In August 2005, the Vietnamese community commemorated the 30th anniversary of Vietnamese refugee settlement in Queensland. The first group of 326 refugees from Vietnam arrived in Brisbane on 9 August 1975. A number of special events were held to mark this special anniversary, including a cocktail reception hosted by Lord Mayor Campbell Newman at Brisbane’s City Hall, a reunion dinner party at Fortitude Valley’s King of Kings Seafood Restaurant hosted by the Governor of Queensland Quentin Bryce and the inauguration of the office of the Vietnamese Women’s Association of Queensland. State Library of Queensland’s photographer Reina Irmer attended several of these anniversary celebrations. Her collection of photographs can be viewed via our One Search catalogue.
Lion dancing at the Phat Da Monastery in Inala during the 30th Anniversary of the Vietnamese refugee settlement in Queensland. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Image 6317-0001-0228
Interior view of the Phat Da Monastery located on Deodar Street in Inala. The banners commemorate the 30th Anniversary of the Vietnamese refugee settlement in Queensland. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Image 6317-0001-0175
Lunch arranged in bowls for the celebration at the Buddhist prayer ceremony at the Phat Da Monastery held during the 30 Anniversary celebrations of the Vienamese refugee settlement in Queensland. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Image 6317-0001-0195
Ms Ly Ho preparing lunch at the Phat Da Temple, Inala. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Image 6317-0001-0196
Three generation of Vietnamese in Queensland. Phuong Ngo, Phien Nguyen and Phien’s granddaughter, Thien-An at the reunion dinner celebrated the 30th Anniversary of the Vietnamese Refugee Settelement in Queensland at King of Kings Seafood Restaurant in Fortitude Valley, 2005. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Image 6317-0001-0280
Vietnamese ladies in evening dress at the Lord Mayor’s cocktail reception. From left to right: Loan Dang; Tung Nguyen; Marie Dao and Huong Nguyen. Three of the women are wearing traditional dress, the Ao Dai or ‘flowing tunic’ has been worn in various styles with front or side buttons. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Image 6317-0001-0079
Lord Mayor Councillor Campbell Newman and Mr Trung Viet Nguyen at the Lord Mayor’s Reception at Brisbane City Hall to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the Vietnamese Refugee Settlement in Queensland. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Image 6317-0001-0108
Further resources:
- 30563 Tradition Now Vietnamese community photographs 7 May 2016 – Images of the Phat Da Monastery in Inala taken by professional photographer Hamish Cairns. Phat Da Monastery is located near the city of Brisbane and very close to the Vietnamese populated suburbs such as Inala, Durack and Darra.