ChungWah Magazine Vol.6 - 献给母亲的爱 To Mum with Love by CARL's CITE Pty Ltd

第6期 ISSUE No.6 2012年5月 May 2012 双语双月刊 Bilingual Bimonthly Magazine www.chungwah.org.au

献给母亲的爱

TO MUM WITH LOVE 中华会馆编辑出版 Published by Chung Wah assoCiation

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Wills, Deceased Estate Administration & Trustee Services

办理一份持久授权委托书或遗嘱。超过半数的西澳成年人没有为自己盘算“身后事”，没有考虑在丧失了心智能力无法做决策时该怎么办，或者死后他们的财产应该如何处理。即使您已立下遗嘱，也需要定期检查，尤其是有结婚、分居、离异、事实婚姻、孩子出生或死亡等情况发生的时候。许多人错误地认为，指定某位朋友或亲人作为自己的遗嘱执行人，是对亲朋的一种馈赠或一种特权。而且还有人认为，指定一位朋友意味着可以节省大笔的物业管理费用。事实上，遗嘱执行人的工作并不容易，需要很多精力和时间，尤其是当这个人还处于失去亲朋的悲痛之中或遭遇家庭纠纷的时候。 “公共信托”是一家独立、公正的法定组织，专门提供遗嘱草拟、持久授权委托书、已故者物业管理、信托管理，以及私人管理协助等服务。“公共信托”下属的西澳遗嘱银行，安全地保存着 10 万份遗嘱。遗嘱执行人协助服务，能在遗嘱检验的繁复法律程序方面，为执行人提供帮助。为您省心省事，今天就联系“公共信托”。

Getting your legal affairs in order is an important part of your life planning. Most people don’t realise that an Enduring Power of Attorney or a Will are legal documents. Many people have superannuation policies, retirement funds and insurance policies, yet simply put off making an Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) or their Will until it’s too late. Over half of all adult Western Australian’s haven’t planned for what may happen to them if they lose the mental capacity to make decisions or what happens to their assets after their death and how they might be distributed. Even if you have a Will, it still needs to be regularly reviewed - particularly if marriage, separation, divorce, a de facto relationship or the birth or death of a child occurs. There is a common misconception that it is a compliment to appoint a friend or relative as your executor and that it is a position of privilege. In addition, people believe that appointing a friend also means significant savings in the cost of administering the estate. In fact, the duties expected of an executor are difficult, demanding and time-consuming, especially when the executor is grieving or there is family friction.

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The Public Trustee is an independent and impartial statutory authority that specialises in Will Drafting, Enduring Powers of Attorney, Deceased Estate Administration, Trustee Management and Private Administrator Support. The Public Trustee’s WA Will Bank holds over 100,000 Wills in safe custody. The Executor Assist Service assist executors through some of the difficult legal requirements of seeking Probate. For peace of mind, contact the Public Trustee today.

我们的声音 Voice of chung Wah

推荐电影《金陵十三钗》上一期“金兰情缘”专题，令我感触尤深。我来自台湾，是独生女，13岁就远离父母赴海外求学，之后又独自在异乡定居。 20多年来，感谢神让我有幸结交到几位姐妹般的知心好友，陪我走过人生的不同阶段。当看到《关于女性友谊的电影推荐》一文时，我想把带给我感动的电影《金陵十三钗》也推荐给大家。它以1937年的南京大屠杀为背景，描述了秦淮河上的13位风尘女子及一群教会的年轻女学生，如何在一所荒废的天主教堂里共度患难，从起初的彼此排挤、斗争，到最后13位大姐挺身而出，为了妹妹们慷慨赴死的感人经历。虽然我觉得片中那些展现日军屠杀和摧残中国百姓的画面过于血腥和暴力，但是我更为中国女人在这样生不如死的艰难时刻，仍能坚强地面对一切，彼此照顾和奉献的情义而感动。故事里两批年龄、身份和背景截然不同的女性，虽然各有软弱、自私的一面，但是为了不向邪恶低头，她们最终都选择了爱与勇气。观影过程同时唤起了我的民族意识。中华民族曾经的苦难不得不让我反思：作为华人，不管出生在哪里，属于大中国的哪一个部分，能有今天，都不容易。我们的今天，是先人牺牲了无数生命捍卫得来的。不管政治分歧如何，大家都是苦过来的，何必相煎太急？先人在天之灵最大的安慰，应该是看到炎黄子孙可以彼此肯定和珍惜，就如同电影里的十三位女子，在紧要关头为了保护同胞，甚至可以牺牲自己的生命。我想说，身为中华后裔的我们，不要让历史分割了彼此，而是应该更加的团结。我愿与你们共勉。

曹佑如

MORE ON SISTERLY LOVE Thank you for your special feature on “Sisterly Love” in your last edition of

Many of our ancestors would have been affected by, if not the Nanking Mas-

Chung Wah Magazine. It really resonated with me. Having left home and lived

sacre, by one war or another. This movie reminded me that whether we were

overseas since 13, I don’t know how I could have managed without the special

born in China, Taiwan, Singapore or Malaysia, we are all Chinese. Many of our

sisterly friendships that I have been blessed with throughout my life.

ancestors suffered and paid a price. Whatever we have today did not come easy.

I noticed in your list of movies on female friendship, “The Flowers of War” was not mentioned. It is a movie released in January this year; a story about a group of convent schoolgirls and women from a local brothel taking refuge together in a Catholic cathedral during the Nanking Massacre. They start off with holding serious animosity towards each other but end with laying down one’s life for another. As one critic puts it, the movie is “an unsettling mixture of spectacular brutality and sentimentality….”. Although I agree with some critics’ views on how the movie could have avoided some of its overly explicit scenes of massacre and notoriety of the Japanese

In order to honour the sacrifice that our forefathers had made for our freedom today, instead of rushing to criticize and belittle each other, perhaps we ought to affirm and support each other more as fellow Chinese descendents. I felt a quickening in my heart that said “Let not History divide us “ while watching the movie in Shanghai. If thirteen ladies can lay down their lives in the movie for one another at a time when there was so much pain and grief permeating the entire nation, mustn’t we unite ourselves in solidarity even more in the time of peace and prosperity? Just a thought. Shirley TSAO

soldiers, I believe it is the intention of both the author and the director to reflect the strength, resilience and solidarity of Chinese women in the face of such intense adversity. What unimaginable depth of agony they must endure in order to survive. It also captures human frailty as well as our amazing ability to reconcile and transform for a greater purpose. The “special” big sisters struggled between their own selfishness and the decision to become selfless for the younger ones, despite the little ones’ initial hostility and disrespect towards them. In the end, they have exemplified the greatest form of love, by giving up their own lives, for their sisters.

我们的声音 Voice of chung Wah

“钻石婚”纪念日时夫妻同切蛋糕 Cutting the Diamond wedding anniversary cake

携手六十年的纪念梁英源夫妇1952年时的结婚照 Wedding photo taken in 1952

《中华会刊》第五期上登载的《歌声中的金兰

彼此性格的不同，同甘共苦，互敬互谅；我们共同创

情》一文，真实记录了洪淑贞女士由越南逃难来澳

业，共同抚育4个儿女长大成才。如今，我们的孩子

时充满劫难的经历，大家都非常感动，我们祈祷上

也全部都在珀斯定居，大家都有安定的生活和工作。

主恩赐和保佑洪老师合家安康、健康长寿。

今年适逢我俩结婚60周年纪念，这是珍贵的钻

我和太太来自印尼，在我们来澳之前，作为华

石婚！有人说，幸福的婚姻是两个彼此宽容之人的

人，我们也曾因为针对华人的歧视性政策所导致的

结合。回首来时路，我们依旧彼此信任、宽恕，并

种族冲突，而在印尼生活在恐惧之中。在所有的冲

时常感激对方，这种柔美、恬静、关怀的晚情，越

突事件中，华人都是首当其冲，成为代罪的羔羊，

老就越能体现在日常生活中。我想感激太太60年来对

那时的我们同样希望能够尽快离开印尼。终于，我

家庭的无私奉献；我想说，老伴呀，辛苦你了！如

们在1987年4月正式移民西澳，抵澳后虽然在语言和

果没有你，就没有我们的今天。

生活习惯上有诸多不便，但是在当年6月我们就找到了中华会馆，同时申请成为会员，在“中华妈妈” 阮丽茹和郭郑素雯郭太的诸多帮助和照顾下，我们

梁英源会员号码：4195

得以很快适应这里的气候、环境和生活习惯。如今，我们的会籍已经长达25年。《中华会刊》第二期中的《心灵之约》写道，无论你来自何方，无论你说什么语言，无论你在生活上的任何感受，还是所见所闻的有感而发，无论是句话，还是一篇文，都可以与会刊联系。在此，我特别想感谢我的太太陪我携手走过60多年的风雨人生，同时也特别感谢儿女们2001年在印尼雅加达酒家为我俩庆祝50周年金婚纪念。2011年，在珀斯科莫天主教堂我俩再次庆祝了60周年钻石婚纪念。即使幼年就已相识，但是我和太太的结合并非一帆风顺，我们几经分离方才终成眷属。婚后我们接纳

梁英源和黄幼华夫妇“钻石婚”纪念日全家福 Family portrait taken on the Diamond wedding anniversary of A Njan LIONG and Yoe Fa WONG

我们的声音 Voice of chung Wah

HAND IN HAND FOR 60 YEARS

This year being our 60th wedding anniversary,

Local Government; Heritage; Citizenship and Multi-

represents a precious diamond anniversary. Some

cultural Interests.

The true story of Trinh Hong entitled “Finding Sis-

people say that “a blissful marriage is the union

terly Love Through Songs” depicting her traumatic

of mutual forgiveness by two people”. Along our

escape from Vietnam, published in the 5th edition

journey, we have always trusted each other, always

of the Chung Wah Magazine, was very touching and

ready to forgive each other, appreciated each other,

heart felt. We pray to god to bless Trinh and her

and still do so. The older we get, the more we ap-

family for a long and healthy life.

preciate and enjoy the pristine and wonderful later

My wife and I originated from Indonesia. Before coming to Australia, as ethnic Chinese in Indonesia, we were subject to discriminatory legislation against Chinese which sparked racial conflicts causing the Chinese in Indonesia to live in fear. In all these incidents, it was the Chinese people who bore the brunt of the consequences and made the

years of our lives. I would like to thank my wife of 60 years for her unselfish contribution to the family. I would like to say: My dear partner, it has been

Sammy spoke about harmony being a two way street in a light hearted and practical manner, which kept the 200 plus audience captivated and rupturing into laughter throughout the speech. At the end of the award presentation, he was widely congratulated by people from all backgrounds, on an excellent speech that was highly relevant and one which fully connected with them. (Reporter: Tina QIU)

tough on you! We would not have what we possess today without you. A Njan LIONG Membership Number 4195

叶俊帆会长在2012 西澳多元文化颁奖礼上致辞

scapegoat. At the time, we only wished that we

西澳多元文化社区服务颁奖礼，由

could leave Indonesia as soon as possible. Eventu-

西澳多元文化利益办公室主办，它作为一

ally, we migrated to WA in April 1987. Upon arrival

PRESIDENT SAMMY YAP SPEAKS AT THE 2012 OMI AWARDS

项年度盛事，旨在表彰通过平等参与和推

we found the Chung Wah Association in June that

The annual Western Australian Multicultural Com-

社团和商业人士。去年，中华会馆荣获了

year, and applied to join as members. Under the

munity Service Awards recognise Western Aus-

社区服务优秀奖。

care and assistance from “Chung Wah Mother”, the

tralian individuals, organisations and businesses

late Edie Hoy Poy, and Theresa Kwok, we were able

who have achieved excellence and innovation in

to adapt quickly to the local climate, environment,

advancing a multicultural society through participa-

and lifestyle. Until today, we have been members of

tion, equity and promotion. The awards are admin-

the Association for 25 years.

istered by the Office of Multicultural Interests (OMI).

here, we experienced a lot of inconveniences due to differences in language and lifestyles. Fortunately,

In the 2nd edition of the Chung Wah Magazine, I remember reading the “Connecting With You” section

Last year, the Chung Wah Association won the Community Service Excellence Award category.

where you wrote “No matter where you are from,

At the 2012 awards held on 14 March at the UWA

what language you speak, whatever is on your

club, Chung Wah President, Sammy Yap, was in-

mind, whatever you have seen or heard, you can

vited to speak at the presentation ceremony. He

connect with us, be it just a sentence or an article”.

was the only guest speaker other than the host of

Hence, through this channel, I would like to thank

the awards, the Hon John Castrilli MLA, Minister for

my wife for accompanying me in the last 60 years

广，为形成一个和谐的多元文化社会而取得了优异成绩和革新目标的西澳州个人、

2012年度颁奖礼于3月14日在西澳大学会所举行，中华会馆会长叶俊帆应邀在颁奖典礼上致辞，荣幸地成为了除主办方代表——西澳遗产、公民和多元文化利益部长约翰∙卡斯特里利之外，唯一的致辞嘉宾。叶俊帆以轻松和例举的方式，讲述了通过双行道方式来促进多元文化和谐的主题，现场200多名观众不时报以会心的笑声。事后，叶俊帆受到了来自不同文化背景听众的祝贺，他们认为这是一场成功的演讲，主题同他们紧密相关。(秋小天报道)

of my life, as well as my children for celebrating our 50th golden anniversary in Jakarta in 2001. In 2011, we celebrated our 60th diamond anniversary at the Como Catholic church in Perth. Even though we have known each other since a young age, my union with my wife wasn’t smooth sailing. We experienced a number of twists and turns before finally ending up as a couple. After marriage, we accepted our differences in personalities, endured tough times together, and afforded each other mutual respect and understanding. We built our career and family hand in hand, and brought up our 4 children to become successful adults. Currently, all our children live in Perth with stable careers and comfortable lives.

PRESIDENT SAMMY YAP SPEAKS AT THE 2012 OMI AWARDS 叶俊帆会长在2012 西澳多元文化颁奖礼上致辞

难民营往事 Recalling The Refugee Camp

献给母亲的爱 To Mum with love

目录 CONTENTS 神秘东方 MYSTERIOUS ORIENT

松柏常青 Community & Aged Care

千古《木兰诗》

当我们社区的义工 Volunteering Our Own Community

扑朔迷离话木兰 54

难民营往事 Recalling The Refugee Camp

Mulan The Woman Warrior

向您介绍我们的咨询服务 Introducing CAC Enquiry Service

To Mum With Love

外面的世界 The World Outside

常青学院调查结束 Evergreen College Survey Completed

写给我最爱的母亲

妈妈您辛苦了！ I love you, Mum!

亲爱的妈妈，我想对您说...... Dear Mum...

我和妈妈的亲密瞬间 Intimate Moments with Mum

向母亲致敬 Salute To Our Mothers

我们的声音 Voice of Chung Wah

献给母亲的爱 TO MUM WITH LOVE 6

崇高的母爱 A Mother’s Sacrifice

母亲节的只言片语 Mother’s Day Thoughts & Quotes

我们也是母亲 We Are Mothers Too

母亲节美丽小贴士 Mother’s Day Beauty Tips

军中巾帼：站在女权斗争的最前线 Women in Australia’s Military : On the Frontline of the Gender War

华人星光 Shining Star 46

任国雄荣获澳大利亚国庆日奖 Dominic Yam Receives An Australia Day Award

活动早知道 Staying Ahead 39

吃喝玩乐在珀斯 What’s on in Perth?

会员优惠 Members’ Benefits 58

会员优惠计划加盟伙伴名单 Membership Discount Scheme Participating Outlets List

会员优惠计划优惠券 Members Discount Scheme Vouchers

连载专栏：寻根问祖 Regular Column - In Search of Cultural Identity and Heritage

墨尔本购房优待券 Melbourne Property Purchase Offer

友谊篮球赛优惠 YouYi Basketball Ticket Discount

旅游优惠 Travel Discount Offer

主播随笔 Broadcasters’ Journal 47

广播中的平衡 Balancing Public Expectations And Personal Ideals

第五篇：活字印刷 Part 4: Digital Era of The Chinese Language

中华黎明中文学校 Chung Wah Chinese School (Leeming) Aulberry Parade, LEEMING 6149 电子邮箱 E-mail Address cwcsleeming@hotmail.com

中华会馆总部 Chung Wah Hall & Administration Office 128 James Street Northbridge WA 6003

电话 Telephone (08) 9328 8657 传真 Facsimile (08) 9227 5694 电子邮箱 Email chungwah@chungwah.org.au 网址 Website www.chungwah.org.au 木兰从军 Mulan the Woman Worrior

通信地址 Mailing Address PO Box 73, Northbridge, WA 6865

中华摩利中文学校 Chung Wah Chinese School (Morley) Bramwell Road, NORANDA 6062 电子邮箱 E-mail Address chungwah_chinese_morley@y7.mail.com

中华青年组 Chung Wah Youth 电子邮箱 E-mail Address kwokjustin@yahoo.com.au

中华舞狮团 Chung Wah Lion Dance Troupe 电子邮箱 E-mail Addres chungwah@chungwah.org.au

版权 COPYRIGHT 中华舞蹈团 Chung Wah Cultural Dance Troupe

发行

Pulished by

中华会馆

Chung Wah Association

中华社区与长者服务部

社长叶俊帆

Publisher Sammy YAP

9/117 Brisbane Street Perth WA 6000

编辑工作室 Editorial Team 主编秋小天

Chief Editor Tina QIU

副主编饶逸生

Deputy Chief Editor Dr Yit-Seng YOW

编辑市场统筹宋丽君

Editor Marketing Coordinator Quin SONG

视觉设计汪德泉

Visual Designer Carl ONG

摄影周丹

Photographer ZHOU Dan

翻译何双子

Translator Dorothy HE

行政支持曾梅兰

Administration Agnes TSEU

印刷

Printed by C J King Printers

Chung Wah Community & Aged Care

电话 Telephone (08) 9328 3988 传真 Facsimile (08) 9228 3990

中华民乐团 Chung Wah Chinese Orchestra 电子邮箱 E-mail Addres chungwah@chungwah.org.au

中华社区广播电台 Chung Wah Radio FM95.3 面书专页 Facebook Page Facebook.com/Chung.Wah.Community.Radio.WA

中华会馆文化中心 Chung Wah Cultural Centre 18 Radalj Place (off Fortune Street) Balcatta WA 6021 电话 Telephone (08) 9440 0265

中华乐思中文学校 Chung Wah Chinese School (Rossmoyne) Keith Road, ROSSMOYNE 6148 电子邮箱 E-mail Address

Cost of Magazine: Members – Free of Charge Non-Members – $5 Contribution

电子邮箱 E-mail Addres chungwah@chungwah.org.au

cwcs_rossmoyne@hotmail.com

版权所有，未经允许，不得转载本刊文字及图片。 All materials and photographs contained in this publication must not be reproduced without the permission of the Chung Wah Association. 声明：《中华会刊》中的言论和观点未必出自中华会馆。因为题材来源多样，会刊基于对其真实性和准确性的理解而予以登载。对题材中的任何误差，中华会馆不予负责。 Disclaimer: Statements or opinions expressed in the Chung Wah Magazine are not necessarily those of the Chung Wah Association Inc. Materials from various sources are published on the understanding of its authenticity and accuracy. The Association does not accept responsibility for any discrepancies.

