More news soon. Please email adoptedvietnamese@hotmail.com

Here are some photos of the Australia Events:

Special Reunion Event for Vietnamese Refugees and Adopted Vietnamese – fortitude valley

Sat 14 August – a special reunion dinner organised by the Chair of the Organising Committee, Mr Trung Viet Nguyen, and hosted by the Governor of Queensland, Quentin Bryce, AC was held at King of Kings Restaurant. Ms Indigo Willing (1972) and Ms Jen Fitzpatrick (Babylift 75) were invited to present speeches on the evening to talk about the adopted Vietnamese perspective (which can be downloaded below). Other adoptees present were Glen Kelly and Jaye Bradley – plus John Douglas who was one of the flight crew who went to collect Operation Babylift children in 1975.

Also, photos of Operation Babylift and QLD adopted Vietnamese were part of a special powerpoint presentation. Trung Nguyen and the organising committee for the 30 Year Reunion and Celebration week of VN Resettlement invited Indigo and Jen to attend a reception of the Lord Mayor Campell Newman on Thursday 11 August, and the opening of the Vietnamese Women’s Association Queensland Office on Sat 13 August.

Transcripts of speeches:

Indigo Willing’s Speech (Word Document): Indispeech.doc (29 KB)
Jen Fitzpatrick’s Speech (Word Document): Jenspeech.doc (37 KB)

From Sai Gon & Vientian to Sydney

Celebration of 30 years of community settlement in Australia

“Thirty years is just about the right time for young Asian-Australians to start to get mainstreamed”

You are kindly invited to attend the following interesting and colourful events curated & organised by Cuong Phu Le

The Finished People

The filmmakers of THE FINISHED PEOPLE share their personal stories and experiences of making this award winning film about street life in Cabramatta that blurs the boundaries between fact and fiction. A conversation with the young, emerging filmmakers and actors, giving insights into street life in Cabramatta.

Speakers:

• Khoa Do Director & Young Australian of the Year 2005
• Jason McGoldrick nominated for BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY for 2004 AFI Awards.
• Joe Le nominated for BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY for 2004 AFI Awards.
• Sarah Vongmany nominated for BEST YOUNG ACTOR for 2004 AFI Awards.

Facilitator: Jaimie Leonarder, Presenter of the Movie Show, SBS
Television
Thursday, 14 April 2005 at 6pm – 8pm
Liverpool Regional Museum, Cnr Hume Highway & Congressional Drive, Liverpool, FREE ADMISSION

The Fall of Saigon

Four, young graphic designers born after 1975 examine how their lives are still linked to this major global catastrophe 30 years later. Healing wounds, childhood memories, families and things lost and found are fragments still being with them.

Exhibition launch Saturday, 16 April 2005, 2.30pm
Exhibition date 9 April – 14 May, 2005
Liverpool Regional Museum, Cnr Hume Highway & Congressional Drive,
Liverpool, FREE ADMISSION

Beyond Laos

Join us in celebration for the Lao New Year with an exhibition, exotic food and performances at the Lao temple. The exhibition includes a spectacular fusion between contemporary and traditional arts and craft. Laotian bun hairstyles will be transformed into works of art, and floral arrangements for Baci Ceremony will welcome and bestow blessings on you for the New Year.

Exhibition launch Sunday, 17 April 2005 (LAO NEW YEAR)
Exhibition date 14 April – 30 April 2005
Wat Phrayortkeo Dhammayanaram (Lao Temple)
711-715 Smithfield Road, Edensor Park
FREE ADMISSION