By Casey Neill
The Springvale Lunar New Year Festival has been part of Stan Chang’s life for nearly 25 years.
The annual Springvale Asian Business Association (SABA) event will return to Buckingham Avenue and surrounds for the 26th time on Sunday 11 February.
“It has been quite a successful community event,” Mr Chang said.
“It’s become a regional event.”
He said that no entry fees made it an affordable day out.
“My favourite part of the day is working,” he said.
“When you see people turn up, a big crowd, that will bring a sense of satisfaction.
“I see myself as a community person, simple as that.”
SABA is expecting 65,000 people to flock to this year’s celebrations, which will run from 10am to 10pm and ring in the Year of the Dog.
There’ll be fireworks at 9pm, firecrackers throughout the day, and a second stage filled with entertainment for the first time.
SABA president Daniel Cheng said performances would range from Mexican to African, Japanese, New Zealander, Chinese, Vietnamese and Cambodian.
“There’ll be more performers from different backgrounds than ever,” he said.
There’ll be rides, food stalls, a magic show, a karaoke competition, an iced coffee race – like the old-fashioned egg and spoon race – and a pho-eating contest to see who can slurp down the Vietnamese soup and noodle dish the fastest.
Entrants can sign up on the day.
“Springvale train station is the best way of getting there,” Mr Cheng said.
“It’s only 100 metres away.”
Mr Chang served as SABA president from 2002 to 2006. The volunteer group was established in 1989 to promote Springvale and its businesses.
He said much of the work he’s done for the community stemmed from being grateful to his new home.
Mr Chang fled communist-led Vietnam by boat and spent eight months in a refugee camp, a period he described as the most valuable part of his life.
“I grew up mentally and intellectually. I was 22 then,” he said.
“I came to Australia in 1980, January.”
He settled in Springvale through the famous Enterprise Hostel.
He studied civil engineering and a masters in engineering science at university, looked after the City of Melbourne’s parking signs for six months then landed a job with VicRoads.
He worked there for 27 years and finds the skills he learnt a big help in helping SABA.
As well as organising the festival, he said SABA provided a bridge between the community and governments.
The group has rallied the community to advocate on various causes over the years and to provide advice to governments.
