IN THE school yard Huy Nguyen loved to trade his rice for other students' lunches, like lamb souvlaki or spaghetti bolognaise. It was how the young Vietnamese refugee could make friends, share stories and culture and to this day, these are still among his favourite dishes to eat with long-time friends.
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The Ballarat radiographer said that in the wake of the Christchurch terror attacks, this week's Harmony Day was an important time time to appreciate diversity and learn about other cultures.
"It's a sad time but it's a good time for us to reflect. We don't need to be like that. We can share," Mr Nguyen said. "There's a lot more to get out of sharing than not. You grow bigger and better as a person and that benefits everyone. It would be a shame to not accept it and on the other side, not sharing it."
Whether it's rice or anything you don't think others might like that you have, you never know. I was sick of the rice and interested in something else and that's Australia - that's multiculturalism isn't it?
- Huy Nguyen, Ballarat radiographer and Vietnamese refugee
Mr Nguyen shared his family's story of fleeing Vietnam as refugees with staff at Ballarat Health Services on Monday in the lead-up to Harmony Day.
The story, he said, was one of millions for refugees worldwide but it was still emotional to recount. Mr Nguyen's mum cried when he rang her at the weekend to check details, but he said they were happy tears now.
His family was split from his father for eight years after two failed attempts to follow him via dangerous illegal boat operations. His mother raised Mr Nguyen and his little sister by herself in Vietnam until in 1990, until receiving word they could fly to Melbourne as refugees and reunite.
When Mr Nguyen was growing up in Australia, his father pushed for his children to integrate with others at school and share culture. Mr Nguyen strives to continue living by this today in Ballarat where he said two managers looked beyond his skin and give him a job in the hospital 15 years ago.
There's a lot of people in Ballarat who may not have any idea what people go through to get here.
- Huy Nguyen
"I think it's important to share those and perhaps appreciate journeys people do take and perhaps share their own journey and upbringing," Mr Nguyen said.
BHS centre of care committee hosted the morning tea event, including an impromptu Bollywood-style dance after speeches. Committee chairman Rajat Taneja said while they were celebrating harmony as the world grapples to come to terms with Christchurch, this was about coming together and "people being one".
Mr Taneja, who hails from India, said Ballarat had always felt inclusive.
"To see the multicultural aspect growing, to see more people from different cultural backgrounds, different linguistic backgrounds coming here and staying as one big community is wonderful," Mr Taneja said.
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