we are 365: celebrating lunar new year with community

cohealth celebrated Lunar New Year (the year of the Earthy Pig) by bringing together the local community at the Collingwood Neighbourhood House for an afternoon of multicultural feasts and performances, and mobilising support for community health along the way.

To kick off the festivities, special guest speakers Danae Bosler, Mayor of Yarra City Council, Richard Wynne, Minister for Planning, Housing and Multicultural Affairs, and Lyn Morgain, Chief Executive of cohealth, spoke about the importance of supporting better health outcomes for the local community, and cohealth at 365 Hoddle Street’s critical role to help achieve this.

The entertainment included a wonderful performance by Yu Ling Choir and a Lion Dance with the laughing Budda. A Lunar New Year custom, the laughing Budda teases the Lions with a fan, who then battle to eat a hanging head of lettuce. The lettuce leaves are then scattered around to symbolise a fresh start for the new year.

The symbolism was two-fold for this event; a fresh start for the new year but also for the future of community health in Collingwood. Attendees wore ‘we are 365’ stickers to demonstrate their support for a new community health centre.

The centre at 365 Hoddle Street has provided health support services to the local community for over 40 years. It is considered a second home to many local residents and without these services, many wouldn’t be able to access the quality health care they need.

cohealth have ambitious plans to rebuild 365 Hoddle Street to be able to offer a larger range of health services, including social housing, to local communities.

The local community support this plan. Minister Richard Wynne and Yarra City Mayor Danae Bosler have also showed their support. You can also help ensure that everyone in our community has access to the health care and support they need right on their doorstep.

Sign the petition to show your support for a new community health centre.