Saigon’s Queensland Flood Appeal raises US$33,000

The Queensland Floods Appeal on Monday night at Jaspas and Vino restaurants in Hai Ba Trung St. in HCMC  raised over US$33,000 to help the flood victims in the Australian state.

Over US$9,000 was raised in cash and US$24,000 was pledged with more coming in.

“It was an absolutely extraordinary response to an extraordinary tragedy in Queensland,” said Phil Johns, the president of the Australian Rules football team, Vietnam Swans, that helped AusCham organize the event with Jaspas, Vino and Commonwealth Bank.

The sponsors were led by the Boomerang Bar (US$10,000) and Meinhardt Engineering (US$5,000). There was also an individual who chipped in more than US$3,000.

The money will be sent to the Premier’s Flood Relief Appeal in the Australian state.

Of the people who attended the event many walked away with great prizes that were donated by generous local companies, resorts and hotels who wanted to help out.

Considering the event was only called on the weekend, the response was incredible and has been noted by many people in Queensland who have sent emails of thanks to the organizers which can be read on the Vietnam Swans’ website.

A second Queensland Flood Appeal will be held in Hanoi at Jaspas in the Hanoi Tower, 49 Hai Ba Trung St. this coming Friday night.

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Queensland flood appeal tonight

To help the victims of the Queensland floods, the Australian Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (AusCham) is holding a fundraiser at Jaspas/Vino tonight, with all the money to go directly to the Premier’s Flood Relief Appeal in the Australian state.

Tickets cost VND300,000 out of which VND200,000 will go to the appeal via Commonwealth Bank transfer. Jaspas/Vino will take VND100,000 to cover some of their costs.

Ticket price includes beer, wine, basic spirits, snacks. If you are interested in donating raffle or auction prizes contact Fiona Terry (0907 613 947), Derrin Limbrick (0907 944 8799) or Phil Johns (0933 032 296).

According to the AusCham release there are currently 15 dead, 61 missing and 15,000 residential and commercial properties affected by the flooding in Queensland.

“We will raise some money which will seem like a drop in a Queensland flood. But, perhaps more importantly, as a community from half way across the world, we will come together to raise that money in a gesture of solidarity,” the AusCham announcement said.
The event will be at Jaspas/Vino 74/7 Hai Ba Trung St, District 1 HCMC, at 6.30-8.30 pm, tonight, Monday Jan. 17.

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Vietnamese wins Australian education award

K'Chin has been named Queensland's international student of the year.

HA NOI – Vietnamese K'Chin, 21, who underwent life-changing surgery in Australia, has been named Queensland's international student of the year.

Born in a remote village near Da Lat in central-highland Lam Dong Province, K'Chin broke his leg as an infant and spent his first 13 years crawling or hopping because he could not walk.

Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children took him to Australia in 2002 and provided him with both medial treatment and an education.

"I couldn't walk so I just crawled until the age that I could hop on one leg, and I hopped for 13 years," he told an Australian Broadcasting Corporation reporter.

Now he can not only walk, he has been nominated his school captain for next year.

"I think that education and being educated is the most important part of our life," said the young man who never went to school in Viet Nam let alone spoke English.

"It's a great honour," he said of the award made by the Queensland Education Department.

"I came to Australia for surgery. It's so wonderful that I am awarded the title."

K'Chin thinks all children should have an education. – VNS

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