by Kitty Leong | Jun 3, 2026 | Volunteers’ Story - EN
Canterbury 2015 Australia Day Outstanding Volunteer – Ming Xu
Witnessing and participating in the spectacular scene of one thousand people doing Tai Chi together at the CASS 30th Anniversary Celebration is to be remembered forever. At that grand performance, a lady dressed in white Tang costume stood in front to lead the audience performing the “Tai Chi 18 Moves”. Behind her, standing in a hidden corner was an unsung hero in charge of planning the performance. She is the teacher who visited various activity groups six months prior to the event to teach the exercises. Watching the performance at the back, she had an overwhelming sense of satisfaction and joy. She was the Tai Chi teacher of Campsie Activity Group, Ms Ming Xu.
Petite but agile, Ming came to Australia in 1995. She joined the CASS Campsie Activity Group in 2003. The wise and farsighted Ming shared her thoughts, “While the Australian Government has provided a relatively good welfare system for the elderly, CASS has been providing many services for the community. The running of activity groups at various locations has provided a place for isolated and lonely migrants to meet new friends and network, giving them the warmth and support of a family.”
Believing that one should reciprocate a favour with gratitude, Ming dedicates wholeheartedly to organising activities for the Group. As a professional engineer before her retirement, she maintains her conscientious and enthusiastic attitude in acquiring new knowledge and skills, including dancing, Tai Chi as well as Qi Gong. Whenever Group members request to learn a certain dance, she will learn the dance quickly first before teaching members gradually to cater for their abilities. She understands the gist of teaching and guides her students step by step. Though she is nearly eighty years old, she shows agility and elegance in her performance. She is a humble leader, often asking others to take the lead role in performance while she guides the team from behind the scene.
When the membership of Campsie Activity Group remained stagnant while other activity groups were expanding in numbers, she and a few concerned members proactively visited other groups to learn their successful experience, conducted market research and reorganised the activities. With new programs such as Tai Chi, Gong Fu Fan Dance, Health Dance and English classes, many people joined the Group, increasing the membership from ten plus to over 40.
Apart from her role as a volunteer teacher for activity groups, Ming also volunteers to work in the CASS Day Care Centre two days a week caring for seniors, including distributing lunch and washing dishes. The volunteers formed the “Care for the Seniors Team”, the backbone enabling CASS to provide quality elderly services.
Having experienced political turmoil in her early life and witnessing the internal turmoil within CASS in 2006, Ming had hesitation joining any organisation as a member. However, she is observant, reflective and alert to community affairs. She reflected not long ago, “Since Mr Henry Pan returns to the CASS Board in 2007, there are many positive changes in the services and activity groups. I am excited to see CASS continually adding new services to help the disadvantaged. Though Mr Pan has lost his sight, he is still taking the leadership role to develop CASS. He is amazing!”
Since then, she has dedicated herself wholeheartedly in the affairs of CASS. She changed her previous distrust of organisations and took up CASS membership. Recently, she is actively involved in organising activities for celebrating the 35th Anniversary of CASS. Certainly, she will accompany CASS to a flourishing future!
Ming Xu receiving the Canterbury 2015 Australia Day Outstanding Volunteer Award from Mayor Brian Robson
by Kitty Leong | Jun 3, 2026 | Volunteers’ Story - EN
Ms Teresa Chu – Winner of Highest Number of Sponsors Award in Dragon Charity Walk
At the end of 2014, the annual CASS gathering for aged care services clients and their families was held. Awards were also presented for the Dragon Charity Walk for that year. An elegant lady received two awards. She is Ms Teresa Chu, the passionate and talented leader of Hua Kang Seniors Group, which has hosted many CASS activities.
The Dragon Charity Walk is a big annual event of CASS. It was established to raise funds for the first CASS Residential Aged Care Facility. Several awards were set up to reward eager participants. Teresa won those for the Highest Number of Sponsors and the Second Highest Amount of Sponsorship – two of the six. The Hua Kang Seniors Group that she led was presented with the Award for the Group/Organisation with the Highest Amount of Sponsorship.
Teresa was the central motivator and organiser, encouraging her family, friends and Group members to contribute money and effort for CASS.
The Hua Kang Seniors Group, which gathers at the Hurstville Senior Citizens Centre at 91 Queens Road, Hurstville, is an extended family for its members. It operates for two days every week. The Dance Group is held every Thursday and the Activity Group every Friday.
Teresa joined the Group in 2007. In less than two years, she was elected as a member of the Local Management Committee and the leader of the Friday Group. Her integrity, wholehearted service and commitment were evident to everyone.
