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    Werribee Karen dancers at Happy Karen New Year 2759 in Nhill.
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    Thar Shue Bee and Harmony Htoo at Happy Karen New Year 2759 in Nhill.
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    Larju and Myint Thu Soe at Happy Karen New Year 2759 in Nhill.
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    Lucky Kny Aw, Khin Sar Ayr and Pah Saw Htee at Happy Karen New Year 2759 in Nhill.
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    Nhill junior Karen dancers at Happy Karen New Year 2759 in Nhill.
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    Ku Thay Paw, Ma Aye, Dollar Htoo and Kaw Mu at Happy Karen New Year 2759 in Nhill.
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    Member for Lowan Emma Kealy at Happy Karen New Year 2759 in Nhill.
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    Koorie dancer Lachie Marks at Happy Karen New Year 2759 in Nhill.
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    Phones out at Happy Karen New Year 2759 in Nhill.
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    Bendigo Karen group members Moo Dah and Khin Nay Yi at Happy Karen New Year 2759 in Nhill.
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    Bendigo Karen Group at Happy Karen New Year 2759 in Nhill.
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    Bengigo Karen group at Happy Karen New Year 2759 in Nhill.
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    Myint San singing at Happy Karen New Year 2759 in Nhill.
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    Plot Nyo, Paw Nee and Hseh Ku Say at Happy Karen New Year 2759 in Nhill.
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    Plot Nyo, Paw Hee and Hseh Ku Say at Happy Karen New Year 2759 in Nhill.
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    Lah June and Ku Say read a letter at Happy Karen New Year 2759 in Nhill.
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    Wendy Bywaters and her granddaughter Elyse Matheson at Happy Karen New Year 2759 in Nhill.
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    Hindmarsh mayor Rod Gersch at Happy Karen New Year 2759 in Nhill.

PHOTOS: Culture and colour lead Karen celebrations at Nhill

A colourful celebration of one of the region’s growing ethnic communities took centre stage in Nhill at the weekend when the Wimmera’s Karen population rang in their new year.

People from across the region and beyond gathered at Nhill Memorial Community Centre on Saturday to watch displays of dance and song as part of the Happy Karen New Year 2759 event.

Event spokesman Htoo Kaw Jah said it was a fantastic success, with about 600 people attending, including groups from Bendigo, Werribee and Geelong.

He said this year had also brought a landmark number of guests from Horsham.



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“There was a lot of people who came and enjoyed the celebrations with us,” he said.

“This year, we also had a lot of people from Horsham. It was fantastic. It grows each year.”

The weekend program included cultural performances and a traditional meal provided by Nhill and Horsham Karen communities.

Mr Jah said celebrations also extended into the night with a free music concert at the centre, which he said helped raise money for bushfire relief.

He said he and the Karen community were appreciative of all people who took part in the event.

“Thank you to everyone who came and joined our celebrations in Nhill for Karen New Year. We had a beautiful time,” he said. 

“And I would like to invite people to our Karen New Year 2021 in Horsham, which should also be very big with people from all over the state.”

– Lotte Reiter

The entire January 15, 2020 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!