The Vietnamese Boat People Monument commemorates the plight of many thousands of Vietnamese refugees who lost their lives in the pursuit of freedom and human rights. As a powerful symbol for people today as well as generations to come, this monument also expresses profound gratitude for the humanitarian efforts of the Australian people and all levels of Australian Governments, who welcomed and assisted in settling Vietnamese refugees in South Australia.
The Vietnamese Boat People Monument will be a visual representation of the hardship and sacrifice endured by the Vietnamese boat people in their search for freedom and democracy. The monument pays tribute to the immense contributions of Vietnamese immigrants, who have enriched South Australia’s multicultural community.
The Vietnamese Boat People Monument Association is raising funds for the design and construction of a culturally significant art piece in South Australia – the Vietnamese Boat People Monument.
VBPM Project Milestones
July 2017 – VBPM Launch
The Vietnamese Boat People Monument Association has been raising funds for the design and construction of a culturally significant art piece in South Australia – the Vietnamese Boat People Monument. The Vietnamese Boat People Monument will be a visual representation of the hardship and sacrifice endured by the Vietnamese refugees in their search for freedom and democracy. The monument pays tribute to the immense contributions of Vietnamese refugees, who have enriched South Australia’s multicultural community.
September 2017 – Prominent Monument Locations
Where best to build the Monument? The VBPM Association visited 6 prominent locations in Adelaide City on 14 September, 2017.
- Aquatic Centre
- Opposite Adelaide Oval
- Behind Festival Centre
- Corner Victoria Drive and Kintore Avenue
- Near Adelaide University Bridge on the riverside
- Entrance of Adelaide Botanic Gardens, Frome Street
The Committee of the Vietnamese Boat People Monument Association (VBPMA) is pleased to announce that the most ideal and suitable location for the Vietnamese Boat People Monument is at the Victoria Dr and Kintore Ave junction, facing to the right and about 30 metres from the Vietnam War Memorial.
Aquatic Centre – Opposite Adelaide Oval
Behind Festival Centre – Corner Victoria Drive and Kintore Avenue
Near Adelaide University Bridege on the riverside – Entrance of Adelaide Botanic Gardens, Frome street
March 2018 – 3 Design Concepts
On Friday, March 23, 2018, the Vietnamese Boat People Monument (VBPM) Association held a fundraising dinner and to showcase 3 Concepts for the monument. Over 500 people attended the night. We thank everyone for coming and continuing support. We also thank the three artists who dedicated their time and effort to come up with each individual and unique concept.
Concept Design 1
By Christine Cholewa & Deb Jones
Design Concept 2
By Tony Rosella & Ash Badios
Design Concept 3
By Karl Meyer & Johnnie Dady of Exhibition Studios
April 2018 – Winning Design Concept for The Monument
The Selection Panel felt Tony and Ash artists team addressed all aspect of the project brief and selection criteria especially their concept design addressing past and looked to the future generations of Vietnamese Australian. The panel also note the choice of materials, bronze and granite, appropriate to the purpose and location of the work and felt that the proposed work would work in harmony with other monuments in the area.
At a subsequence meeting, the VBPM Committee approved the recommendation from the Selection Panel.
Through general public feedback, the overwhelming majority also supported the Selection Panel and VBPM Committee’s decision to chose Tony Rosella and Ash Badios’s proposed concept.
Central to this emotive work is the narrative of a journey seen through the eyes of two young Vietnamese children. It is the notion of family — both its strength and its survival across generations. It is an opportunity for a safe and better future.
A large sculpted boat form, its surface reminiscent of an ocean provides the first staging for the narrative. Here the boy releases a lotus into this vast sea, symbolising the start of the long and hazardous journey bravely undertaken.
Eight lotus flowers travel toward the horizon where a beacon stands tall — a guiding light, a new beginning, shelter, home.
The emancipation of the lotus is a powerful symbol— a metaphor for rising above adversity, commitment and optimism for the future. Yet this action is suffused with remembrance, evoking reflection.
The artwork honours the sacrifices made by one generation so that another may flourish. It promotes empathy within the broader community by conveying the themes of this epic journey —
Resilience, Freedom, Future and Gratitude.
March 2019 – Approval from The City of Adelaide Council
The Vietnamese Boat People Monument project has formally received approval from the City of Adelaide council for the Land and Construction of the Monument on the Riverbank at the corner of Victoria Drive and Kintore Avenue, Adelaide. The Council voted unanimously for the Monument to go ahead. Construction of the monument will take.
June 2019 – Acknowledge The Work of The Vietnamese Boat People Monument Committee
A reception to acknowledge the work of the Vietnamese Boat People Monument Committee, on Friday, 14 June 2019, at Government House, Adelaide.
This monument is a reflection of the journey we all took and the sacrifices we all made. This monument is for us who took that journey, for our children and the generations to come, so they can learn about and understand the history of the Vietnamese Boat People, and the gratitude we have towards the Government and the Australian people.
August 2019 – Signing a Final Contract of $450,000 (plus GST) for The Monument
After receiving Adelaide City Council approval in March 2019, we are pleased to sign a final Contract of $450,000 (plus GST) with the Artists team, Tony Rosella and Ash Badios, so they can start work on the construction of the Monument. We look forward to working with Tony and Ash for the next 15 months to see through this landmark Monument.
7 February 2021 – Unveiling Ceremony of the Vietnamese Boat People Monument in South Australia
Thank you to everyone who came and celebrated the Unveiling Ceremony of the Vietnamese Boat People Monument – Adelaide on Sunday 7 February 2021, especially all our volunteers.
It was a memorable day for many of us. We are overwhelmed by the support of so many people and who also have fallen in love with this new monument.
Here are some photos of from the Unveiling Ceremony. Thank you to these photographers for the use of their photos – Bronte Kerr, Warmly Wang and Lan Hoang Nguyen.
Warm Regards,
Tung Ngo MLC