献给母亲的爱 To Mum With Love

RECALLING THE REFUGEE CAMP ◎ Tina QIU

The story of Chung Wah Association Elder Trinh Quach of her encounter as a boat people, and her friendship with famous vocal teacher, Molly McGurk, published in the last edition of the

In May 1978, 29 year old Trinh was separated from her husband

One wonders how these refugees were able to hide and

during their escape from Vietnam. With restricted mobility in

retain their cash and gold from the loss of luggage and

one leg and not a single penny on her, she embarked on a

body searches on two occasions during their journey on the

journey of unknown with four young children by her side. After

high seas. When Trinh was separated from her husband,

5 days of hell and trauma on the high seas, they finally reached

she had nothing left on her. Hence when their group arrived

the Thai refugee camp on Leamsing Island. What was the fate

at Leamsing Island, Trinh and the children could only watch

awaiting Trinh and the children?

in despondence and continued to endure hunger while

Obstacles in Settling Down

others started to purchase food and water for consumption. Fortunately, she met an old friend from her youth choir who gave them a loaf of bread a can of coca-cola. When others

Chung Wah Magazine,

According to Trinh’s memory, there were at least 1,000

has touched the hearts

Vietnamese refugees on Leamsing Island of different origins

of many readers.

and varying arrival dates. They were temporarily placed there

Based on the feedback

while awaiting intake by various countries. The conditions in

we have received in

the refugee camp were very basic and its organisation very ad

the last two months,

hoc. Other than a weekly free ration of rice with some small fish

the readers have

and drinking water, other supplies had to be acquired through

been looking forward

other means or paid for. For example, their accommodation

The old woman’s hut was very small. With the additional 5

to the concluding

in the form of a simple straw hut was built by the refugees

people moving in, there was hardly any room to move, hence

part of Trinh’s

themselves. New arrivals at the camp had no pre-existing

it could only be a temporary solution. Although the island

story with eager

accommodation waiting for them. Those with money bought

was deserted, the refugees were able to establish contact

anticipation……

huts from refugees who were on the verge of leaving, while

with their families in Vietnam through the help of an American

those without had to go up into the hills to gather straw for

priest. This no doubt brought considerable spiritual comfort

constructing the hut. Tools and hardware for the construction

to the refugees living in very difficult conditions. By chance,

had to be purchased from the local peddlers. Each day, local

Trinh overheard a conversation by two brothers from her

Thai people would come around to trade for gold and currency,

group, expressing regret of not leaving behind a gold ring for

as well as sell every day use and fresh products to the refugees

their mother before they left Vietnam. In a flash of brilliance,

at exorbitant prices.

Trinh thought of a great idea. She proposed to “borrow”

started to negotiate to buy the huts, Trinh felt a sense of despondence again which grew as the night falls. Just when she was feeling despair, an old woman invited her and the children to stay with her temporarily. Thanks to the kindness of this old woman, Trinh was able to buy some precious time in settling down.

the ring from them, sell it and buy a hut with the proceeds

献给母亲的爱 To Mum With Love

trading food for tuition fees.

and share the hut with them. She would then

Even though life

remained tough, Trinh and the children began to

write home to her family in Vietnam to buy a gold

enjoy a better quality of life. At the very least, they

ring of similar carat and weight for the brothers’

no longer needed to beg or borrow.

mother. The brothers agreed to the proposal,

Where is Home?

and Trinh eventually got her hut. Even though it was very small and broken with water seeping through each time it rained, and having to sleep

Having established contact with family in Vietnam,

on mats on the floor and put up with rat bites

Trinh found out that her husband had returned

during the night, at least Trinh and the children

home after being separated from her. Three months

had a place of their own!

after their separation, he tried to escape Vietnam again, this time with Trinh’s parents and 4 younger

Tough Times

sisters. However, there was no further news of them after their departure. Filled with anxiety,

After barely just settling down, and eating rice

Trinh would wait by the sea each day, hoping to

flavoured only with soya sauce daily, Trinh had

see her family amongst the new arrivals. To her

to worry about money, as everything on the

disappointment, each day passed by with no good

island were very expensive. She had to scrap

news. Subsequently, she sang regularly to sooth

and borrow from whatever means she could, but most refugees could barely cater for themselves. Once, when she managed to borrow 10 Thai baht, it was only enough to buy some soya sauce with it. When she returned to borrow more a week later, the other party could not help and

洪淑贞和一对儿女在良寻岛海滩 Trinh and her children on the beach of Leamsing Island

her anxiety and concern for her family. In particular

in grief, she hid and cried in the toilet, as she had to

sad song to put the young children to sleep.

during the nights, she would hum a sad song after

put on a brave face in front of the children in order not to worry them.

Under the harsh and droning living conditions in the camp, the refugees’ greatest anticipation is to be

suggested her to write to overseas relatives

Trinh felt a huge sense of guilt towards the

accepted for settlement by another country. From

for help. It reminded her of a person living in

children, not only because of the poor conditions

time to time, representatives of different countries

Queensland, Australia, whose address was given

they lived under, but also the invisible harm on

would come to Leamsing Island to select an

to her by a good friend before she left Vietnam.

their mental states of mind. An incident etched in

intake of refugees. Each time, tens or hundreds of

She immediately wrote to the Queensland person

her memory was when she was watching the sea

refugees would be accepted by different countries

for help, who not only replied promptly but also

with her son, he suddenly screamed and ran off in

based on different criteria.

sent her $50 Australian dollars. That was a huge

distress. The people around ran after him, caught

earlier arrivals, some countries such as Australia,

sum of money in the circumstances, which helped

him, and cuddled to comfort him. He was shaking

have very strict requirements, as they were only

Trinh and the children to survive for a few months

uncontrollably and kept muttering “I don’t want

willing to accept children and young people, with

in the camp. She recalled that in those extreme

to get on a boat, I don’t want to get on a boat”!

an approval rate of 20%. In contrast, the United

living conditions, the true colours of human

The people then noticed a fishing boat passing in

behaviour became clearly exposed where the

the distance. Trinh felt a sense of shock as she

“richer” people often pretended they did not see

never thought that the boat journey from Vietnam

her and the children, to avoid the embarrassment

would leave such a big mental scar on her young

of being asked for a loan.

son. Even though he was only 3 years old and did

Life was tough every day, where they often lacked money to buy food. Trinh recalled once

According to the

not really understand fear, the trauma was already deeply entrenched in him mentally.

when her 3 year old son found a piece of candy

Once, when a western journalist came to Leamsing

on the floor next to a food stall. He was ecstatic

Island to interview a refugee, Trinh played the

and ran home to ask Mum if he could eat it. After

role of interpreter. Realising that she is skilled in

getting permission, he shared it with his 4 year

English, someone gave her a simple English book

old sister. They took turns to lick and suck the

which she used to teach the 4 children and the two

candy slowly, taking time to enjoy the rare and

brothers who live with them, to learn English. Her

precious treat to make it last as long as possible.

original intention was just to prepare the children in

Watching this quietly by the side, Trinh could only

anticipation of their future settlement in a western

feel a huge sense of sadness with tears flowing

country. Unexpectedly, many families started to

uncontrollably, as she lamented that as a mother,

send their children to attend lessons with her, due

she could not even afford to buy a piece of candy

to her past experience as a teacher. Gradually, her

for the children. To avoid the children seeing her

small hut became a basic classroom with parents

洪淑贞的儿女纯英和志廉儿时在会馆参与活动 Trinh’s children, Anh and Chi Liem, participating in Chung Wah activities during their younger years

献给母亲的爱 To Mum With Love

States of America (USA) have less stringent criteria with no age

faithfuls at a grand church in Bangkok. The next day, some

or illness restrictions but with the proviso that they had been

of these faithfuls visited the refugee camp where Trinh was

rejected by other countries.

temporarily staying, to donate old clothing and items. Two

Two months after arriving on Leamsing Island, Trinh met a US representative first up. Unfortunately, she was told that she had to be rejected by other countries first before they can consider if they will accept her and the children. She waited a further 3 months before the Australian representatives came to visit. At the time, the Australian official asked why she wanted to go to 洪淑贞夫妇在越南时的结婚照 Wedding photo of Trinh and her husband in Vietnam.

Australia. She replied in English, “Because my husband said that Australia is a good country, so we must go to Australia. We are now separated from my husband, so if we go to Australia, it will give my husband the chance to be reunited with us”. Perhaps it was her honest and sincere response, as well as her ability in English, that resulted in an unexpected acceptance by the Australian government. She and the children could finally see light at the end of the tunnel!

Love and Kindness The American priest who had been helping the refugees to keep contact with the outside world, was known to the refugees as “Father De” due to his high morals (De in Chinese means moral). He persisted in visiting Leaming Island once a month, and used the visits to play postman for the refugees.

days later, Trinh received an unexpected donation of US$100 from a Hong Kong priest who was amongst the audience at the Sunday service. He heard about Trinh’s story from Father De and decided to donate the money as a departing gift for her and the children. Trinh was astounded by the donation, as in the circumstances she was in at the time, it was like the equivalent of a million dollars! With the donation, she bought a suitcase, new clothes and shoes for herself and the children. To ensure they can have rice for future meals, she used the remaining money to purchase a large rice cooker!

New Life in Perth Trinh and the children had never been on an aeroplane. With mixed feelings of apprehension and excitement, they boarded the plane from Bangkok to Perth. Trinh recalled an amusing experience during the plane journey where she and the children watched other passengers tucking into delicious looking food and beverages, with great envy. With no money left on them, and not knowing that these services were free of charge, they repeatedly turned down the air hostesses’ offers several times.

Each time, he had to bribe the local police to facilitate a smooth

On 20 November 1978, after overcoming great adversities

“mail exchange” process. When news of Father De’s inpending

and obstacles, Trinh and the children finally arrived safely

return to the United States to get married reached Leamsing,

in Perth. They were settled at a refugee reception centre

the refugees organised a special farewell party for him. Trinh

in Graylands which comprised of groups of units of

was invited to sing at the party. “At the time, my biggest worry

accommodation. Trinh was allocated a 3 bedroom unit with

was the lack of a suitable costume”, recalled Trinh. She had

a small lounge, and meals were provided at a central dining

to wear the only clothes she had in possession which was

hall together with the rest of the refugees. The government

the one she wore during the escape from Vietnam. Keeping

paid the refugees a monthly allowance which Trinh spent

in mind that the priest was a westerner, she intentionally

frugally. In the first month, she managed to save $50 which

selected two internationally renown songs, “Serenade” and

she used to repay the person in Queensland, Mr WU Jiannan,

“Back to Sorento”. Her charismatic performance touched the

whom she had never met, but who kindly helped her out

hearts of many of the audience present. A week later, Trinh

financially when she was on Leamsing Island. A few years

received a letter of praise and gratitude from Father De on her

later after she had saved enough money, Trinh made a trip

performance, which included 100 Thai baht to help improve the

to Queensland to thank Mr WU in person, and they became

quality of the children’s living conditions.

good friends since.

When Trinh and the children were relocated to Bangkok for medical examinations as part of the Australian refugee intake process, they bumped into the newly wed Father De who coincidentally returned from the USA to visit the refugees. He was delighted to see Trinh again and recalled her lovely singing voice. Seeing that it was a weekend, Father De gleefully invited Trinh to sing some hymns during a Sunday service, which she happily accepted. When she told him that she could not remember the lyrics, Father De gave her two hymn books (still in Trinh’s possession today) from which she chose two songs. After diligently practising the songs the night before, Trinh sang at the Sunday morning service in front of about 100

1978年洪淑贞和她带到澳洲的4个孩子在格里兰 Trinh and the 4 children in Graylands in 1978, not long after their arrival in Australia

献给母亲的爱 To Mum With Love

The government’s welfare department provided English lessons for the refugees, and it was where Trinh met her tuition teacher, Annie, who introduced her to vocal teacher,

Showing gratitude and Repaying the Society

Molly McGurk. Because of this, Trinh was able to sought

Her past encounter as a refugee has ingrained a strong will and

solace through music during difficult times, and developed

a gratified heart in Trinh. She and her husband have always

a life long friendship with Molly. The government also

worked hard, often holding a few jobs at the same time, and

organised social activities where local families invited

not taking breaks unnecessarily even during public holidays.

refugees for meals and gathering in their homes. With

Since arriving in Perth, Trinh was never willing to sit at home

Annie’s help, Trinh found two cleaning jobs which helped her

and continue to receive government assistance and handouts.

to eventually settle down in Perth.

She looked for every opportunity that would enable her to

Finally Reunited with Husband

live independently. When she heard a school was looking

After settling down in Perth, the only blemish was the

apply for the position despite a keen competition for the job. In

unknown fate of her husband and other family members.

February 1980, relying on her teaching experience, and ability

She strived to contain her fear and worry, and did everything

in English, Vietnamese and various Chinese languages, she

she could to search for their whereabouts by continuously

won the job amongst a field of 20 applicants with the Graylands

writing letters to refugee camps in the Philippines, Indonesia,

Primary School. Her main role was to help to settle the refugee

Hong Kong, France, and Sweden, as well as to Red Cross and

students and act as an interpreter, a job which she held for 25

other international charitable organisations. Her effort was

years. Trinh believed that life as a refugee had strengthened

rewarded 6 months later when she received a reply from

their resolve, ingraining in them an industrious mindset, as well

International Red Cross informing her that they have located

as a strong emphasis on the children’s education. Under the

to employ a teacher assistant, she gathered her courage to

her family members on the Bidong Island refugee camp in Malaysia. On hearing the good news, Trinh broke down in tears of joy, and immediately went to the Immigration Department to apply to sponsor them to come to Australia. Unfortunately, the Australian government only agreed to accept her husband. Her parents and 4 younger sisters were eventually accepted by the USA, keeping the family separated once again. In June 1979, Trinh and her husband were finally reunited in Perth after being separated for about a year. They embraced each other in tears, recalling the trauma they had endured during the journey, and fully appreciated the chance of a new life and being reunited. A year later, they decided to move out of the refugee reception centre and rented a house in Highgate. This way, they not only get to eat Chinese food every day, but also saved a lot on the cost of food. That also signified the real start of a new life for Trinh and her family. Until today, Trinh still considers Australia to be a paradise, a

洪淑贞的家人在马来西亚悲痛岛难民营时的合影，前排左起：父亲、妹妹、妈妈和丈夫，后排是其他3 位姐妹Trinh’s family at the Bidong Island refugee camp in Malaysia. Front row from left: Trinh’s father, sister, mother and husband. Back row: Trinh’s three other sisters.

lucky country that offers a great and quality life style!

献给母亲的爱 To Mum With Love

which saw her played an active role in a number of services and activities run by the Association. She was involved in setting up the first Chung Wah Chinese School (the preceding body of the current Morley Chinese School) and assumed the role of Deputy Principal. She was also nominated as the leader of the cultural group where she founded the Chung Wah Choir, as well as organised cultural performances and concerts. The first official performance was held in 1980 at the University of Western Australia’s Octagon Theatre. Due to shortage of human resources, Trinh and her fellow volunteers had to take on multiple roles, including solo singing, group singing, choreography, stage management, ticket sales, sponsorship, program production, etc. Despite the heavy workloads, everyone’s efforts were repaid with a full house at the 800 seat venue in a highly successful performance.

In the following year, the Association

established a Concert Sub-Committee, where they moved the performance to the 1,700 seat Perth Concert Hall, and 1997年洪淑贞夫妇前往美国旧金山探望家人时留影 Trinh and her husband visiting her family in San Francisco, USA in 1997

guidance of Trinh and her husband, the 4 children grew up to

achieved similar successes. During the 1980s and 1990s,

be successful adults. Trinh’s son is now a software engineer,

the Association held many large scale cultural performances

her daughter a teacher, her sister a banker, and her brother

and concerts, with the funds raised from these events going

a computer engineer in USA. She and her entire family are

towards purchasing a piano, donations to charities, and

eternally grateful to the Australian government and society, and

partially funded the purchase of the Balcatta land, etc. The

do not wish to add to the government’s burden. She continues

achievements by Trinh and the others before our time, truly

to work hard to serve as an example to others, which hopefully

represented their tireless efforts and contributions to the

will encourage the government to continue to accept intake of

Association. Trinh’s intimate association with Chung Wah is

refugees who come after them.

irrefutable, where she has given her time and effort for more

During an activity held at the refugee reception centre in 1978, Trinh met a Chung Wah member in David NG who invited her to sing at the Association’s New Year Dinner. Ever since, Trinh

than 30 years. This has taken the pride of place in her heart which is her best way of showing her gratitude and repaying the society.

commenced an enduring relationship with the Association

Beside was a song popularly sung by inhabitants of the Leamsing refugee centre –

Depressing Leamsing Island – written by an unknown refugee composer.

This song accompanied Trinh during her unforgettable times on the island, and till today, whenever she sings the song, tears would still flow. Upon our request, Trinh translated the lyrics into Chinese, from which we translated to English:

Depressing nights of Leamsing, people frantically fleeing their homes without saying goodbyes to their friends and loved ones, who are they longing for with sadness? Depressing nights of Leamsing, people looking into the distance at the land far away, how are the loved ones getting on, do they remember me? Depressing nights of Leamsing, people searching amongst the new boat arrivals, no sign of my good friends, my heart fills with sorrow. For whom? For whom? I must leave, separated from my loved ones, I reached a land of unknown. Why? Why? I left my beloved homeland, many a times I laughed, and laughed, but with tears flowing incessantly. Filled with loneliness, I watched the passing clouds in the sky, reminiscing the loved ones in my homeland. Depressing nights of Leamsing, the wrecks of the boat people crying in deep pain, waiting the day, the day I can return to my homeland.

献给母亲的爱 To Mum With Love

Editor’s Note: Even though Trinhs’ children could not recall the ordeal and trauma of their escape journey from Vietnam in their younger years, the selfless love of their mother changed their destiny forever. Upon our request, Trinh’s daughter, Anh, agreed to share with our readers her gratitude and deep affection for her mother in commemorating the up and coming Mother’s Day.

