AVWA 26^th Annual General Meeting

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Our 26^th AGM took place at the refurbished Fitzroy Town Hall, on Sunday October 25^th. It was a lively affair with the participation of over 200 members & associates, a score of distinguished guests including the Mayor of the City of Yarra, Cr Amanda Stone, 3 ministers (Hon Lindsay Tanner, Minister for Finance & Deregulation; Hon Richard Wynne, Minister for Housing, Minister for Local Government, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs; Dr Sharman Stone, Shadow Minister for Immigration & Citizenship), the president of the National Council of Women (Victoria), Jennie Rawther, leaders of several Vietnamese organisations such as Bon Nguyen (VCA Vic), Quan Tran (ICERA), Tan Hai Nguyen (RABA), Dr Tien Dung Kieu (VNTV) etc…

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AVWA president, Vinh Nguyen, presented some highlights of the year including the Award for Best Community Organisation from the City of Yarra, the successful fight to preserve the Vietnamese Language Department at Victoria University & the purchase of a property in Paisley St, Footscray to be fitted out as new office space for AVWA. The Hon. Treasurer, Yen Bui reported that the income for the year was over 2.2 M a rise of 19% over the year before, with the surplus more than doubled. The CEO, Cam Nguyen chose to elaborate on what needs to be done for the Vietnamese community as both unemployment & incarceration rates are extremely high. To try & address these issues, VCAG (Vietnamese Community Action Group) was started by Cam with the support of AVWA: it  comprises various community group leaders.

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The four guest speakers praised the outstanding work of AVWA, its CEO & staff.

Certificates of recognition were given to volunteers, Dung Do & Thuy Truong and staff who have served for 5 years (Qui Ma, Phong Nguyen & Minh Bui) & 10 years (Hai Nguyen). Certificates of appreciation were handed out to 2 young achievers, both female: Helen Huynh for putting together & publishing an outstanding collection of writings by young  Vietnamese women  entitled “Self Portrait” and Kim Nguyen, for being the captain of the AVWA sponsored women’s soccer team & leading it to win several cups. Cups, trophies & medals were handed out to over 40 successful competitors in the various tournaments organised by AVWA in the past year: soccer, table tennis & volley ball and certificates of recognition were awarded to volunteer helpers who have made those activities possible.

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The entertainment program, including a song & 3 dances provided by the Lac Viet Senior Performers group, was of a very high standard. Good & plentiful Vietnamese food, both vegetarian & non-vegetarian, was enjoyed by all. The function was well MCed by 2 young staff members: Quynh Huong Nguyen & Toan Thi Nguyen.

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