VMA: Here’s what has happened in the last months and what’s to come!
Bản Tin – Newsletter May 2024
Here’s what has happened in the last months and what’s to come!
Welcome to our VMA newsletter! We are thrilled to share with you the latest updates on our Vietnamese Museum Australia project.
Firstly, we would like to express our gratitude to all of our donors and volunteers who have continued to support us during these challenging times. Your kindness and commitment ensure the seamless operation of our programs.
Exciting progress unfolds as we have recently signed the sale contract and deposit for the land at 121-123 Durham Road, Sunshine, following approval from the Brimbank City Council. This milestone propels us into town planning phase, advancing toward the realisation of museum construction project.
We are also excited to announce that our gala dinner will take place on on 14th June this year. This inspiring and fun-filled event promises good food, drinks, and entertainment. We hope to see you there!
Additionally, we want to acknowledge that our VMA project relies on the generosity and support of our community. If you are able to donate your time or resources, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Together, we can bring the vision of a Vietnamese museum in Australia to life. Thank you for being part of our journey!
Enjoy this month’s newsletter!
VMA NEWS
Land purchase approval
We are delighted to announce a significant breakthrough in our endeavour to establish the Vietnamese Museum in Australia.
Following approval from the Brimbank City Council, we have successfully signed the sale contract and deposit for the land at 121-123 Durham Road, Sunshine.
This achievement represents a substantial milestone, catapulting us into the town planning phase and driving progress on multiple fronts, including museum construction and exhibition strategy. We are now one step closer to bringing the Vietnamese Museum to life, and we couldn’t be more thrilled!
VMA Black Tie Gala Dinner 2024
Join us for an unforgettable evening at our Black Tie Gala Dinner as we continue our mission to build Australia’s first Vietnamese Museum!
Presented by principal sponsors Foot Solutions and Lim’s Pharmacy, this year’s Annual Black Tie Gala Dinner promises to be an extraordinary night of entertainment, inspiration, and Vietnamese culture. Enjoy a fantastic lineup of speakers and performers, all united in their support for the Vietnamese Museum Australia.
Your presence will not only make for a memorable night, but also contribute to raising vital funds for the Museum’s development. Don’t miss out on this exceptional event!
For more information or buy Gala tickets, go to the website: https://events.humanitix.com/vma-gala-dinner-2024
VMA Event in Refugee Week
You are warmly invited to join the Vietnamese Museum of Australia for a special Refugee Week Service on Sunday, June 23rd at 11:00am at the Refugee Memorial in Jensen Reserve, Footscray. This year’s theme, “Finding Freedom,” serves as a poignant reminder of the courageous journeys, resilience, and triumphs of refugees seeking safety and a brighter future.
What makes this event truly special is the dedication and passion of our second-generation Vietnamese Australian volunteers, who have coordinated this event to honor their heritage, support their community, and spread messages of compassion and inclusion.
Following the memorial service, we invite you to join us for light refreshments and a chance to connect, share stories, and pay tribute to those who have bravely sought freedom. We look forward to seeing you there!
VMA Activities
Fundraising Strategy Workshop
VMA had held a Fundraising Strategy workshop led by Anne Randall (Director) and Loc Lam (Director and Fundraising Lead) to assist the Board in planning, implementation, and coordination of all fundraising activities in support of projects and activities of the VMA.
Museum Exhibition Strategy Planning
The VMA recently convened a Strategic Planning Day on April 28th, skilfully facilitated by Paul Bowers, former ACMI Director of Exhibition & Collections. We had our Exhibition Advisory team (Paul, Kylie Message-Jones, ANU Professor of Public Humanities; Remi Carette, from Leo Digital; and Katrina Lolicato, founder of The Founding Archive/Arch Up) providing valuable industry expertise and we are grateful for their support and involvement. In attendance were board directors, our Executive Leadership Team, and passionate volunteers from our Exhibition and Education teams. Together, they tackled key strategic decisions aimed at shaping the future of the museum’s exhibitions in anticipation of its upcoming opening.
VMA Volunteers Profile Highlights
Bao Ngo
I was born in a refugee camp in Bidong Island Malaysia when my parents fled Vietnam at the end of 1989/1990. My father obtained a visa to come to Australia by himself in the early 90s and I spent several years in Vietnam, Soc Trang with my grandparents and my mother. I have a very close relationship with my grandparents and try to visit Vietnam once a year. I am presently a Principal Lawyer at a Melbourne based city firm and have volunteered with the VMA as I believe I can contribute my skills as a lawyer to the VMA achieving its mission to become a prominent landmark that tells the powerful stories and honours the journey of freedom and the contributions of the Vietnamese community to the fabric of Australia. As a second-generation Vietnamese Australian I hope I can bring the perspective of a second generation to the VMA. It has also been a pleasure to be part of the Executive Leaderships Team and look forward to continuing to work with the VMA to create a place for our Vietnamese community.
Hoang Nguyen
I was born in Vietnam, and like many others families before me, we made the difficult decision to leave loved ones behind and embark on a perilous journey across the sea in search of a better life. After many days at sea, we finally reached land, and our time in the refugee camp was often harsh in overcrowded living conditions. Despite the challenges, we were filled with hope and anticipation as we looked towards the future. We were so happy to be arriving in Australia, a land of opportunity and promise. I volunteer at the Vietnamese Museum Australia because it offers a unique and enriching experience that goes beyond community service. With over 20 years in IT, including starting up my own digital company, my passion for digital IT supports VMA’s mission of preserving artefacts and stories that shape our understanding of the past for future generations.
