"Honouring History, Passing on Spirit, Strengthening Body, Nurturing Healthy Community." - Victorian Chinese Cross-Generation Sports Day Successfully Held

秘书处
Aug 27
3 min read

The Federation of Chinese Association (VIC) Secretariat. August 26 2025

On the evening of August 21, the Cross-generational Sports Day commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, hosted by the Federation of Chinese Associations (VIC) (hereinafter referred to as “FCA”), was successfully held at Doncaster Secondary College.

Themed on commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, this event, through the integration of sports and culture, called for remembering history, passing on its spirit, and further strengthening community cohesion and cultural confidence. The event attracted over 500 community members from community groups, families, and youth groups, creating a lively atmosphere and showcasing the unity, vitality, and progressive spirit of the Chinese community in Victoria.

In his welcome speech, Chen Yunguo, President of the FCA, noted that these games not only represented the spirit of unity and hard work through events like basketball, relay races, and tug-of-war, but also evoked reflection on peace and unity through an on-site exhibition of World War II historical photos. He emphasized, "Such cross-generational gatherings can not only evoke memories for the elders, but also help the younger generation understand the significance of peace and responsibility."

The sports event was co-hosted by Anna Wang, Deputy Secretary-General of the Victorian Chinese Association, and He Xu, Vice Chairman of the Chinese Association of Professionals and Scholars, Australia. The sports meet opened with a courtly welcome dance and the performance of ‘I Love You, China’, winning rounds of applause. The national anthems of Australia and China, jointly sung by winners of the ‘Cultural China · Water Cube Cup’ Chinese Song Contest together with the panel of judges, stirred deep emotions among the audience. During the intermission, a Tai Chi performance by the Henan Association team of over 60 members from the FCA’s Arts Alliance further demonstrated the resilience and composure of Chinese culture through their precise and unified movements.

The competition segment was full of excitement. On the basketball court, the two teams of the Poly Cup 'Veterans team' faced off against the FCA’s and the Scholars’ 'Rookie Team'. In fierce battles between seasoned players and rising stars, the Poly Cup 'Veterans' Team B ultimately claimed the championship, showcasing the strength and perseverance of the older generation.

The women’s ‘Passing the Torch’ relay combined elements such as the three-legged race and basketball dribbling relay, testing not only physical strength but also teamwork and coordination, symbolizing the passing of spirit across generations. The Scholars’ sports team claimed the championship in this event.

The grand finale, the "United as One" tug-of-war competition, brought the atmosphere to a climax. Guests including FCA Chairman Chen Yunguo, Deputy Consul General of the Chinese Consulate General in Melbourne Chen Xiaodong, Manningham City Council Mayor Deirdre Diamante, Manningham City Councillor Anna Chen, and Whitehorse City Council Mayor Andrew Davenport also joined the tug-of-war team, winning enthusiastic cheers from the audience. The FCA team won the competition.

In the final awards ceremony, guests presented trophies and medals to the winning teams. These trophies and medals not only belonged to the winners but also served as a testament to the hard-working spirit of all participants. The Cross-generation Sports Games concluded successfully in a warm and enthusiastic atmosphere.

The Cross-generation Sports Day was more than just a sporting event; it was also a platform for inter-generational exchange and historical education. It allowed young people to understand responsibility through sports and elders to see hope in the legacy of their ancestors. Remembering history and cherishing peace, the games have concluded, but the intergenerational unity and fighting spirit will continue to inspire the Victorian Chinese community to move forward.