence just before April this year.
The widely celebrated and anticipated event will see the celebration of the dragon, associated with this year’s animal, the fifth in the Chinese zodiac.
The year of the dragon symbolises power, nobleness, honour, luck and success in the traditional Chinese culture.
