John Alexander (Bennelong, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The lunar new year is being celebrated around the world but the festivities can be no greater than in my electorate of Bennelong. The big event and street parade in Eastwood will be held this weekend; however, the celebrations have already begun in earnest. In particular, last weekend saw the much anticipated return of the Lunar New Year Cooking Competition. This year it was again run under the excellent stewardship of community leader Mr Hugh Lee. This event drew on local personalities including the inspector for the Ryde police, Richard Puffet —he does sauteed parking tickets; Omar Amed of the Ryde United Community Cultural Centre; Rita Lepedjian from Ryde Hunters Hill Symphony Orchestra; and even our own member for Barton.

This was the sixth time I have competed and, despite seeing the award go to such people as Victor Dominello, ably assisted by his mother, I had always left empty-handed. Modesty prevents me from saying who won this year's event, but it was not the member from Barton! Thank you to Hugh Lee and Danny Yap for their wonderful work with the Easter lunar new year celebration, and may I say 'Kung hei fat choy.'