Sang Nguyen

Arriving in Melbourne in 1978, Mr. Sang Minh Nguyen exemplifies dedication to community service and politics. He initially worked as a mathematics teacher, youth worker, and community coordinator. In 1988, he broke new ground as the first Vietnamese elected as a councillor in Victoria. He made history again in 1991 as Mayor of the City of Richmond—the first Vietnamese mayor in Australia. After serving as an adviser to the Federal Foreign Affairs Minister, he was elected to the Australian Federal Parliament in 1996. Throughout his career, he passionately advocated for migrant rights, earning the prestigious Victorian of the Year honour in 1995.