FIFTY years after the end of the Vietnam War Bass Coast has joined with former Governor General Sir Peter John Cosgrove to acknowledge the history of Australia’s Vietnam War refugees.
The Australian Vietnamese Women’s Association in partnership with veterans held a commemorative event at the National Vietnam Veterans Museum on Phillip Island attended by members of parliament including the Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Minister for Veterans, Vietnamese refugees, the Mayor of Bass Coast and the Hoa Lu Glenroy Scout Group.
Recognising and honouring the enduring legacy, courage and resilience of Vietnamese refugee communities and veterans who served in the Vietnam War the event was supported by the State Government’s Regional Multicultural Festival and Events Fund.
General Sir Peter John Cosgrove who served as the 26th Governor General of Australia from 2014 to 2019 and fought in the Vietnam War paid tribute to those who had been forced to flee Vietnam.
“I may have officially retired but it doesn’t feel like it,” said Sir Peter John Cosgrove.
Describing the National Vietnam Veterans Museum on Phillip Island as a place of pilgrimage Sir Peter said he was thrilled to be there.
“It is a project of love.
“It has been made into a special place to pay tribute to the people of two nations.”
“I am blown away by the support and fabulous work of the Australian Vietnamese Women’s Association,” said General Cosgrove.
“We fought side by side and we fought each other.
“We accept the horror of war but seek to repair and rebuild the relationship.”
General Cosgrove said Australia needs its places of history.
“We seek to be friends with everyone we can.”
Having fought in Vietnam as an Infantry Officer General Sir Peter John Cosgrove said he had vast admiration for the Australian Vietnamese Women’s Association and those attending the event at the National Vietnam Veterans Museum.
Kingsley Mundey Chairman of the Board of the National Vietnam Veterans Museum said the event acknowledged the end of the Vietnam War 50 years ago and the start of boat people fleeing Vietnam as refugees.
“Fifty years later the Vietnamese are celebrating being Australian and part of our community.
“Today we’re looking at the impact Vietnamese people have made on our country.
“This is the way forward,” said Mr Mundey.
The 250 guests gathered inside the museum were shown a series of short films followed by a moving presentation from the Hoa Lu Glenroy Scout Group.
Members and family of the Australian Vietnamese Women’s Association spoke of the challenge of arriving in Australia without being able to speak English.
“When I escaped I was 32,” said Thanh-Kham Tran-Dang from the Australian Vietnamese Women’s Association.
“I had three children, a boy and two girls aged 8, 9 and 13.”
Cecelia Tran-Dang described her journey to Australia as quite dramatic.
“We tried to escape four times and the last time we were successful.
“We spoke very little English.
“Everything was different.”
Chris and Vivian Nguyen were just 11 and 12 years old when they arrived in Australia.
“It was a culture shock but exciting as a child,” said Ms Nguyen.
“I came with my three brothers.
“My mother and sister came over six years later.”
Lay Hoa was seven years old when he arrived in Australia in 1978.
Kim Thien Truong arrived by herself as an 18 y/o refugee.
“I was an only child.”
“My uncles and relatives are all Vietnam veterans.”
Nga Nguyen was 17 y/o when she arrived in Australia.
“We were a big family with three boys and six girls.”
Brothers John Wake and Laurie Jones served together with the navy in Vietnam.
“I did four tours of duty, and my brother did two,” said Laurie.
Sixty thousand Australians served in the Vietnam War including 3,000 who were wounded and 521 who lost their lives.
Minister for Multicultural Affairs Ingrid Stitt and Minister for Veterans Natalie Suleyman said the Vietnam War had shaped the lives of many Victorians, both those who served, and the Vietnamese families who sought refuge in Australia.
“Victoria’s Vietnamese community makes countless ongoing contributions to the rich social, economic and cultural fabric of the state, which is a testament to their strength and resilience.
“This event not only commemorates a significant chapter in our history, but also strengthens the bonds between veterans, our Victorian Vietnamese community and indeed, all Victorians,” said the Minister for Multicultural Affairs Ingrid Stitt.
“On the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War, we honour not only the service and sacrifice of our Vietnam veterans, but the remarkable resilience of Victoria’s Vietnamese community who are an integral part of our state,” said Minister for Veterans Natalie Suleyman.
The National Vietnam Veterans Museum is a unique collection of artifacts and memorabilia from the Vietnam war era and can be found at 25 Veterans Drive, Newhaven.
