24 DEC 10 @ 06:59AM BY NICOLE PRECEL
Mark Harrington and his wife Gloria Lai-Harrington, with their children Timothy, Deborah, Andrew and Paul
As many Australians prepare to sit down to a traditional Western Christmas lunch, Nicole Precel talks to three families from different cultures about how they celebrate.
TAIWAN
GLORIA Lai-Harington’s Christmas tree is up and decorated, but there will be a festive dinner instead of lunch for her family.
The Keysborough resident, 36, is from Taiwan and said while turkey was popular there, her family would eat traditional Taiwanese fare.
“I don’t cook western food very often, I mostly cook curry, mashed potato or something homemade style,” she said.
Mrs Lai-Harington has four children, all born in December.
She said in Taiwan, many people had a hot pot or went out for dinner.
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There would be decorations everywhere and celebrations with Christians and non-Christians.
“I think in Taiwan if you walk on the street or you go anywhere, you will see many things or many places, they are all celebrating for Christmas.”
Kimberly celebrates a Cambodian-style Christmas in Springvale. PICTURE: Valeriu Campan.
“SOURSDEY Noel!”. That’s how you say “Merry Christmas” in Cambodia.
The festive season at Springvale’s Cambodian Australian Christian Church is about forgiveness, gratitude, charity and celebration.
Church community member Damien Ear, 44, has been in Australia for 30 years, having left Cambodia as a refugee with his family.
“We don’t really restrict ourselves at Christmas time, we accommodate Cambodian traditional food. The main thing is the Christmas spirit, people come together and celebrate together,” Mr Ear said.
December 25 is not recognised as a national public holiday in Cambodia, so Mr Ear said the celebration in Australia was a way to continue their native traditions.
While there isn’t always a Christmas-themed meal, church members get together for a Cambodian feast of turkey, red wine, roast lamb, curry, fried rice, fried noodles and barbecued beef skewers.
“We invite strangers to come and share,” he said. “You don’t have to know one another to share.”
There are usually traditional dances, including the coconut dance and the traditional blessing dance.
Although dances can be performed by anyone, Mr Ear said it was important for younger members to perform.
“We want our children to know and retain our traditions,” he said.
For Mr Ear, Christmas was important considering the turmoil during the time of the Khmer Rouge.
“After the war we lost everything, but we have to start everything over, Christmas is the time,” he said.
“It’s not just a celebration but we remember what we’ve been through and let’s live on and move on with life. We forgive and forget.”
SRI LANKA
IN AYOMIE Perera’s Noble Park home, Christmas is a waft of herbs and spices.
The 45-year-old has lived in Australia for six months and celebrates a Sri Lankan-style Christmas.
Her family go to midnight mass and share presents on their return.
“The mass goes for about one hour, and finishes off at 1am and then by 1.30am we give Christmas presents,” she said.
Mrs Perera cooks Sri Lankan Christmas cake, which is slightly different from the Australian version.
It is filled with exotic fruits and spices and is usually cut into small pieces, with each portion individually wrapped.
Her Christmas lunch consists of fried rice, biryani, potato curry, pork, prawns, fried fish, Christmas cake and wine.
“Actually, I haven’t been in Australia for Christmas this time,” she said. “My parents are in Sri Lanka, I miss them a lot.”
Mrs Perera said people also lit Christmas fireworks and rockets in Sri Lanka, but this was not a tradition they had brought to Australia.
December 25 is not recognised as a national public holiday in Cambodia, so Mr Ear said the celebration in Australia was a way to continue their native traditions.
While there isn’t always a Christmas-themed meal, church members get together for a Cambodian feast of turkey, red wine, roast lamb, curry, fried rice, fried noodles and barbecued beef skewers.
“We invite strangers to come and share,” he said. “You don’t have to know one another to share.”
There are usually traditional dances, including the coconut dance and the traditional blessing dance.
Although dances can be performed by anyone, Mr Ear said it was important for younger members to perform.
“We want our children to know and retain our traditions,” he said.
For Mr Ear, Christmas was important considering the turmoil during the time of the Khmer Rouge.
“After the war we lost everything, but we have to start everything over, Christmas is the time,” he said.
“It’s not just a celebration but we remember what we’ve been through and let’s live on and move on with life. We forgive and forget.”
SRI LANKA
IN AYOMIE Perera’s Noble Park home, Christmas is a waft of herbs and spices.
The 45-year-old has lived in Australia for six months and celebrates a Sri Lankan-style Christmas.
Her family go to midnight mass and share presents on their return.
“The mass goes for about one hour, and finishes off at 1am and then by 1.30am we give Christmas presents,” she said.
Mrs Perera cooks Sri Lankan Christmas cake, which is slightly different from the Australian version.
It is filled with exotic fruits and spices and is usually cut into small pieces, with each portion individually wrapped.
Her Christmas lunch consists of fried rice, biryani, potato curry, pork, prawns, fried fish, Christmas cake and wine.
“Actually, I haven’t been in Australia for Christmas this time,” she said. “My parents are in Sri Lanka, I miss them a lot.”
Mrs Perera said people also lit Christmas fireworks and rockets in Sri Lanka, but this was not a tradition they had brought to Australia.
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