Hong Vo

Prior to her arrival in Australia in 1982, Hong Vo played very active roles in refugee camps and provided significant support to people in a wide range of activities ranging from charity to education and administration. In Australia, Hong has been tirelessly working with women and children from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds, through paid employment and voluntary work.

Hong was a founding member of the Vietnamese Women's Association of Victoria and has been President of the Association since 1997. Hong has been heavily involved in the establishment and development of this Association which plays very vital roles in advocacy, empowerment, representation for women; preserving family and cultural values, thus enhancing family and social relationships.

Hong is an active member of the Victorian Immigrant and Refuge Women's Coalition and a Member of the Yarra Ethnic Community Council. Hong also networks and strongly supports a large number of groups and agencies, namely Collingwood and Richmond Neighbourhood House, North Yarra Community Health, Victorian Immigrant and Refugee Women, Vietnamese Professional Society, Vietnamese Student Association Victoria, Vietnamese Student Association Australia, Vietnamese Elderly and Women's groups around Melbourne, just to name a few.

Hong is an active member of the community, who is extremely committed to promote the lives of young children, women and families. Hong resources and supports others organising social, cultural and educational activities for Vietnamese people and the wider community. Hong also jointly organises activities and projects with others. She also advocates for social justice and equity of children and women in Australia and in Vietnam.

Hong makes a significant difference for Vietnamese women and women in the community. As a very enthusiastic community activist, she works closely with disadvantaged individuals and groups including elderly, young people, women and children to provide resources and support for all members of the community. Her main objectives include promotion of cultural understanding and tolerance, social harmony; empowering the community through information provision and participation in the decision-making process.

She has developed very strong links with community groups, agencies and local workers through local community and cultural events. Hong is currently a Vietnamese Access Worker with Northern BreakEven Problem Gambling Services and a Family Day Care Resource Officer with the City of Yarra.