NEWS AND EVENTS
04.11.2025
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EVENT: A Festival of Lounging
WHEN: Thursday 6th November (6:30pm till late)
WHERE: Shop Bao Ngoc
Come join us for a festival of lounging to hold your tender achy souls…
We’ll be launching a pop-up library at Shop Bao Ngoc on Thursday, 6 November! We’ve curated a small collection to feature in the Shop Bao Ngoc space, come along to lounge, browse the collection and eat tasty snacks <3
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16.05.2023
A grandson tries to learn the family story.
But what kind of story is it? Is it a prison memoir, about the grandfather imprisoned without charge or trial by a revolutionary government? Is it an oral history of the grandmother left behind to look after the children? Or is it a love story? A detective tale?
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A Festival of Lounging
In partnership with Shop Bao Ngoc
EVENT: A Festival of Lounging
WHEN: Thursday 6th November (6:30pm till late)
WHERE: Shop Bao Ngoc
Come join us for a festival of lounging to hold your tender achy souls…
We’ll be launching a pop-up library at Shop Bao Ngoc on Thursday, 6 November! We’ve curated a small collection to feature in the Shop Bao Ngoc space, come along to lounge, browse the collection and eat tasty snacks <3
︎
16.05.2023
It’s ‘Dust Child’ day!
Presented by the Wheeler CentreA grandson tries to learn the family story.
But what kind of story is it? Is it a prison memoir, about the grandfather imprisoned without charge or trial by a revolutionary government? Is it an oral history of the grandmother left behind to look after the children? Or is it a love story? A detective tale?
︎
10.05.2023
A grandson tries to learn the family story.
But what kind of story is it? Is it a prison memoir, about the grandfather imprisoned without charge or trial by a revolutionary government? Is it an oral history of the grandmother left behind to look after the children? Or is it a love story? A detective tale?
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Spend an evening in conversation with Hoang Tran Nguyen and André Dao, as they wander through memory and inheritance, colonialism and belonging, home and exile in Dao’s debut novel, Anam; winner of the 2021 Victorian Literary Award.
WHEN
Tuesday 13th June 2023
WHERE
Footscray Library
56 Paisley St
Footscray VIC 3011
COST
$15/NOTAFLOF*
Footscray Library is wheelchair accessible - we encourage all to wear masks.
TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE HERE
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Anam: Memory and Inheritance
Presented in partnership with the Willy Lit FestA grandson tries to learn the family story.
But what kind of story is it? Is it a prison memoir, about the grandfather imprisoned without charge or trial by a revolutionary government? Is it an oral history of the grandmother left behind to look after the children? Or is it a love story? A detective tale?
Spend an evening in conversation with Hoang Tran Nguyen and André Dao, as they wander through memory and inheritance, colonialism and belonging, home and exile in Dao’s debut novel, Anam; winner of the 2021 Victorian Literary Award.
WHEN
Tuesday 13th June 2023
WHERE
Footscray Library
56 Paisley St
Footscray VIC 3011
COST
$15/NOTAFLOF*
Footscray Library is wheelchair accessible - we encourage all to wear masks.
TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE HERE
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23.04.2023
Come join us for a day through time, exploring the complexities of family dynamics and inherited trauma through generations with Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai’s ‘Dust Child’.
OUR STORIES, OUR HERITAGE
WRITING WORKSHOP
2:00PM - 4:00PM
COST
$35-45/NOTAFLOF*
Unravelling the intricate layers of family dynamics and memory, her writing – including her latest novel Dust Child – offers poignant tributes to the culture and history of Việt Nam.
As part of the Wheeler Centre’s World of Words, join Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai for an intimate workshop exploring inheritance and cultural legacy. Inspired by objects that represent their family’s heritage or a memory, participants will be led through a series of exercises to develop pieces that evoke and expand upon personal legacies.
TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE HERE
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NGUYỄN PHAN QUẾ MAI: DUST CHILD
IN CONVERSATION AND BOOK SIGNING
6:30PM - 8:00PM
COST
$10-15/NOTAFLOF*
Working across fiction, non-fiction and poetry, Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai’s compelling work takes readers on journeys through time, exploring the complexities of family dynamics and inherited trauma through generations.
