13/10/2025
Taiwan National Day - Karaoke Night in Tasmania | 2025 🇹🇼🇦🇺
塔斯馬尼亞台灣國慶晚宴｜我們的故事，我們的歌
The Taiwanese community in Tasmania joined by representatives from the Australian, Tasmanian, and Taiwanese governments, the academic sector, and multicultural community leaders, came together to celebrate Taiwan’s National Day at The Little Poet in Hobart on 11 October. It was a vibrant evening filled with traditional home-style food, nostalgic songs, and heartfelt connections, a beautiful reminder of our shared culture, and the soft power of music and friendship in bridging communities across borders.
Among the many faces in the room, Hon. Eric Abetz stood out—not only as Leader of the House and Treasurer of Tasmania, but also as a longstanding friend to Taiwan. His ongoing support, particularly his engagement with Taiwan’s representatives, has never gone unnoticed. On this evening, his presence sent a quiet but meaningful message of solidarity—one deeply felt by the community.
Following the warm support from Tasmania’s state leadership, Ms. Donna Woodleigh, Assistant Director of Community Engagement at the Department of Home Affairs, brought the presence of the Australian government into the room. Though she remained modest, her attendance reflected a broader spirit of multicultural inclusion and recognition of the contributions made by migrant communities across Tasmania — a presence we, as part of this diverse cultural fabric, were truly honoured to share.
The event also featured distinguished academics including Prof. James Chin, Director of the Asia Institute Tasmania and Vice President of the Australian Institute of International Affairs, and Dr. Mark Harrison, a respected scholar of Taiwan–China relations who has recently contributed to policy discussions around Taiwan’s participation in the CPTPP and Taiwan–Australia economic collaboration. Both professor and researcher have long followed regional dynamics and cross-strait affairs, lending thoughtful insight into Taiwan’s role in the region.
Representing the broader multicultural community, we were honoured by the presence of Dr. Tsai An-Li, a local medical professional and Overseas Community Affairs Council advisor; Tania Tkachuk, former President of the Association of Ukrainians in Tasmania; and Anil Shrestha, a representative from the Nepalese community. Their participation in Taiwan’s National Day celebration was more than symbolic — it reflected a growing network of solidarity, respect, and cultural exchange between diverse community groups in Hobart.
One of the most memorable moments of the evening came when the karaoke machine sparked to life — and with it, the room. From timeless Taiwanese classics to upbeat crowd favourites, voices rose in harmony as laughter and nostalgia filled the air. Even the representative from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in Melbourne joined in, singing with warmth and good humour that brought everyone closer.
Such connections speak to the soft power Taiwan fosters not only through diplomacy, but through people — our stories, our food, and yes, our songs.
We’re especially grateful to the Overseas Community Affairs Council (OCAC), whose generous support, despite tight budgets, made this celebration possible. Their gesture reminded us: even across oceans, we are still in Taiwan’s heart.
