CBCity welcomes Year of the Rat in Bankstown

City of Canterbury Bankstown welcomed the Year of the Rat at its Bankstown Lunar New Year event on Saturday 18 January.

Thousands of people from across the City flocked to Bankstown Plaza to enjoy live entertainment, including Japanese hula hooping, traditional Chinese music, performances from the Australian Yunnan Association’s Performing Arts Troupe, and a traditional Chinese Lion Dance.

More than 30 stalls also lined Chapel Road, offering dumplings, hand-made fish cakes, and arts and crafts, including free origami making, calligraphy and more.

Mayor Khal Asfour gave his well wishes to all those celebrating the Lunar New Year.

"It was great to see such a fantastic turnout, and to see so many people enjoying all the great experiences that were on offer on the day," Mayor Asfour said.

"Lunar New Year is an important day on the calendars of many residents in Canterbury-Bankstown.

"Our City has long cherished its multicultural identity, which is why I am proud to celebrate events like Lunar New Year, where we can prominently showcase a dynamic mix of languages, customs and traditions," Mayor Asfour said.

"I want to wish our residents that are celebrating Lunar New Year a safe, and prosperous Year of the Rat.

"If anyone missed our festivities on Saturday, and would like to celebrate Lunar New Year with us, we will be hosting another event in Campsie on Thursday 30 January in Anzac Mall and Beamish Street."

The Lunar New Year celebrations in Campsie will include a lion dance and a visit from the Goddess of Fortune.

Council volunteers were also out on the day collecting gold coin donations to support Red Cross’ work to support communities affected by the bushfires.

The Bankstown Lunar New Year event was sponsored by Bankstown Sports, Bankstown RSL, MediBank and The Torch.

For information on Council’s next Lunar New Year event, visit cb.city/whatson