By David Qian*
Thousands of Australians again marked January 26 in different ways in Lysterfield Park of Casey.
Edelweiss Casey Choir hit up this park for a live fellowship event to celebrate Australia Day with friends and family.
After more than three months of diligent preparation, Edelweiss Casey Choir had a more cheerful marking of the national day.
Earlier in the day, they illuminated the park with Australian flags, Aboriginal and national day flags, Australia Day logo banner and road signs.
Tents and pavilions were set up surrounded by Edelweiss flags and banners, and different feather flags.
Picnic tables were covered with colourful national day tablecloths, and on the tables sat with different fruits, candies and prizes to be won.
Every choir member dressed up with beautiful choir clothes and makeups. All this artwork was depicting and honouring stories of Australia.
“We hope our setting of this event provides an opportunity for us to reflect on and learn about the connection Indigenous Australians have always had with the land and waters,“ Edelweiss Casey Choir director Dr Emily Hu said.
The social event officially started at 1pm with a grand appearance of three hosts.
An Acknowledgement of Country was first delivered to show respect for Traditional Owners and the continuing connection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
Joined by hundreds of other people, all the members of the Choir stood up and sang a solemn chorus of the Australian national anthem, Advance Australia Fair.
Dr David Qian then passionately recited the Story of Australia in both Chinese and English which attracted in a large number of tourists in the park.
In the following two hours, hundreds flocked to the event as the Choir started to give live performance which featured many different types of activities including chorus, duet singing, solo singing, instrument playing, crossword puzzle price winning, tongue twister-ing, and so on.
All of these items were warmly applauded by onlookers.
Sue was celebrating her first Australia Day with her family.
“It’s so exciting … we are coming from China and Australia’s National Day this year coincides with the fifth day of the Chinese Spring Festival” she said.
“I’m so grateful to the Edelweiss Casey Choir for giving me this opportunity to be part of the Australian society and to call myself Australian today.” associate director of Edelweiss Casey Choir, Lili Xu said.
The fellowship event came to its conclusion with the warm singing of the chorus “you are my sunshine“.
*David Qian is a member of Edelweiss Casey Choir
