Happy (Chinese) New Year!

The Chinese lunar calendar has rolled over, and it's time for the New Year celebrations!

Our students in Singapore are spoilt for choice when it comes to Chinese New Year and Spring Festival celebrations (where the Chinatown Celebrations are said to be the place to be), but those of us in Australia can still join in the fun.

In Cairns, a Chinese New Year Festival is being held on Saturday the 21st of February, starting at 4.00pm in Grafton Street.  You can find more details at the festival's web site: cairnschinesenewyear.org/events.

In Townsville, celebrations began today (19th February) in the Bulletin Square in the City Centre, and continue throughout the weekend - culminating in the Chinese New Year in the City event at the Bulletin Square on Sunday the 22nd of February.  This will be held during the Cotters' Markets, starting at 9.00am and finishing by 11.00am.  See the Townsville Chinese' Club's website for further details: ttcci.org.au/.

If you want to brush up a little on your knowledge of Chinese New Year and lunar calendars, Credo (our database of dictionaries, encyclopaedias and other reference resources) has a Topic Page you may find informative.

If you would like to know more about the Chinese history of North Queensland, a book by Kevin Wong HoyRediscovered past : China in north Queensland, is held in the North Queensland collection in both Townsville and Cairns, and there is a copy in the Main collection available for loan.

And, if your New Years resolution includes learning Chinese, it's not too late to enrol in a short course with the Academy of Modern Languages.  Elementary Chinese classes are run in the evenings on both Cairns and Townsville campuses.

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