Described as a letter to her homeland, Nguyễn’s latest novel Dust Child draws upon her own experiences reuniting Amerasian children with their families, spinning a deeply personal and poignant family saga that moves between the Vietnam war and the present day.
For the first time in Australia, join Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai in conversation with Giselle Au-Nhien Nguyen as she discusses crafting Dust Child, her humanitarian work, and the intersection of advocacy and creativity. Following the discussion, attendees will have the opportunity to browse the Đất Nước Library featuring a community-curated collection of texts from Vietnam and the diaspora.
TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE HERE
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WHEN
Monday 22nd May 2023
WHERE
Footscray Arts Community Centre
45 Moreland St
Footscray VIC 3011
Footscray Arts Community Centre is wheelchair accessible - we encourage all to wear masks.
︎
World of Words: Dust Child
Presented by the Wheeler CentreCome join us for a day through time, exploring the complexities of family dynamics and inherited trauma through generations with Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai’s ‘Dust Child’.
OUR STORIES, OUR HERITAGE
WRITING WORKSHOP
2:00PM - 4:00PM
COST
$35-45/NOTAFLOF*
Unravelling the intricate layers of family dynamics and memory, her writing – including her latest novel Dust Child – offers poignant tributes to the culture and history of Việt Nam.
As part of the Wheeler Centre’s World of Words, join Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai for an intimate workshop exploring inheritance and cultural legacy. Inspired by objects that represent their family’s heritage or a memory, participants will be led through a series of exercises to develop pieces that evoke and expand upon personal legacies.
TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE HERE
︎
NGUYỄN PHAN QUẾ MAI: DUST CHILD
IN CONVERSATION AND BOOK SIGNING
6:30PM - 8:00PM
COST
$10-15/NOTAFLOF*
Working across fiction, non-fiction and poetry, Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai’s compelling work takes readers on journeys through time, exploring the complexities of family dynamics and inherited trauma through generations.
Described as a letter to her homeland, Nguyễn’s latest novel Dust Child draws upon her own experiences reuniting Amerasian children with their families, spinning a deeply personal and poignant family saga that moves between the Vietnam war and the present day.
For the first time in Australia, join Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai in conversation with Giselle Au-Nhien Nguyen as she discusses crafting Dust Child, her humanitarian work, and the intersection of advocacy and creativity. Following the discussion, attendees will have the opportunity to browse the Đất Nước Library featuring a community-curated collection of texts from Vietnam and the diaspora.
TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE HERE
︎
WHEN
Monday 22nd May 2023
WHERE
Footscray Arts Community Centre
45 Moreland St
Footscray VIC 3011
Footscray Arts Community Centre is wheelchair accessible - we encourage all to wear masks.
︎
__.11.2022
It has been a hot minute, hasn‘t it?
We’ve been little quiet on our socials as we have been working away on our next project...
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Language and Community Symposium
Presented by VietSpeakIt has been a hot minute, hasn‘t it?
We’ve been little quiet on our socials as we have been working away on our next project...
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___.11.2022
It has been a hot minute, hasn‘t it?
We’ve been little quiet on our socials as we have been working away on our next project...
Supported by Co-Health, we will be moving in with Arts Gen located at the Footscray Community Arts Centre in Melbourne’s inner-west.
Arts Gen is a space that aims to address the social and cultural determinants of health, including ongoing colonisation, racism and the direct negative impact other forms of structural discrimination have on wellbeing through socially engaged creative practice, learning, sharing and artmaking with the community.
We look forward to sharing the next part of our journey with you over the coming months as we expand our library within this space.
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Zine Fair
Presented by Incendium Radical Libray and CollectiveIt has been a hot minute, hasn‘t it?
We’ve been little quiet on our socials as we have been working away on our next project...
Supported by Co-Health, we will be moving in with Arts Gen located at the Footscray Community Arts Centre in Melbourne’s inner-west.
Arts Gen is a space that aims to address the social and cultural determinants of health, including ongoing colonisation, racism and the direct negative impact other forms of structural discrimination have on wellbeing through socially engaged creative practice, learning, sharing and artmaking with the community.
We look forward to sharing the next part of our journey with you over the coming months as we expand our library within this space.
