Buddhist monks praying in the Springvale temple as part of Cambodian New Year celebrations last weekend. A large crowd filled the Clarke Road temple as a swag of dignitaries spoke to the Greater Dandenong’s Cambodian community to welcome in the Year of the Dog.– Shaun Inguanzo
THOUSANDS of Greater Dandenong residents had reason to celebrate last weekend, but not because of the Easter holiday.
For the Cambodian community, it was also a time to welcome in the Year of the Dog with a weekend-long celebration for the Cambodian New Year.
While a Roman calendar will state the year is 2006, the Buddhist Era reads year 2550.
Organised by the Cambodian Buddist Association of Victoria (CBAV), last weekend’s celebrations at the Cambodian Buddhist Temple in Clarke Road, Springvale, were deemed a success.
CBAV spokesperson Thayhorn Yim said there were a variety of festivities on offer to welcome in the new year, including food stalls and luncheons.
“There was also a live band to entertain the audience through the nights,” he said.
Dignitaries in attendance included Greater Dandenong mayor Peter Brown, Dandenong MP John Pandazopoulos, Springvale North Ward councillor Alan Gordon and Interfaith Network president Helen Heath.
