Tuesday, 13 May 2025

Chinese Australian community

Richard WELCH (North-Eastern Metropolitan) (13:58): Recently I joined Chinese Australian community leaders from across Box Hill, Glen Waverley, Doncaster and the area in a community forum, where we discussed helping Chinese Australians integrate to Australian life and some of the obstacles that they face. It was a really effective community forum organised by Minwen from the English Corners group in Box Hill, who operate out of Box Hill Central, and it was therefore fitting that the climax of that event was going down to Box Hill Central and unveiling a new sign paid for by Whitehorse City Council, a banner that celebrates the English Corners program – the English Corners operation community group that helps Chinese Australians adapt to Australian life by improving their English skills. They are committed to helping Chinese people integrate to Australian life and overcome language barriers. It was a pleasure to meet so many of the Chinese community leaders, and I commend Minwen Wu and the Chinese Australian Network for their leadership and promoting inclusion and participation through language and community engagement.