As the Leader of Friday Group, Teresa was successful in creating a family environment for its members. From ensuring that the venue was clean to contacting the local government representatives, she is always present with her colleagues to take care of things. The problem might be an inadequate water supply or malfunctioning audio equipment in the Centre. So off she goes to inform the Council at once to fix the problem. If the Group is unfairly treated, she stands up and fights for their interests. Her caring attitude has won respect and praise.
The common vision which she shares with CASS fuels her work. She knows it is to help the elderly and disadvantaged in the community and advocate for them, through providing multifaceted welfare services.
In 2011, Teresa was elected to the CASS Board as an Alternate Director. When the idea of raising funds to build a residential aged care facility was raised, she actively responded, encouraging Group members to make generous donations during the monthly birthday parties and celebrations. She knows that small amounts can soon add up.
Together with Jie Hua Li, Fat Leong and Polly Po Tang, Teresa raised more than $30,000 in two years. For two years in a row, she won the Highest Number of Sponsors Award in the Dragon Charity Walk, adding each time to the people who donated. With her passion and determination, she has strongly demonstrated how she can lead and motivate.
Teresa often hosts CASS activities such as the annual Volunteers Thanksgiving Party, the Dragon Charity Walk performance program and the Aged Care Information Expo. Her calm grace on stage is noticed and praised by all audience.
Teresa Chu receives her award from Councillor Jeanette Wang at the Dragon Charity Walk Award Ceremony in 2014
by Kitty Leong | Jun 3, 2026 | Volunteers’ Story - EN
Our precious volunteer – Dr Leng Tan
The present Chairperson of CASS, Dr Leng Tan, has been a General Practitioner (GP) for over 30 years. She listens and spends time with her patients, showing she has their wellbeing at heart. She has earned their trust and respect with her compassionate, loving care and sound advice, based on long experience. There is always a long queue at her clinic.
She is an elegant lady, respected by all. She attracts attention because of her warmth and charm. She is very down-to-earth and efficient in her work.
Another important role Leng plays is as a community leader. Ever since her university years she has shown strong leadership skills. When CASS was established in 1981, she was a founding member, looking after its finances. Together with the Foundation Chairperson, Mr Henry Pan and others, she dedicated time and energy to providing a service similar to family day care. She worked hard to seek government funding to establish child care services of CASS.
When the opportunity arose to buy a place that could be used as a child care facility, CASS did not have sufficient resources. Leng and her husband, together with Henry Pan and Cecilia Fong, used their own properties as security to secure a bank loan to buy the warehouse. Without the generosity of these founding members and their willingness to take the risk, the building of the Activity Hall, today used by so many people, would not have been possible.
While she was the Treasurer of CASS, Leng upheld her principles of thrift and hard work in running the organisation. Because it was in its initial stage of development, she knew limited resources should be employed wisely and efficiently. Leng never uses public money for personal use; instead, she often pays for things for CASS. As well as leading, she also likes to mix with members and provide help where needed. She does not just attend Board meetings, but many CASS gatherings and activities, chatting heartily with others, always showing care and concern. She can often be seen washing dishes and cleaning venues after CASS functions. She is the “big sister” of the CASS family.
For a while, Leng left CASS to attend to other community roles. However, she readily stepped in when the organisation was in crisis in 2006. Amidst all the turbulence, she remained objective and fair, playing an important role in bringing people together.
In September 2008, she was elected Chairperson. Working with the Honorary Executive Director, Henry Pan and other Board members, remedial work began and they were able to turn the finances of CASS from deficit to surplus. Under her leadership, new services were developed and CASS began expanding.
Leng is also involved in other community organisations. Since 1990, she has been the Vice Chairperson of the Chinese Youth League of Australia. She was also involved in co-ordinating the work of community organisations such as the Australian Council for the Promotion of Peaceful Reunification of China, the Australian Council of Chinese Organisations and the Australian Hokkien HuayKuan Association.
She has also played a key role as humanitarian ambassador for Australia by volunteering her professional medical services. Through her involvement in the “Eyes on China”, she has assisted in providing free cataract surgeries to people in remote and poor regions of the country. For many years she has joined these annual expeditions, and helped change the lives of hundreds of people with the gift of sight. Whatever role she plays, she shows prowess, efficiency, love and passion.
While Leng commits herself to communities, she never forgets her important role in her own family as a loving wife and caring mother. Her husband is also a GP and an influential community leader. The couple shares a common passion and commitment to community affairs. At home, she makes sure her family has healthy meals and supports her children in all their pursuits.
Leng carries out all her different roles faultlessly. Her dedication and compassion make her an admirable role model. She does not simply talk; she takes action. She is loved and respected in the CASS family and in the community. This sparkling jewel is the pride of CASS.
Dr Leng Tan has won numerous awards in recognition of her active participation in community affairs over the years
