Dr Stanley Chiang, President of the Chinese Community Council of Australia (Victoria) (CCCAV) called on the Victorian Chinese community to make a stand to work towards providing a stronger and united voice for the community at the organisation’s first Annual General Meeting held on Sunday 29 November 2009.

Speaking to leading members of the Victorian Chinese community, which included Mr Hong Lim MLA, and former Senator Mr Tsebin Tchen, Dr Chiang stressed the importance for the growing Victorian Chinese community to band together and provide a strong representation to advocate for the overall well-being of the community.

“Since the 1970s, our community has been successful in providing cultural, social and service delivery models with the absence of a strong advocacy body. In 2008 and 2009, we have witnessed so many pressing issues which included the intended removal of the Chinese language from Victoria University’s curriculum, the safety and well-being of our international students and attitudes from the Federal Government in its publication of the Defence White Paper. Many members of our community do not know how to voice their opinions and thoughts to the relevant authorities. Ladies and Gentlemen, we are that missing link! This is where CCCAV’s role becomes increasingly important”, said Dr Chiang.

Former Senator Mr Tsbein Tchen urged the Chinese community to get behind the CCCAV and work towards ensuring the voice of the Chinese community is heard in all levels of governments and channels.

“There is enormous potential for an organisation such as the CCCAV to provide understanding and awareness to the decision and policy makers of this country. The Victorian Chinese community needs to get behind CCCAV to ensure accurate representation and advocacy is moving forward. Our community has moved beyond the service delivery and cultural displays, we are doing that very well. It is time to develop policy frameworks to make sure issues for our community are reviewed and dealt with”, said Mr Tchen.

Mr Hong Lim MLA highlighted the future challenges of the Victorian and Australian Chinese community and insisted on leaders to come up with answers and solutions.

“The community needs a strong state and national voice. We are a growing community with over 3.5 per cent of the Australian population that identify themselves as having Chinese ancestry. International students from China make up of 21 per cent of the intake and our population is ageing rapidly as we speak. They require ongoing support and the development of services to cater for their needs. These are the challenges for CCCAV for the next few years to ensure their issues and needs are pushed forward”, said Mr Lim.

The CCCAV Executive and Advisory Council looks forward to another exciting year ahead where its priorities include the development of a comprehensive research report and survey on issues relating to the Victorian Chinese community and the implementation of a state-wide conference in Melbourne with the aim of consulting the Chinese and wider community.

“On behalf of the CCCAV, I would like to offer my sincere thanks and appreciation to our members and supporters for your valuable contribution, enthusiasm and patience. It is time we have an advocacy voice as we work towards achieving and promoting the needs of the Victorian Chinese community”, concluded Dr Chiang.