Grace leads the way towards a more inclusive Tasmania

Published on 30 September 2018

The City of Hobart is now inviting nominations for the 2019 Australia Day Awards, which recognises outstanding personal achievements and contributions to the local community. There's also an award for events.

GRACE NGUYEN was awarded Young Citizen of the Year in 2018 for her work with the Hobart Vietnamese community and her assistance to international students. She shares her experiences in this interview.

It's been about nine months since you won the award. How do you spend your time now?

I have been keeping myself busy since. I still do the usual things – work full-time and studying [to become a] CPA part-time. I am still the trusted advisor of the Vietnamese Student Association Tasmania (ViSA TAS) and a Career Mentor at the University of Tasmania. I am also enrolled in a 200-hour Yoga Teacher training course and will graduate in December 2018. Fingers crossed, I will graduate as a CPA by then too!

How do you feel about winning the Young Citizen of the Year Award?

I feel absolutely honoured. I did not expect to be nominated, leave alone receiving such a prestigious award. Words really cannot describe my feelings well enough! I am so grateful for the kindness from my friend Dona Leach that she had nominated me.

You received the award because of your involvement with organisations that help migrants and international students. Can you explain more about that?

My involvement with ViSA TAS is now more at a strategic level, not so much operational as I want to mentor and get volunteer students to be more proactive as board members, so they can gain valuable experience.

"My ultimate goal and vision is to create a loving and supportive Vietnamese community in Tasmania. In the next five to ten years, the current students now will graduate, settle down and form a local Vietnamese community here."

Due to the Vietnam War, our society has been torn apart for decades. I am only a small individual, but I hope my team’s effort is one small step to reconciliation without absolutely any politics. Therefore, getting the fundamentals strong and right for ViSA TAS members since their student time is essential.

I feel that I more belong to Tassie and particularly Hobart, the city so dear to me. I became a citizen in 2016 and have been so proud to say I am Tasmanian. [But] I still have a very long way toward what I truly want to achieve – a loving and inclusive Vietnamese society, not just students but everyone, in Tasmania.

" The award gives me the opportunity to expand my networks by attending important events at the beautiful Hobart Town Hall, where I get to meet with new citizens and people working in government organisations."

I have established contact with the Department of Home Affairs. This connection helps understand more about the expectations and the criteria the Australian Government has for immigrants and what we can do to contribute more positively to the social and economic aspects here in Tasmania. This gives members of ViSA TAS guidance and peace of mind to move forward with their lives, knowing that they are welcome to become permanent residents or citizens here in Tasmania as long as they do the right things.

It only takes one nomination for someone to be in the running for the awards. To nominate someone is easy. Simply write down why you find them inspiring and what they’ve done for the community.

Nomination forms are available here or can be requested by calling (03) 6238 2100. Nominations close on 19 October 2018.