︎
21.03.2022
It has been a hot minute, hasn‘t it?
We’ve been little quiet on our socials as we have been working away on our next project...
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Supported by Co-Health, we will be moving in with Arts Gen located at the Footscray Community Arts Centre in Melbourne’s inner-west.
Arts Gen is a space that aims to address the social and cultural determinants of health, including ongoing colonisation, racism and the direct negative impact other forms of structural discrimination have on wellbeing through socially engaged creative practice, learning, sharing and artmaking with the community.
We look forward to sharing the next part of our journey with you over the coming months as we expand our library within this space.
︎
Hello friends!
It has been a hot minute, hasn‘t it?
We’ve been little quiet on our socials as we have been working away on our next project...
Supported by Co-Health, we will be moving in with Arts Gen located at the Footscray Community Arts Centre in Melbourne’s inner-west.
Arts Gen is a space that aims to address the social and cultural determinants of health, including ongoing colonisation, racism and the direct negative impact other forms of structural discrimination have on wellbeing through socially engaged creative practice, learning, sharing and artmaking with the community.
We look forward to sharing the next part of our journey with you over the coming months as we expand our library within this space.
︎
28.06.2021
Giving thanks
Presented in partnership with Emerging Writers’ Festival
It was a privilege to have you with us at our virtual launch, especially in the presence of our artists: Kim Lam, Chi Tran, Thao Ly and Quang Dinh, who have given us so much with their stories of family, memory and connection.
Đất Nước Library would like to give special thanks to Millie Baylis, Zoe Rabb and the rest of Emerging Writers’Festival team for supporting us during and in the lead up to the launch. We are also thankful to our Auslan interpreters, Celeste and Glenda for interpeting the event.
And to the wider community, thank you for your encouragement and continued support - we can’t wait for you all to see what we have in store for you next!
︎
Đất Nước Library would like to give special thanks to Millie Baylis, Zoe Rabb and the rest of Emerging Writers’Festival team for supporting us during and in the lead up to the launch. We are also thankful to our Auslan interpreters, Celeste and Glenda for interpeting the event.
And to the wider community, thank you for your encouragement and continued support - we can’t wait for you all to see what we have in store for you next!
︎
21.06.2021
The time is almost upon us
Presented in partnership with Emerging Writers’ Festival
With less than a few days to go, it’s almost time for our launch! We’re so excited to see you all on what will be a special evening.
Bookings will cease 1 hour before the event starts, so please check both your inbox and junk email folder.
EWF x Đất Nước Library Virtual Launch
Online via Zoom
Wednesday 23rd June 2021, 7PM-8PM (AEST)
Tickets: $10 AUD/NOTAFLOF*
This event will be Auslan interpreted.
TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE HERE
︎
Bookings will cease 1 hour before the event starts, so please check both your inbox and junk email folder.
EWF x Đất Nước Library Virtual Launch
Online via Zoom
Wednesday 23rd June 2021, 7PM-8PM (AEST)
Tickets: $10 AUD/NOTAFLOF*
This event will be Auslan interpreted.
TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE HERE
︎
14.06.2021
Meet our launch artists
Presented in partnership with Emerging Writers’ Festival
For our upcoming virtual launch, we’ll be showcasing live readings and performances from four different Narrm/Birraranga-based Vietnamese artists.
For our upcoming virtual launch, we’ll be showcasing live readings and performances from four different Narrm/Birraranga-based Vietnamese artists.
Kim Lam
Illustrator and Comics Artist
Illustrator and Comics Artist
Kim Lam (AKA dangerlam) is an illustrator and comics artist living and working in Narrm/Birraranga. In addition to having been appointed a Wheeler Centre Hot Desk Fellow (2020) and FCAC Emerging Cultural Leader (2019), she is an avid reader, maker and collector of zines and small-press publications.
Her most recent publication, ‘Working From Home (may ở nhà)’ is a work of illustrative journalism created in collaboration with writer Emma Do, which celebrates the stories of Vietnamese outworkers in the Australian fashion industry. Alongside her arts practice, Kim also works as a veterinarian.
