Thursday, 8 February 2024

 Nicole WERNER (Warrandyte) (09:46): On behalf of the Liberals and Nationals it is my pleasure to rise in Parliament today to wish everyone a happy Lunar New Year. I am proud to come from Chinese ancestry, with my parents having migrated from Malaysia to Australia in the late 1980s. I am also proud to be the first Asian woman elected to the Legislative Assembly in Victoria and to have the opportunity to represent my community in this place.

Lunar New Year is a time of renewal, reflection and reunion. It is a time when families come together, friends unite and communities celebrate the rich tapestry of our cultural heritage. This year is the Year of the Dragon. The dragon symbolises strength, courage and prosperity. Notable people born in the Year of the Dragon include my wonderful dad Yang Tee Teh and an excellent member for Western Victoria Region in the other place Joe McCracken. I look forward to celebrating with my family and at various upcoming Lunar New Year events, including with my good friends at the Chinese Senior Citizens Club of Manningham and the Asian Business Association of Whitehorse.

As we embark on this Lunar New Year, may it be filled with blessing, prosperity and joy for us all. To our wonderful Chinese community, ni hao da jia hao. Wo shi di yi wei, ni xin, zhi you dang, hua yi, zhou ee yen. Zhu da jia, xi nian kuai le. Nian nian you yi. Shen ti jian cang. Gong xi fa cai. Xie xie.