Hong Kong Cultural Association of South Australia (HKCASA)
Image: SAcommunity Volunteer Michael Pak Hei Chan lead vocalist and guitarist with his band at HKCASA
Landed in Adelaide? Missing Hong Kong? We have a club for you!
Our Volunteer Michael shares his experience in moving to Adelaide as a student and looking for connections from home through joining the Hong Kong Cultural Association of South Australia (HKCASA), an organisation created to foster Hong Kong migrants.
How did you first become involved in the organisation?
I became a part of the Hong Kong Cultural Association of South Australia (HKCASA) in 2020, when one of the founders invited me to volunteer to organise and assist with catering during their opening ceremony. Having arrived in Adelaide to study as an international student, it was great to connect with people from home, and I also recognised the importance of gaining volunteering experience in South Australia to meet others, support, build and establish new connections with a range of people, for friendship, a sense of community, and it also helped my future career endeavours. From initially contributing to food and beverage services, I have since become the lead vocalist and guitarist in a band I created called 'Cube' along with a few interested friends, and we now play music at various HKCASA events.
How did your organisation start? and why did it start?
There are several Hong Kong Associations across Australia with a mixture of student initiated like the Melbourne University Hong Kong Students' Association or state wide-based origins such as the Australia Capital Hong Kong Association in Canberra, where organisations host events to facilitate connections amongst HongKongers. Inspired by this, a group of HongKongers in Adelaide sought to establish a similar association to unite and bring together the local Hong Kong community while also sharing and promoting their culture and values across broader South Australia.
What is your organisation and what do they do?
The Hong Kong Cultural Association of South Australia (HKCASA) attained incorporated association status in May 2020 and proudly holds membership in both the Multicultural Communities Council of South Australia and the Australian Migrant Resource Centre. Their primary mission revolves around recognising and promoting the unique Hong Kong Culture and supporting Hong Kongers within the South Australian community.
How does your organisation help people connect?
HKCASA actively organises a diverse array of events in Adelaide designed to promote Hong Kong culture and that appeal to a wide audience. Particularly during significant Asian festivals like Lunar New Year (Chinese New Year) and the Moon Lantern Festival which create a sense of cultural familiarity and an opportunity to come together, connect and engage in entertaining and fun-filled activities for everyone. Many of these events include live Hong Kong Pop music performances, which fortunately give our band Cube, a platform to showcase our sound and contribute to the celebration.
How does your organisation help their community?
HKCASA aims to foster an inclusive and thriving Hong Kong community, hosting the community events mentioned above, to promote and faciliate community engagement, as well as opportunities to assist in establishing meaningful social and professional connections to contribute to a fulfilling life for Hong Kongers in Adelaide.
They also have a primary focus in contributing to the welfare of Hong Kong migrants and students. Assisting with their experience in South Australia, by providing information, and addressing questions and concerns. Over the last few years they have conducted various seminars and talks covering essential topics such as housing, taxation and employment to provide valuable insights and guidance.
What help does your organisation need?
As a not-for-profit organisation HKCASA primarily funds its events from internal resources. While some events, like the Multicultural Festival can attract grants or generate profits that can be reinvested, operational costs remain a persistent challenge. Securing sufficient funding is crucial for sustaining the organisations initiatives and ensuring the continued success of HKCASA in supporting and connecting the community.
What are some of the HKCASA events?
Some of the more noteworthy events hosted by HKCASA include:
Multicultural Festival - Sunday, 12 November 2023
HKCASA was one of over 25 different cultural associations participating in the Multicultural Festival last year attended by the Honorable Heidi Girolamo Member of the Legislative Council of South Australia. The diverse associations each hosted a stall in Victoria Square, showcasing their unique cultural values and selling traditional foods.
Through exceptional teamwork and the dedication of skilled volunteers, HKCASA presented six delectable Hong Kong street foods and a traditional drink to promote Hong Kong's culinary culture . With offerings such as curry fishballs, spring rolls, Hong Kong-style French toasts, deep-fried dumplings, and Taro Coconut Sago Drink, contributing to the vibrant tapestry of the event.
In December, HKCASA organised a festive Xmas party around their Annual General Meeting recaping the highlights of the year. Around 100 people joined the event, including distinguished guests such as the City of Unley Mayor Michael Hewitson, as well as representatives from the Adelaide Taiwanese Cultural Association, and the Australian Uyghur Tangritagh Women’s Association.
The Australian Uyghur Tangritagh Women’s Association showcased a captivating traditional dance and instrument performance. Two diverse pop bands entertained the audience with a mix of Hong Kong pop and English rock songs, my band and I also had a chance to perform on stage. The event concluded with the serving of Hong Kong traditional foods, including mango mochi, fostering a sense of shared joy and group discussions about the association's future.
Interested in Joining? Visit HKCASA to find out more on SAcommunity >>here