Website: https://www.dangerlam.com/
Quang Dinh
Musician and Instrumentalist
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Quang Dinh has been on the Melbourne music scene for many years, more recently under the pseudonym, Moonlover. His debut album, ‘Thou Shall Be Free’ was picked up by indie label, Our Golden Friend and was released in 2018. Currently, he is working on his second album.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/moonlovermusic
Chi Tran
Writer and Artist
Her most recent publication, ‘Working From Home (may ở nhà)’ is a work of illustrative journalism created in collaboration with writer Emma Do, which celebrates the stories of Vietnamese outworkers in the Australian fashion industry. Alongside her arts practice, Kim also works as a veterinarian.
Website: https://www.dangerlam.com/
Quang Dinh
Musician and Instrumentalist
Website: https://www.facebook.com/moonlovermusic
Chi Tran
Writer and Artist
Chi Tran
is a writer and artist based in Narrm/Birraranga. They are interested in paying attention to language as a form of prayer and devotion.
A former writer-in-residence at the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art (ACCA), they published their first chapbook, ‘I occupy space, which is to say, I am always grieving’ with Incendium Radical Library & Press in 2017.
A former writer-in-residence at the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art (ACCA), they published their first chapbook, ‘I occupy space, which is to say, I am always grieving’ with Incendium Radical Library & Press in 2017.
Website: https://www.chi-tran.info/
Thao Ly
Sound Artist and Storyteller
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Thao Ly (AKA Thu Care) is a sound artist, music producer, and storyteller who lives and creates on the unceded lands of the Wurundjeri and Boon Wurrung peoples of the Kulin Nation.
Last year, she released a collaborative music project with her mum titled, ‘Công Ơn Cha Mẹ Như Trời Biễn’, that examines the themes of family, identity, re-ci-procity and home.
Website: https://thucare.bandcamp.com/
TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE HERE
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Thao Ly
Sound Artist and Storyteller
Thao Ly (AKA Thu Care) is a sound artist, music producer, and storyteller who lives and creates on the unceded lands of the Wurundjeri and Boon Wurrung peoples of the Kulin Nation.
Last year, she released a collaborative music project with her mum titled, ‘Công Ơn Cha Mẹ Như Trời Biễn’, that examines the themes of family, identity, re-ci-procity and home.
Website: https://thucare.bandcamp.com/
TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE HERE
︎
10.06.2021
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Source: Emerging Writers’ Festival
EWF x Đất Nước Library Virtual Launch
Online via Zoom
Wednesday 23rd June 2021, 7PM-8PM (AEST)
Tickets: $10 AUD/NOTAFLOF*
With the recent lockdown in Melbourne, the EWF x Đất Nước Library launch will now be a live storytelling event, hosted via Zoom.
While we would have liked to celebrate with you in person and boogie the night away, we are always looking out for your safety and best interests first.
Come and join us virtually as we sit in on four different Naarm/Birraranga-based Vietnamese artists read and respond to selected texts from our library collection.
This event will be Auslan interpreted.
TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE HERE
︎
Going virtual
Presented in partnership with Emerging Writers’ Festival
Source: Emerging Writers’ Festival
EWF x Đất Nước Library Virtual Launch
Online via Zoom
Wednesday 23rd June 2021, 7PM-8PM (AEST)
Tickets: $10 AUD/NOTAFLOF*
With the recent lockdown in Melbourne, the EWF x Đất Nước Library launch will now be a live storytelling event, hosted via Zoom.
While we would have liked to celebrate with you in person and boogie the night away, we are always looking out for your safety and best interests first.
Come and join us virtually as we sit in on four different Naarm/Birraranga-based Vietnamese artists read and respond to selected texts from our library collection.
This event will be Auslan interpreted.
TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE HERE
︎
12.05.2021
EWF x Đất Nước Library Launch
Presented in partnership with Emerging Writers’ Festival
We are excited to announce that we will be participating in this year’s Emerging Writers’ Festival on Wednesday 23rd June 2021 from 7PM - 8PM (AEST).
Come celebrate with us for a night of treats, storytelling and good vibes!
More information will be revealed over the coming weeks.
TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE HERE
︎
18.04.2021
This brings an end to our first ever pop-up.
Over the weekend, we were fortunate to have made many new friends.
We were very touched by the strong show of support from the community, and loved that we were able to share our library with everyone.
