50 years after its conclusion, the Allan Labor Government continues to recognise and honour the enduring legacy, courage and resilience of Vietnamese refugee communities and veterans who served in the Vietnam War
Minister for Multicultural Affairs Ingrid Stitt and Minister for Veterans Natalie Suleyman today attended a commemorative event at the National Vietnam Veterans Museum to mark the anniversary.
The Australian Vietnamese Women's Association, in partnership with the National Vietnam Veterans Museum, held the commemorative event with $29,900 in funding support from the Labor Government through the Regional Multicultural Festival and Events fund.
The Vietnam War shaped the lives of many Victorians - both those who served and the Vietnamese families who sought refuge here.
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.
Six decades after Australia became involved in the Vietnam War, Victorians also pay respect to the 60,000 Australians who served for more than a decade including 3,000 who were wounded and 521 who lost their lives.
The Labor Government has invested $6.67 million to build Australia's first ever Vietnamese cultural centre and museum in Sunshine - set to provide Vietnamese Victorians with a place to celebrate their heritage and preserve stories of migration and refugee settlement.
It will form the sixth cultural museum in the Multicultural Museums Victoria Network, alongside the Hellenic Museum, Museum of Chinese Australian History, Jewish Museum, Islamic Museum and Museo Italiano.
This significant investment acknowledges the importance of the 120,000-plus people of Vietnamese heritage living in Victoria, with more than 93,000 born in Vietnam -the fifth largest overseas born population in the state.
As stated by Minister for Multicultural Affairs Ingrid Stitt
"This event not only commemorates a significant chapter in our state's and Australia's history, but also strengthens the bonds between veterans, our Victorian Vietnamese community and indeed, all Victorians."
As stated by Minister for Veterans Natalie Suleyman
"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."
