Taiwanese Chamber celebrates Lunar New Year in Newcastle

The Taiwanese community welcomed the Year of the Fire Horse with prayers, culture and celebrations at Blackrock Casino.

February 27, 2026

Zianne Leibrandt 1 minute read

Buddhist Monks pictured in the Buddhist Temple in Newcastle during the Thousand Buddhas Repentance Service.

The Newcastle Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce celebrated the 2025 Chinese Lunar New Year on Saturday evening at Blackrock Casino, welcoming the Year of the Fire Horse.

Year of the Fire Horse symbolises energy and change

In the Chinese zodiac, 2025 marks the Year of the Horse, specifically the Fire Horse. This zodiac sign is commonly associated with energy, momentum and rapid change.

The previous Fire Horse year occurred in 1966, coinciding with the beginning of China’s Cultural Revolution, a period marked by significant political and social upheaval.

A photo of a man standing in front of a red and gold draping celebrating the Taiwanese New Year. — Mr Lee (secretary of Taipei Liaison office in South Africa).

One person is photographed in front of a red, gold and yellow Chinese New Year banner during the Taiwanese New Year Celebrations. — Nicky Wu (senior advisor, Overseas Community Affairs Council).

Two people are photographed in front of a red, gold and yellow Chinese New Year banner during the Taiwanese New Year Celebrations. — Counsellor Hsu of Taipei Liaison office in South Africa and Jennifer Chen (vice-president of Africa Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce).

Thousand Buddhas Repentance Service

The celebrations began on Saturday morning with a religious gathering at the temple in Victoria Road.

As a Buddhist teaching states: “One prostration to the Buddha increases infinite blessings; one chant of the Buddha’s name extinguishes sins as numerous as the sands of the Ganges.”

For this reason, many temples hold the Thousand Buddhas Repentance Service during the first three days of the Lunar New Year. The service allows devotees to pray for an auspicious, smooth and fulfilling year through sincere prostrations and personal vows.

According to the Sutra of the Names of Buddhas, those seeking to cleanse negative karma should purify themselves, wear clean attire, and sincerely recite the names of the Buddhas while performing prostrations.

Joyous evening celebration

The festivities came to an end on Saturday evening with a New Year celebration hosted at Blackrock Casino.

Guests enjoyed karaoke, fine dining and warm fellowship among friends, family and Taiwanese delegates. A variety of sponsored gifts added to the festive atmosphere and delighted attendees.

The Newcastle Advertiser extends its best wishes to the Taiwanese community for a happy New Year filled with prosperity and blessings.

A group of people are photographed in front of a red, gold and yellow Chinese New Year banner during the Taiwanese New Year Celebrations. — Special guests were invited to to attend the prestigious celebrations.

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