13 December 2020
Media Release
Premier Mark McGowan announces $5 million funding to Chung Wah Association to construct a Southern Suburbs Community Centre
The Western Australian Premier, the Honorable Mark McGowan joined the Labor candidate for Riverton Dr. Jagadish Krishnan today, to announce a $5 million commitment towards the construction of a new Chung Wah Community Centre in Perth’s southern suburbs. The announcement was made in the presence of the President of the Chung Wah Association, Dr Chen Ting together with other community leaders and hundreds of community members at the Chung Wah Community and Aged Care Willetton Centre at 11am.
Chung Wah Association was established in 1909, and officially registered on July 12, 1910. Chung Wah is the largest Chinese non-profit organisation and an ethnic organisation with the longest history in Western Australia. Since these humble beginnings, Chung Wah has tirelessly promoted multiculturalism, Chinese education and organised major cultural events, as well as initiating charitable activities, providing community and elderly care services and enriching social activities.
The Premier, the Honorable Mark McGowan said, “The Chung Wah Association and the Chinese community have had a marvellous contribution over so long and so it’s very important that there be a home that allows for that sort of activities. Obviously this area here Willetton, Riverton, Rossmoyne, there is a great many people of Chinese heritage right here in these areas. Today I am very pleased to announce to you all, that in next years budget we will have $5 million dollars, that allows for the purchase of land and construction of a new building.”
The Labor candidate for Riverton, Dr. Jags said, “We hope the community centre will benefit to grow the already provided services, provide the language classes to the kids. We hope the community can benefit from every activity taking place at the centre. Thank you all for giving us the opportunity to be able to do something for the Chinese community.”
The Chung Wah Association is extremely grateful to the State Government for their immense support and understanding for the needs of the Perth Chinese community. President Chen Ting expressed his gratitude saying, “As the 31st President of the Chung Wah Association, my happiness in receiving this $5 million funding from the Western Australian Government is enormous. This is the greatest gift for the Chung Wah Association during this 110th Anniversary year. It is also one of the biggest remarkable milestones for the Chinese community in the last 190 years.”
Besides the support from the State Government Labor party, on December 10, the Leader of the Opposition the Honorable Zak Kirkup, joined the Liberal candidate for Riverton Anthony Spagnolo, to make an announcement for his commitment of $5 million to construct a new Chung Wah Southern Suburbs Community Centre in either City of Canning, Gosnells or Melville. The Chung Wah Association is greatly moved by this overwhelming bipartisan support. We also acknowledge the efforts of former Liberal Leader Dr. Mike Nahan, who six years ago, secured the Association a temporary community centre venue, south of the river.
In 2014, Chung Wah Association signed a lease agreement with the City of Canning for the exclusive use of a portion of the former Willetton Sports Centre. The 10-year lease was for a peppercorn lease of $1 per year for a total area of 316.44 square metres. For the last six years, the venue has been used for Chung Wah Community and Aged Care to provide services to the residents in the southern suburbs.
The $5 million funding promised by the WA Government today, enables Chung Wah to construct permanent premises before the Willetton Sports centre lease finishes, in order to continue quality services to community members and the elderly into the future. The Association’s cultural centre in Balcatta, which opened in 1998 will continue its services to northern suburbs’ residents. Furthermore, Chung Wah is working on fundraising for the Autumn Centre project to build short term respite care accommodation for family members who require 24-hour care, to enable respite leave for the primary carer.
Since 1909, the Chung Wah Association has shouldered the great mission to build a better tomorrow for every generation of Chinese in Western Australia, and will continue to do so into the future.