To Mum With Love

en, we never really understood all the sacrifices she made, Mum has always been an inspirational person. As young childr love and care that she could give. Only looking back now as and all the hard work she put in to give us the best education, an adult do I truly see how much she has given us. both worked seven days to make ends meet. To give me My brother and I have so much respect for mum. She and dad us out and spend family time together whenever she could piano lessons even though it meant a whole day’s pay. To take te being exhausted each day after working long hours. Most spare any time. To help us with homework and teach us despi . We are a close and loving family. There is nothing I wouldn’t of all, she taught us the family values which we still hold today they wouldn’t do for me. It is this total trust and love we all do for mum or dad or my brother, and I know there is nothing we might have faced in our lives. have for each other that allows us to pull through any hardships has imparted to us. I remember whilst growing up that Our Chinese culture and values has also been something mum encouraged, where as watching English movies or listening watching Chinese movies and listening to Chinese songs was weekend was non- negotiable. During school holidays, mum to English songs was a ‘waste of time’. Chinese school on the and learn. Now I realize that it is because of this that would make us a booklet of Chinese words which we had to copy other Asian friends I know have forgotten their mother I can now speak Chinese, which is an invaluable skill. So many converse and find my way around. tongue, where as I can confidently go to China or Hong Kong and to tell you how much I appreciate your love and sacrifices. Thank you mum for all you have done for me. There are no words and let us, your children, look after you. All I ask of you now is that you enjoy the rest of your life Your loving daughter, Anh

纯英夫妇和淑贞以及淑贞弟弟（左一，当年被带到澳洲的4个孩子之一） Anh and husband, Trinh and her youngest brother (first left, the one who came to Australia with Trinh)

1979年洪淑贞的声乐老师莫莉-麦格克教4个孩子送给淑贞的母亲节贺卡 The mother’s day card which vocal teacher, Molly McGurk, helped the 4 children got for Trinh in 1979

献给母亲的爱 To Mum With Love

中华会馆元老会会员洪淑贞在1970年代曲折感人的“船民”经历，以及她和她的声乐老师莫莉·麦格克之间深厚而长久的友谊故事，在上一期《中华会刊》中登载后，打动了很多读者的心，两个月来，我们不断收到读者的反馈，他们对于继续倾听洪淑贞在泰国难民营中的往事，充满了期待∙∙∙∙∙∙

难民营往事 ◎ 秋小天 1978年5月，29岁的洪淑贞，从越南出

前来进行黄金、美元和泰铢之间的兑换交

件与远在越南的家人取得联系，这无疑为

逃伊始就与丈夫失散，在腿脚有残疾而且

易，并向难民贩卖日用品和蔬菜、面、肉

处境艰难的难民带来了精神的慰籍和生活

身无分文的情况下，她独自带着4名幼小的

等，然而价格却不是“难民”式的，而是

的便利。在一个偶然的机会下，洪淑贞听

孩子亡命天涯。在经历了5天炼狱般的海上

贵得离谱。

到同船的两兄弟在谈话，哥哥对弟弟感叹

遭遇和漂泊之后，她们辗转来到了泰国良寻难民营。在这个荒岛上，等待着洪淑贞和孩子们的，又将会是怎样的命运？

落脚何其难在洪淑贞的记忆里，当时良寻岛上居住着至少上千名来自不同地方和不同时期的越南难民，他们被临时安置在这里，等待陆续被有关国家接收。难民营的条件非常简陋，组织也极其松散。除了每周免费发放两次大米和几条小鱼之外，包括饮用水在内，一切的衣食住行生计用品，都得靠自己来张罗或者花钱购买。以“住”为例，难民营里最普遍的是简陋的茅草屋，但是这也需要难民们自己搭建。新难民到来是没有现成的地方可住的，要么花钱向

天知道在逃难路上经过行李失踪和两次搜身之后，难民们是如何将宝贵的黄金或现钞偷藏下来的，而洪淑贞从与丈夫失散时起就已经一无所有，所以当他们一行 60多人抵达良寻时，看到别人立刻开始买水买面包狼吞虎咽时，她只好搂着饥饿的孩子们，心中充满了忧虑和彷徨，幸亏在难民营中有一位健青合唱团的旧识认出了洪淑贞，他开心地送给了她的孩子们一包面包和一瓶可乐。当人们接着又开始忙于买房时，洪淑贞再次陷入了孤立无援的境地。天色愈晚，洪淑贞也愈发地绝望，正当她一筹莫展之际，一位老婆婆主动邀请她和孩子们暂住到家中。于是在这位善良老人的收留下，洪淑贞得到了几天宝贵的喘息时间。

说，遗憾离开时没能将手上的金戒指留给妈妈。洪淑贞受到启发，想出了一个好办法，她建议兄弟俩将戒指借给她，卖掉后买个房子分一半给他们住，然后她写信给家人，让他们在越南买了一枚同等重量的金戒指送还给兄弟俩的母亲。兄弟俩同意了，就这样洪淑贞买到了一个茅草屋。尽管屋子很小也很破，每逢下雨屋顶就漏水，睡在竹席的地板上，半夜还时常被老鼠咬醒，但是洪淑贞和孩子们终于有了自己的安身之地！

度日也维艰勉强安顿下来之后，即使她们几乎天天都在吃酱油拌饭，然而洪淑贞难免还是要为钱而发愁。一开始，她只能厚着脸

那些即将离开的难民购买，要么就得自己

老婆婆的家非常狭小，再住进5个人

皮去向别人东拼西凑的借，然而难民们大

上山割草砍竹来搭建，至于建房所需的一

后，连转身的位置都没有，住在这里肯定

多都难以自保，而且荒岛上的物价贵得惊

切，大到工具，小到一颗钉子，都需要向

不是长久之计。荒岛虽然偏僻，但是难民

人，有一次好不容易借到10块泰铢，买点

泰国小贩购买。这里每天都会有泰国人

们在一位美国牧师的帮助下，可以通过邮

酱油就没了，一个星期后返回去想再多借

献给母亲的爱 To Mum With Love

一点时，对方也很困难，提醒她可以写信去向国外

焦虑，洪淑贞每天都要去

的亲戚朋友求助。这才使洪淑贞猛然想起，在她离

海边等待新来的难民船，

开越南之前，有位好友曾向她介绍了一位住在澳大

希望能在其中看到亲人的

利亚昆士兰州的朋友的地址。洪淑贞当即给那位朋

身影。然而日复一日盼来

友写信并尝试求助，对方不但很快回信，而且寄来

的唯有失望。于是她经常

了50澳元。正是这笔“巨款”，帮助洪淑贞和孩子

用歌唱来抒发对于家人的

们度过了在难民营中数月的困境。她说，在这种极

思念和内心的忧郁，尤其

端的生存状况下，人性尤其能够得到清晰地展现，

是在晚上，安抚幼儿睡觉

一些有钱人经常故意装作看不见她和孩子们的窘

时，她轻轻哼唱着悲伤的

迫，以免被借钱。

歌曲，一首又一首∙∙∙∙∙∙

日子就是这样一天天捱过来的，她们经常连

在贫困和枯燥的难

买菜的钱都没有。记得有一天，3岁的儿子在小食

民营生活中，难民们最大

摊捡到了一粒糖，开心得不得了，蹦跳着回家问妈

的期望就是很快能被其它

妈“可以吃吗？”得到允许后急忙叫来４岁的姐姐

国家接收。不定期地会有

一起分享。两人你舔一口，我舔一口，就这样举着

不同国家的代表团前来良

这粒糖在口中出出进进，谁都舍不得一口吃掉。“

寻挑选和接收难民，每次

连一粒糖都为孩子买不起”，身为母亲的洪淑贞站

都有数十至数百人的名

在一旁默默看着，内心充满了辛酸，眼泪不断地流

额，每个国家的接收条件

下，惟恐被孩子们看到，她只能躲在厕所里痛哭，

都不尽相同。据前面的难

因为在孩子面前她必须假装坚强有办法，好让孩子

民总结说，澳大利亚和一

们安心。

些国家的条件较为苛刻，

洪淑贞觉得愧对孩子们的，不仅是显而易见的穷困，还有看不见的精神伤害，有一件往事令她印象深刻，当时她和儿子站在海边，突然间儿子象是受到了很大惊吓，发狂似地尖叫着向后跑，旁边

只愿意收留孩子和青壮年，而且只有大约20%的通过率，相对来说，美国的接收条件最为宽松，老弱病残都不受限，但是这些人必须是被其它国家拒收后，才能被美国接收。

的人马上追赶上去拦住他，被大人抱住的孩子一边

在抵达良寻大约两个月后，洪淑贞第一次遇

在不断地发抖，一边还在不断地呓语：“我不要

到的是美国代表团，她不幸地被告知必须先接受其

坐船，我不要坐船。”这时人们才发现，在很远的

它国家的甄选，美国政府才能决定是否接收她和孩

海面上，隐隐驶过一艘渔船。洪淑贞觉得很震惊，

子们。好不容易等到了第５个月，才又有澳大利亚

她从未料到那段坐船逃难的经历，会给幼小的儿子

代表团来访。当时澳洲官员问她：“为什么想去澳

留下如此大的心理伤害。虽然３岁的孩子还不懂得

大利亚？”她用英文回答说：“因为老公说过澳洲

说“害怕”，但是他的心里已经被苦难深深地刻下

好，要一起去澳洲。现在我们失散了，如果我们去

了阴影。

澳洲，将来老公才有可能找到我和孩子们”。也许

有一次，有位西方记者前来良寻采访一位难民，洪淑贞充当了翻译。得知她会英文后，有人送给她一本简易的英文书，她就用这本书来教４个孩子

正是由于这样真实和诚恳地回答，加之会说英语，洪淑贞出人意料地被澳洲政府接收，她和孩子们终于看到了未来的曙光！

和同屋的两兄弟学习英文。她的初衷只是为了教育孩

慈悲与关爱

子，将来到国外的时候可以用得上，然而没料到，因为她以前身为教师的经历，使得很多家庭都将孩子送到她这里来上课，慢慢地，她居住的小屋变成了一所简易的学校。家长们用食物来充抵学费，尽管生活依旧艰难，但是洪淑贞和孩子们的基本生活得到了很大改善，她终于不用再四处借钱了。

何处是归家在与家人恢复通信联系之后，洪淑贞得知失散当天，丈夫无奈之下返回了家，在他们别离３个月后，丈夫再次尝试出逃，随行的还有洪淑贞的父母和4个妹妹，他们所有人至今杳无音信。满怀

洪淑贞在良寻岛送别德牧师的晚会上演唱Trinh performing her number at the farewell party for Father De on Leamsing Island

那位帮助难民们与外界通信的美国牧师，因被认为“富有道德”而被难民们尊称为“德牧师” 。他坚持每个月来良寻看望一次难民，并利用这个

1978年底洪淑贞的孩子在格里兰难民接待处公寓前玩耍 Trinh’s children playing out the front of the apartment of refugee reception centre in Graylands

机会为难民们充当“邮差”，每次他都要自己掏钱行贿当地警察，才能顺利地保证邮路的畅通。当德牧师即将返回美国结婚前夕，难民们特意组织了告别晚会，洪淑贞被邀请在晚会上演唱。“当时最担心的是没有合适的衣服”，洪淑贞回忆说，她一路逃亡就只有随身穿着的衣服，没有办法就只能这样上台唱。

考虑到牧师是洋人，她特意选了两首世

界名曲《小夜曲》，和《归来吧》。她声情并茂的

献给母亲的爱 To Mum With Love

演唱，感动了现场的很多听众。一个星期

民接待处，这里由很多单元房组成，洪淑

泣，她立即前往移民局提出担保，设法让

之后，洪淑贞收到德牧师的来信，他在信

贞一家5口拥有3间卧室和一间小客厅，在

他们尽快来到西澳。然而不幸的是，澳洲

中赞美和感谢了洪淑贞在告别晚会上的演

公共餐厅中和其他难民一起吃饭。政府每

政府只同意接收她的老公，最终她的父母

唱，并随信附寄了100泰铢，希望能够帮助

个月都发放难民补贴，洪淑贞省吃俭用，

和4个妹妹全部被美国政府接收，一家人

孩子们改善生活。

第一个月就省下了50块，寄还给那位在昆

天各一方，骨肉再次分离。

待到洪淑贞和孩子们被送离良寻抵达曼谷，等待接受体检前往珀斯之时，新婚的德牧师刚巧从美国返回。当他特意前往曼谷来探望难民时，再次见到了洪淑贞，

士兰州从未谋面的善心人吴健南先生。几年之后攒够了钱，洪淑贞还特意飞过去与吴先生见了面，当面感谢他的帮助，并从此成为了好朋友。

1979年6月，在颠沛流离中分别了近一年的夫妻，终于在珀斯重获团圆！夫妻二人抱头痛哭，回顾一路走来的腥风苦雨，万分珍惜这得来不易的重生和团圆机

记起她美妙的歌声，其间恰逢周日，德牧

政府福利部门为难民们提供了补习英

会。一年后，夫妻俩商量着搬出难民营，

师欣喜地问她可否到曼谷的大教堂献唱圣

语的机会，洪淑贞就是在补习班老师安妮

自己在海格特租房居住，这样他们不仅可

歌，洪淑贞愉快地接受了邀请，但是提

的帮助下，得以结识声乐老师莫莉∙麦格

以吃到中国饭菜，而且伙食费也会因为自

出已记不太清歌词，于是德牧

己做饭而节约很多。至此，洪

师又赶着送来了两本《圣诗》

淑贞全家的新生活才真正得以

（这两本书洪淑贞一直珍藏至

展开。直到今天，洪淑贞仍旧

今），洪淑贞从中挑选了两首

感慨地认为，澳洲美好得如同

圣歌，连夜进行了练习。周日

天堂，生活在天堂中实在是太

上午，在曼谷一家宏大壮观的

幸福了！

教堂中，洪淑贞成功地在近百名教徒面前进行了演唱。结果

感恩与回馈

第二天，马上就有教徒前往洪淑贞他们一行人临时歇脚的难

曾经的难民经历，带给

民营捐赠旧衣物，而且两天之

了洪淑贞一颗坚强和感恩的

后，洪淑贞更是惊喜地收到了

心。她和丈夫终生都在勤奋的

一笔100美元的捐款，原来这

工作，经常同时做几份工，节

是一位来自香港的牧师，在听

假日也不轻易休息。从刚到珀

了洪淑贞的现场演唱，以及从

斯开始，洪淑贞就不愿待在家

德牧师那里听说了她的故事之

中无偿接受政府的救济，她寻

后，特意送给她和孩子们的临

找一切可以自力更生的机会，

行礼物。洪淑贞说她被这笔意

当听说有学校招聘助教，尽管

外的收入“砸晕了”，因为在当时的环境下，“这简直就相

1979年夫妻团圆后的合照 Trinh and her husband reunited in 1979

竞争激烈，她依然勇敢地前去应征，1980年2月，洪淑贞凭

当于1百万”！用这100美元，洪淑贞买了行

克，在音乐中得到慰籍，并与莫莉成为终

借教师经历，和能说英语、越南语，以及

李箱，还为自己和每个孩子置办了一身新

生的朋友。政府还为难民们安排了社交活

多种中国方言的能力，在20名应征者中胜

衣和一双新鞋，因为担心吃米饭的问题，

动，周末时会有接待家庭将难民们接到家

出，成功地被格里兰小学录用，成为帮助

她用剩余的钱买了一个大电饭锅！

中一起吃饭和聚会。在安妮的帮助下，洪

接待难民学生的助教和翻译，并一直工作

淑贞也很快找到了两份清洁工的工作，生

了25年。洪淑贞说，难民生活锻炼了他们

活日益稳定。

吃苦耐劳的品格，而且尤其注重孩子的教

珀斯新生活洪淑贞和孩子们此前从未搭乘过飞机，带着忐忑和兴奋，她们终于坐上了由

育，在夫妻俩辛苦的教养之下，曾经的4

夫妻终团圆

个孩子全都长大成材——儿子成为了软件工程师，女儿是教师，妹妹在银行工作，

曼谷开往珀斯的飞机。这里还有一段有趣

新生活里美中不足的，就是老公和

弟弟后来去美国并成为了电脑工程师。她

的插曲，飞机上丰富多彩的食物和饮料，

家人依旧下落不明，洪淑贞克服恐惧和忧

说他们全家人始终心怀感恩之心，感激澳

令孩子们垂涎不已，但是因为身上没有多

虑，竭尽所能地搜集世界各地的难民营地

洲政府和社会，希望不要给政府增加负

余的钱，不知道这些服务都是免费的，一

址，不断地给位于菲律宾、印度尼西亚、

担，努力工作，成为榜样，使政府对难民

路上尽管空中小姐前来询问了很多次，但

香港、法国、瑞典的难民营，以及红十字

充满信心，这样政府才会乐意照顾更多后

是洪淑贞和孩子们都一直忍着说不要。

会和其它国际性的慈善机构写信，四处查

来的难民。

1978年11月20日，洪淑贞历经千难万险，终于带着4个孩子平安地踏上了珀斯的土地。她们最早被安置在位于格里兰的难

找他们的下落。皇天不负有心人，在抵达珀斯半年之后，洪淑贞终于接到来自国际红十字会的来信，他们在马来西亚的悲痛岛难民营找到了她的家人！洪淑贞喜极而

早在1978年难民接待处组织的一次活动中，洪淑贞有幸认识了中华会馆的会员吴成忠，被介绍到会馆的新年晚宴上演

献给母亲的爱 To Mum With Love

1989年洪淑贞的演出照 Trinh performing in 1989

当年洪淑贞带领孩子们参加了很多会馆活动和演出，这是女儿纯英（1点钟方位）和伙伴们一起表演筷子舞 Trinh led the children to participate in many Chung Wah activities and performances in the earlier years - her daughter Anh (1 o’clock position) and the team performing the chopstick dance

唱，从此与中华会馆结下了不解之缘。那时，洪淑贞参与创办了

同样大获成功！在1980和1990年代，中华会馆多次成功举办了大

会馆最早的一所中文学校（中华摩利中文学校的前身），时任副

型筹款音乐会，所得款项用于购买会馆的第一架钢琴，捐赠给其

校长，并被推举为文化组组长，亲手组建了中华合唱团，开始筹

它慈善机构，和资助购买中华文化中心的土地等等，里面无不包

办华人社会正式的文艺演出。第一次正式演出于1980年在西澳大

含着洪淑贞和其他前辈们的心血和奉献。洪淑贞在珀斯的岁月一

学八角剧院举行，因为缺乏人手，洪淑贞和其他同伴不得不身兼

直与中华会馆密不可分，她在这里从事了30多年的义务工作，这

数职，她不仅要独唱，合唱，担任导演和舞台总监，还要负责卖

也一直被她骄傲地视作对于社会最大的感恩与回报。

票、寻找赞助商，和拟写节目单等。尽管工作繁重，但是所有人的辛劳得到了最好的回报，800个座位的演出大厅全场爆满，而且演出获得了巨大成功！第二年，中华会馆成立了音乐会筹办委员会，将文艺演出搬到了能容纳1700人的西澳大音乐厅举办，结果

这是一首当年在良寻广为传唱的难民营之歌

忧郁的良寻岛

忧郁的良寻夜晚，有人仓促地离开了家园，未能与妻儿和朋友告别，他们在悲伤地盼望着谁？忧郁的良寻夜晚，有人向着远方遥望，不知妻儿近况如何，可还曾记得我吗？忧郁的良寻夜晚，有人站着寻找刚来的船民，为何不见好友的影踪，心中是多么的悲伤。

它陪伴洪淑贞度过了那

为了谁？为了谁？我必须出离，妻离子散我到了一个无人认识的地方。

段难忘的时光，至今每

为什么？为什么？我离开了亲爱的故乡，多少次我笑着，笑着，眼泪却在不断地流下，

当唱起它，洪淑贞依旧

孤单的我，望着天上的漂浮的白云，思念着我故乡的亲人。

会热泪盈眶。这首歌由

忧郁的良寻夜晚，难民的船骸痛哭着，期待着有一天，有一天，我能够重返故乡。

一位已不知姓名的难民作曲家创作，应本刊的请求，洪淑贞将它由越南文翻译成为了中文。

献给母亲的爱 To Mum With Love

编者按：对于当年洪淑贞费尽千辛万苦带到澳洲的一对儿女来说，即使幼年的曲折经历如今已经很难追忆，但正是无私的母爱让他们的命运彻底改变。在2012年母亲节来临之际，应本刊的请求，洪淑贞的女儿纯英愿与读者一起分享她对于母亲的感激与深情——

写给我最爱的妈妈

妈妈是一个很有感染力的人。小时候，我们从来都没有真正理解过她为我们所做的牺牲，以及她尽其所能给予我们的最好的教育、关爱和照顾。现在长大了，回想起来才真正明白她对我们的爱。我和弟弟都非常爱妈妈。妈妈和爸爸总是七天不间断地工作，花费一整天的薪水供我上一堂钢琴课。一有空妈妈就会带我们一起出去玩。辛苦工作一整天后还辅导我们做家庭作业。最重要的是妈妈教给我们的家庭观念，我们至今仍然保留着。一家人相亲相爱，非常融洽。我愿意为我的妈妈、爸爸和弟弟做任何事情，我知道他们也会为我做任何事情。就是这份信任和爱，让我们能一起渡过任何的难关。妈妈还把中国人的文化和观念传给了我们。记得小时候，妈妈总鼓励我们看中国电影、听中国音乐，而看英文电影和听英文歌被认为是“浪费时间”。周末一定得去上中文学校。放假时，妈妈会把中文词语做成一本小册子让我们抄写。现在我才明白，正是通过这种学习我才掌握了中文，这是一门非常有用的技能。我的许多亚裔朋友都已经忘记了母语，而我却能自信地往返于中国内地或香港。感谢您，妈妈，感谢您为我所做的一切。千言万语也道不尽我对您的感激。现在我们期望的就是您能安享晚年，让您的孩子好好地照顾您。爱您的女儿纯英

翻译何双子

洪淑贞夫妇与新婚的女儿女婿在婚礼上合影 Trinh and her husband with their daughter and son-in-law at their wedding reception

We are very excited to be selling the popular Entertainment™ Books which are sure to be a valuable fundraiser for the club. Entertainment™ Books contain hundreds of valuable 25% to 50% off, or 2-for-1 offers from top Perth restaurants, cafés, take-away chains, attractions, activities and hotel accommodation. Entertainment Books contain $15,000 in valuable offers that you and your family can use from now, until June 1st, 2013. In fact, you only need to use your Book once or twice throughout the year and it will have paid for itself. Some of the fine dining restaurants in the upcoming Book are: Coco’s Restaurant, C Restaurant, Mosmans Restaurant, Matilda Bay. As well as more casual dining: Sienna’s, The Vic, Hippo Creek, The Red Teapot. There is also family dining and take-away such as: Hogs Breath, McDonald’s, Hungry Jacks, Nando’s, Red Rooster plus many, many more!

