Summary

In March 2022, the Hmong community in Victoria gathered for their first event after the covid pandemic lockdowns and a photograph was taken to capture the event and the women.

Introduction:

In March 2022, the first Victoria-wide Hmong community gathering in Dunnstown was held after the 2020-2021 Covid pandemic lockdowns. Photographer Austin Virathone took the opportunity to gather five of the women wearing traditional Hmong regional clothing and took a photograph of them. The image, entitled 'Pojniam siab-tawv, lub Zejzog Ntaus-thawj' ('Strong Women, Strong Community') was subsequently entered into the inaugural Victorian Multicultural Commission 'Capturing Culture' photographic competition and was displayed with other finalists and winners at Immigration Museum from June to August 2022.

The photograph captures five women from the Victorian Hmong community across generations wearing traditional Hmong clothing. The women depicted, from left to right, are: Ms. Ko Vang (age 65), Ms. Zoua Thao (age 59), Ms. Alee Lee (age 62), Ms. Pat Vang (age 60), and Ms. Mao Xiong (age 55).

The Photographer:

The photographer Austin Vamleej Virathone is a Hmong-Australian multimedia artist, based in Melbourne. He describes himself as self-taught in graphic design and photography, and is passionate about capturing and celebrating his community through film, photography and design. Austin is also the Legal Counsel and Creative Design Lead for the Hmong Australia Festival Inc., an organisation dedicated to keeping the Hmong identity alive in Australia.

Austin reflects: 'Women are the backbone and souls of their communities. "Pojniam siab-tawv, lub Zejzog Ntaus-thawj" portrays five Hmong Australian women in an outdoor nature setting. The photograph depicts the first community event organised by the 1000+ Victorian community after consecutive lockdowns in Melbourne. The event included community liaison, welfare checks, health information and communal food.'

'It was captured in Dunnstown, Victoria at the Sunflower Farm. Each of the women are wearing traditional Hmong clothing, with its distinctive embroidery and bright, eye-catching hues. Grouped closely together, gazing directly at the camera, their collective manner is relaxed yet powerful, a strong show of faith in their culture and community.'

The Women:

In 2023, each of the women depicted in the photograph were asked to reflect on their participation in the community event:

Pat Vang: 'We were isolated from each other during the COVID-19 lock down. As we live in different suburbs in Werribee, Point Cook, St. Albans, Greenvale and Craigieburn in Victoria, so we were not allowed to travel to see each other during the COVID-19 locked down. We were happy to be reunited at the Sunflower Farm. The Sunflower excursion was organised by the Hmong Australia Festival Inc, after the locked down was lifted.'

'We called each other up and teamed up with a group of more than 30 families to join the HAF excursion to the Sunflower farm. We couldn't wear our Hmong costume at our Hmong New Year for the last two years, so we decided to put on our beautiful Hmong costume and cooked our favourite Hmong dishes to bring and share with each other at the farm. It was an enjoyable day for us to catch up.'

Ko Vang: 'COVID-19 had hit us hard as both my husband and I are in the risk group. I could not go to work in the vegetable farm. My children and grandkids were not allowed to visit us. So after the locked down was lifted, we were so happy that the Hmong Australia Festival Inc. organised an outdoor excursion for all the Hmong families to meet at the Sun Flower farm. It was so nice to be able to see family and friends smiling and talking and wearing our beautiful Hmong costume.'

Zoua Thao: 'The sunflower excursion brought a lot of love and happiness to me as I got to enjoy the fresh air in an opened area and the best part was to be able to physically see my friends in other suburbs.'

Alee Lee: 'The best part about this excursion was getting out of town to an open air and safe place to enjoy each other company and catching up with friends and family.'

Mao Xiong: 'The event to the sunflower farm has brought a lot of joy to my husband and me as we can dress up in our Hmong costume and went to meet our family and friends in the open air area and sharing lunch together. Thank you to Hmong Australia Festival for organise this excursion for us.'

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