Hieu Van Le: From Refugee to South Australia Governor

Hieu Van Le: From Refugee to South Australia Governor

A former Vietnam refugee has been appointed as South Australia's next governor. Hieu Van Le, currently holding the position of Deputy, will replace Rear Admiral Kevin Scarce on September.

 

Mr. Le's humble beginning and rise to power is something for the books. He arrived in Australia 36 years ago as a refugee fleeing from the war in Vietnam. In his own words, he came to the country “with nothing but an invisible suitcase filled with dreams, with a dream to live in a peaceful, safe and free country and to live a meaningful and fulfilling life.” He served as the Lieutenant-Governor beginning in 2007. He worked as an accountant until 2009 when he retired and became an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2010.

 

Le's long-term and sincere service to the community is what made him earn the trust and confidence of his colleagues through time. Although he himself is still overwhelmed by the prestige bestowed upon him, he stressed that it is more of a reflection of the society today than it is about him. According to him, being an Asian migrant and be appointed to such a high position clearly asserts the increasing awareness and insistence on equality in today's society considering his previous experiences of being discriminated and other anti-immigrant encounters when he first arrived in the country.

 

Le notes that it is the Vietnamese people's quiet and simple character that eventually made them accepted and integrated into the Australian community. His position as Lieutenant-Governor will be filled in by Cancer Council SA Chief Brenda Wilson while Rear Admiral Scarce has been recognized and honored for his great work, specifically in improving the economic and social well-being of South Australia by being a patron to over 200 charities and organizations across the state. Hieu Van Le is the first Asian migrant to achieve the distinguished position of Governor in the history of South Australia.