By CASEY NEILL
SPRINGVALE’S Be Ha has been inducted onto the Victorian Honour Roll of Women.
The Vietnamese refugee was among 20 women to join the list at Federation Square on Monday 7 March, the day before International Women’s Day.
Women’s Minister Fiona Richardson presented the awards to acknowledge and celebrate the extensive and lasting contributions of women in Victoria.
Ms Ha fled Vietnam on a 12-metre fishing boat in 1979 and survived attacks from pirates and near-starvation on her journey to Darwin.
She moved into Springvale’s Enterprise Hostel in February 1980 and has since worked tirelessly for her new home.
“We were so grateful how Australia welcomed us and provided us with a second chance in life,” Ms Ha said.
Greater Dandenong Council recognised her efforts on Australia Day with a place in its Community Hall of Fame.
She established non-profit welfare organisation Springvale Indochinese Mutual Assistance Association (SICMAA) in 1982 and is today its president.
She helped to found Hoa Nghiem Temple in Springvale, is treasurer for the Vietnamese Cultural Heritage Centre and the Vietnam War Memorial at Dandenong RSL, and raises money for the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal.
Ms Ha also actively involved in Lions Club of Melbourne Vietnamese and the Vietnamese Community in Australia’s Victorian chapter.
This year’s Victorian Honour Roll of Women inductees joined more than 500 other Victorian women inducted since the Honour Roll started in 2001.
Ms Richardson said they had worked tirelessly to make the community a fairer and more inclusive place.
“Every woman on this list has an amazing success story to tell,” she said.
“I’m incredibly proud that we have such inspirational leaders and mentors paving the way for our next generation of Victorian women.”