Thank you for the love all!
DAY 1
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12.04.2021
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Illustration by Kim Lam
Our friends, Kim Lam (AKA dangerlam) and Emma Do, will be having a three-day exhibition from 16-18 April 2021 at Footscray Community Arts Centre (45 Moreland Street, Footscray VIC 3012) to launch their book, ‘Working from Home (may ở nhà)’.
‘Working from Home (may ở nhà) ’ tells the stories of Vietnamese outworkers in Australia and celebrates their contributions to the fashion industry through a melding of journalism, illustration and oral history that explores their personal stories.
Exhibition (Gabriel Gallery, Henderson House)
- Friday 16th April 2021, 12PM - 5PM (AEST)
- Saturday 17th April 2021, 10AM - 12PM,
then 2PM - 4PM (AEST)
- Sunday 18th April 2021, 10AM - 2PM (AEST)
Book launch (Main Foyer, FCAC Warehouse)
Foreword by Alice Pung
- Saturday 17th April 2021, 1PM - 2PM (AEST)
Come visit us at our pop-up, the Đất Nước Library Reading Corner in the exhibition space at Gabriel Gallery, where you are invited to read from a selection of texts in our current library collection.
We’ll be featured alongside Liminal Magazine, Linh Ceramics, Red Pocket Press, Shop Bao Ngoc and Non Me Con.
RSVP VIA FACEBOOK EVENT
RETURN TO HOMEPAGE
EWF x Đất Nước Library Launch
Presented in partnership with Emerging Writers’ Festival
We are excited to announce that we will be participating in this year’s Emerging Writers’ Festival on Wednesday 23rd June 2021 from 7PM - 8PM (AEST).
Come celebrate with us for a night of treats, storytelling and good vibes!
More information will be revealed over the coming weeks.
TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE HERE
︎
18.04.2021
See you next time, friends!
Presented as part of the ‘Working From Home’ book launch + exhibitionThis brings an end to our first ever pop-up.
Over the weekend, we were fortunate to have made many new friends.
We were very touched by the strong show of support from the community, and loved that we were able to share our library with everyone.
Thank you for the love all!
DAY 1
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DAY 2
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DAY 3
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︎
12.04.2021
Đất Nước Library Reading Corner
Presented as part of the ‘Working From Home’ book launch + exhibition
Illustration by Kim Lam
Our friends, Kim Lam (AKA dangerlam) and Emma Do, will be having a three-day exhibition from 16-18 April 2021 at Footscray Community Arts Centre (45 Moreland Street, Footscray VIC 3012) to launch their book, ‘Working from Home (may ở nhà)’.
‘Working from Home (may ở nhà) ’ tells the stories of Vietnamese outworkers in Australia and celebrates their contributions to the fashion industry through a melding of journalism, illustration and oral history that explores their personal stories.
Exhibition (Gabriel Gallery, Henderson House)
- Friday 16th April 2021, 12PM - 5PM (AEST)
- Saturday 17th April 2021, 10AM - 12PM,
then 2PM - 4PM (AEST)
- Sunday 18th April 2021, 10AM - 2PM (AEST)
Book launch (Main Foyer, FCAC Warehouse)
Foreword by Alice Pung
- Saturday 17th April 2021, 1PM - 2PM (AEST)
Come visit us at our pop-up, the Đất Nước Library Reading Corner in the exhibition space at Gabriel Gallery, where you are invited to read from a selection of texts in our current library collection.
We’ll be featured alongside Liminal Magazine, Linh Ceramics, Red Pocket Press, Shop Bao Ngoc and Non Me Con.
RSVP VIA FACEBOOK EVENT
RETURN TO HOMEPAGE
ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF COUNTRY
We acknowledge the Wurundjeri and Boonwurrung people of the Kulin nation upon which our library was founded.
We pay our respects to their elders past and present and their rich tradition of story-telling. We recognise that sovereignty was never ceded. Always was, always will be Aboriginal land.
We acknowledge the Wurundjeri and Boonwurrung people of the Kulin nation upon which our library was founded.
We pay our respects to their elders past and present and their rich tradition of story-telling. We recognise that sovereignty was never ceded. Always was, always will be Aboriginal land.