National Chin Day will be celebrated in Melton later this month when Melton’s refugee Chin community comes together to celebrate their day of freedom.
“Chin Day” marks a time in 1948 when a ‘general assembly of Chinland’ was held in Falam, Myanmar, and 5000 representatives voted to overturn their traditional feudal system and adopt democracy for electing local and state leaders.
The special day will be celebrated in Melton later this month when Melton’s refugee Chin community comes together to celebrate their day of freedom.
The Chin people are an ethnic group in Myanmar who have experienced ongoing human rights violations including enforced child soldiering, slavery, rape, human trafficking and a loss of freedom of speech.
The chief executive of Djerriwarrh Health Services, Bruce Marshall, said he was pleased with the Chin people’s integration into the wider Melton community since working closely with the Djerriwarrh Health Services health promotion team.
The team has been working with the Chin refugee community in Melton for the past 18 months with the aim of creating a socially inclusive and connected community.
“The project has seen an increase in leadership, organisational skills, project ownership and a sense of community pride in the Chin people,” Mr Marshall said.
The team has also worked with Chin community leaders to secure a community grant from Melton City Council to help celebrate their national day.
The National Chin Day celebrations will be held from 11.30am-2.30pm on February 14 at Melton Community Hall on High Street.
Find out more
For more details contact Bruce Marshall on 5367 2000 or BruceM@djhs.org.au.
