Celebrating the Year of the Rooster

By Melissa Chung

Celebrations have started in multicultural Docklands to celebrate Chinese New Year - the Year of the Rooster.

The Year of the Rooster celebration takes place between January 27 and February 12.

The Chinese New Year celebration is reaching out to Victoria’s 176,000 international students, many of whom have volunteered to help with the 17-day festival.

An abnormal phenomenon occurs among the Chinese community this year - people are sending out their blessings before New Year because of an ancient Chinese idiom - “Weasel wishes the rooster a happy new year huang 黄鼠狼给鸡拜年”.

The idiom refers to people who may have bad intentions. It stems from the fact that weasels eat chickens and, therefore, it is impossible for them to send sincere blessings to a rooster. Therefore, to avoid being treated as weasels, people are sending their blessings on New Year’s Eve this year.

Regardless of the weasels, the Year of the Rooster is still a good start that brings positivity – trustworthiness, the sense of timekeeping as well as responsibility.

Chinese New Year celebrations in Docklands are listed below:

The Food Truck Park

Food trucks are selling Asian cuisine and drinks. Traditional Chinese handicrafts and entertainment are demonstrated along Harbour Esplanade.

Date: January 27 – February 12

Time: 12pm – 10pm

Address: Cow up a Tree, Harbour Esplanade

888 Collins Light Show

“8”, a Chinese lucky number that means prosper. Docklands is celebrating Chinese New Year in this lucky place through a light show honouring the fire rooster.

Date: January 27 – February 12

Time: Every hour from 8pm to midnight

Address: 888 Collins St

Melbourne Star LED light show

Mention “Rooster 2017” at the Melbourne Star ticket booth to access the buy-one-get-one-free deal for adult and child.

A Chinese New Year inspired LED light show is featured every day.

Date: January 27 – February 12

Time: 11am – 10pm

Address: 101 Waterfront Way

Dragon Boat come and try sessions

Dragon Boat Victoria will offer free come and try sessions at the Community and Boating Hub at Docklands.

Date: February 4 – 5

Time: 10am-4pm

Address: 912 Collins St

Other events in surrounding Southbank and Docklands (and even Melbourne Zoo) can be found at the Chinese New Year United website – http://www.cnymelbourne.com.au.

Regional centres of Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo are also starting to feature in a statewide co-ordinated effort.