Over $25,000 raised by Brisbane Vietnamese community for drought

According to Viet Tran, a former president of the community, hearing from friends running a business at Miles gave them a clear picture of how badly people were struggling.

“They told us the situation was quite dire – people on the land have no money and the businesses in town are suffering badly too,” he said.

“We felt it was a terrible thing and we wanted to do something to help.

“We owe something to Australia for being so kind and generous, accepting us into their country after the (Vietnamese) war.

“We did something similar for the Queensland floods in 2011.”

Feeling that a dinner-dance would attract a large number of attendees, Mr Tran contacted former Senator Ron Boswell, who he described as a good friend of the local Vietnamese community, for advice on the best way to direct the money.

From there he was put in touch with David Phelps, the chairman of the Western Queensland Drought Appeal.

While he wasn’t able to attend on the evening, Longreach’s Nicole Heslin travelled down to share the region’s drought experience with the 200 attendees, including Queensland Liberal Senator, Amanda Stoker, and state MP, Jessica Pugh, representing the ALP.

Among the gifts donated that were auctioned to raise money included dinner at Parliament House with Gregory MP, Lachlan Millar, which sold for $600.

The most exciting of all, Mr Tran said, was the turned timber pen and box donated by Vietnam veteran, Rodney Hill, who he said was a good friend of the Brisbane community.

“It was like a bidding frenzy – in the end it raised $2000,” Mr Tran said.

The ultimate excitement was saved to the end of the night when they were able to announce that, in terms of the $250 Visa cards the Western Queensland Drought Appeal distributes, the evening’s total of $25,480 would be able to assist more than 100 families.

“The hall erupted with happiness,” Mr Tran said.