Wishing you a happy new year!

By Connie Luo, Docklands resident and Year 11 Lauriston student

Happy Chinese New Year! Huge celebrations have been held for 2019 Lunar New Year in the Docklands and the CBD.

February 5 was the first day of Chinese New Year, the year of Pig. People from northern parts of China traditionally make dumplings as their New Year’s Eve dinner.

Most of the commemorative events happened on Sunday, February 10. It was a congested day, as more than 50,000 people swarmed into the CBD. Not only Chinese people were there in celebration of their traditional new year festival, but local Australians were there too.

“I am really excited to get red packs,” said Amelie, a CBD resident. Red packs refer to the red envelopes which are given to children by elder family members, wishing them a healthy and happy new year.

A 60m dragon paraded through Chinatown. Lion dances are indispensable for new year celebration. A performance of Three Little Pigs by children was lively and amusing and the central city was blanketed with a festive atmosphere.

On February 16, a lion dance was again performed on the dock in Docklands. In addition, dragon boat races were conducted, with local Docklands residents participating. Teams three and four eventually won the regatta.

The new year festivities had finally come to an end, I wish you a best 2019!