About Us

From Then to Now

The Chinese Women’s Association of Victoria (CWAVic) is a volunteer-run, non-profit organisation established in 1987. It is the first organisation in Victoria dedicated to supporting women of Chinese background. Its mission is to promote the physical, mental, and social well-being of women in the community.

CWAVic provides information, support and a forum for discussion on issues affecting women, particularly those from Chinese ethnic background. In the spirit of multiculturalism, women from all ethnic backgrounds are welcome to participate in its programs and activities.

The Association was originally formed as the Eastern Suburb Chinese Women’s Group by a group of community-minded Chinese women under the leadership of social worker Wai-Lin Galbraith. Grace Ha was the first foundation member who served the organisation with dedication for 37 years until her passing. She was joined by Margaret Chia, Mimi Chong and Christina Lau, whose commitment played a key role in the early development of the Association.

Dr Robert Chong AM, who served two terms as Mayor of the City of Whitehorse, recognised early on the need to support newly arrived Chinese immigrants in his community, particularly during the period of Hong Kong's handover. He invited Wai-Lin, who was working under his direction at Chinese Community Social Services at the time, to organise fortnightly activities for a women's group.  

The first gathering was held on 11 February 1988 at the Local Family Day Care Centre in Box Hill. Early activities included fitness and knitting classes, cooking and floral arrangement demonstrations as well as migrant information seminars.

As membership grew, the Association moved to Clota Cottage in 1988, provided by Box Hill Council. 

In 1999, due to increasing participation in classes, activities were relocated to the Box Hill Church of Christ. A wider range of programs were introduced, including Line Dance, Praise Dance, Yuan Ji, Tai Chi, Chinese Calligraphy, Mandarin, Chinese Opera Singing and handicrafts. 

After the venue was sold in 2010, CWAVic continued its activities by hiring venues across Mitcham, Nunawading and Blackburn. Programs were further expanded to include Yoga, Zumba, Laughter Yoga, Qigong, Horticulture, Karaoke and more.

Due to limited council-managed venues available for hire, CWAVic later regrettably reduced the range of activities classes and focused on offering Tai Chi, Chinese Opera Singing, Line Dance, Yuan Ji, Zumba and Games Gathering at Box Hill and Blackburn.

In addition to weekly classes, CWAVic continues to organise special events such as International Women's Day, Mother's Day, Mid Autumn Festival, outings and seminars.

At its first Annual General Meeting in 1994, CWAVic had 208 members. Today, the Association has grown to over 1200 members, supported by dedicated committee members, some of whom have served continuously for more than a decade. These include late Grace Ha, Wai-Lin Galbraith, Margaret Tang, Ming Sau Lau, late Helen Chu, Frances Yan, Brenda Lo, Jenny Toy, Lynn To, Mary Cheng, Jenny Yang, Jennifer Yeung, Stella Lee and many others who continue to carry the Association forward.

Achievements and Awards

The Association is mainly a self-funded organisation; with funding mainly sourced from membership and class participation fees. It is managed and run by committee members on a fully voluntary basis. The Association receives minor grants from Victorian Multicultural Commission, small grant from Whitehorse City Council and volunteer grants from Federal Government.

With high volunteering spirit and cohesive team work, CWAVic has opened up valuable means of extending members’ interests. It also provides a platform for the development of their friendships. Over the last 30+ years, our membership register has now reached 1200.

Since 1987, our weekly activities continue to attract interest of new and old members. Classes are held at Mitcham, Nunawading and Blackburn localities. Over the years we have been providing many and various classes according to our members’ emerging interests. Our activities include Chinese Calligraphy, Chinese Herbs & Health, Cantonese Opera Singing, Cooking & Baking, Floral Arrangement, Karaoke, Kung Fu Dance, Laughter Yoga, Line dance, Meditation, Qi Gong Walking Exercise, Singing Skills &Technique, Tai Chi, Yoga, Yuan Ji Dance and Zumba.

The Association frequently organises excursions and tours for our members. We also hold information sessions of general interest such as finance, law and health seminars. These information sessions have enhanced our members' understanding and awareness of some aspects of financial information, legal matters and health issues.

We organise celebrations annually for events such as International Women’s Day, Mothers’ Day and Mid- Autumn Festival. Through these functions, women’s achievements, traditional family values and cultural customs are recognised and reinforced. We also emphasize the spirit of multiculturalism by bringing participants from all ethnicities together.

 CWAVic jointly sponsors and supports some activities, such as Chinese Calligraphy, Gardening exhibitions with other organisations to promote interests to the community. The Association also believes in helping out selective charity organisations in need by means of donations and fund raising.

 In 2002, we proudly received the Victorian Award for Excellent Performance in Multicultural Affairs by Victorian Multicultural Commission. (refer to Photo Gallery)

The Association was also honoured to be the recipient of City of Whitehorse Australia Day Civic Award and the Deakin Community award in 2017. (refer to Photo Gallery)

Victorian Multicultural Commission presented the Victorian Award for Excellent Performance in Multicultural Affairs - Meritorious Service Award to CWAVic in recognition of our contributions to the community over the past 30 years. (refer to Photo Gallery)

During the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic outbreak in 2020, CWAVic's continued its efforts to engage our 120+ members, offering Zoom activities classes, webinars and updated information and Government policies. 2020 Deakin Community award was presented by Hon Michael Sukkar MP in February 2021. (refer to Photo Gallery)

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維省華人婦女會成立於1987年, 是首間維省註册的華人婦女會.

亦是維省第一家為中國⺠族背景女性提供活動, 資訊和支持的非謀利組織. 我們的目標是希望會員, 透過參與本會的活動, 擴闊社交圈子, 促使身心健康, 並融合澳洲社會.

本會致力於中國婦女事務, 宗旨

• 提供康樂及文娛活動, 促進婦女身心健康的發展.

• 提供資訊及必需的福利服務, 以使社區及會員獲得利益.

• 提供適合的工作坊, 以便會員能討論有關婦女業務的事宜.

• 提供一個途徑(渠道), 使會員能接觸及了解政府的服務. 同時鼓勵不同種族的團體或組織與政府各部門機構之 間溝通與合作, 以達多元文化的理念.

每星期分別在Mitcham, Nunawading 和Blackburn區, 提供多類活動班: . 書法班

• 中醫保健

• 粤曲班

• 烹飪及烘焙 . 插花藝術

• 卡拉OK

• 功夫舞蹈班 . 大笑瑜珈

• 排排舞

• 靜坐冥想

• 步行氣功

• 唱歌技巧

• 太極

• 瑜伽

• 元極舞

• 尊巴舞

本會還定期安排其它活動包括:

• 短程遊行

• 烹飪示範

• 講座包括: 財經見聞, 法律常識, 健康資訊或美容情報 . 特別慶祝聚餐, 如: 國際婦女節、中秋節及母親節等...