After seven years of dedicated service, Chairperson Vivienne Nguyen AM reflects on a journey of connection, resilience, and hope for a multicultural Victoria

MELBOURNE, VICTORIA — There are moments in public life that transcend the ordinary—moments when service becomes more than a duty and transforms into a calling. For Vivienne Nguyen AM, her seven-year tenure as Chairperson of the Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC) has been precisely such a moment.

In a heartfelt farewell, Ms Nguyen announced her final day as Chairperson, closing a chapter that has seen Victoria’s multicultural communities navigate unprecedented challenges and celebrate remarkable triumphs.

A Journey of Service

“Today marks my final day as Chairperson of the Victorian Multicultural Commission, and I wanted to take this opportunity to simply say thank you.”

For seven years, Vivienne Nguyen has stood at the intersection of government and community, serving as a bridge between Victoria’s culturally, linguistically, and religiously diverse populations and the institutions that serve them. Her journey to this role began long before her appointment—it started when she arrived in Australia as a 12-year-old refugee from Vietnam, a young girl who would grow into one of Victoria’s most passionate advocates for genuine community engagement and cultural diversity .

Her path has been extraordinary: from refugee to corporate leader, from community volunteer to Member of the Order of Australia . In 2021, she was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for “significant service to the multicultural community of Victoria” . This recognition was not the culmination of her work but rather a milestone along a continuing journey of service.

Standing Together Through Crisis and Celebration

“It has been a privilege to stand alongside Victoria’s multicultural and multifaith communities through moments of crisis and celebration, joy and pain, laughter and tears, agreement and robust (and respectful) discussions, and indeed for that matter the disagreements we accepted of each other.”

Nguyen’s tenure was marked by extraordinary challenges. Just months into her role, the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the world, disproportionately affecting multicultural communities who faced language barriers, misinformation, and economic hardship. Under her leadership, the VMC became an essential link between government and community .

“The voices of [multicultural] communities are far more amplified, noticeable, involved and engaged now than we have ever seen,” she reflected on the pandemic experience .

Her leadership through those difficult times was lauded by many, earning her a second four-year term . She worked tirelessly to ensure that government programs and restrictions were communicated effectively to diverse communities, partnering with community leaders and peak bodies to deliver unique resources for those who needed them most .

The Quiet Work That Builds a Community

“Throughout this journey, I have been constantly inspired by the generosity of community leaders, volunteers, faith leaders, young people and organisations who quietly give their time and talents in service of others. Much of this work happens behind the scenes and without recognition, yet it is these everyday acts of kindness, leadership and service that make Victoria the welcoming and inclusive place we are proud to call home.”

Nguyen’s farewell speech was as much a tribute to others as it was a reflection on her own work. She acknowledged the unsung heroes of Victoria’s multicultural communities—those who work without fanfare, who give without seeking recognition, who serve without expecting reward .

Indeed, throughout her tenure, Nguyen consistently highlighted the work of others. In farewell messages to outgoing commissioners, she noted that their “inspirational and unwavering leadership, dedication and advocacy has been instrumental in promoting understanding, connection and collaboration among Victoria’s diverse communities” . She praised her Deputy Chairperson, Bwe Thay, as having been “by my side, providing steadfast support and strongly advocating for Victoria’s culturally, religiously and linguistically diverse communities” .

Looking Forward with Hope

“While my time as Chair comes to an end, my belief in the future of multicultural Victoria has never been stronger.”

Nguyen’s farewell is not one of resignation but of optimism. She leaves the role at a moment of significant transformation for multicultural affairs in Victoria. The establishment of Multicultural Victoria as a fit-for-purpose organisation, elevating multicultural affairs across the whole of the Victorian government, presents what she calls “an exciting opportunity to shape the future” .

The new statutory body will combine the engagement role of the VMC with the policy role of the Department, with new responsibilities including developing safety plans for communities affected by serious events . A new Multicultural Coordinator General will lead it, supported by two deputies and a five-member advisory council of commissioners .

Nguyen has welcomed these changes, stating that she welcomes “the Multicultural Review report and its proposed structural changes to ensure government policies are fit-for-purpose” and “the decision to review the Multicultural Act Victoria 2011, which must focus on strengthening cohesion and creating a richer, more inclusive, fairer and better Victoria” .

Gratitude and Continuity

“I leave this role with immense gratitude for the friendships formed, the conversations shared and the many lessons I have learned from individuals and communities across Victoria. Thank you for your trust, your wisdom and your unwavering commitment to building a stronger, fairer and more connected Victoria.”

In her farewell, Nguyen expressed deep gratitude for the relationships she has built across Victoria—the friendships, the conversations, the lessons learned. Her words reflect a genuine appreciation for the communities she has served and the people who have walked alongside her.

“Although this chapter closes, my commitment to our multicultural communities does not.”

Nguyen has made clear that her departure from the Chairperson role does not signal an end to her advocacy. She looks forward to remaining involved and continuing to attend community events across Victoria in the months and years ahead .

A Lasting Legacy

The legacy of Vivienne Nguyen’s tenure is visible in the strengthened connections between government and multicultural communities, the amplified voices of diverse Victorians, and the foundations laid for the future of multicultural affairs in Victoria.

Her journey—from 12-year-old refugee to Chairperson of the Victorian Multicultural Commission—is itself a testament to the opportunities that a multicultural society can offer . Her story is a reminder that diversity is not merely something to be tolerated but something to be celebrated and embraced.

“Together, we have celebrated our diversity, navigated difficult times with compassion and resilience, and continued to strengthen the foundations of our multicultural state.”

Conclusion

As Vivienne Nguyen AM steps down from her role as Chairperson of the Victorian Multicultural Commission, she leaves behind a legacy of service, advocacy, and hope. Her seven-year tenure has seen Victoria’s multicultural communities through a pandemic, through celebration, through crisis, and through transformation.

Her final message is one of gratitude and optimism—gratitude for the privilege of service, and optimism for the future of multicultural Victoria. The establishment of Multicultural Victoria, with its expanded mandate and renewed focus, represents an exciting new chapter in the story of Victoria’s diverse communities.

And while Nguyen’s role as Chairperson has come to an end, her commitment to multicultural Victoria has not. As she herself has said, “this chapter closes, my commitment to our multicultural communities does not.”

“Thank you for allowing me the privilege of serving alongside you.”

— Vivienne Nguyen AM, Chairperson (for the last time), Victorian Multicultural Commission