Adelaide, Australia - March 20, 1998
The Australia Vietnam Human Rights Committee (AVHRC) was publicly introduced at the Saint John Hall of Adelaide in the presence of Senator Julian Stefani, Representatives Trish Worth , Murray De Laine, Micheal Atkinson; Amnesty International representatives: Mrs. Honor Cowie and Mr. John Maltz; Chairman of South Australia Pen, Mr. Jorge Galleguillos-Pozo; Chairman of the Vietnam Veterans, Mr. Eric Ciracovitch; writer-actor Richard Potter; religious and community leaders and representatives of various Vietnamese organizations in the area.
Other guests who could not participate in the meeting sent messages of support; among these guests are Congresswoman Trish White, Father Nguyen Duc Thu, and leaders of various organizations worldwide that support democracy for Vietnam.
Bishop John Hepworth, a Political Science professor at Adelaide University, spoke as chairman of AVHRC and praised the courageous and relentless effort of the Vietnamese to fight communist dictatorship in Vietnam. He emphasized the role of the Committee as "contributing the Australian part to the collective voice of the world in demanding freedom - freedom of thought, expression, worship and life - for the Vietnamese people."
AVHRC's administration includes:
Chairman: Dr. John Hepworth
Vice-Chairman: Musician Phan Van Hung
Vice-Chairman: Mr. Marc Posa
Secretary: Mrs. Christine Phan Thu Huong
Treasurer: Mr. Do Dang Lieu
Senator Julian Stefani of the Freedom Party, a close friend and supporter of the Vietnamese Australian community in its pursuit for freedom, and Representative Michael Atkinson of the Labor Party took turns at the podium to express their support and best wishes for AVHRC.
The event continued with a musical program. Artist Van Khuong cited the poem "This Land" by the renowned poet Nguyen Chi Thien. The poem in english translation was then cited by actor Richard Potter. The two artists brought tears to people's eyes with the poet's touching words. A musical performance by Phan Van Hung brought to life the sad reality of intense suffering in Vietnam; nonetheless, this talented and patriotic man conveyed hope for a free, happy Vietnam.