Steve Georganas (Adelaide, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I was very privileged this past week to attend many events in my electorate to celebrate the lunar new year, the Year of the Snake. As I said, I was very privileged to have been invited to the Vietnamese Community in Australia/SA Chapter, the South Australian Chapter, which hosted the Tet festival in my electorate, with a particular theme this year. The theme was 'home away from home'. I suppose what they were showcasing was this wonderful community that they have established in South Australia in my electorate, in suburbs all over my electorate, but predominantly in Regency Park, Athol Park, Ferryden Park, Woodville North, Croydon, Croydon Park, Mansfield Park, Kilburn and Northfield. You'll find the Vietnamese community in every suburb in my electorate.

They have created a wonderful and enterprising community. There are a lot of startup businesses and restaurants et cetera. And this year is especially important because it marks 50 years since South Australia welcomed its Vietnamese boat people. We all remember back in the seventies through to about the eighties that there were over 100,000 Vietnamese boat people who sought refuge here in Australia and have contributed so much over the years. Their contributions not only benefit the Vietnamese Australian communities but also enrich the lives of all Australians. I would like to thank the first female president of the organisation, Ms Quin Tran. (Time expired)

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