“It doesn’t matter how old you are, if you have a passion, anything can be achieved,” she says.
Hanh’s optimism, curiosity and perseverance have guided her throughout her life, making her an exemplary figure in the community.
Hanh is from the Vietnamese city of Saigon, where she studied commerce and held a leadership role in a bank. In 1988, she migrated with her husband and two daughters to Australia, where she joined her sister who had arrived a few years earlier by boat.
Happy to be reunited with her family and start a new life in Melbourne, she secured a job in a factory within a week. “It was not easy,” Hanh reflects, “but we had to try – step by step”.
Within a few years, Hanh and her husband had established a manufacturing business, which they ran successfully until their retirement.
At that time, she was also volunteering as a kitchen assistant at the Hoa Nghiem Buddhist Temple in Springvale, where she prepared healthy vegan meals.
She also helped with fundraising initiatives and travelled overseas to support communities in Cambodia.
Her positive attitude and ability to connect with others gave an incredible boost to the seniors group, which now boasts 340 members who gather on a weekly basis for activities such as traditional dancing, singing and gentle exercise classes led by volunteers.
One of the most rewarding aspects of Hanh’s role is empowering other seniors to explore their passions and share them with the community.
“When we retire we have more time, so it’s good to share what you know with others,” Hanh says. “It makes you happy and what you share, you will receive back.”
At 74 years old, Hanh remains busier than ever, organising events and fundraisers, attending board meetings and regularly performing with her dancing group at multicultural festivals and events, where she has the chance to learn more about and appreciate other cultures.
“The more we do, the more people will be encouraged to join in and have fun,” she says.
This article was published in the
Autumn 2024 edition of Golden Years.