The Springvale Lunar New Year Festival is Greater Dandenong’s biggest community event and the second largest festival of its kind in Victoria.
The energy and vibrancy of the festival reflects our community, which is home to people from 154 nations who speak more than 130 languages. Our Councillor group is as beautifully diverse as our residents who celebrate the new year in different ways, depending on their family traditions.
Deputy Mayor, Cr Sophie Tan’s background is Cambodian and Chinese. Cr Tan chatted to us about why the new year is a special time for her and her family.
“In my family, we celebrate Cambodian New Year and Chinese New Year which are variants of Lunar New Year, as well as New Years Day on January 1.
“For us, it is mainly about the family gathering, cooking dinner and getting together to enjoy each other’s company,” the Deputy Mayor said, adding that Lunar New Year is celebrated across many parts of Asia, in different ways in different countries, and is becoming more popular around the world.
“We pray to our ancestors on New Year’s Eve and the prayer depends on which animal is the year’s angel. This year will be Year of the Snake which begins on January 29.
“We go to the Buddhist temple and make an offering to the new angel. It might include fruits, flowers, drinks and food and there is meaning behind each. For example, noodles represent a long life and mandarins are good luck.
“We would give a pair of mandarins though, never four because that is bad luck. We wear red because that is good luck too and we avoid black and white because those colours represent death.
“We’re not really strict about it in Australia but there are lots of traditional rules like you can’t cut or wash your hair and you need to clean your house on New Year’s Eve. One thing is for sure, you can’t cry on Chinese New Year because that will bring you bad luck!”
Cr Tan said older people give ‘red pockets’ to younger people.
“I give my nephew a little pocket with money in it for good fortune and he isn’t allowed to spend the money for the whole year.”
Year of the Snake
The Chinese Zodiac is a 12-year cycle steeped in legend. The snake is the sixth animal in the Zodiac cycle. Those born in the year of the Snake are associated with being intuitive, wise, charming, intelligent and diligent.
Zodiac cycles represented by animals are common around the world, but there are variations. For instance, in Japan instead of a pig they have the boar, in Vietnam instead of the ox they have the buffalo and a cat instead of the rabbit.
What day is it?
Celebrating the New Year is not only unique to your family, culture, religion and location. When you mark the day also depends on which calendar you follow.
As always in Greater Dandenong, it is our diversity that ties the festivities together. Our municipality is home to large Russian, Greek and Serbian communities, including many Orthodox Christians who follow the Gregorian Calendar and celebrate New Year’s Day on 14 January.
“It changes for different generations too. In the olden days in China, they were busy at this time of year so they celebrated in April when they had more free time,” Cr Tan said.
People from different regions and religions across India have distinct customs and dates for marking the beginning of the year, including Gudi Padwa, Baisakhi, Puthandu, Bihu and Ugadi celebrations. Nowruz is celebrated by our Persian and Afghan communities around March each year.
Springvale Lunar New Year Festival
The Springvale Asian Business Association (SABA) have been coordinating the annual Springvale Lunar New Year Festival for over 30 years with strong support from Council.
This year’s festival is taking place on Sunday 26 January, Australia Day, and will celebrate our rich and diverse community.
Like previous years, the festival will be a spectacular of colour, movement and amazing food, with lion dances, stalls, performances and rides from 10am to 10pm.
