We thank all the people who have dedicated their time and effort to help build this Association.
(Page being updated, as of 4 Oct 2017)
Nejat Akdere
secretary秘书长 & public officer 公关 (2019-2021)
Ni Hao,
My name is Nejat Akdere but people call me Nej (pronounced Nedge). I was born in Melbourne in 1972 to a working class Turkish family. At the time there were many factories and Australia needed a lot of workers. I am an English teacher. I graduated from Melbourne University. I came to Shepparton at the start of 2005. I have been teaching at Shepparton High School for the last 15 years.
I also coordinate the community languages program at the high school through Victorian School of Languages on Saturdays. At this school we also have a Chinese class teaching the Mandarin language.
I have a Chinese wife and a half Chinese daughter who was born in 2018. I am fond of the Chinese Culture and would love to ensure my child speaks Chinese Mandarin and gets exposed to the Chinese culture as much as possible. I have been to China at least five times and love vibrant country.
In 2018, I joined GVCA to assist the Chinese community in the region. My aim in joining the association is to keep the Chinese culture live and provide support to new generations to learn the Chinese Culture through language, tradition, food and entertainment. I hope I can be productive member of the Chinese speaking communities living in the region. Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity.
Xiexie.
Graham Watson, Secretary and Committee Member ()
I was Secretary/Public Officer of the Association for 6 years. My aim in taking on this role was to provide training and skills to other members of the group to take on committee roles in the longer term and I have stepped back to general committee now that these skills have been passed on.
I am now retired but find myself busier than ever. I aim to provide a steadying hand for the committee as it develops under new stewardship, and to fill in blanks for new members on recent history.
I am interested in Chinese culture, sports, especially AFL football and cricket, movies and playing around fixing friends’ computers when they don’t work the way they should.
Evie Teo, President 会长 (2019-2020)
Good day! Thank you for dropping by to view the Goulburn Valley Chinese Association (GVCA) website and showing interest in what we do here in Greater Shepparton.
您好！谢谢您点击我们三巴屯华人协会的网站。
I am Evie Teo, a Malaysian born Chinese and have resided half of my lifetime in Christchurch, New Zealand. 我是Evie，姓张，出生于大马。过去的20年我生活在纽西兰基督城。
I am married to a Han Chinese, whom we met at Lincoln University and together, we have two beautiful children. 我的爱人是中国汉族。我们在纽西兰兰林肯大学认识并相爱。我们有两个可爱的孩子。
It was a big move for me and my family into another country when my husband’s job called for a move.
由于我爱人工作的原因，我们全家飘洋过海来到了三八屯。
Early last year in 2017, when we arrived in Shepparton, we had to reset our lives, from house hunting to settling our children in a foreign town. 二零一七年年头，我们来到了三八屯这个陌生的地方。开始了我们新的旅程。
I felt homesick during my first year in Shepparton. However, in this beautiful Moooving art town, it offers plentiful family and kids’ friendly activities during school holidays. I quickly made friends through participating these activities. Eventually, my networking expanded and possibly already known as a chatterbox! 在这居住的第一年里，我非常想念我们纽西兰的家。虽然如此，我们全家很快融入了三八屯这个有着艺术气息的小镇。这里有丰富的生活。因此，在短时间内，我通过活动认识了很多朋友。
I love talking to people from all walks of life and will spend hours chatting about food, travel, arts of different cultures, health and fitness. 我喜欢和人交往聊天，讨论有关于文化习俗，美食，旅游，美术，健康和保健的话题。
Despite a full time mum and also a full time wife (chuckles), I felt a piece of me was missing. Being able to return what I have gained from the societies, is what put smiles on my face and my heart. 我是一位全值妈妈，我的生活虽然忙碌，但是我始终觉得社会培养了我，我也应该为社会贡献。
Encouraged by my friends, existing members and committee members in GVCA for many years, I signed up myself at the Mooncake festival this year when members gathered for the occasion. 在今年的中秋节，我认识到了华人协会的朋友。在朋友们的鼓励下，我也加入三巴屯华人协会。
As a new president for end of 2018 – 2020, and only just been in Shepparton less than two years, I am shouting out for support and suggestions on how we can work together, building a community of friendship. 作为新的2018-2020年协会会长，我真心希望各位朋友们给予我多多的支持。
I would love to warmly welcome you to drop by at our gatherings and events. My future prospect is to gather people interested in learning about Chinese cooking, calligraphy, language, songs, arts, chess, mah-jong and lion dancing, just to mention a few here, to meet regularly for mix and mingle. We all have different talents to share and exchange. I really enjoy learning about other culture and new skills too!
在此，我欢迎大家来参加我们的协会和参与我们的活动。我希望可以让更多爱好中式美食，中国书法，语言，歌曲，美术，象棋，麻将和有兴趣学习武狮的朋友们可以共同在这里建立友谊，寻找到乐趣，同时交流各国文化！
Jasmine Wang, Committee Member理事
Hello, I’m Jasmine Wang, from Beijing, grown up in a loving family with a great emphasis of education.