The best part is that for only $65 you’ll be helping our fund-raising, with $13 from every Book sold contributing to Chung Wah Association!

Orders will be taken from late Feb, for more information please contact:

Chung Wah Office Phone: 9328 8657 Email: chungwah@chungwah.org.au

Vouchers Only Available in Printed Magazine EXCLUSIVELY FOR

献给母亲的爱 To Mum With Love

I love yo

妈 Handmade by students from Chung Wah Chinese Schools Rossmoyne, Morley, Leeming

妈

您

献给母亲的爱 To Mum With Love

ou, Mum

辛

苦

了中华乐思中文学校中华摩利中文学校中华黎明中文学校学生手工制作

献给母亲的爱 To Mum With Love

亲爱的妈妈，我想对您说...... DEAR MUM

...

◎ Written by students from Chung Wah Chinese Schools - Rossmoyne, Morley and Leeming 插图◎于红波在很久以前，我就有很多话想对

对的，什么是错的。

您说，可是每次话到嘴边都会咽下，怎么也说不出口，因为我对您的爱是无法用语言来形容的。妈妈，您是一位美丽的天使，是您赐给了我生命，哺育了我，教育了我。您的爱是雨天里的一把小伞，给我一方晴空；您的爱是冬天里的一把烈火，让我感觉温暖。我想对您说一声“对不起”！您给了我无私的爱，我却经常跟您斗嘴；每次您教育我，我都会认为您很唠叨；有时候我甚至还会对您说一些过分的话，

◎Illustrated by Ida YU

小孩子都很顽皮，当我在餐厅里不停地跑来跑去，如果正好有服务员拿着热汤走过，就很容易遇到危险，这时

受内心的折磨，我跑向妈妈，涕泪直流地喊道：“妈，您别变老好吗？我不能没有您啊！” 妈妈一听，愣住了，然后大笑起

妈妈就会上前教导我，教我学会分辨危

来：“傻孩子，你说什么啊？妈妈当然

险。

会老的啊！只要你珍惜现在，你就不会当我日渐长大，妈妈也会教我拼音

和文字。妈妈给了我基础和优势，为我进入社会做好准备。难道我不应该敬重妈妈吗？她正是我人生的第一个老师。中华乐思中文学校杨忠韩 14岁

让您失望。

后悔咯！你只要记住，当我真的老了，你懂得孝顺我，我还能埋怨什么呢？” 听了妈妈的一番话，想明白其中的道理之后，我终于破涕为笑。妈妈的白发是会越来越多——这是不可更改的事实，但是我们拥有许多美好的时光，我会珍惜这些岁月，珍惜有妈妈相伴的日子。中华乐思中文学校吴惠乐 13岁

我从小到大都一直牢牢地记住您对我说的那句话：“只要不死，生活里的

记得小时候每次从噩梦醒来，

每一个障碍都要带着微笑来面对”。谢

总是她在黑暗里陪伴我；记得她手把手

谢您对我说的那些鼓励的话，它们让我

地教我做人；记得伤心落泪时，是她抱

的人生每天都有惊喜。

着我不停地安慰。—— 她，就是我平凡的母亲！

也是您让我了解到，母爱是世界上最伟大的爱。我会努力地去奋斗，当一

我的妈妈中等身材，有着长长的头

名让人敬佩的好医生，用优秀的成绩来

发，小小的眼睛和小小的鼻子，性格外

报答您。妈妈，您的爱是我深夜里的一盏灯，给我一份独享的光明。谢谢您为我的付出，妈妈我将永远爱您。无论您变成什么样，您都是我最尊敬的妈妈，我也会是您最孝顺的女儿。中华乐思中文学校林心语 14岁在这个社会里，人们注重许多不一样的东西，但是我永远都会敬重我的妈妈，因为她是我人生的第一位老师，如果没有她，我无法变成一个对社

又是平凡的一天。放学后，我搭上巴士顺利地回到了家门口。此时，我的双脚已经累得发麻了。“妈，快开门！”我用不耐烦的语气对屋里喊道。

向。我们母子俩都最喜欢吃苹果。妈妈爱护我的点点滴滴，都让我终生难忘。有一天下午3点左右，我们还在教室上课，突然听到“轰隆隆”的雷

“来啦，来啦。”屋里传来妈妈连

声。我抬起头向窗外看，只见一道白色

声地回应，可是等了半天，她才步履缓

的闪电划过天际，然后大雨倾盆而下。

慢地前来打开了门。我看着妈妈，她的

我着急了，这么大的雨，一会儿妈妈怎

头发上明显地又新增了一片花白。虽然

么来接我呀？直到下课，大雨仍在继

当时我没有任何表示，心里却有一股说

续，我和其他同学一样，把书包顶在头

不出的刺痛。

上，冒雨冲到了学校门口。在接送的人

妈妈今年五十岁，以前四处忙碌、

群中，我一眼就看见了妈妈。妈妈忙着

不断操劳的她，体力正在逐渐地衰退。刚

招呼我坐上自行车，我看到妈妈的裤脚

开始，我还没有留意，以为那是由于她比

已经全湿了。这只是妈妈接送我上学、

我刚出生时，不懂得走路，也不懂

往常劳累的缘故。可是没想到她越来越衰

放学普通的一天，但是，它深深地印在

得说话。谁能教我呢？当然是母亲，她

弱，现在就连煮了晚饭之后，她都要休息

了我的脑海里。

从早到晚地养育着我。

至少十分钟，疲劳才会得到缓解。

会有用的人。

妈妈也是我随叫随到的家庭教师。

蹒跚学步时，妈妈牵着我的手教我

晚上，我如常前去练钢琴，因为心

每当我做作业遇到“拦路虎”继续不下

走路；第一次起跑的时候，妈妈也跟着

不在焉，手与脑根本无法配合，所以接

去时，就会去请教妈妈。妈妈认真、详

我一起跑；如果我跌倒，妈妈就会鼓励

连弹错。我一直在胡思乱想，想妈妈这

细地给我作讲解，我很快就能听懂，我

我，让我独立站起来。

么辛苦地把我养大，我现在却连叫妈妈

非常高兴有这样的妈妈。

妈妈教会我各种生活技能，帮助我了解各种规则，妈妈会告诉我什么是

来开门时语气都不好。我越想越内疚，手下不知弹错多少。最后，我无法再忍

这就是我的妈妈，我非常爱她。中华乐思中文学校康帅 11岁

献给母亲的爱 To Mum With Love

我的妈妈有一双漂亮的大眼睛和

我认为我的妈妈是世界上最好的

黑色的头发。她喜欢微笑，我的朋友都夸

妈妈，她不管做什么都是为了我好，比

我的妈妈性格好。妈妈很辛苦，每天一早

如有一天，我一写完作业就跑到院子里

起床要为我们准备早饭，还要帮我们做好

去玩，妈妈突然叫我回来，让我必须把

午饭带到学校。八点多钟，她就要赶去上

作业上的错误改正完才能出去玩。当时

班，晚上回到家后，还要做晚饭，她每天

我非常地生气，但是，我知道妈妈是为

总想办法给我们做不同的饭菜。

了我好。

妈妈对我很好，我们像朋友一样，

我爱妈妈，母亲节快到了，我准备

每天晚上我们都在一起聊天和谈心。妈

送給妈妈一件礼物。小朋友们，你们是

妈每次去买衣服总喜欢带上我同去帮她

不是也觉得你们的妈妈是世界上最好的

挑选。妈妈有很多爱好，她喜欢跑步、

妈妈？母亲节的时候，你们是不是也应

读书，也喜欢看中国电视剧，她有空也

该送給妈妈一件礼物？

和我打乒乓球。

中华乐思中文学校5B班曹南茜

虽然妈妈很温柔，但是对我很严

我：“一定要小心手指头”。当我把菜

格，不让我看太多电视和玩太多电子游戏，我知道妈妈这是为我好，所以，我非常爱我的妈妈。

母亲节快到了，首先我要谢谢您给我们所有的爱。

中华黎明中文学校 7A班杨丽娅

您为了养育哥哥、弟弟和我而辛苦地工作，每天很晚才回家。您也很关心

妈妈你知道我为什么爱你吗？

我们的学习进展，常常询问我们有关功

因为你每天照顾我、做家务，成天忙

课和学校的情况。虽然有时我们会觉得

到晚，让我真的很佩服。我每天看你在

您有点儿烦，但是我们也知道您是出于

医院帮助病人，我心里真的很难过。每

好心才问的。

逢星期六，妈妈都要带我去中文学校和学钢琴；每当我生病时，妈妈就会很细心地照顾我；当我考试没考好时，妈妈也不会生气，因为她知道我有努力地学习。

记得有一次我发高烧，您没去上班，留在家里照顾我，您把三餐都送到我的床旁，一直注意着我的病情，夜里也经常起身察看我的体温，一旦体温升高您就会拿块湿布放在我的头上，守着

妈妈你是我的偶像，请不要担心，

我，直到温度慢慢退下，您才放心。

我会努力地学习，做一个好孩子。从今天起，我会像妈妈一样帮助别人，将来我要跟妈妈一样做一名护士。

一个周六的下午，我跟妈妈学炒菜。首先，我学习切菜，妈妈告诉

妈妈，辛苦您了。对您为我们所作的付出，我充满了感激！在此我祝您母亲节快乐！

妈妈，我会永远爱你。

中华黎明中文学校10年级李沂镁

中华摩利中文学校9年级韩慧欣

切好后，妈妈又手把手地教我怎样炒菜。按照妈妈教我的步骤，我先往锅里倒了一点油，接着放进葱、姜、盐、清酱，再把切好的白菜倒进锅里，然后拿着勺子不停地翻炒，过了大约5分钟，这道菜就做好了。妈妈尝了以后说：“ 很好吃！”，我听了非常高兴，心里美滋滋的。中华摩利中文学校5B班常锦程一天半夜，当我刚迈进家门，在一片黑暗中就听到妈妈冲我喊：“ 为什么现在才回家？！我不是要你在10 点之前回家的吗？！”那时我已经很累了，刚回家就听到妈妈的训斥，感觉很烦躁，于是我不假思索就脱口喊道：” 我想回家就回家，关你什么屁事？”说完，我把门猛地一撞，冲出了家门。离家出走之后，因为无处可去，我只好去朋友家住了几个晚上。在那段时

从小到大，妈妈就像天使一样地爱我，每天她都煮饭给我吃，还教我做功课。妈妈把辛苦藏在心里，给我的只有温暖，我的幸福就在她的白发中发

间里，我无所事事地跟朋友逛街，或是到处惹事生非，直到手里的钱花光，我想来想去，还是勉强自己回了家。到家时我发现大门没有锁，觉得很奇怪，当我隐约听到房里有人在呜咽

芽。以前我真的很不听话，长大后，我开始明白我取得的很多进步都是因为我听妈妈的话，妈妈比我更清楚我未来的路。现在我懂得自己读书和写字，已经独立了，不需要妈妈担心。我要好好读书，以后出人头地，还要帮助妈妈做家务。将来，我要带妈妈去环游世界，我想报答她对我的温柔和给我的爱，我要给她买名牌的提包和一个大大的家，我想快快长大来保护她，给予她同样天使般的温暖和慈祥。妈妈，我爱你。中华黎明中文学校1年级叶永强

时，就立刻走过去察看，原来是母亲正背对着我蹲在一角看照片，而且边看边哭。好奇心驱使我走上前去，发现母亲是在看我小时候的照片：有我还没学会走路之前的留影，也有我小学时跟朋友玩耍时的合照，还有我小学毕业典礼的场景。任何语言都无法表达我当时的感受，我的脑海中一片混乱，而且心如刀割。我无暇多想，从母亲身后一把抱住了她......这次经历，成为了我们母子间的亲密回忆。中华乐思中文学校12年级何啓俊

献给母亲的爱 To Mum With Love

我和妈妈的

IntImate momen

3 2

7 1. 秀丽和妈妈 2. 柯俊壹和妈妈 3. Michelle Thesman and her Mum 4. 林可雯（12岁）和妈妈佩涓 12 years old Ke Wen LIM and her mother Pey Chean HENG 5. 林嘉欣（14岁）和妈妈方吉珠 14 years old Beatrice LIM and her mother Alice HONG 6. 徐嘉乐和妈妈 7. 翁凯恩和妈妈 8. Tracey NG and her mother Loan Kim NGUYEN

8 8

献给母亲的爱 To Mum With Love

的亲密瞬间

nts WItH mUm 13

11 10

12 16

9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16.

西瓜(7个月)和妈妈何双子 7 months old Robert Martin and his mother Dorothy HE 温郭杰盛（7岁）和妈妈郭佳文 7 years old Jason VOON KOAY and his mother KA-MAN KOAY 张盛智和妈妈曹南茜和妈妈韩慧欣（13岁）和妈妈碧珠 13 years old Emmeline HAN and her mother Karen HAN 黄宏圣和妈妈谢旋丽，谢绵丽和妈妈张诗怡（6岁）和妈妈刘雅君 6 years old Zhang Shi Yi and her mother Sunny LIU

献给母亲的爱 To Mum With Love

SALUTE TO OUR MOTHERS ◎ Y. S. Yow

ping industries. This is reflected in some families where the children speak the mother’s dialect, rather than that of the father’s. They are more familiar with the folklores and family history pertaining to their mothers. Upon marriage, a girl would look forward to fulfilling her aspirations as a “devoted wife and loving mother”. Though at different phases of her life she might have different priorities such as careers and lifestyles; once a child is born, whether she works full time or part time, her care and concern for her family, her husband and children remain her top priority. Many mothers would adjust their working schedule to cater for their children’s needs; transport the children to and from school, extra curricula activities such as music lessons, sporting events and tuition. Most mothers would also be comfortable for a position with less pay in exchange for the flexibility to cope with children. Ancient Chinese culture associates mothers with “love and affection”, whereas the father, who spends much less time with the child, is regarded as “strict”. Quite often, a wise mother would make use of the perceived “strict” image of the father as a warning to her child. In reality of course, a mother could be both “loving and caring” and “strict” with her children.

FAMILY UPBRINgINg The “family upbringing” is an important part of a child’s deA painting of “Educating The Child”

When we celebrate our birthdays how many of us would have given any thought to the fact that it was the day that our mothers might have suffered in various degrees of pain as they went through their labour, some of them might have rather uncomfortable pregnancy? Some mothers even faced life threatening situations. Given the physical and psychological experience of child bearing and birth, coupled with breast feeding for some babies, it is not surprising that mothers are generally emotionally closer to their children.

ranges from survival skills, human relationships, as well as continuation of traditional culture. The quality of family upbringing most likely determines whether the child knows how to handle or position himself in society, whether he is comfortable amongst his elders and peers. It deals with relationship issues such as addressing a person correctly according to hierarchy relevant to their culture. In this respect, the mother imparts to her child her values, thoughts, approaches, problem solving techniques, home management

Traditionally, the upbringing of a child is largely undertaken by

skills such as cooking, sewing, house keeping, and how to

the mother as she generally spends more time with the child

deal with people. She is aware that knowingly or unknow-

compared with the father. This is equally true today for new

ingly, consciously or subconsciously, she is setting herself as

migrant families where the fathers travel on business or work

a role model. She knows that however she behaves her child

between the country of origin and Australia. It is also applicable

might imitate somehow.

to families where the fathers work in the resource industry in a “fly in fly out” arrangement, or in industries where they are subject to deployment such as the military, the aviation or ship-

velopment in addition to formal education at school. This

It is interesting to note that in countries where a family engages a full time, live-in house maid; the child is looked after by the housemaid when the parents go to work. To their

献给母亲的爱 To Mum With Love

chagrin, the child tends to be influenced by the maid. He

while insisting that her children get the best food that they

would speak in the manner the maid speaks, and assimilate

could afford. She would rather buy her child a book to read

some of the maid’s mannerism, ideas and habits. Parents

rather than a nice dress for herself, she would not hesitate to

soon discover that unless they spend some quality time with

save so as to buy her child a piano. She would certainly strive

their own child, the child might tend to take instructions from

to see that her child succeeds; to achieve whatever she has

the person whom she has more contact with, rather than her

not had the opportunity in her life to do so. In general she con-

own parents! In extreme cases, the parents might not be

tributes towards the family, true to the spirit of “self sacrifice”.

able to cope with the child when she throws a tantrum or refuses to eat when the maid is on leave! To their annoyance, the child would cry for the maid at bed time rather than the mother.

