Australia’s first Vietnamese Museum, currently being built in Sunshine, has reached an eye-catching milestone.
Late last year, the full exterior painting of the museum was completed, supported by the Dulux Community Paint Program.
Vietnamese Museum Australia chief executive Tammy Nguyen said seeing the finished exterior has brought the building to life.
“It’s amazing. You see the drawings on paper, the concept and the redness for so long and to see the actual paint on the wall, it just makes it so much more real,” Ms Nguyen said.
“The [ochre] colour is to symbolise the red earth of Australia. Australia is our new home… It has welcomed hundreds and thousands of people, and given the Vietnamese refugee community a new beginning, so we really wanted to tie in elements of Australia into the building.”
Ms Nguyen said the paint program has helped move the project forward.
“It’s not just the paint, it’s the support, moral support, physical support,” she said.
“Practical completion will be done by the end of March at the latest which means we’re well on track.”
Ms Nguyen said the project is significant for the Vietnamese Australian community and multicultural Australia.
“I think the main thing is that it symbolises hope. To give people a sense of identity, especially those young people struggling with two cultures.
“Even in the darkest of times there are good outcomes.”
The museum also highlights the community’s contributions.
“If you think about the Vietnamese community in today’s society, we’ve brought food, culture, and there are professionals across the [career] spectrum,” she said
