March 2004

Juvenile justice centres mark Vietnamese New Year

Vietnamese New Year celebrations—Têt Nguyên Dán—were held at Malmsbury and Melbourne Juvenile Justice Centres (JJC) to welcome the year of the monkey.

At Malmsbury JJC, Cultural Liaison Officer Huy Luu organised a multicultural morning.

The Vietnamese Buddhist Youth Association Dragon Dance Troupe and the DAMBAI Dance group/ Sudanese Fellowship Choir entertained the invited guests and young people in a celebration of diversity.

Acting Malmsbury JJC Chief Executive Officer Shirley Freeman welcomed guests on behalf of the centre and chaplain Brother Peter Walsh welcomed the Venerable Thich Phuoc Tan from Quang Minh Temple who blessed the centre on behalf of all denominations.

The Venerable Thich Phuoc Tan and the Vietnamese Buddhist Youth Association Dragon Dance Troupe also attended the celebrations at Melbourne JJC, organised by Cultural Liaison Officer Leigh Trinh.

Melbourne JJC Program Manager Mike Oliver welcomed the President of the Vietnamese Community of Victoria Hung Xuan Chau.

The celebrations were part of an ongoing commitment to maintain community links and deliver culturally appropriate programs for young people in the juvenile justice program.