Wollongong locals Hong-Phong Le and Teresa Tran have been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the general division for service to the Vietnamese community of Australia.
The husband and wife were humbled to hear the news of their award.
“It’s an honour to receive this award because we are not alone in this achievement. Behind us is every member of the Vietnamese community,” said Teresa, president of the Vietnamese Community in Wollongong since 1999.
Phong is a board member, diplomatic advisor and fundraiser, and a member of the Illawarra branch of the Vietnamese Veterans Association. The couple both take part in the Living Books Program run by Wollongong City Council. Teresa is also the honorary federal treasurer of the Vietnamese Community in Australia, and a registered tax agent who founded her own business, Teresa Tran and Associates.
“We came here as refugees, and we’d lost our home and belongings – we will never take for granted the journey we went through and who we are today. Every day we are thankful and grateful to be alive, to survive the journey,” Teresa said.
Phong said, “I was in South Vietnam and when the communists took over Saigon, and my family, we couldn't have anything – no education, no work… I’d go to find work and they’d say 'No, you’re from the south, you can’t do anything here’. So we escaped the country and got on a boat in 1983.
“It took us a month on the boat along with another 180 people. Every time we look back on the journey we went through, it shaped the people we are today. I am stronger because of what I went through and it gave me more determination to contribute to Australia.”
The Order of Australia recognises Australians who have demonstrated outstanding service or exceptional achievements. This year’s honours list recognises 732 Australians for their various contributions. Phong and Teresa will attend an Australia Day Honours List ceremony at Government House NSW.
“We chose Australia Day to be our wedding day to celebrate coming to Australia, so along with this award, this year is our 34th wedding anniversary!” Teresa said.
The pair have fundraised for various local, interstate and international appeals during their time in Australia.
“Everything we do, every charity event or cause, we do with the community,” Teresa said.
Phong said: “I came here, not knowing how to speak English, with no job, no skill or anything, but with the good heart of the Australian people, they give us opportunities. And if we work hard and try hard, we can succeed.
“I just want to pay back everything that the Australian people have given to me so that I can have the amazing life that I have now. This award is not for me but for all of the people who gave me a hand.”
On Saturday, February 15, Teresa and Phong, along with their community, will hold a celebration of the Vietnamese New Year at Dapto Ribbonwood Hall.
“Every year we have music and food and a lot of activities, for Vietnamese people and for everyone! Slowly, we have a lot of people coming along,” Phong said.
“In Wollongong there is over 50 different nationalities living here, there's so much diversity, so we bring our culture here for everyone to enjoy.”
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The Governor-General, Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC, today announced Honours and Awards for 732 Australians, including awards in the Order of Australia, meritorious awards and recognition for distinguished and conspicuous service in the military.
Locals honoured include the head of medical services for the Illawarra Hawks, Phillip Driscoll OAM, and Fire and Rescue NSW Superintendent Gregory Houston, who received an Australian Fire Service Medal, one of the highest honours in firefighting. Olympian gold medallist Saya Sakakibara was awarded an OAM for her service to sport.
Anyone can nominate any Australian for an award in the Order of Australia. If you know someone worthy, nominate them now at www.gg.gov.au.