Media Release: AVWA Celebrates 41 Years of Community Service at Annual General Meeting

AVWA Celebrates 41 Years of Service with Remarkable 30% Growth, Unveiling Bold Future Plans at Annual General Meeting
Richmond, VIC - October 25, 202

The Australian Vietnamese Women's Association (AVWA) held its 41st Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Wednesday, 23 October 2024, at the Kensington Town Hall. The event showcased AVWA's significant achievements, robust financial growth, and strategic vision for the future.

 Pictured: Attendees gather at the 41st AVWA AGM at Kensington Town Hall.

Key Highlights:

1. Financial Performance:

• Total income reached $44.5 million, reflecting a 32% increase from the previous year.
• Net surplus from ordinary activities stood at $3.8 million.
• This marks the third consecutive year of approximately 30% growth for AVWA.

Pictured: Premier of Victoria Hon. Jacinta Allan MP delivers Guest of Honour address at AVWA's 2024 Annual General Meeting.

 Pictured: A proud moment as our dedicated AVWA staff receive Service Awards, with Premier Jacinta Allan joining us to celebrate their achievements.

 Pictured: Celebrating our rich cultural heritage through a captivating traditional fan dance performance.

Pictured: Our visionary Committee of Management members, whose leadership continues to guide AVWA's growth and impact.

 Pictured: AVWA leaders and distinguished guests united in our commitment to community service and positive change.

 2. Distinguished Guests:

• Hon Jacinta Allan MP, Premier of Victoria
• Dr. Daniel Mulino, Federal Member for Fraser
• Cindy McLeish MP, Member for Eildon, representing John Pesutto and Trung Luu MP
• Ms Ellen Sandell, Member for Melbourne, Leader of the Victorian Greens
• Vivienne Nguyen AM, Chair of the Victorian Multicultural Commission
• Mr Quang Duy Nguyen, President of the Vietnamese Community in Australia - Victorian Chapter.

3. Strategic Investments:

• Significant investments in ICT systems and hardware under the "Improving System and Process" pillar.
• Launch of an Employee Wellbeing Campaign and implementation of an Employee Assistance Program to reinforce the "People First Culture."

4. Expanding Mental Health Services:

• Special focus on "Growing our Mental Health Program" presented by Hai Anh Bui, Mental Health & Wellbeing Coordinator, addressing critical gaps identified by AIHW (2024) in Vietnamese mental health services.
• Successfully launched the “Pathways to Wellbeing app” in March, providing in-language mental health resources and guided support pathways.
• Expanding counselling services to better serve community needs and reduce language barriers.

AVWA Committee of Management

The continued success and growth of AVWA is guided by its dedicated Committee of Management:

• President: Mrs. Cam Nguyen OAM
• Vice-President: Ms. Thanh-Kham Tran-Dang OAM
• General Secretary: Mrs. Mai Lan Nguyen
• Treasurer: Mrs. My Hanh Tran
• Members: Mai Huong Nguyen, Thuy Dang, Anna Tran-Bursill, Cuc Lam, and Trinh Phan

The Committee's diverse expertise continues to drive AVWA's strategic vision and operational excellence.

Nicky Chung, CEO of AVWA, reflected on the organisation's achievements and future direction: "AVWA's outlook is bold and bright. This forthcoming financial year will see us focus on expanding our impact to the community. We're not just growing in size, but in the depth and quality of our services, ensuring that every individual we serve feels supported, valued, and empowered."

Looking Ahead, AVWA Plans to:

1. Implement a successful home meal delivery service, that will start with 200 meals from 1 November to the Brimbank region, projecting to deliver 2000 meals a week by the same time next year.
2. Commemorate the 50th anniversary of Vietnamese settlement in Australia in partnership with the National Vietnam Veterans Museum, focusing on gratitude, youth engagement, and social cohesion.
3. Increase engagement with youth by expanding the tutoring program to the West and South East.
4. Continue pursuing the aspiration for an intergenerational facility combining a residential aged care facility with an early learning centre.
5. Share learnings with other emerging groups and expand work in the intercultural space.

The AGM also included member updates, performance reviews, and a light lunch, fostering community connections and engagement.

About AVWA

The Australian Vietnamese Women's Association (AVWA), established 41 years ago, is a non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting the health, well-being, and empowerment of Vietnamese community members. With over 410 employees across Victoria, AVWA provides a range of services including aged and disability care, playgroups, vocational training, and counselling services. AVWA operates five key program areas: Family and Children Services, Training and Vocational Services, Aged and Disability Services, Health and Community Wellbeing, and Cultural and Language Services.

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