I have being employed as a teacher in a middle school in Beijing for more than 10 years, teaching from Year 7 to Year 9.
From 2003, I started to work in the teaching department in the school, helping teachers complete teaching programs, enhancing their teaching skills to give more efficient outcomes.
In 2007, I was selected to undertake further training on educational administration, learning how to assist headmasters with school affairs.
In January 2009, I undertook a short course on English teaching at Melbourne University in Australia. During those years, not only did I learn how to pass the knowledge to our students, but also learned how to communicate with teenagers, parents and fellow staff. The happiest thing was seeing my school achieved a certain level after all the hard work.
In July 2010, after a Chinese school year finished, I left my school where I had being working for 14 years, and started my new life in Australia.
Moving to Australia is a huge step for me, not just a distance changing from North to South, but also the total environment, the living style, and even the way of thinking… This time, I became a new student again, a student of new life.
Thanks for my beloved husband, who has been giving me lots of support and encouragement, helping me adapt myself to the new style of life. I still remember his words, “China is your motherland, and Australia is your homeland.” Yes, he was right. I am so happy that I took this step. Now I’m a little potato and enjoying my potato life.
From 2011, I gained experience in food handling and customer service in a local Chinese restaurant.
In 2015, I completed courses in Education Support Cert IV, and have been a volunteer in a few primary schools.
Since I arrived here, I have been experiencing a great deal about different society and cultures. It gives me opportunities to open my eyes, learning new things and meeting different people with different cultures.
At the end of 2017, I attended some activities organized by GVCA. I met some lovely people there, and started getting knowledge about the association. This year I was introduced to join our committee. I’m happy to take the opportunity to cooperate with other members and do whatever I can do to assist our Chinese community.
大家好，我叫Jasmine，来自北京。来澳洲前我一直在北京一所中学工作，从事初中教学与管理工作。工作中我学会了如何与青春期孩子们进行有效沟通，与家长们一起建立良好的家校关系，组织校内教师培训、与其他部门合作开展各种教学实践活动，在完成教委要求的教学任务的同时，帮助孩子们建立积极向上的人生观和价值观。在十四年紧张繁忙的工作中，我和我的同事们、孩子、家长一起成长，对教与学有了很多新的认识。
2009年1月，我和其他学校的同行，利用假期来到墨尔本参加了为期一个月的短期培训，并负责照片和影像资料的采集任务。短短几个星期让我有机会放慢脚步，放下学校的一切繁杂事务，欣赏镜头里捕捉到的每一个人、每一个瞬间。我忽然意识到自己缺少或错过了一些什么，那就是自己的生活。在激烈的竞争和强大的压力下，在快节奏的城市生活中，人们就像在流水线上的定制快餐，没有时间细细品味它的味道和琢磨它的营养。回国后身边同事和亲人相继病倒，让荣誉、地位和金钱，相比人们的健康生活，更显得微不足道。
2010年7月在一个学年结束后，我离开了工作了14年的学校，离开了喧嚣的大都市，最后来到这个约五六万人口的小城镇，开始了一种不同以往的全新生活。
几年的澳洲生活使我逐渐静下心来，慢慢欣赏周围的一切：如和家人在一个小镇的小餐馆里安静地品尝一块糕点、在行人稀少的路上与陌生人点头问好、感受日出日落的美好瞬间……也尝试着做一些自己喜欢的事：外出旅行、养花种菜、学习简便的烹饪技巧、用手机记录生活点滴，阅读喜欢文字与朋友们分享，给身边遇到困难的人一些安慰鼓励和帮助……还有很多事等着我以后学习和尝试。
去年底开始，我有机会参加了几次华人会活动，又结识了一些善良又热爱生活的新朋友，他们利用业余时间，用自己的热心和热情，在生活和工作上给新移民和华人群体尽可能的信息和帮助，让这个小城镇充满了温暖。我愿意和大家一起，尽己之力为本地的华人做些力所能及的事，帮助大家更加开心健康地生活。
Dr Paul Chen, Committee Member 理事
I was born in Sichuan Providence, China and migrated to New Zealand in 2006.
I completed my PhD in animal science in New Zealand before moving to Shepparton in 2017 to take up a lecturer position at Dookie Campus, The University of Melbourne.
I share the visions of GV Chinese Association. I am committed to promote the positive aspects of Chinese culture to the GV community and also happy to support the settlement for newly arrived individuals and families of Chinese descent。
我出生于中国四川. 2006年我移民到了新西兰。 在新西兰完成动物科学博士学位之后，我成功获得了墨尔本大学（杜克校区）讲师职位。我于2017年举家来到三八屯生活。 作为协会理事，我希望能过贡献于弘扬华人文化，同时给予新来的华人朋友们提供必要的帮助。
Doris Nilsen, Founder of GVCA (1999), Secretary (1999-2001), President (2001-2008, 2012), Vice-President (2013-Sept.2016)
I was born in China, grew up in Hong Kong, married and lived in Canada for six year before moved to Australia in 1980. Before retiring two years ago I had been a full time housewife, business owner, a student and a teacher.
