At the end of the Vietnam War, the Australian Government, alongside other allied nations, extended a compassionate hand to Vietnamese refugees. On 9 August 1975, history was made when the first group of 326 Vietnamese "boat people" arrived in Brisbane, Queensland. This group included 223 individuals from St. John Island, Singapore, and 103 from Perhentian Island, Malaysia. Among them, one-third were of ethnic Chinese heritage. These refugees found temporary shelter at the Wacol Migrant Hostel, west of Brisbane. This marked the beginning of a significant chapter in Australia’s history, with many more Vietnamese refugees welcomed across Brisbane and other states in the years that followed.

Earlier that same year, Australia had also received orphaned children through Operation Babylift, alongside similar efforts by the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada.

To honour this momentous milestone in Australian history, the Vietnamese Women’s Association of Queensland is proud to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Vietnamese refugee settlement. This celebration is both a heartfelt expression of gratitude to the Australian Government and its people for their kindness and generosity, and a recognition of the achievements and contributions of Vietnamese Australian women over the past half-century.

The celebrations will commence with a special Commemoration Ceremony of the Trung Heroines on 9 March 2025, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the Ithaca Auditorium, Brisbane City Hall.

The Trung Heroines, who led the fight for Vietnam’s independence in 40 AD, remain powerful symbols of courage, resilience, and freedom. Trung Trac, proclaimed as Vietnam’s queen, and her sister embody the indomitable spirit that has inspired Vietnamese culture for generations. They continue to serve as role models, particularly for Vietnamese Australian women, whose stories of perseverance and success we celebrate today.

Following the traditional ritual, attendees will have the opportunity to explore an exhibition featuring artefacts and memorabilia from Vietnamese refugees, offering a poignant reflection on the journey of resettlement and resilience.

The event will conclude at 2:00 PM.

We warmly invite you to join us in marking this significant occasion, celebrating our shared history, and honouring the enduring legacy of the Vietnamese Australian community.