CASS celebrated its 45^th anniversary at the Canterbury League Club on 8 March 2026, marking over four decades of dedicated service to multicultural communities. Founded in 1981 by a group of passionate individuals, CASS has grown into a leading community services provider supporting families across Sydney, Wollongong and Melbourne.

More than 220 guests attended the milestone event. The Hon Chris Minns MP, Premier of NSW attended as the guest-of-honour. Special guests included The Hon Tony Burke MP, Minister for Home Affairs, Minister for Immigration and Citizenship; The Hon Tanya Plibersek MP, Minister for Social Services, was represented by Ms Ash Ambihaipahar MP, Federal Member for Barton; Ms Sally Sitou MP, Federal Member for Reid; The Hon Steve Kamper MP, NSW Minister for Multiculturalism, was represented by The Hon Sophie Cotsis MP, NSW Minister for Industrial Relations, and Minister for Work Health and Safety; Mr Jason Li MP, State Member for Strathfield; Ms Kellie Sloane MP, State Opposition Leader, was represented by Mr Mark Coure MP, NSW Shadow Minister for Multiculturalism; Mr Alister Henskens MP, Shadow Special Minister of State, and Shadow Minister for Government Accountability; Mr Matt Cross MP, State Member for Davidson; Mr Mark Hodges MP, State Member for Castle Hill; The Hon. Damien Tudehope MLC, Shadow Minister for Youth Justice; Ms Jenny Leong MP, State Member for Newtown; Clr Bilal El-Hayek, Mayor of Canterbury Bankstown Council; Clr Michael Megna, Mayor of Canada Bay Council; as well as Councillors of several other local Councils; Multicultural NSW Chair, Mr Simon Chan AM. The celebration also welcomed numerous government department officials, community leaders, CASS partners, volunteers, and staff members.

45 Years of Community Impact

Professor Stephen Li AM, Chairperson of CASS, acknowledged the organisation’s achievements:

“Each week, we proudly support more than 8,500 families from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, including Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Indonesian, Malaysian, Singaporean, Pilipino and many others. Through a comprehensive range of services, from early childhood education and disability support to settlement services, residential care, and home-aged care, we are committed to enhancing social inclusion and community wellbeing. None of our progress over the past 45 years would have been possible without the dedication of our more than 850 staff members and over 450 active volunteers, whose passion drives our mission forward.”

During the celebration, CASS recognised long-serving staff members and volunteers from multicultural backgrounds who have contributed 20 years or more to the organisation, presenting them with the CASS Service Award in honour of their commitment.

Supporting Communities to Thrive

The Guest of Honour, The Hon Chris Minns MP, Premier of NSW, praised CASS as a trusted and leading provider of community services, highlighting its essential role in supporting multicultural communities and responding to their evolving needs.

The Hon Tony Burke MP, Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration and Citizenship, acknowledged the leadership of CASS in delivering a wide range of programs and promoting community resilience.

Mr Mark Coure MP, NSW Shadow Minister for Multiculturalism, represented Ms Kellie Sloane MP, State Opposition Leader, in congratulating CASS on its success and sharing her video message, which expressed admiration for the organisation’s positive impact on the community.

Throughout their speeches, other guests reflected on years of collaboration with CASS, highlighting the organisation’s contribution to the community.

45^th Anniversary Video Launch

The event then featured the launch of a commemorative 45^th Anniversary video, available in six languages, showcasing the humble beginnings of CASS and recent developments in new service areas. The organisation reaffirmed its ongoing commitment responding to community needs with compassion and excellence.

The celebration concluded with multicultural performances that reflected the rich diversity of the communities CASS serves, followed by a birthday cake cutting to mark this significant milestone.

The grand opening of CASS Asquith Residential Aged Care Facility (RACF) was celebrated on 5 December 2025. This milestone strengthens aged care capacity in Northern Sydney, addressing growing demand for high-quality, culturally responsive services.

More than 100 guests attended the ceremony, including Clr Sallianne McClelland, Deputy Mayor of Hornsby Shire Council, representing Clr Warren Waddell, Mayor of Hornsby Shire Council, Ms Nicolette Boele MP, Federal Member for Bradfield; Mr Julian Lesser, Federal Member for Berowra, who extended his greetings via a congratulatory video message; Mr James Wallace MP, State Member for Hornsby, Mr Mark Hodges MP, State Member for Castle Hill; representatives from the Republic of Korea and the People’s Republic of China, as well as CASS partners and community leaders.

The CASS Asquith RACF project began in 2016, reflecting the long-standing commitment of CASS to supporting culturally and linguistically diverse communities. The facility offers 97 single rooms, each with a private ensuite, as well as an adjacent block of 11 Independent Living Units and a community hall, all thoughtfully designed to nurture connection and belonging.

Since commencing operations in May 2024, the facility has grown rapidly and is now operating near full capacity.

Built on Community Support and Purpose

Professor Stephen Li, Chairperson of CASS, acknowledged the significance of the achievement:

“Building a residential aged care facility is a monumental undertaking requiring substantial financial commitment. The CASS Asquith RACF required more than $45 million in investment, excluding land costs. Despite challenges, including construction delays during the COVID-19 pandemic, CASS pushed forward the Project for the community. The strong support from supporters, partners and community members has been essential in making our vision a reality.”

As one of the largest multicultural aged care facilities in North Sydney, the Asquith RACF impressed Ms Nicolette Boele MP, who praised the vital services it provides to local seniors.

Culturally Inclusive Care

The CASS Asquith RACF supports residents from China, Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Taiwan and many other cultural backgrounds. With a multilingual care team, meals, activities, and daily routines are designed to respect cultural and linguistic needs.

A dedicated Korean wing further demonstrates this commitment, and CASS plans to introduce additional culturally tailored wings as community needs evolve.

An Active Senior Community

In its first 18 months, the facility has welcomed more than 137 residents, many in their nineties. A video shown during the ceremony featured the oldest resident, aged 107, who begins each morning by logging onto his computer to read the news.

Residents enjoy a diverse activity program, including mahjong, karaoke, sing-alongs, indoor volleyball, table tennis, arts and crafts, promoting physical, social, and emotional wellbeing.

Hong Kong Bus Stop Pole Launch

The special highlight of the event was the unveiling of a Bus Stop Pole, brought to Australia through collaboration with Hong Kong’s Kowloon Motor Bus (KMB) Company.

Ms Carmen Ng, Head of Customer Experience at KMB, who flew in from Hong Kong for the ceremony, said:

“Many seniors from Hong Kong hold fond memories of the city’s iconic bus network. After installing our first Caring Bus Stop Pole at CASS RACF in Campsie in 2023, we are delighted to partner with CASS again.”

The ceremony was livestreamed, enabling all residents to participate. It concluded with multicultural performances and guided tours of the facility.