Early in 1999 at a public multicultural meeting in Shepparton, I came to know that there was no organization that represented the local Chinese Community. After that meeting I contacted everyone with a Chinese name in the phone book and invited them to form a representative group. Late in 1999, with the help of an enthusiastic group, the first general meeting took place at The Chinese Family Restaurant in Wyndham Street, and our GV Chinese Association was so established.
I held the position of Secretary in 1999-2001, the position of President in 2001- 2008 and again in 2012, and Vice-President since 2013.
Andrew Pang, President 会长 (Nov. 2011-Sept.2016)
Andrew is an accountant at Perta Thomson Partners, Shepparton. He has been the Association’s President since 2012. He is also a board member of the Ethnic Council Shepparton and Districts.
Andrews sees the Association as a community group for the Chinese, friends of Chinese and those interested in China for the Goulburn Valley Region. The Association relies on memberships and government grants to provide networking, support and public engagement opportunites for everything Sino-ralated in the Goulburn Valley.
The Goulburn Valley Chinese Association runs a bi-monthy networking lunch for members and friends and a region wide Chinese New Year Festival.
Xiao Hua Pan, Treasurer (2013-Sept.2016)
My name is Xiao Hua Pan. I was born in Southern China and came to Australia after marrying my Australian husband in October 2011.
I worked as a nurse for five years in Chinese Traditional Medicine hospital in the capital city NanNing . After my daughter was born I decided to leave my job in nursing to study accounting. When I graduated I worked as an accountant in the Chinese Construction Bank for fifteen years until I came to Australia .
I studied English for two years at TAFE. I also obtained a Childcare Certificate 3 .
In my spare time I do volunteer work with my husband in his Rotary Club and I am the treasurer of The Goulburn Valley Chinese Association .
Mimi Leung, Committee member (2015-Sept.2016)
Mimi was born in Hong Kong and grew up in England, studying art and design at Central St. Martins and the Royal College of Art in London before moving back to live in Hong Kong for a few years. Eventually she moved to Australia and settled in Shepparton in 2014, via a stint in the Central Australian Desert, Alice Springs and Melbourne. She is a freelance illustrator and exhibiting artist, with interests in music and writing. She currently works as Cultural Development Officer at Shepparton Art Museum.
Shira Pui-See Lam, Committee member (Sept.2016-Sept.2017)
Shira is a given name, also known as song, a Hebrew name. I am passionate about Ideas Worth Spreading. You are welcomed to talk to me “ Speading & Developing” ideas, including: Agriculture. Business and Fashion. Humour. Neurosicience. Psycho-geriatric Care. Tourism. Water. Australian Chinese Community is continually growing and developing. The real community spirit and strength of community is: We are together, we are responsible for the care and devlopment of the “Growing and Developing”.
我期盼大家, 花點時間彼此聯絡您認識的朋友。讓大家盡情分享, 討論任何話題。將這個團體變得更開闊, 聯繫更緊密。
Eddie Yuan, Committee member 理事 (Sept.2016-Sept.2017)
I came to Australia from Hong Kong. It’s been 42 years, 36 of which is in Shepparton. I lived in Sydney and Melbourne before moving to Shepparton. I felt in love with this small town. I loved the people here and it is a loving place. So I decided to make it my permanent home. I have three daughters, a son, four grand-daughters and a grand-son.
I am from a family in catering business. I used to work in the industry, too. I was happiest when seeing customers enjoying a good meal, or joining them for a drink.
I love coffee, Australian football, dance and Yoga.
As a senior member of the Association, I hope to see people coming together, happy, work together for the Association, making it better and better, and always united for common goals.
I will support the Association 100%. I am prepared to act as contact point and get the words out to other Chinese speaking people about our Association.
我从香港来澳洲已经42年了，其中36年生活在SHEPPARTON 这个小镇，从悉尼到墨尔本再到SHEPPARTON，自己很喜欢小镇的人和这个有爱的地方。决定把家常年扎到这里，现在我已经有三个女儿，一个儿子，四个孙女和三个孙子。
我较早前是做家族餐馆生意的，最开心就是看到很多顾客都来餐馆吃饭跟在他们一起喝酒。
我的兴趣是喝咖啡，也很喜欢澳洲足球，跳舞及瑜伽运动。
对一个老华人会员来说，希望大家团结，开心，合心合力把华人会搞好，有事大家商量一条心。自己和100%支持华人会的工作。 并且愿意作为外联把结识的其它地方的华人会和我们SHEPPARTON的华人会联合起来。