The Australian Vietnamese Women’s Association (AVWA) has opened a permanent northern hub in Thomastown.
AVWA marked the occasion with an opening ceremony on 15 January at 7 Wall Street bringing together community leaders, members and volunteers.
Whittlesea mayor Lawrie Cox said there is a high local demand for the services AVWA provides.
“[AVWA] has offices in Springvale and Braybrook and Richmond… and now in the north… you should have been here a long time ago,” Cr Cox said.
Thomastown MP Bronwyn Halfpenny said the organisation is a model for the sector.
“Other organisations… want to partner and learn from you because of what you’ve built here… a strong workforce that really provides such vital services.”
AVWA founder and president Cam Nguyen said the day was special as it also marked 43 years of the organisation.
“We were 15 women… with the mission of providing services to the most disadvantaged members.”
The hub is open from Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm where the community can access training, aged care, disability, family, wellbeing and cultural services.
