On 6 September 1992, our Society organized the “Dragon Charity Walk 92” for the first time at Darling Harbour to raise funds for Elderly Australian Chinese Homes Co-operative Ltd (EACH). Notwithstanding in terms of its scale, the number of participants involved or the amount of funds raised, the event was unprecedented in the Chinese community.
A presentation ceremony was held at our Society’s Campsie Activity Centre two months later, on 8 November 1992, to present certificates to those enthusiastic participants, business sponsors and prize winners. The Chairperson of EACH, Dr Cecilia Fong, who was also the Deputy Chairperson of our Society at the time, received the cheque of $52,000 from Henry at the ceremony.
With the success of ‘Dragon Charity Walk 92’, many people were looking forward to ‘Dragon Charity Walk 93’. Community support for aged care services was also very high. The main sponsor of the event, Po Hong Group of Companies, indicated its willingness to continue support.
Since our Society undertook the “EACH Project” in 1989, close to $120,000 had already been raised, not far from the original target of $140,000.
Most Board directors of our Society believed that when the target fund for EACH was fulfilled after “Dragon Charity Walk 93”, attention should return to the development of our Society.
With the success of ‘Dragon Charity Walk 92’, many people were looking forward to ‘Dragon Charity Walk 93’. Community support for aged care services was also very high. The main sponsor of the event, Po Hong Group of Companies, indicated its willingness to continue support.
Since our Society undertook the “EACH Project” in 1989, close to $120,000 had already been raised, not far from the original target of $140,000.
Most Board directors of our Society believed that when the target fund for EACH was fulfilled after “Dragon Charity Walk 93”, attention should return to the development of our Society.
In early 1993, our Society employed a manager to oversee its daily affairs. Henry was contemplating the development of our Society. He realised that there was an urgent need for more aged care services in the community. In this regard, our Society started the “Hua-An Senior Activity Group”. “Hua” represented our Society while “An” represented “EACH”, symbolized the partnership between the two organizations.
On the other hand, Henry felt that “Dragon Charity Walk 93” would definitely raise enough funds for EACH and should donate part of the money raised to the children’s hospital. There was objection and the person insisted that all funds raised should be donated to EACH.
“Dragon Charity Walk 93” was held on 12 September 1993. Mr. Michael Photios, NSW Minister for Multicultural Affairs representing the Premier, the wife of the Premier and the wife of the leader of the State Opposition attended the event. Exercise coach, Ms Julie Diamond, once again led the participants to do warm-ups. Mr Francis Lee, Ms Chen Jian and Mr Ernest Wong were the Masters of Ceremony.
While “Dragon Charity Walk 93” followed the successful structure of the previous year, the scale of the event and community participation fell short of its previous performance due to the appearance of differences among Board directors of our Society and EACH. The number of participants and sponsors was half of the previous year. Eventually, a total of $30,000 was raised, and $3,000 was donated to the children's hospital.
The regrettable situation led Henry to reconsider the relationship between the two organizations. When our Society undertook the “EACH Project”, the thinking was that EACH would be part of our Society serving the seniors. However, when some people spreading the view that “the two organisations are separate, and the Society should continue directing all energy to assist EACH; the Society should just operate child care services and there is no need for the Society to further develop in other services”. This thinking was certainly working against the interests of our Society.
It was in 1995 that our Society held the “Dragon Charity Walk” again. However, the aim, the format and scale were not the same.
🤔What would the future development of our Society be like? There is more to share in the next article.