An Australian memorial to Vietnamese boatpeople
Updated
Australia's first memorial to commemorate the Vietnamese refugees who came to Australia after the defeat of the United States and the South Vietnamese government is due to be unveiled
Many refugees, known as boat people, escaped from Vietnam's communist victors in all sorts of ships and boats to try to sail to freedom.
Some of the survivors settled in the Melbourne suburb of Footscray where the new monument commemorates the thousands who died during the journey and honours Australians who helped resettle boat people.
The state of Victoria's Acting Premier, Rob Hulls says it's an inspirational memorial.
"It's a monument that's really a symbol that will continue to preserve and promote the Vietnamese boat people's heritage and culture for generations to come."
He says,"It's a boat design, it's very clever and emotional really and the message is simple: as human beings we are all in the same boat."
