Paul Barber, Mayor of Parramatta NSW (2008)

The story of the Chinese in our city is almost as old as Parramatta itself. For nearly two centuries of dynamic Chinese people has riched our city its wealth and its culture. And now as Parramatta become the central hub of western Sydney, the Chinese are here at our center as one of our largest communities. That’s just one reason why Parramatta stages such a huge calendar of events for Chinese New Year and why I’m delighted today to welcome the fabulous Divine Performing Arts troop. They bring alive the power and beauty of the ancient Chinese culture. I pay my respect to that great culture and I wish you all great health and prosperity in this year of the rat.