South Australia’s outgoing Governor hopes Australians will welcome and support Afghan refugees in the same way he was welcomed to this country from Vietnam decades ago.
Key points:
- Hieu Van Le spent seven years as SA Governor
- He used his final day in the role to reflect on the situation in Afghanistan
- In his final official ceremony, he laid wreaths at war memorials
The popular and much-loved Hieu Van Le is stepping down after seven years in the role and, on his final day, reflected on his journey from refugee to South Australia’s “head of state”.
He will be replaced by former diplomat Frances Adamson.
Mr Le fought back emotions as he talked of the harrowing scenes in Afghanistan.
“Looking at the television news in the last few weeks and seeing the situation in Kabul in Afghanistan brings back so many sad memories to us,” he said.
“We relate it back to the fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975. I was there.
“They need help, and we need to provide them with whatever help that we can.”
Two humanitarian flights from Afghanistan landed in Adelaide in the past week, with families now in quarantine in medi-hotels before they can start to rebuild their lives.
Mr Le and his wife Lan fled war-torn Vietnam by boat, taking a treacherous journey to Australia’s northern shores before settling in Adelaide “with an invisible suitcase filled with dreams”.
He said he hoped Australians would welcome the people from Afghanistan the way he was welcomed decades ago.
He said it was that generosity that drove him in his role as Governor of South Australia.
“Someone told me that if Hollywood tried to write a story it wouldn’t be this good, because it wouldn’t be that true or real,” he said.
“Think about this: a young man, a refugee, coming to land at the age of 23 with nothing, just the shirt on his back and then this community embraces him, allowing him to live in the democratic free and peaceful country.
“And that’s why we’re trying very, very hard every single day to work, to make sure that we’ve never forgotten the mission that we have — to pay back this society who have been so generous, so compassionate to allow people like me into this position.”
Mr Le’s final official ceremony as Governor mirrored his first.
He laid a wreath at the National War Memorial on North Terrace in Adelaide and then at the Vietnam War Memorial at the Torrens Parade in honour of those who have served.
He said his commitment to service would continue under his successor.
“The work hasn’t been finished. There’s a lot more to do,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to the opportunities to continue, particularly in the areas where people look after the most vulnerable members of our community.”
Ms Adamson will become South Australia’s 36th governor.
She will be the state’s third female governor.