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The Vietnamese Community in Australia According to the 1996 Australian Census, the Vietnamese-speaking community was estimated at around 144,259 people and ranks amongst the five largest migrant groups of non-English-speaking background in Australia. Before 1975 there were few international Vietnamese communities, apart from an active community in France and others in some former French colonies. The fall of Saigon and the Communist take over of South Vietnam in April 1975, saw an exodus of more than two million Vietnamese refugees. Arrival In 1976, a group of Vietnamese refugees bypassed both international and Australian attempts to control their escape: The refugees arrived in Darwin, direct from Vietnam, in a flimsy boat. The first so-called 'boat people' had arrived in Australia. It was an historical event; the first time Australia had become a country of asylum and final settlement, for a refugee group. Most Vietnamese refugees were unprepared financially and culturally, with skills and qualifications going unrecognised. Despite these disadvantages, members of the community have achieved extraordinary success. Settlement Vietnamese refugee associations originated in Canberra in 1975. The first Vietnamese community organisations in Sydney were formed in 1976 to provide educational, welfare and legal support. The first community school opened in Adelaide in 1978. Vietnamese refugees were faced with many settlement problems. Most pressing were high rates of unemployment, language barriers and, particularly among women and the elderly, social isolation. The SBS Vietnamese Language Program began in 1978. Its focus is to help meet the special needs of the Vietnamese community, with a high priority given to the provision of news and information. Radio drama has become another important feature. The program aims at direct listener involvement, mainly through talkback. Community Contacts Organisations serving the Vietnamese community in Australia: Federation of Ethnic Communities' Councils of Australia PO Box 344 Curtin, ACT 2605 Phone:02 6282 5755 Fax: 02 6282 5734 Vietnamese Community in Australia / NSW Chapter PO Box 34 Bankstown NSW 2200 Phone 02 9790 3934 - 9796 8035 Fax 02 9796 3794 Vietnamese Community in Australia / Victoria Chapter PO Box 2115 Footscray VIC. 3011 Phone 03 9689 8515 Fax 03 9687 9198 Vietnamese Community in Australia / Queensland Chapter PO Box 3056 Darra QLD 4076 Phone 07 3375 5700, 3375 6036 Fax 07 3375 5700 Vietnamese Community in Australia / South Australia Chapter Po Box 180 Kilkenny SA 5009 Phone 08 8447 8821 Fax 08 8447 5527 Indochinese Elderly Refugees Association of Victoria (ICERA-Vic) Phone 03 9429 1307 Fax 03 9427 1114 Special Events Calendar SBS Radio's Vietnamese Language Program produces features, news stories and documentaries on these events of special community interest. February Lunar New Year April Fall of Saigon Ancestor Festival May Buddha's Birthday September Mid-Autumn Moon Festival |
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