A REMARKABLE MOTHER Chinese families are familiar with the story of the mother of a great Confucius scholar and philosopher Meng Zi, who relocated her house three times to provide the environment

Over a period of time a mother’s ability to manage a household, looking after her family and bring up the family is as important as her looks and charms. It is the kindness of her heart, her smiles, her wisdom, wit, sincerity, self sacrifice that continuously inspires the household. Her success emanates from a combination of her dedication to her husband and family; her inner attributes as well as her external appearance would ensure that her brilliance radiates forever.

for learning. When Meng Zi was a young boy, they once lived

As we celebrate Mothers’ Day, it is relevant to bear in mind that

next to a graveyard. The little boy would play games imitat-

the family works together as a whole. Given the ideal situation,

ing the ceremonial and burial rites he often saw. His mother

the father invariably plays an equally important and crucial role

decided to move and took residence in a house next to the

towards the overall well being and success of their children. A

marketplace. There the little boy imitated the behaviour of

mother would perform well in an environment of harmony and

cunning business practice, bartering and trading, haggling

stability within the family, whereby the parents mutually sup-

over every bit. His mother then decided that this was not

port, restrain, encourage and protect each other.

what she liked and moved once again, this time close to a school. When Meng Zi was in the environment of students reciting texts, he too, wanted to study. This story, known as “the mother of Meng Zi relocated three times” , is part of the Chinese folklore. Consistent with this spirit, it is not uncommon for ethnic Chinese parents to buy or rent a house in a good school zone. South of the river for example, many parents would select houses in the Rossmoyne and Willetton High School zones. The choice of a school zone for the children overrides other personal choices, such as beach front, good scenery, easy access to their own work place, etc. The emphasis on excellence in education is reflected in better than average performance amongst many ethnic Chinese students in high schools, colleges and universities. In many occasions their academic achievements are significantly higher than their population percentage.

MATERNAL INSTINCT A mother is always determined to nurture her child through life, to give him the best that she could. Modern “mothers of Meng Zi” abound, with examples of successful people brought up by mothers single-handedly under very difficult circumstances. The maternal instinct is such that a lot of things are done for the children, even though it results in heavy workload, lack of sleep, endless concerns or worries. A mother is “happy” to put up with normal attire while her kids get new clothes. She doesn’t mind eating ordinarily,

A painting telling the story of “The mother of Meng Zi relocated three times”

献给母亲的爱 To Mum With Love

向母亲致敬

文 ◎ 饶逸生译 ◎ 王璀玫

A block printing of “Educating TheChild”

每当我们庆祝生日的时候，有多少人曾想起这

式，但一旦她诞下自己的孩儿，不管她是全职或兼

一天曾经是母难日？母亲要承受十月怀胎之苦，冒

职工作，她都会将她的家庭、丈夫及孩子摆在最重

着生死的风险，还有分娩的折磨与痛苦，才将我们

要的位子。很多母亲都会调整工作时间表来迁就孩

带到这个世界。由于孩子曾在母亲体内成长，又曾

子的需求，接送孩子上学放学，接送孩子去上音乐

与母亲在分娩过程中一起努力，所以在生理与心理

课，球类练习及补习等课外活动。大多数的母亲宁

上都与母亲息息相关，再加上饮食母乳的“贴身”

愿少赚一些来换取更多的时间，更有弹性地照顾孩

经验，因此说母亲与她的孩子在感情上的亲密超过

子。

任何人，也就不足为奇了。

的惯有形象，然而很多时候，一位聪明的母亲懂得

较多的时间与孩子在一起，因此，教养孩子的重担

在适当的时机运用严父的形象来警惕孩子。在现实

就自然落在母亲的肩上。今天，这种状况仍然在新

生活中，一位母亲对她的孩子，可以既是慈爱的，

移民的家庭当中延续。在这些家庭当中，有些父亲

又是严厉的。

由于工作或生意的牵扯，需要在祖国与澳大利亚之间两头奔波;

有些爸爸则因为工作的性质，如在能

源、航空和运输公司上班，或是一名军人，导致他

家教除了学校里的正统教育，家庭教育在孩子的成

们必须在澳大利亚和其他国家之间飞进飞出，当起

长过程中也扮演着非常重要的角色。

空中飞人。这就是为什么孩子对母亲的方言通常比

系列在学校课本上学不到的学问，如生存之道、人

父亲的方言更清楚，对母亲这一边的亲戚和家族历

情世故及传统文化。家教的好坏，判决于这个家庭

史比父亲那一边的更熟悉。

教育出来的孩子是否能在社会中立足，跟长辈及同

每个女孩都渴望婚后当个称职的贤妻良母。也许她在不同的人生阶段会有不同的追求，比如她可能对事业有憧憬，也可能想拥有更有质素的生活方

自古以来，“严父慈母”是父母在孩子心目中

传统上，由于父亲出外工作，母亲一般上却有

它牵涉了一

辈是否能和睦共处。一个家教好的孩子懂得根据辈份，正确地尊称别人。在这方面，母亲的价值观、思维方式、解决难题的技巧、家庭管理技能如烹

献给母亲的爱 To Mum With Love

饪、缝纫、家政及与他人相处之道，都对孩子有极大的影响。不管是有意识或潜意识地，母亲已为孩子树立了一个榜样，她知道孩子们可能在模仿她的行为举止。

母性的本能在人生路上，母亲总是坚定地培育着孩子，给予他最好的养分，新时代的“孟母”比比皆是，现实中有很多例子证明了，很多成功人士都是他们的

有趣的是在有些国家，有些家庭是有聘请全

母亲历尽艰辛将他们一手带大的，这就是所谓的母

职家庭女佣的。当男女主人都出门上班去后，孩子

性的本能。为了孩子，母亲可以做出许多事，即便

就交给家里的女佣看管，结局是夫妻俩儿都既懊恼

她得承受庞大的工作量，忍受缺乏睡眠的煎熬及无

又后悔，因为孩子最终被女佣影响至深，孩子会模

尽的操心与担忧。只要孩子穿新衣，母亲不介意自

仿女佣的讲话方式，而且像海棉般吸收女佣的癖

己穿着普通；只要孩子吃得好，母亲不介意自己粗

性、观念及习惯。做父母的很快就会发现：除非他

茶淡饭；母亲宁愿买一本书给孩子阅读，也不愿意

们肯花时间陪伴自己的孩子，改善亲子关系，否则

为自己添一件新装；如有必要，母亲会毫不迟疑地

孩子可能不再听他们的话，而是只听与他们共处最

把钱省下买一台钢琴给孩子；母亲会奋斗到底，直

长时间的人，即女佣的话。更严重的状况是：当女

到孩子成功地达到她自己没有机会达到的目标。总

佣请假，做父母的可能无法妥善处理孩子闹情绪或

而言之，母亲拥有自我牺牲的伟大精神，为家庭无

拒绝进食的问题，令父母烦不胜烦的是，每到睡觉

怨无悔地作出贡献。

时间，孩子就会吵闹不休非要女佣不可，就连亲生母亲也取代不了。

一位卓越的母亲华人家庭对孔子的得意门生——孟子的母亲三次搬家寻求更好的学习环境的故事耳熟能详。当孟子还小的时候，他与母亲住在一个坟场旁边。这小

长久以来，母亲照顾家人、管理家庭的能力与她个人的样貌与魅力同等重要，她的善良、微笑、才智、风趣、纯真及自我牺牲的精神不断地激励及鼓舞着家中的每一个人，她的成功源自于她为丈夫与家庭作出的奉献，她内在的特质及显现的外形将使她灿烂的光辉永远散发不断。

男生看多了葬礼，竟模仿起来，大玩埋葬死人及哭

当我们庆祝母亲节的时候，要紧记着：家人

丧的游戏。她的母亲见了，决定搬离那里，在市集

是一体的。一个理想的状况是：父亲在孩子追求幸

旁找了间房子住下。在那里，小男生又模仿市集里

福、成功的路上也扮演着同等重要的角色。如果家

奸诈的商人以丑陋的嘴脸进行买卖活动，拼命讨价

庭美满和谐，夫妻之间互相扶持、互相抑制、互相

还价占尽别人的便宜。他的母亲再次决定那不是她

鼓励、互相爱护，那么做妻子的就会把“母亲”的

喜欢的。于是他们再次搬家。这一次，他们搬到一

角色发挥得淋漓尽致。

间学校附近。孟子每天生活在朗朗的读书声中。这样的环境最后激发起他的好学之心。“孟母三迁” 的故事流传至今，已成为中国著名的民间故事。与孟母的精神相符合，现今的华人父母在好的学校区域买房或租房已经司空见惯。例如，在天鹅河的南部，很多父母选择在Rossmoyne或Willeton中学区居住。选择居住环境时，父母首先考虑孩子就读的学校，其次才考虑他们自己的要求如门前有无海滩，风景漂不漂亮，去工作的交通方不方便等其他条件。父母注重优质的教育使到很多华人子弟，不论是中学生，大专生或大学生都取得了优异的成绩。在很多领域，在事业上有所成就的华人比例，已经超越了他们在总人口中所占的比例。

献给母亲的爱 To Mum With Love

A MOTHER’S SACRIFICE 崇高的母爱译 ◎ 何双子

舍身母爱感化劫匪 25岁的中国四川眉山女孩刘菁身患尿毒症多年，母亲陈瑞琼不忍心看到女儿一直遭受病痛的折磨，决定捐一个肾给她。就在手术前夕的2012年4月22日晚，陈瑞琼在离家不远的巷子里遭遇抢劫。她拼死搏斗，身中10多刀也不松手，保住了包里为做手术而刚从亲戚那里借来的11,400元钱。经抢救，陈瑞琼最终脱离了危险，她清醒后的第一句话，就是询问她的肾是否受到了伤害。案发后36个小时，眉山警方将两名犯罪嫌疑人抓获。得知真相之后，持刀伤害陈瑞琼的犯罪嫌疑人李川流下了悔恨的泪水，并表示愿意将自己的肾捐给李菁，以此赎罪。

Robber Touched by a Mother’s Love

刘菁在医院照顾母亲 Liu Qing is looking after her mum

LIU Qing, a 25 year old Chinese woman from Meishan in Sichuan, has been suffering from uremia (a kidney failure illness) for many years. Her mother, CHEN Ruiqiong, could not bear to see her daughter continuing to suffer from this illness, and decided to donate a kidney to her. On 22 April 2012, the eve of the kidney transplant surgery, CHEN encountered a robbery in a back lane near her home. In order to protect the RMB 11,400 cash which just borrowed from the relatives for paying the surgery, she bravely fought the robbers and refused to part with the money despite being stabbed a number of times. After she was rescued and regained consciousness, the first thing she asked was whether her kidneys had suffered any damage from the stabbings. Thirty six hours after the incident, the Meishan police captured the two offending suspects. When LI Chuan, the robber who stabbed CHEN, found out about her situation, he shed tears of repentance, and offered to donate his kidney to LIU Qing to atone for his crime.

地震中母亲舍身救子 2008年汶川地震后，救援人员来到一个年轻女人倒塌的房子废墟前，透过裂缝看到了她的尸体。她的姿势看起来很怪，像拜神一样地跪着，她的身体向前倾，双手撑着一个东西。倒下的房子砸到了她的背和头。救援队队长费了很大劲才把手伸进墙上的一个小缝隙中，碰到了女人的身体。他希望这女人还活着。但冰冷僵硬的身体说明她已不在了。队长和队员们离开了这个房子去搜寻下一个目标。但冥冥之中，救援队长被一股力量驱使着又回到了那个女人的房子前。他再次弯下身把手伸进那个小缝隙，在死者身下搜索。突然，他大叫起来：“孩子！有个孩子！” 整个救援队行动起来，小心地移开女人身边的一堆堆瓦砾。一个三个月大的男婴包裹在一张花毯子里，躺在他妈妈的尸体之下。很明显，这个女人在最后一刻尽全力救了她的儿子。当房子倒塌时，她用自己的身体护住了儿子。医生很快赶到，给小男孩做检查。打开毯子时，他看到一个手机，上面有一条信息写道：“我的宝贝，如果你能活下去，永远记住，妈妈爱你。”

纪念雕塑 Memorial Statue

献给母亲的爱 To Mum With Love

Mother Sacrificed Herself in Earthquake After the 2008 Sichuan Earthquake had subsided, when the rescuers reached the ruins of a young woman’s house, they saw her dead body through the cracks. But her pose was somehow strange that she knelt on her knees like a person worshiping; her body was leaning forward and her two hands were supporting an object. The collapsed house had crashed her back and her head. With a lot of difficulty, the leader of the rescuer team put his hand through a narrow gap on the wall to reach the woman’s body. He was hoping that this woman could still be alive. However, the cold and stiff body told him that she had passed away. He and the rest of the team left this house and went to search the next collapsed building. For some reasons, the team leader was driven by a compelling force to go back to the ruin house of the dead woman. Again, he knelt down and used his hand through the narrow cracks to search the little space under the dead body. Suddenly, he screamed, “A child! There is a child!” The whole team worked together; carefully they removed the piles of ruined objects around the dead woman. There was a 3-month old little boy wrapped in a flowery blanket under his mother’s dead body. Obviously, the woman had made an ultimate sacrifice to save her son. When her house was falling, she used her body as a shield to protect her son. The medical doctor came quickly to examine the little boy. After he opened the blanket, he saw a cell phone inside. There was a text message on the screen that said: “Dear baby, if you can live, always remember that I love you.”

My One-Eyed Mother ‘How dare you come to my house and scare my children! GET OUT OF HERE! NOW!!!’ And to this, my mother quietly answered, ‘Oh, I’m so sorry. I may have gotten the wrong address,’ and she disappeared out of sight. One day, a letter regarding a school reunion came to my house. So I lied to my wife that I was going on a business trip. After the reunion, I went to the old shack where my mom lived, just out of curiosity. My neighbours said that she died. I did not shed a single tear. They handed me a letter that she had wanted me to have. My dearest son, I think of you all the time. I’m sorry that I came to your place and scared your children. I was so glad when I heard you were coming for the reunion. But I may not be able to even get out of bed to see you. My mom only had one eye. I hated her... she was such an embarrassment. There was this one day during elementary school where my mom came to say

I’m sorry that I was a constant embarrassment to you when you

hello to me. I was so embarrassed. How could she do this to me? I ignored

were growing up. You see...when you were very little, you got into an

her, threw her a hateful look and ran out. The next day at school one of my

accident, and lost your eye. As a mother, I couldn’t stand watching you

classmates said, ‘EEEE!!! Your mom has only one eye!’ I wanted to bury myself.

having to grow up with one eye. So I gave you mine.

I also wanted my mom to just disappear. So I confronted her that day and said, ‘If you’re only going to make me a laughing stock, why don’t you just die?!!!’ My mom did not respond... I didn’t even stop to think for a second about what I had said, because I was full of anger. I was oblivious to her feelings. I wanted out of that house, and have nothing to do with her. So I studied real hard, got a chance to go overseas to study. Then, I got married. I bought a house of my own. I had

I was so proud of my son who was seeing a whole new world for me, in my place, with that eye. With my love to you, Your mother.

kids of my own. I was happy with my life, my kids and the comforts. Real beauty lies not in the physical appearance, but in the heart. Real treasure Then one day, my mother came to visit me. She hadn’t seen me in years and she

lies not in what that can be seen, but what that cannot be. Real love lies not in

had never even met her grandchildren. When she stood by the door, my children

what is done and known, but in what that is done but not known.

laughed at her, and I yelled at her for coming over uninvited. I screamed at her,

献给母亲的爱 To Mum With Love

只有一只眼睛的妈妈我的妈妈只有一只眼睛，我恨她，有这样的妈妈真丢人。有一天，妈妈来学校找我，我觉得很难堪，她干嘛要来学校？我没理她，狠狠地瞪了她一眼就跑了。第二天来到学校，有个同学叫

我最亲爱的儿子，

道：“咦！你妈妈只有一只眼睛！”我真想找个洞钻进去。我还想

我无时无刻不在想你。对不起，我去了你家，吓到了

妈妈永远消失。那天我对着妈妈叫道：“你只会让我被别人笑话，

你的孩子。得知你要来同学聚会时，我高兴极了。但我可

你怎么不去死？！”妈妈什么也没说。我甚至都没有好好想想我所

能根本都不能下床去看你。

说的话，我当时太生气了，根本没有注意到她的表情。我真想离开这个家，和她再没瓜葛。因此我努力学习，有了出国深造的机会。再后来我结婚，买了自己的房子，有了自己的孩子。我对自己的生活、孩子和舒适环境很满意。有一天，我妈妈来看我。她多年来都没有见到我，也没见过我的孩子们。当她站在门边时，孩子们开始笑她，我对着她大叫，怪她不请自来。我对她吼道：“你怎么敢跑来这里吓我的孩子！

对不起，在你的生活里我一直是这样一个让你觉得丢人的妈妈。你知道吗，你很小的时候出了一次事故，失去了一只眼睛。作为母亲，我不能看着你只带着一只眼睛长大，于是我把自己的给了你。我的儿子能用我的眼睛替我看到一个全新的世界，我感到非常自豪。

滚出去，现在就滚！”而我妈妈当时却冷静地回答道：“哦，对不

永远爱你的

起。我可能走错地方了。”于是她就离开了。

妈妈

一天，我收到一封同学聚会的信。于是我骗太太说我要出差。聚会后，我去了我妈妈曾住过的小屋，只是出于好奇。邻居说她已经过世了，我一滴泪都没流。邻居把妈妈的一封信给了我。

真正的美不在外表，而在内心。真正的财富不是可见，而是无形。真正的爱不是所做和所知，而是做了却不需要对方知道。

The Cost of a Mother’s Love A little boy came up to his mother in the kitchen one evening while she was fixing supper, and handed her a piece of paper that he had been writing on. After his Mom dried her hands on an apron, she read it, and this is what it said: For cutting the grass: $5.00 For cleaning up my room this week: $1.00 For going to the store for you: $.50 Baby-sitting my kid brother while you went shopping: $.25 Taking out the garbage: $1.00 For getting a good report card: $5.00 For cleaning up and raking the yard: $2.00 Total owed: $14.75 Well, his mother looked at him standing there, and the boy could see the memories flashing through her mind. She picked up the pen, turned over the paper he’d written on, and this is what she wrote: For the nine months I carried you while you were growing inside me: No Charge For all the nights that I’ve sat up with you, doctored and prayed for you: No Charge For all the trying times, and all the tears that you’ve caused through the years: No Charge For all the nights that were filled with dread and for the worries I knew were ahead: No Charge For the toys, food, clothes, and even wiping your nose: No Charge Son, when you add it up, the cost of my love is: No Charge. When the boy finished reading what his mother had written, there were big tears in his eyes, and he looked straight at his mother and said, “Mom, I sure do love you.” And then he took the pen and in great big letters he wrote: “PAID IN FULL”

母爱值多少钱有天晚上，一个小男孩走进厨房，他的妈妈正在准备晚餐，男孩递给妈妈一张纸。妈妈在围裙上擦干手，读起来，纸上写着：剪草：5块这周整理我的房间：1块替你去商店：5毛你去买东西时我照顾小弟弟：两毛五丢垃圾：1块拿到一张好成绩单：5块清洁后院：2块共计14块7毛5 妈妈看着小男孩站在那，男孩也看到妈妈若有所思。妈妈拿起笔，在男孩那张纸的背面写道：当你还未出生时我怀你九个月：免费每天晚上我坐在你身旁，为你祈祷：免费这些年我为你挨过的困难和流过的眼泪：免费每个担惊受怕的不眠之夜和对将来的焦虑：免费所有玩具、食物、衣服，还有替你擦鼻子：免费儿子，你把这些都加起来，我对你的爱还是：免费小男孩读完妈妈的纸条后，眼里闪动着大颗的泪珠，他抬头望着妈妈，说道：“妈妈，我真的爱你。”于是他拿起笔，用大大的字母写下：“全款已付”。

献给母亲的爱 To Mum With Love

MOTHER’S DAY THOUGHTS & QUOTES 母亲节的只言片语

译 ◎ 何双子

motHeR M... is for the million things she gave me, O ... means only that she’s growing old, T ... is for the tears she shed to save me, H ... is for her heart of purest gold; E ... is for her eyes, with love-light shining, R ... means right, and right she’ll always be. Put them all together, they spell “MOTHER,” A word that means the world to me. •

There is only one pretty child in the world, and every mother has it.

