Ms BYRNES (Cunningham) (13:31): I had the honour of joining the Vietnamese Community in Wollongong in June to mark 50 years since the arrival in Australia of Vietnamese refugees from the Vietnam War. The event brought together not only our Vietnamese community but also many of the people and organisations who supported their early settlement. It was a moment to acknowledge the friendships, partnerships and collective effort that helped shape the strong, proud community that we see today. A special tribute was paid to Mrs Quan Tran, who was the first Vietnamese refugee to settle in Wollongong and who founded the Illawarra Indochinese social support group. Fleeing conflict in search of safety, she, like so many others, made the brave and incredibly difficult journey to Australia. Her courage, like that of thousands of others, continues to inspire people today. These are the stories that remind us of the strength found in hope and in the pursuit of freedom.

We also remembered the millions of lives lost during the Vietnam War and those who tragically died trying to flee the conflict. Their memories remain with us all. Over the past five decades, the Vietnamese Community in Wollongong, which is now led by Teresa Tran OAM and Phong Le OAM, has played a vital role in supporting not only our local community, the Vietnamese community, but also our Vietnam veterans, who they call their heroes. To the veterans who were present on the day: thank you for your service, your sacrifice and the continued bonds of friendship you've built with the Vietnamese community.