The late Henry Thai, one of Ballarat’s most prominent and influential leaders, has received a posthumous award from the City of Ballarat for his contribution to the local community.
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Mr Thai died at the age of 66 last Christmas eve after complications with his heart, however his legacy will remain forever, with his wife Sandra accepting a certificate of recognition on his behalf at the ‘Open Monument’ on Main Road on Saturday.
While well known as his role of president of the Ballarat Chinese Community Association, Mr Thai was praised for his efforts as the patron for fundraising the construction of the ‘Open Monument’ – a public artwork which strands as a tribute to the contribution of Ballarat’s Chinese community.
Mr Thai’s children, William, Phillip and Jacqueline were present as Sandra accepted the certificate from Mayor Des Hudson.
An emotional Sandra said she was “proud” of her husband’s dedication to the enrichment of the Ballarat community.
“This (certificate of recognition) is a grateful gift from the people who have recognised what Henry has done here in Ballarat,” she said.
“We all are very proud of him. My husband has lived here in Ballarat for 40 years now. He’s not only helped the community here in Ballarat, but also in Melbourne.
“He was not a selfish person. He would always open his heart and extend his hand to help.”
Cr Hudson said Mr Thai had made an “enormous contribution” to the formation of the ‘Open Monument’.
“I think it was important to recognise Henry’s work,” he said.
Mr Thai was awarded an Order of Australia in 2002, is a Centenary Medal recipient and has also acted as a Justice of the Peace.
He was also instrumental in the restoration and the maintenance of the Old Chinese Cemetery in Ballarat.
Current president of the Ballarat Chinese Community Association Peter Lo said he looked forward to continuing Mr Thai’s exemplary work.
“I’m very happy for the occasion today because the late president Henry Thai did some great work for the community,” Mr Lo said.
“This (the ‘Open Monument’) was one of his last projects and it was a big one too, so he was very happy about it.”