•

A man loves his sweetheart the most, his wife the best, but his mother the longest.

•

Working mothers are guinea pigs in a scientific experiment to show that sleep is not necessary to human life.

•

No one in the world can take the place of your mother. Right or wrong, from her viewpoint you are always right. She may scold you for little things, but never for the big ones.

•

The future destiny of the child is always the work of the mother.

•

I want to have children, but my friends scare me. One of my friends told me she was in labour for 36 hours. I don’t even want to do anything that feels good for 36 hours.

•

Parents often talk about the younger generations as if they didn’t have anything to do with it.

•

The advice your son rejected is now being given by him to your grandson.

•

Parents were invented to make children happy by giving them something to ignore.

•

If you bungle raising your children, I don’t think whatever else you do well matters very much.

妈妈 M 代表她为我付出的一切辛劳 O 意味着她因此而日渐衰老 T 是她为抚育我而流过的泪水 H 代表她金子般纯净的心灵 E 恰似她充满慈爱的眼睛 R 则代表正确，因为她永远是对的。这五个字母加起来在英文里读作“妈妈”，她代表了整个世界 • 世界上只有一个孩子最漂亮，每个母亲都拥有这么一个孩子。 • 男人爱情人最痴，爱妻子最深，爱母亲最久。 • 照顾孩子的母亲就如同实验中的豚鼠，用来证明人类完全可以不用睡觉。 • 世界上没有谁能取代你的母亲。不管是对是错，她总是站在你这边。她会因为一些小事而责骂你，但有大事发生时，她一定与你同在。 • 孩子的未来掌握在母亲手中。 • 我想要孩子，但朋友的经历吓得我不敢要孩子。有位朋友说她的产程长达36个小时。就算是做令我觉得舒服的事情，我都不愿意连着做36个小时啊。 • 当父母亲们聊起他们的下一代时，那口气就好像年轻一代的现状完全与他们不相干似的。 • 你儿子正把他当初拒绝接受的意见传给你的孙子。 • 如果你连自己的孩子都带不好，那你其它事情是不是做得好也都无关紧要了。

The YouYi Games for 2012 is an important event for both Team China and the Australian Boomers as they prepare for the London Olympic Games. Both teams will use the YouYi Games to fine tune their selection process and showcase their emerging and talented players. This year, it has been decided to hold all 3 games in Western Australia. Game 1 will in Perth on June 9th, Game 2 in Albany on June 11th and Game 3 in Perth on June 13th. The YouYi Games is an important sporting and cultural addition to an already strong relationship between China and Australia. Currently Australia is ranked 9th in the world and China is ranked 10th. Last year, the two teams battled it out in front of big crowds in Perth in Singapore with both games only decided by a few points. Organizer Andrew Vlahov of RV Sport:”This is the premium basketball event in this region. Two teams ranked in the top 10. Global TV coverage, the highest standard of play outside the NBA and all here in

Western Australia.” “We are very lucky to have the support of the State Government through Eventscorp and Tourism WA. This is a great opportunity to showcase Perth and Western Australia to all the Team China fans in China. Events like this are not easy to capture and execute, but with the help of great sponsors, the job has become a lot easier.” Vlahov referred to the Crown Perth, Atlas Iron and Auzcorp as great contributors to this important China-Australia contest. We have also received excellent support from the City of Albany, private enterprise and the basketball ‘family’ in Albany. RV Sport is fast becoming a recognized brand in Asia after delivering the inaugural YouYi Games and the Cable Beach Invitational in Broome last year. “This year we also developed a prototype event for youth, the Friendship Games. Western Australia hosted 68 athletes, coaches and officials in January this year across basketball, track and field and

swimming. The Friendship Games is a long term bi-lateral agreement with the Shanghai Sports Bureau for the exchanging of training and playing ideas as well as significant cultural exchanges. In 2013, 50 young Western Australian athletes will be given the chance to travel to Shanghai in the reciprocal visit and 2014 promises to be even bigger back here in Perth with additional invitations going to other Chinese provinces and South East Asian countries. ” “I can see the Friendship Games developing into something very special for the youth of our countries given the right support” RV Sport is also becoming known in regional Western Australia. This year they will facilitate events in Broome, Port Hedland and Albany. “We certainly enjoy getting out to the regional WA and placing major events in the towns. You get a whole new appreciation level from people and it is great for the youth in those communities. We would like to expand on this and are currently studying ways in which to do so.”

YouYi Basketball Game organiser, Andrew Vlahov, former Australian Boomers and Perth Wildcats Captain

在积极备战伦敦奥运会之际，中国国家男篮队和澳大利亚国家男篮队将进行 2012友谊赛，两队都视之为一场重要的练兵赛。两队将利用这一机会进行队列调整，并展示各自的杰出球员。今年的三场比赛都选在西澳进行，分别是6月9日在珀斯，6月11日在阿尔伯尼，6 月13日在珀斯举行。两队的友谊赛，作为一场体育和文化的盛事，将为中澳两国已有的亲密关系再度锦上添花。目前澳中两队的世界排名分别是第九和第十。去年两队在珀斯和新加坡的两场精彩比赛就吸引了大批的观众，比分相当接近。组织者RV Sport的安德鲁沃拉霍夫表示：“这是亚太地区的重要篮球赛事。两

队都是世界前十强。全球电视报道，NBA 以外最高水准的比赛，三场球赛都将在西澳看到。” “我们非常荣幸能通过西澳旅游局及其赛事部获得西澳洲政府的支持。这将是向中国队的球迷们展示珀斯和西澳的绝佳机会。此类赛事的主办权得来不易，组织上也颇费周章，感谢各赞助者的大力支持，令我们的工作轻松许多。” 沃拉霍夫提到珀斯皇冠酒店、Atlas铁矿公司和Auzcorp公司都是本次比赛的重要赞助商。我们还得到了阿尔伯尼市政府、当地的私营企业以及“篮球世家”的大力支持。去年，通过主办友谊赛和布如穆的凯波海滩邀请赛，RV Sport已迅速成为亚洲知名品牌。“今年我们还为年轻人度身定制了一类赛事，友好运动会。一月份西澳就

接待了来自篮球、田径和游泳各项目的运动员、教练和官员共68人。友好运动会是我们与上海体育局合作的一个长期双边协议，旨在为双方提供培训、比赛和文化交流的机会。2013年，50名西澳的年轻运动员将有机会去上海参加交换学习，2014年，我们将会邀请更多来自中国其它省份和东南亚国家的运动员到珀斯来。” “我能预见，有各方的支持，友好运动会将成为两国年轻人交流的特殊平台。”RV Sport在西澳地区也开始广为人知。今年他们还将在布如穆、黑德兰港和阿尔伯尼等地举办赛事。“能在广大西澳地区的各个城市举办赛事，我们觉得非常骄傲。能接触到更多不同的观众，也能为当地的年轻人提供更多的机会。我们希望在这方面继续拓展，目前正在研究可行的方案。”

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献给母亲的爱 To Mum With Love

WE ARE MOTHERS TOO 我们也是母亲

In 1996, a mother cat, nicknamed Scarlett, darted into a blazing abandoned building in Brooklyn, USA, and pulled out her 5 kittens, one by one to safety, badly scorching herself in the process. Once all the kittens had been rescued, she conducted a head count to make sure they were all there, touching each kitten with her nose as the blisters on her eyes kept her from being able to see. Her 4-week-old kittens recuperated with her at an animal clinic. One kitten, weakened by smoke inhalation, died of a virus a month later. Scarlett was later adopted. She died in 2008 while with her adoptive family. 1996年，美国布鲁克林，一只名为斯嘉丽的猫妈妈，奋不顾身地从一栋炽热的废旧大楼里，一只一只地把她的5只小猫宝宝们转移到安全的地方，她自己却被严重灼伤。所有小猫都救出来后，斯嘉丽的眼睛都起了水泡，看不清东西了，她就用鼻子去触摸每一只小猫，清点数量，确认一只也没有少。斯嘉丽和她4周大的猫宝宝们在一家宠物医院中恢复了健康，其中一只由于摄入烟尘而导致身体虚弱，一个月后死于病毒感染。斯嘉丽后来被收养，2008年她在收养家庭中去世。

In Ma Lian village in China, there was a successful and popular sheep soup restaurant that publicly slaughtered live sheep, a specialty designed to feature the freshness of their meat. It closed suddenly without announcement which got the customers wondering. A reporter then found out a moving story behind it. Earlier, the restaurant owner had bought a sheep and its lamb from a farmer and planned to kill the sheep on that same day. His employee laid the knife on a bench and went to prepare for the slaughter. When the butcher returned, he could not find the knife anywhere. The sheep was then seen licking the tears that were flowing down the lamb’s face. Upon seeing this image, the owner asked to separate the two to prevent further grief to the lamb, remembering the farmer’s words that they were mother and son. When the lamb was lifted, they found the knife lying underneath. No one knew how the knife got there and concluded that the lamb must have hid the knife to prevent his mother’s slaughter. In the end, the owner kept the sheep and lamb alive and decided to close the restaurant, vowing not to engage in this sort of profession anymore. 中国马连村有一家生意很好的羊肉汤馆，公开地生宰活羊，以显示他们的用料新鲜。有一天这家馆子突然结业，食客们都很不解。一名记者揭开了背后的感人故事。此前有一天，餐馆老板从农场买回一头羊和一只小羊羔，并打算当天宰杀这只羊。工人把刀子放在案板上准备杀羊，但回来时却怎么也找不到那把刀子，却看到那只羊正舔着小羊脸上流下的泪水。看到这一幕，餐馆老板想起农场主曾告诉他这对羊是母子，于是老板叫人把它们分开，以免小羊伤心。当抱起小羊时，却发现那把刀就在小羊的身下。没人知道刀怎么会在那，大家推断是小羊不愿看到妈妈被宰杀而把刀子藏了起来。最后，老板留下了这对羊母子并决定结束餐馆的生意，发誓以后再也不做这类营生。

献给母亲的爱 To Mum With Love

A baby squirrel had fallen to the ground and was pounced on upon by a dog which trapped it underneath its front paws as it closed for the kill. With no intentions of letting her baby become dinner, the brave mother squirrel attacked the dog with her sharp claws. The surprise assault gave the baby squirrel enough time to climb back up the nearby tree before its mother is thrown clear and rushed her baby back up into the safety of the tree. 一只小松鼠掉到地上，被一只大狗用前爪踩住，凶多吉少。松鼠妈妈不能眼睁睁地看着孩子成为别人的晚餐，她勇敢地举起锋利的爪子扑向大狗。大狗受到这一突然袭击，小松鼠才得以挣脱并有了足够的时间逃到附近的树上，松鼠妈妈被大狗甩开后带着孩子逃到了安全的地方。

Katjinga, a farm dog, took on motherly duties for a tiny pot-bellied pig Paulinchen after the baby runt was dismissed by its own mother. Lonely Paulinchen was luckily discovered moments from death and was placed in the care of the dog. Katjinga had just had a litter of her own, and she fell in love with the piggy at first sight and adopted it. 一条名为凯金格的牧羊犬收养了一只名为陈波林的小猪仔。被自己妈妈遗弃的波林仔非常瘦弱，肚子鼓鼓的，孤零零的快要奄奄一息时才被发现，并被交给了凯金格照顾。金格妈妈自己有一只小狗仔，但她一眼就爱上了波林仔并收养了他。

A ferocious grizzly bear nicknamed Secretariat wanted to make a meal of two little cubs named Sugar and Spice. Their mother was catching fish 150 yards away and was not facing her children, totally unaware of the deadly peril. When the cubs got nervous and started running, Secretariat ran after them, and was gaining on them very quickly. Cleverly, the two cubs separated, Spice made a left hand turn and Sugar ran out towards the mother. Secretariat chose to pursue Spice, caught him and bit him twice. When mother bear realized that one of its kids was about to die, she let out a blood curdling scream and went after Secretariat, twice her size, in hot pursuit. Fortunately Spice was bloodstained but survived. Sugar came to comfort her badly shaken brother until their mother came and walked them to the safety of the nearby grasslands. 一头凶残的大灰熊，外号书记，想吃掉两只名叫糖糖和香香的小熊。他们的妈妈正在150码外的地方捕鱼，对这一险情浑然不知。当两只小熊开始紧张地逃跑时，书记也奋起直追，眼看就要追上了。两只聪明的小熊兵分两路，香香往左，糖糖往右奔向妈妈。书记决定追香香，抓住香香并咬了他两口。当熊妈妈惊觉自己的孩子危在旦夕时，她发出声嘶力竭的一声狂吼，冲向了体型大她两倍、正紧追着她孩子的凶手。香香被咬出了血，但幸免于难。糖糖跑过来安抚着惊魂未定的哥哥，妈妈把他们带到了安全的草地上。

献给母亲的爱 To Mum With Love

Mother’s Day Beauty Tips Mothers are usually fully occupied with attending to the needs of the family, often making sacrifices and neglected their own needs. As a Mothers’ Day gift to the mothers amongst our readers in recognising your sacrifices, we would like to share some tips for a healthier lifestyle that make you look good at the same time.

Oriental diet

of hair, skin and nails. It hydrates, moistens and softens the skin, improving the skin texture and reducing the appearance of wrinkles and stretch marks. Camellia nut oil is also particularly effective in treating hair loss or thinning. Pear powder is rich in amino acids and other minerals that help rejuvenate the skin, and maintaining a healthy and vibrant skin. It also has healing properties that calms inflammation and irritations, reduce redness and promotes healing.

Beauty Massage

rice powder, turmeric, nutmeg and a little water or spice oil. Yogurt, milk, and buttermilk are also used directly on the skin or added to a bath to nourish the skin. In Indonesia, goat, sheep and cow milk is used in milk baths to make the skin softer.

A healthy diet is an important part of many Asian beauty regimens, and Asians, mainly the Chinese

Exercises for beauty

and the Japanese, swear by their teas. Green tea,

As most know, tai chi, qigong and yoga exercises

white tea and Oolong tea are the most common teas consumed in Asia. Not only do these teas have detoxifying and anti-aging properties, they are also rich in antioxidants that help prevent free radical damage. Foods in the Asian diet found to improve skin elasticity and reduce wrinkles include dates, honey, rice, cucumber and Chinese mushrooms. Chicken

Therapeutic massage practiced throughout Asia in

feet, deemed as chicken waste in the West, are

various styles, are believed to have beauty benefits.

actually a delicacy in Asia. Found on the menus of

Stretching the muscles helps relieve tension, and

most Dim Sum restaurant, chicken feet are high in

increases blood flow to the skin cells to create a

collagen which is great for skin, hair and nails.

rosy glow to the complexion giving a youthful appearance. Many types of massage employ

Ginseng, used in Asia for centuries, is a highly valued

acupressure techniques which also promotes good

tonic for overall health and beauty. It improves blood

healthy skin. The technique is to use the fingers to

circulation and energises the body while reducing

press on energy points on the surface of the skin to

stress, presenting a clear healthy looking skin. It is

stimulate the body’s natural self-curative abilities.

also said to contain natural steroids necessary for

Acupressure also increases body metabolism

the production of new skin cells.

while relaxing facial muscles. This enhances skin

Camellia Nut and Pearl Powder

elasticity and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Scrubs and Baths Scrubs, baths and wraps are widely popular both in the East and the West. Body scrubs such as sea salt, coconut, vanilla, and cinnamon exfoliate the skin and increase blood circulation. There are numerous A prized beauty secret in Asia is the topical use

Asian recipes for body scrubs; one mixture include

of white camellia nut oil to improve the condition

sandlewood, cloves, cinnamon, coriander seeds,

are incredibly beneficial for health, but do you know that they amplify beauty as well? These exercises are able to bring inner peace and tranquility and prevent and treat hormonal imbalances. Akin to acupressure, these exercises boost blood circulation, balance internal energy and stimulate the body’s self-curative abilities, again promoting radiant skin, as well as strong muscles and bones.

Make up tips There are many makeup manuals around which claim to suit all faces. However, the one-size-fits-all

献给母亲的爱 To Mum With Love

approach does not always work. Here are some tips

start by curling the base, then the middle and finally

that suit Asian women.

the end. This ensures the eyelashes curl nicely in a

母亲节美丽小贴士

C shape and not an L shape. Apply numerous coats

译 ◎ 何双子

Foundation: Asian women generally have yellowish skin tone, hence should sought a foundation that

of waterproof mascara to emphasise them.

has yellow undertone instead of the usual pink. Pick

Below are steps to a look that’s natural and enhances

the colour closest to your skin tone. The best way

your beauty, suitable for both mother and daughter! 1.

First, apply concealer where necessary – under the eyes to conceal dark circles and around the nose if redness appears. Then,

妈妈们总是忙于家事，把时间和精力都给了家人而忽略了自己。值此母亲节之际，本刊特别为各位妈妈读者们送上一些美容养颜小贴士，愿各位妈妈更美更健康。

东方饮食

apply a gel foundation to the face and neck. Blend with a brush to make it even. Brush on a little foundation powder for a more natural look. 2.

Contour your face by applying bronzer at the side of your face along the cheekbones, on the temples and jaw.

to test the colour is to rub it in at the jaw line. The foundation should appear smooth and look natural

Apply highlighter on the bridge of the nose, the

without the appearance of lines of separation. It is

brow bones under the eyebrows and above the

always good to check out the colour in true daylight

apples of the cheeks to highlight key features.

before buying it.

Eyebrow powder: The rule of thumb for brow colour is that dark haired people should go one or two shades lighter than the colour of their hair and

light haired people should go one or two shades

with a brow cream or powder.

效，还可以抗氧化，阻止自由基的侵害。

For the eyes, prime the lids so that eye

亚洲食品，包括枣子、蜂蜜、大米、

shadows will last longer. Apply a Champaign

黄瓜和香菇，都被发现有提高皮肤弹性和

colour on the inner corners of your eyes. Then

减少皱纹的功效。西方人不吃鸡爪，亚洲

apply a light pink on the centre of the eyes

人却视之为美食，在大多数的中国餐馆都

followed by a matte brown colour at the end of

能找到。鸡爪其实富含胶原蛋白，对皮

the lids where your brush sinks in. Blend with

肤、头发和指甲都有好处。

充体力、降压养颜。据说人参还含有皮肤

eyeliner as close to the lash line as possible.

