Vancouver Tsung Tsin (Hakka) Association

The Association held its Fall Memorial Service on October 14, 2007. Led by the Association's President Mr. Peter Chong and Supervisor Mr. Voong Mah En and Life Time Honorary President Mr. Stephen Chong, more than twenty Board of Directors and members paid respect to deceased members at Mountain View, Ocean View, Forest Lawn and Valley View cemeteries respectively.

The Association bought some two hundred cemetery plots from Forest Lawn Memorial Garden Co. years ago for the benefit of its members. Over the years the Association has been working with Forest Lawn to obtain a free spot to install the Association's memorial marker in the area. Finally Forest Lawn agreed in early summer to provide the spot. At the same time, we are very fortunate to have our very own Life Time Honorary Presidents Mr. And Mrs Chu Tat Kwan donate the $3000 plus memorial marker. The memorial marker ( named The Vancouver Tsung Tsin (Hakka) Association Memorial Garden) was installed just in time for our Fall Memorial Service. Our special thanks to the Forest Lawn Memorial Garden and Mr. And Mrs Chu Tat Kwan for their generosity.

August Moon Festival Celebration Dinner (慶祝中秋節賞月晚會)

The Association held its August Moon Festival Celebration Dinner at its Main Hall on September 22, 2007. More than 200 members, their families and friends turned out for this event. It was a pot-luck dinner and only authentic Hakka Specialty dishes were served. The Association's President, Peter Chong began by welcoming and thanking the participants for their attendance and continuing support. He pointed out that the occasion was special for two reasons. On the one hand, it promotes the Chinese culture (the August Moon Festival) and on the other hand, it promotes the Hakka culture (the authentic Hakka Specialty dishes). Almost all the attendees brought their own authentic Hakka dishes and everybody had more than enough to eat. The evening also provided plenty of socializing and fellowship in a “ big family” context. After dinner, everybody moved to the big and decorated parking lot at the back for line dancing and Karaoke singing, followed by serving mooncakes and other festival snacks, as well as full moon watching. The weather was excellent and everybody had a wonderful and enjoyable evening.

The Association held its annual summer picnic on August 11, 2007 at the Provincial Peace Arch Park (near the US/Canada border). Some 350 members and their friends turned out for this now popular event. Three big rented buses and scores of private vehicles brought the enthusiastic participants to the site. The weather was excellent and it was a perfect day for picnic. After some group pictures were taken, the Association's President, Peter Chong welcomed and thanked all the attendees for their participation and support. In return for their support, he and the Board will try their best to provide more and better service to its members. As with previous years, the food was excellent and everybody had more than enough to eat. All the activities were well organized and enjoyable for all ages and they include group games competitions, line dancing, ma-jong, sightseeing, cards and puzzle games, etc. Everybody had a wonderful time!

The Board of Directors held its 4th regular meeting on July 22, 2007 (Sunday) at 1:30 pm at the Association's Main Hall. All members of the Board and life-time Honorary Presidents are requested to attend the meeting. Members of the Association are welcome to attend as observers.

The Association held a luncheon and other festivities at the Association's Main Hall on July 1, 2007 to celebrate Canada Day & the Seniors Birthday. It attracted a record number of some 200 members and friends for this popular annual event. Our MC, Mr. Stephen Chong commenced the festivities by leading in the singing of the national anthem. Our President, Mr. Peter Chong thanked and extended his warmest welcome to everybody attending the event. He pointed out that Canada, in it's short 140 year history has come a long way in becoming a developed and multi-cultural nation with an excellent medical and social welfare system. As a group, we are fortunate to be Canadian Citizens and we should be thankful to be living in this free and beautiful country, especially those of us living in Vancouver. He wished Canada and all the attending seniors a very happy birthday as well as peace, joy, happiness and good health for all. At the seniors' birthday celebration, “Happy Birthday” was sung to the all the seniors and our two eldest seniors cut a large birthday cake for dessert. In addition, birthday gifts were given to all those seniors who were born between July and December. After the excellent luncheon had been served, the festivities continued with Karaoke singing and line dancing. Everybody had a good time! The Association and the Board of Directors would like to thank all those who have donated food and monies for the event and the organizing committee for their excellent effort.

The Association held its second Parents Day Dinner & Dance at Flamingo Seafood Restaurant on June 2, 2007. Some 330 members and friends turned out for this now popular event. In this opening speech, the Association's President Peter Chong welcomed and thanked all the participants for their support and attendance. He pointed out that the significant increase in attendance this year is a clear indication that the general membership is fully behind this event. During the dinner, the participants were entertained by karaoke singing, line dancing, and other performances. In addition, many door prizes were given out to the lucky winners. Highlights of the evening included the presentation of flowers to all mothers by their husbands followed by an invitation to dance. Another highlight was the presentation of a special gift to all those couples in attendance who have been married for over 50 years. Seven couples received the special gifts! Many thanks to those children who brought their elderly and happily married parents to this celebration. Dancing followed after dinner and everybody had a very enjoyable evening. Special thanks to the organizing committee for their time and effort.

Election and Birthday Celebration for the Seniors Group (耆英會改選暨慶祝生日會)

More than 100 seniors showed up for the election and birthday celebration for the Seniors Group at the Association on April 15, 2007. Twenty officers were elected for the 2007-2008 term with Stephen Chong re-elected as the Chairman. After the election, birthday gifts were given to those seniors who were born between January and June, followed by a very enjoyable luncheon and Karaoke singing. Everybody had a good time!

More than thirty Board of Directors and members, led by Association President Peter Chong , Supervisor Voong Ma En and Seniors Group Chairman Stephen Chong visited Valley View Memorial Gardens on 31st March, 2007 and Mountain View, Ocean View and Forrest Lawn cemeteries on 1 April, 2007 respectively to pay respect to the Association’s deceased members. Following the service, some of the attendees had dinner at a local restaurant for further fellowship.

The Association held its annual Chinese New Year dinner and dance banquet on March 2, 2007 at Floata Seafood Restaurant in Chinatown. More than 750 members and friends including some 100 dignitaries from the three levels of governments and the Chinese community organizations attended the very successful and full-house event. The banquet started with the performance of the Unicorn dance, a traditional Hakka custom, by the Association’s Athletic Group. Our President Peter Chong began by wishing everybody a happy and prosperous New Year and extending his warmest welcome to the attendees. After speeches from various dignitaries, the Association presented scholarship awards to elementary, secondary and university students. The programs for the evening included singing, dancing, Hakka folk songs, other performances as well as a few hundred lucky draws and raffle prizes. Special thanks to the organizing committee for organizing such a enjoyable event.