COLOURFUL Chinese New Year festivities in Robinvale yesterday have been described as the “coming of age” for the rapidly growing multicultural town.
John Katis, Swan Hill deputy mayor, said he had not seen such community cohesion in his 50-plus years living in Robinvale, with more than 2000 people of 40 nationalities coming together to celebrate.
“I have never, ever seen so many people converge on Robinvale — even when we opened the new bridge,” he said.
“Traffic came to a stop within the CBD, parking was impossible within 200 metres of Caix Square and people were six deep on both sides of the footpath.”
Also known as the Lunar New Year, the Chinese New Year officially starts this Thursday and is the longest and most important celebration on the Asian calender.
Cr Katis said planning for next year’s celebrations would begin this week.
“We will aim to make this an ongoing festival, no doubt about it. It was unbelievable.”
For more on this story, pick up a copy of Monday’s Guardian.