再生所必需的类固醇。

Curl lashes and apply black mascara to top

too overwhelming if you use black even if you have

and bottom lashes.

Eyeliner: If you have small eyes and want to make

人参在亚洲入食入药由来已久，是美容滋补的佳品。人参能促进血液循环、补

Line the eyes with a black or dark brown gel

darker than the colour of their hair. It might look

softer and more natural appearance.

作用。绿茶、白茶、乌龙茶都是亚洲人最爱喝的茶。茶不仅有解毒、抗衰老的功

outer lids. Again, blend and buff with a brush.

black hair. Go for eyebrow powder as it gives a

尤其是中国人和日本人，都非常信赖茶的

After prepping the face, fill in your eyebrows

a brush. Next, apply a dark brown colour at the

健康饮食是许多亚洲人的养生之道，

山茶仁和珍珠粉

Finish off the look with a matte lipstick closest to your natural lip colour and Voilà! Picture ready for Mother’s Day!

them appear larger, make sure you don’t line the bottom of your eyes. Only line the top and end the lines with a slight curve upwards to make your eyes look wider. If you must, line the bottom with white or a soft colour. White of soft colours will brighten up your eyes and not make them look small.

亚洲时下有一种昂贵的美容品---白山茶仁油，能改善发质、皮肤和指甲。它能使皮肤滋润、柔软，改善肤质，减少皱纹和妊娠纹的出现。山茶仁油还对脱发和发

Eyelashes: Asians often have eyelashes that are

量稀少有特别的疗效。珍珠粉富含氨基酸

stick-straight, hence should invest on a powerful

和其它矿物质，能增加皮肤活力，令肌肤

eyelash curler, and a heated one might just do the

健康有弹性。珍珠粉亦能消炎止痛，消除

trick at keeping the curl longer. To get that nice curl,

红肿、促进愈合。

献给母亲的爱 To Mum With Love

两号的颜色，浅色头发的人则应选择比其

美容按摩按摩在亚洲很流行，形式多样，人们认为按摩可以美容。拉伸肌肉有助于缓解紧张，促进血液流向皮肤，令皮肤红润有光泽。许多按摩方式都用到指压法，这

发色深一两号的颜色。如果你的头发是黑色，又使用黑色的眉粉就会看上去一片黑，没有层次。应选用让眉毛看起来柔和自然的颜色。

2. 在脸廓两侧沿着颧骨、太阳穴和下颚刷上些褐色。 3. 在鼻梁、眉毛下方的眉骨、和脸颊骨上打上些高光，以加强轮廓。 4. 之后再用眉粉或眉膏画眉毛。

也能促进皮肤健康。这种方法就是用指头

眼线：如果你眼睛偏小，想让它变

按压皮肤表面的穴位，刺激身体进行自我

大，就一定不要画下眼线。只要画上眼

治疗。指压法也能在放松面部肌肉的同时

线，并在眼尾处稍向上扬，这会让你的眼

在眼睛内角画上香槟色，在眼睛中部用

促进身体的新陈代谢。这也能增加皮肤弹

睛看起来更大。如果一定要画下眼线，就

淡粉色，在尾部用哑褐色收尾。用刷子

性，减少细纹和皱纹。

使用白色或柔和的颜色。明亮的柔和色能

刷匀。再在眼睑外线涂上深褐色，同样

使眼睛看起来更亮，也不会使眼睛变小。

用刷子刷匀。

揉搓和泡浴揉搓和泡浴在东西方都很流行。用海盐、椰子、香草和桂皮等搓揉身体能给皮肤去角质，

眼睫毛：亚洲人的眼睫毛通常都不

靠近睫毛根部画。夹翘睫毛，并在上下

热的那种也能使睫毛卷得更长。要睫毛翘

睫毛上都涂上黑色睫毛膏。

得漂亮，就应该从睫毛根部夹起，再夹中部和尾端。这样可以使睫毛翘成C字型，而不是L型。再涂上几层防水的睫毛膏。下面介绍一款自然又漂亮的妆容，适合妈

亚洲有许多这类

妈和女儿们。

其中一种就是混合檀香、丁香、桂皮、香菜籽、大米粉、姜黄粉、肉豆蔻和一点水或香料油。酸奶、牛奶和酪乳也可直接用在皮肤上，或加到浴盆内滋养肌

6. 用黑色或深褐色的凝胶画上眼线，尽量

翘，所以应该买一个很好用的睫毛夹，加

促进血液循环。揉搓品的配方，

5. 在眼睑上先涂些眼霜会使眼影更持久。

7. 最后涂上最接近你自然唇色的哑色唇膏。大功告成！可以美美地去赴宴啦！

1. 首先，在需要的地方涂上遮瑕膏，眼袋处也涂上遮住黑眼圈，鼻子上有红印的话也可涂一些。再在脸上和脖子上涂上凝胶粉底。用粉刷刷均匀。再刷上一点干粉会显得更自然。

肤。在印尼，山羊奶、绵羊奶和牛奶也被用到泡浴中，使肌肤柔嫩。

运动美容众所周知，太极、气功和瑜伽运动都对促进健康非常有效，但你是否知道这些运动还能美容呢？这些运动能令人内心平静安宁，治疗内分泌失调。和指压法类似，这些运动也能促进血液循环，平衡体内能量，促进身体进行自我治疗，增加皮肤光泽，并促进肌肉和骨骼健康。

化妆有许多化妆品声称适合任何人使用，其实不然。下面是一些适合亚洲人的小贴士：粉底：亚洲妇女肤色普遍偏黄，应该选用黄色为底色的粉底，而非通常的粉红色。选择最接近你肤色的颜色。最好的方

Centrecare Counselling Services “People Making Time for People”

Counselling services available include: • Individual, Couple and Family • Free Gambling Counselling Service • Free Gambling-Related Financial Counselling Service Phone: (08) 9325 6644 Culturally Appropriate Service Centrecare aims to provide a respectful and culturally sensitive service and a free interpreter service is available on request. Centrecare has male and female counsellors available in all counselling services.

法是在下颚线上试用，粉底应该看上去平

Day and Evening appointments available

滑自然，看不出明显的颜色分界。购买前在自然的日光下看看颜色通常会比较好。眉粉：辨别眉毛颜色的主要原则就是深色头发的人应选用比他们的发色浅一

“People Making Time for People”

Quality ISO 9001

Visit us at www.centrecare.com.au

活动早知道 STAYINg AHEAD

吃喝玩乐在珀斯空闲时感觉无聊和无事可干吗？为带家人前往何处消遣而烦恼吗？快来看看接下来两个月在珀斯和费文图有哪些地方可以找到乐子！

WHAT’S ON IN PERTH? Fremantle Heritage Festival

(Free entry/participation for most events) Date: 25 May – 4 June 2012

Feeling bored and don’t know what to do? don’t know where to take your family or partner? there’s plenty happening around Perth and Fremantle, so check out the events below and have fun!

Date: 16 June 2012

Venue: Various locations around Fremantle The Fremantle Heritage Festival is an annual celebration of the city’s historic quality. The festival offers visitors the chance to learn about Fremantle’s rich history and admire its architecture through walks, building tours, workshops, seminars and many other activities. There will also be awards to recognise local historians and the conservation of heritage buildings. This year, the festival includes vintage clothing markets, a grand ball in the exquisite town hall and a vintage motorcycle ride. Bookings are required for most events. For more information, please visit http://www.fremantle.wa.gov.au/festivals/ Heritage_Festival

Time: 10.00am – 4.00pm Venue: Fonty’s Pool, Seven Day Road, Manjimup Admission: Adults $2, children < 12 yrs free

York gourmet Food & Wine Festival (Admission Fees Apply)

Date: 2 – 3 June 2012 Time: 10.00am – 4.00pm

Nitro Circus Live Capital City Tour 2012

Truffle Kerfuffle

(Admission Fees Apply)

Venue: York Town Hall (1 hour east of Perth), 81 Avon Terrace (Corner Joaquina Street)

This annual one day event highlights its regional food and wine, focusing on the black truffle where 70 per cent of Australia’s truffle harvest in 2011 was produced in the Southern Forests. The event includes wineries, food stalls, cooking demos, free kids food classes, food discussion/truffle seminars, and many more. Truffle hunts ($40 per person) will offer visitors the opportunity to participate in a live hunt with trained truffle dogs through the two most successful truffieres in Australia, and some of WA’s top wine writers, chefs and winemakers will be hosting 40-minute exclusive Master Class sessions ($60 per person). For more information, please visit http://www.trufflekerfuffle.com.au/

(Admission Fees Apply) Date: 9 June 2012

Up, Down and Around

Time: 7.30pm

(Admission Fees Apply)

Venue: Burswood Dome, Perth

Date: 25 November 2011 to 1 June 2012 Time: 9am to 4pm Venue: Scitech, City West , West Perth Admission: Adults $6, children <12 yrs free

The action sports touring sensation Nitro Circus Live is returning to Australian capital cities this year following record breaking tours throughout Australia and New Zealand and a sell-out show at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. The shows in Australia this May and June will kick start the crew’s ambitious world tour of 40 cities across Europe, the US and of course, Australia. The biggest actions sports stars in the world such as 20 times X Games medallist Bob Burnquist; BMX great Chad Kagy; Switzerland’s Red Bull X Fighters Champion Mat Rebeaud; plus world number one FMX rider Nate Adams; will join the hugely popular Nitro crew in their most mindblowing stunts and extreme antics. For more information, please visit http://nitrocircuslive. com/australian-tour-2012/, and get your tickets at www.ticketek.com.au

The York Gourmet Food and Wine Festival will be back this year at the historic York Town Hall showcasing a huge variety of food and wine from WA and abroad, as well as fresh produce from the Avon Valley. This event offers flavours from all over the world with around 40 gourmet food and wine stalls for visitors to sample from. Products include Wines, Chili, Yabbies, Cheeses, Jams, Pickles, Exotic Spices, Sauces, Nuts, Chocolate and many more. There will also be interactive cooking demos and the brand new Peace Park Festival Markets offering art and craft, a chill out area, live entertainment and everything in between – perfect for a family outing! Entry price includes entry to the York Gourmet Food & Wine Festival, Peace Park Festival Markets and Masonic Hall Cooking Demos. For more information, please visit http://www. yorkwa.org/

Scitech’s latest exhibition Up, Down and Around offers visitors the opportunity to investigate the concepts of forces, motion and energy and be inspired by the world of physics. The main feature of the exhibition is a unique 360 degrees bike which allows visitors to feel the concepts of free-fall, velocity and momentum. The exhibit is the first of its kind in Australia and the largest featured anywhere in the Southern Hemisphere. It took designers and engineers involved a period of over nine months of research, design and development to create. Hurry before the exhibition ends this June! For more information, please visit http:// www.scitech.org.au

Mysterious Orient 神秘東方 Mulan the Woman Warrior

之木兰从军

Mysterious Orient 神秘東方

千古《木兰诗》木兰代父从军的故事在中国家喻户晓，它的来源就是有着上千年历史的《木兰诗》。 • 又名《木兰辞》、《木兰歌》，是中国南北朝时北朝的一首乐府民歌，作者和写作年代不详。 • 选自宋代郭茂倩编辑的《乐府诗集》，在中国文学史上与汉乐府的《孔雀东南飞》被合称为“乐府双璧”。 • 全诗记述了普通女子木兰女扮男装，代父从军，征战沙场，凯旋回朝，建功受封，辞官还乡的故事。《木兰诗》无论是思想内容还是表达艺术，都有很高的造诣，它生动地塑造了木兰这一不朽的人物形象，既富有传奇色彩，而又单纯质朴。木兰既是奇女子又是普通人，既是巾帼英雄又是平民少女，既是矫健的勇士又是娇美的女儿。她勤劳善良又坚毅勇敢，孝顺父母又忠心报国，不慕高官厚禄而热爱和平生活。千百年来，木兰的形象已经深入人心，其事迹被多种样式的文艺作品所表现，尤其是电影和电视剧多次重拍，1998年好莱坞拍摄的卡通片，更是将木兰介绍到了全世界。

扑朔迷离话木兰木兰其人其事正史记载不详，所以其姓氏、年代和故里，自古至今都有很大争议。最早言及木兰籍贯的是东晋末、南北朝初的何承天（370 - 4 47年），他在《姓苑》一书中说，木兰姓“木”，是山东省任城人。而当前争议最激烈的有安徽亳州、陕西延安、河南虞城、湖北黄陂四个地方。

有趣的是，它们都

有史书、文物、和祠堂、墓陵或庙宇等建筑来证明自己是木兰故里。其中亳州及木兰戍边之地燕山一带均有很多传说，这些说法普遍认为：木兰是汉代人，从军的背景是匈奴犯境。同时有古籍证明木兰姓“魏”，是毫州人。第二种传说认为，木兰家住陕西省延安城南万花乡花塬头村，为花姓，北魏人。死后葬于村旁山上，称“花家陵”。陵园内遍植木兰喜爱的牡丹花，并塑有木兰跃马横剑的戎装石像。后两个地方则都认为木兰是隋唐时期的人物，河南省商丘市虞城县营郭镇自称是隋朝木兰故里，有花木兰祠为证，该祠始建于唐代，占地面积7.2万平方米，原祠在1943年被毁于战火，近年得到重新修复，尚有清代祠碑保存完好。湖北黄陂地区木兰山亦称自己是花木兰故里，当地特有的一个树种被命名为木兰树，并修建有木兰庙。无论木兰是否真有其人，出身何方，这个忠孝两全的传奇女子永远受到中国人的喜爱和尊崇，各地的木兰祠和木兰庙历代都有修复，现在还成为了当地重要的旅游资源。

唧唧复唧唧，木兰当户织。不闻机杼声，惟闻女叹息。问女何所思，问女何所忆。女亦无所思，女亦无所忆。昨夜见军帖，可汗大点兵。军书十二卷，卷卷有爷名。阿爷无大儿，木兰无长兄。愿为市鞍马，从此替爷征。东市买骏马，西市买鞍鞯，南市买辔头，北市买长鞭。旦辞爷娘去，暮宿黄河边。不闻爷娘唤女声，但闻黄河流水鸣溅溅。旦辞黄河去，暮至黑山头。不闻爷娘唤女声，但闻燕山胡骑鸣啾啾。万里赴戎机，关山度若飞。朔气传金柝，寒光照铁衣。将军百战死，壮士十年归。归来见天子，天子坐明堂。策勋十二转，赏赐百千强。可汗问所欲，木兰不用尚书郎，愿驰千里足，送儿还故乡。爷娘闻女来，出郭相扶将；阿姊闻妹来，当户理红妆；小弟闻姊来，磨刀霍霍向猪羊。开我东阁门，坐我西阁床。脱我战时袍，著我旧时裳。当窗理云鬓，对镜帖花黄。出门看伙伴，伙伴皆惊惶。同行十二年，不知木兰是女郎。雄兔脚扑朔，雌兔眼迷离；双兔傍地走，安能辨我是雄雌！

Mysterious Orient 神秘東方

MULAN THE WOMAN WARRIOR Mulan is a legendary figure from ancient China who was originally described in a Chinese poem known as the Ballad of Mulan. In the poem, Mulan takes her aged father’s place in the army. She fought for 12 years and gained high merit, but she refused any reward and retired to her hometown instead. The historical setting of Mulan is uncertain. The earliest accounts of the legend state that she lived during the Northern Wei dynasty (386–534). The Ballad of Mulan was first transcribed in the Musical Records of Old and New in the 6th century before the founding of the Tang Dynasty. The original work no longer exists, and the original text of this poem comes from another work known as the Music Bureau Collection, an anthology of lyrics, songs, and poems, compiled by Guo Maoqian during the 11th or 12th century. The author explicitly mentions the Musical Records of Old and New as his source for the poem. The poem is a ballad, meaning that the lines do not necessarily have equal numbers of syllables. The poem is mostly composed of five-character phrases, with just a few extending to seven or nine. The story was expanded into a novel during the late Ming Dynasty (1368–1644). Over time, the story of Mulan rose in popularity as a folk tale among the Chinese people on the same level as the Butterfly Lovers. It is one of the first poems in Chinese history to support the notion of gender equality. The poem itself is written in the form of a singing ballad called a “yue fu”, a version translated in English as follows:

Ji-ji, again ji-ji, Mulan faces the door, weaving. You can’t hear the sound of the loom’s shuttle, You only hear Daughter’s sighs. They ask Daughter who’s in her thought, They ask Daughter who’s on her memory. “No one is on Daughter’s thought, No one is on Daughter’s memory. Last night I saw the arny notices, The Khan is calling for a great force. The army register is in twelve scrolls, and every scrolls has Father’s name. Father has no adult son, Mulan has no older brother. Wish to buy a saddle and horse, and serve in Father’s place.” In the East Market she buys a steed, In the West Market she buys a saddle and saddle blanket, In the South Market she buys a bridle, In the North Market she buys a long whip. At dawn she bids farewell to Father and Mother, In the evening she camps on the bank of the Yellow River. She doesn’t hear the sound of Father and Mother calling for Daughter, She only hears the Yellow River’s flowing water cry jian-jian. At dawn she bids farewell to the Yellow River, In the evening she arrives at the summit of Black Mountain. She doesn’t hear the sound of Father and Mother calling for Daughter, She only hears Mount Yan’s nomad horses cry jiu-jiu.

Merits are recorded in twelve ranks And grants a hundred thousand strong. The Khan asks her what she desires. “Mulan has no use for a high official’s post. I wish to borrow a ten-thousand mile camel To take me back home.” Father and Mother hear Daughter is coming They go outside the city wall, supporting each other. When Older Sister hears Younger Sister is coming Facing the door, she puts on rouge, . When Little Brother hears Older Sister is coming He sharpens the knife, quick, quick, for pig and sheep. “I open the door to my east room, I sit on my bed in the west room, I take off my wartime gown And put on my old-time clothes.” Facing the window she fixes the cloudlike hair on her temples, Facing a mirror she dabs on yellow flower powder She goes out the door and sees her comrades. Her comrades are all shocked. Traveling together for twelve years They didn’t know Mulan was a girl. “The male rabbit’s feet kick up and down, The female rabbit’s eyes are bewildered. Two rabbits running close to the ground, How can they tell if I am male or female?”

She goes ten thousand miles in the war machine, She crosses mountain passes as if flying. Northern gusts carry sound of army rattles, Cold light shines on iron armor. Generals die in a hundred battles, Strong warriors return after ten years. On her return she sees the Son of Heaven, The Son of Heaven sits in the ceremonial hall.

外面的世界 THE WORLD ABROAD

Michelle Smith is an Australian Research Council Postdoctoral Fellow in the School of Culture and Communication at the University of Melbourne. Denying Defence Force women a role in combat is sex discrimination says Michelle Smith who looks at why it took so long to fix...

Women in Australia’s military: On the frontline of the gender war ◎Written by Michelle Smith befalling any fellow human at war, whether male or female. These ideas also overlook women’s willing participation in war zones as nurses, and ambulance and aid workers. The first women served as nurses in the Australian military from 1899, with thousands working overseas in the Second Boer War, World War I and subsequent wars. Millions more women are unwilling participants in war as civilians caught up in conflict. Like members of the Army, Navy and Air Force, these women’s lives are in danger.

The recent plan to see women take on frontline combat roles in the Australian military from 2016 removes one of the last formal barriers to women’s participation in all realms of work. Unsurprisingly, the notion of women engaged in combat has drawn out familiar fears that rely on ideas of femininity that prevent women from achieving their potential. Take the idea that women are physically weak and could slow battalions. Or that men’s instinct is to protect women and their presence in combat will put them in danger. There is also a perception that female soldiers are vulnerable to rape. To put these beliefs in context, we should consider the reasoning used to constrain women in recent history. In the nineteenth-century, the theory of “limited energy” held that adolescent girls must avoid intellectual work during puberty or their reproductive organs would not develop successfully. Physical or mental labour during women’s fertile years was not only unfeminine but would be detrimental to the race. Such quasiscientific explanations arose from perceptions of women’s weakness and intellectual inferiority. They also worked as self-fulfilling prophecies by discouraging higher education and sports for girls and women.

Most women will never be as strong, or have as much endurance, as most men. But this did not stop women taking up the majority of physically demanding manufacturing labour during World War II that was previously considered “men’s work”. Members of the US military today are not all tall, muscular young men who resemble extras in a Jean-Claude Van Damme film. With changes in warfare and the protracted nature of conflict in the Middle East, shorter men, men who wear glasses, men with a history of attention deficit disorder (ADD) and women make up the ranks. If a small percentage of women wish to serve in the military and can meet physical and psychological standards that also accept men who don’t represent the physical apex of humanity, it is sex discrimination to disallow them because they are female. If we accept that not all members of the military are as physically strong and intelligent as one another, arguments against women’s participation in combat rest on perceptions of their burden on male combatants. Male soldiers might feel a compulsion to protect women from injury and the threat of enemy rape. The torture of male prisoners of war shows that being male is no guarantee of safety from abuse. As Professor Catherine Lumby points out, we should be equally horrified of maiming or death

During the Battle of Britain, civilian women performed brave feats that saw them awarded for heroism. A senior member of the Girl Guides, Joyce Fagge climbed through the ruins of a house that had been attacked by long-range shells to rescue the sole surviving resident, applying a tourniquet to his femoral artery while another shell landed close by. The Girl Guides District Commissioner of Canterbury City single-handedly fought a three-storey house fire during three air raids in which incendiary bombs and shell splinters fell around her. Even a humble Brownie Guide leader, Peggy Prince, rescued an airman who had crashed into the English Channel by paddling out to save him in a canoe. If we dismantle perceptions of what girls and women are capable of we can be surprised by the result. During World War I, 90 Girl Guides acted as messengers for MI5 in London. They were entrusted with the verbal communication of top-secret pieces of information. Boy Scouts were initially chosen, but proved too talkative and unreliable in comparison with the girls, who took their jobs seriously. As this example shows, we need to base decisions on individuals not preconceptions of what women can do. War should not be celebrated – it is an outcome of patriarchal societies that has massive consequences for women worldwide. Nevertheless, the acceptance that some women have the capability to fight alongside men is progress toward equality. It would be preferable for Australia not to be involved in military combat in 2016. If we should, however, the presence of women on the frontline will help to overwrite ideas about women’s vulnerability, their essential preference for nurturing and need for male protection. It is myths like these that ensure that all women are still in search of substantive equality.

外面的世界 THE WORLD ABROAD

墨尔本大学文化与交流系的澳洲研究委员会博士后研究员米歇尔·史密斯提出，禁止国防军女兵加入前线战斗是一种性别歧视，这个问题为何久拖未决？

军中巾帼：站在女权斗争的最前线文◎米歇尔·史密斯译◎何双子最新规划显示，从2016年起，女兵可以

的冲突，那些身材矮小的、戴眼镜的、得过注

不列颠之战时，平民女性在战斗中的英

进入澳大利亚军队的战斗前线，女性就业的

意力不足过动症的男兵、还有女兵们在军中

勇表现为她们赢得了尊敬。一位女童子军，

最后禁区之一将就此被打破。

都大有人在。

乔伊斯∙法格，爬上了被远程炮弹炸塌的房

不允许女性加入前线战斗的原因，是出

如果有小部分的女性希望参军，且身体

于担心女性的 “妇人之仁”会影响她们发挥

和心理条件都符合要求，部队也接收那些体

其潜能，这种观点不足为奇。人们普遍认为

能不是特别好的男性的话，那么，如果这些

女性体能较弱，会给部队拖后腿。或者说男

女性，仅仅因为她们是女性就不被接纳，这

性有保护女性的本能，有女性在场会令男性

便构成了性别歧视。如果我们承认，在军中不

陷入危险。也有观点说女兵容易遭到强奸。

是人人都能一样的体格健壮、聪明能干，那

要理解这些观念的起因，我们应该看看近代

反对女性参战的争论点就落到了女性在战斗

史上限制了女性发挥其能力的种种因素。

中可能给男性拖后腿的问题上。

19世纪，所谓的“能量有限”理论认为，

男兵可能觉得有义务保护女战友免于

青春期的女孩必须避免脑力劳动，以免影

受伤或被敌人强奸。但是在战争中，男俘虏

响她们生殖器官的健康发育。女性在生育期

所受到的严刑拷打显示，男性也不一定能免

进行体力或脑力劳动，不仅被认为不适合女

于性虐待。如凯瑟琳∙伦比教授指出，在战争

性，而且对整个种族都有危害。这种伪科学

中，对于任何战友的受伤或死亡，我们都应

的解释，实际是来源于对女性体力和智力的

该会感到恐惧，不管他们是男性还是女性。

歧视。他们还阻止未成年和成年的女性接受

这些观点也忽略了女性自愿在战地担当的护

高等教育和体育运动，以此来自圆其说。

士、救护车和救援人员等工作。

大部分的女性永远不能拥有像男性一

1899年，澳大利亚军队中第一次出现女

样的体力和忍耐力。但这种体力上的弱势并

护士，同时有上千位女性参与了海外的第二

没有阻止二战期间的妇女们扛起生产劳动

次波尔战争、一战以及后续的战争。还有数

的重体力活，这在以前可都被认为是“男人

百万的平民女性在冲突中被卷入了战争。如

干的活”。

同陆军、海军、空军成员一样，这些女性的生

如今美国部队里的军人们也不是个个都像电影里的尚格云顿一样高挑、强壮又年

命也处于危险之中。

屋顶端去援救唯一的一名幸存者，并用止血带为他包扎股动脉，当时另一枚炮弹又轰地落在了他们附近。坎特伯雷市女童军的区域长，在三次空袭中独自一人去一栋三层高的房屋救火，当时不断有燃烧的炸弹和炮弹碎片袭向她的周围。甚至还有一位小女童军队长，佩吉∙布林斯，划着独木舟救下了坠落在英吉利海峡的飞行员。如果我们摈除对女性能力的成见，我们会发现女性能做的绝不亚于男性。在一战期间，90位女童子军为伦敦的M15军当信差。她们要传递高度机密的口讯。起初选的是男童军，但发现他们太多嘴，不可靠，而女孩们则更严肃认真。这表明，我们应该看个人表现，而不应一棒子打杀所有的女性。我们不应该庆祝战争，它是男权社会的产物，给全世界的女性带来了惨痛的影响。但是，争取女性与男性并肩作战的权力，仍然是迈向男女平等的重要一步。我们不希望澳大利亚在2016年参与任何战争。但万一发生了，战斗在前线的女性们将改写那些关于女性柔弱、只想着生儿育女、需要男性保护的旧观念。正是由于这些误解和歧视的存在，才激励着女性不断去追求真正的平等。

轻。由于中东战争形势的变化，以及旷日持久

华人星光 SHINNINg STAR

DOMINIC YAM RECEIVES AN AUSTRALIA DAY AWARD On Australia Day 26 January 2012, Chung Wah Association past Honorary Secretary, Dominic Yam, received a Premier’s Australia Day Citizenship Award presented by the WA Premier Colin Barnett MLA and Joondalup Mayor Troy Pickard. These very special and prestigious awards recognize the outstanding community work of active local residents in the City of Joondalup. Dominic was the winner of the Individual Active Citizenship Premier’s Award. He has been recognized for his longstanding commitment to the health and wellbeing of the local seniors’ community through his involvement in a variety of mentoring roles. He is a registered professional Fitness Instructor with Fitness Australia, runs the Fitness 50 Club, is a supporter of Heart Moves and the Heart Foundation, teaches Tai Chi and fitness classes for seniors and encourages social activities and interaction between seniors in our local community. Dominic is also a volunteer in the City of Perth – visitors’ information Kiosk. He was also recently a volunteer at the 2011 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Perth. He is an example of his community spirit and willingness to give up his free time for others.

Dominic migrated to Perth from Malaysia in 1980 and joined the Chung Wah Association in 1988. He went on to serve as the Honorary Secretary of the Association from 1992 to 1993, and again in 2010, assisting in the centenary celebrations. He also assisted in organising several Chinese cultural concerts as the stage manager, and was involved in organising Chinese New Year balls over the years. Currently, he is still active in assisting the Association in conducting school visits in demonstrating the history of lion dance, taichi, Chinese calligraphy, etc, to help promote Chinese culture to visiting students from various Perth’s schools.

Joondalup Mayor Troy Pickard (1st left) with Dominic Yam and WA Premier the Hon. Colin Barnett MLA. 君德拉普市市长皮卡德（左一）与任国雄和西澳州长巴奈特

任国雄荣获澳大利亚国庆日奖今年1月26日的澳大利亚国庆日上，中华会馆前秘书长任国雄先生荣获总理国庆日公民奖，并从西澳州长巴奈特和君德拉普市市长皮卡德手中接过此奖。这是为奖励君德拉普市积极参与社区工作的市民所设立的一个特殊又很有份量的奖项。任国雄先生荣获的是积极公民个人奖。任先生一直为当地社区的年长者们担任各类健身指导，此奖就是为了表彰他长期为年长者的健康安乐所做的积极贡献。他是澳洲健身协会的职业注册教练，经营着健身50俱乐部，是心脏运动和心脏健康基金的支持者，他给当地的年长者上太极和健身课程，鼓励他们参与当地社区的社交和互动活动。他还担任了珀斯市政府访客问询处的志愿者，最近还在珀斯召开的2011联邦首脑会议担当了志愿者，这正体现了他服务社区、乐于助人的精神。

（翻译：何双子）

任国雄1980年由马来西亚移民珀斯，于1988年加入中华会馆。1992至1993年他曾出任会馆秘书长，并在2010年再次担任相同职务，协助会馆举办百年庆典，他也曾作为舞台总监协助组织了多场中国文化演出，并协助举办了多年的春节舞会。目前，他仍在积极地协助会馆举办“学校参观日”活动，通过向珀斯不同学校的中西孩子们介绍和展示舞狮、太极和书法等，来促进推广中国文化。

主播随笔 BROADCASTER JOURNAL

广播中的平衡文◎李丽华插图◎于红波

每个人都有自己的喜好，我喜欢作为一名电台主播，在节目中与别人分享自己喜爱的音乐。在成为中华广播电台广东话主播两年多的时间里，我对个人喜好和大众期望之间的差距，有了切身的体会，有时我的个人喜好并不一定可以得到听众的认同和接纳，但是为了迎合大众的期望而放弃个人的喜好，又会让我失去作为主播的动力。现实让我明白到保持个人的喜好并不是想像中地那

么简单，如何在个人和大众的不同期望中做

的音乐终于亦被公众所接受，因为他们

出平衡才是最重要的。

在坚持自己理想风格的同时，兼顾到了音

有一次，在准备一个有关香港乐队“Beyond”的节目时，我对如何做出这种平衡又有了更深的体会。Beyond乐队也曾面临金钱和理想两者间的抉择：要么是制作大众喜欢的音乐好赚钱，要么就是坚守自己的理想没歌迷，但是最后他们坚持

乐商业化的需求。Beyond的成功令我明白到，即使别人不一定认同及接纳我所喜爱的东西，但是所有人不同的喜好都有可能达成互相尊重和欣赏。这种认识成为了我的信念，而且这种信念将会在我的广播节目中得到延续和发展。

Balancing Public Expectations And Personal Ideas

◎Written by Rita LI, Illustrated by Ida YU

Everyone has their own hobbies and mine is radio

This reality made me realise that maintaining one’s

or persisting with their own ideals and risking zero

broadcasting where I can share my favorite music

personal preference is not as simple as thought.

fans. Eventually, they succeeded and became very

with the audiences.

The most important thing is to work out how to

popular because they never gave up their ideals

balance the two.

while producing music that met commercial needs.

As a Cantonese program

broadcaster for almost 2 years, I have had intimate encounters with the disparities between personal preference and public expectations. Sometimes, my personal preference may not necessarily receive the recognition and acceptance of the listeners. However, if I have to give up my preferences, I may lose my motivation and passion as a broadcaster.

Once when I was preparing a program about a Hong Kong band “Beyond”, I developed a better understanding of such a balancing act. Beyond were facing a dilemma between making money by producing popular music acceptable to the public,

Beyond’s success taught me that it is not necessary for everyone to agree with or accept the things that I prefer, but it is still possible to achieve respect and appreciation. This thought has become my belief, which will be further developed in my endeavours on the Cantonese program.

中华社区广播电台 Chung Wah Radio FM95.3 每周三下午6点至7点（普通话广播）Every Wednesday from 6pm to 7pm - Mandarin broadcast 每周六上午10点至11点（广东话广播）Every Saturday from 10am to 11am - Cantonese broadcast

连载专栏 REGULAR COLUMN

这是一个向英文读者介绍中国文化的连载专栏，内容出自饶逸生博士所著的《中国文化面面观》。我们将这个专栏看作是一种交流，由会馆的一位长者会员，写给那些由于种种客观原因而对中文和中国文化失去传承的其他会员。当你们需要了解更多中国文化的时候，这里有一条寻根之路∙∙∙∙∙∙ This is a column written for the English speaking readers, introducing various aspects of Chinese culture, partly based from the book “The Chinese Dimensions, their roots, mindset and psyche”, written by Dr. Yit-Seng YOW. We perceive this column as a form of “cultural infusion”; dedicated to those who, through no fault of their own, did not have the opportunity to be exposed to the Chinese language and culture. When you need to know more about Chinese culture, here lies a path to your cultural roots…

In search of cultural identity and heritage

寻根问祖 Part 5: Digital era of the Chinese language

Printing by a set of dancing printing blocks was featured as one of the main themes of the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics.

As late as 30 years ago, typing Chinese characters used to be a complicated, time consuming and laborious undertaking requiring months or years of training. Before the digital era of the Chinese language, prior to the invention of photo copiers, if a book needed to be duplicated, it had to be copied word for word by hand! Unlike the European languages, there is no alphabet in Chinese language. To produce any document one needs to identify thousands of words, and there are too many to put on a typewriter. The traditional Chinese “keyboard” is fascinating. Compared to 26 letters in the English alphabet, there would be thousands of distinctive, unique characters. A typical Chinese type setting

machine consisted of trays of commonly used words arranged in a certain order, the “typist” had to select each word carefully and place them in neat rows in a printing tray, as shown in the picture. Imagine a keyboard with thousands of words in blocks! They are kept in small cubicles in well defined rows. Traditionally these words were arranged according to their “root radicals”2, 部首 [bù shŏu], a component that associates the meaning or core ideas to the character. The type setter needed months of training to choose and pick the required words one by one from the correct tray, bearing in mind that the word blocks are laterally inverted when viewed. An extraordinary amount of patience was required, in addition to good eyesight and nimble fingers.

If she has to print characters in two sizes, she needs two sets of characters, each comprising of the same thousands of words. If her boss wants the text to be printed in two different fonts, she needs two entirely different sets of words in different fonts. In those days it was a real luxury to have any document in more than one font type, though 2 font sizes were sometimes used. Before the invention of fax machine, the only way to transmit messages quickly over long distance was the telegram, a machine using the 26 English alphabets, together with the numbers and symbols. Frustrated with this constraint, the Chinese compiled a system for Chinese telegraphic code in 1911. Each Chinese character was given a particular number, the sender types in the code number for each Chinese word she

连载专栏 REGULAR COLUMN

sends, and the receiver decodes the numbers back into the original Chinese word. The process was slow, it required training and good memory, and there was no other option. When fax machine was invented by the Japanese in the mid 80s, it was a welcome breakthrough in technology for the Chinese community world wide. Chinese words could be handwritten or typed, and transmitted over long distances like any other picture. An average business executive could write the message himself, rather than relying on specialist telegram typists and decoders. Business communication was substantially improved. When personal computers became more commonly used in the 80s, the Chinese were very concerned that their language would not be “usable” on computers, and that they would be left even further behind. It was obvious that the system of assigning a code number for each word would work; utilizing the enormous memory of the computer, rather than the memory of poor type setter or Chinese character decoder, the issue was how the words could be organised in a systematic, user friendly manner. The adoption of pinyin, the romanisation of Chinese characters in 1958 proved to be a winner! Rather than involving a complex system using word radicals, a neat, elegant way of classifying every Chinese word was born! In the days before Microsoft Windows came into prominence. Chinese software writers were busy to codify Chinese language into the Disc Operating System (DOS). On typing “pin”, for example, a series of words having the same sound would appear, all the typist need to do is to choose the correct word. Some software helped by automatically moving more commonly typed words to the front of the list. The invention of Chinese software brought printing to offices and households. Today we can input Chinese characters in several ways, including [pinyin], [zhuyin], [five strokes], [Cang Jie], etc. Most advanced software programs allow access through typing just the first romanised alphabet of compound words. For example the words “friends” [péng yŏu] 朋友 could be input through typing “py”, from which a limited list of words such as “friend” 朋友，“cheap” 便宜，“cultivate” 培养 “pinyin” 拼音 could be selected.

Chinese words with [diàn] in front, such as “phone” 电话, “telex” 电报, “battery” 电磁, “electronics” 电子, are displayed. How wonderful! More advanced software enables input through equivalent of English words in meaning. A list of Chinese characters matching the input is then displayed, from which the appropriate word is chosen. With these and other features, Chinese character input can be done at a rate equal to or even faster than typing in English. To type the word “cultivate” in English would require 8 keystrokes. It can be done in Chinese with 3 keystrokes, “py” and the appropriate number. Needless to say the Characters are now easily resized, presented in several font types, be it traditional or simplified, bold, italics, hollow, creative, etc. The following represents four different font types of the proverb “The journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step” by Lao Zi.

千里之行始于足下

Bì Shēng 毕升 (990–1051 AD) was the inventor of the first known movable type technology. Bi Sheng’s system was made of Chinese porcelain and was invented between 1041 and 1048 during Song Dynasty China.

千里之行始于足下千里之行始于足下千里之行始于足下 The Chinese language is in no way disadvantaged in the age of information technology, Chinese characters have been digitised. The Chinese is probably the second most important language on the Internet after English, merging seamlessly into the information age. China has more internet users than any other country in the World! It is not surprising that in the foreseeable future an independent Internet system based on Chinese language would emerge.