Hieu Van Le

His Excellency The Honourable
Hieu Van Le
AO
35th Governor of South Australia
Assumed office
1 September 2014
Monarch Elizabeth II
Premier Jay Weatherill
Lieutenant Governor Brenda Wilson
Preceded by Kevin Scarce
Personal details
Born (1954-01-01) 1 January 1954
Quảng Trị, State of Vietnam
Spouse(s) Lan T. Phuong Le
Children Kim Anh Le
Don Anh Le
Residence Government House
Alma mater Dalat University
University of Adelaide
Profession Accountant
Economist
Religion Catholic[1]
Website http://www.governor.sa.gov.au/

Hieu Van Le AO (Vietnamese: Lê Văn Hiếu; born 1 January 1954) is the 35th and current Governor of South Australia, in office since 1 September 2014. He had previously been the state's lieutenant-governor since 31 August 2007, as well as a chairman of the South Australian Multicultural and Ethnic Affairs Commission (SAMEAC). Le is the first person of Asian heritage to be appointed a state governor in Australia.[2] He replaced Kevin Scarce.

Biography

Le was born in Quảng Trị, South Vietnam in 1954. He was raised and educated in Đà Nẵng, and attended Dalat University. He fled Vietnam from the new communist regime in November 1977, and came by boat to Darwin as a refugee in 1977 with his wife Lan and about 40 other people.[3] Their two sons were born in Australia and are named after Australian cricketers Sir Donald Bradman and Kim Hughes.[4]

After arriving in Australia, Le attended the University of Adelaide, receiving an MBA and an Economics degree. He was a senior investigator and manager with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission from the early 1990s until his retirement in 2009.[5] He is also a member of the Australian Society of Certified Practising Accountants (CPA) and a Fellow Member of the Financial Services Institute of Australasia (Finsia).

Le was awarded honorary doctorates for service to society by the University of Adelaide in 2008 and Flinders University in 2011.[5] He was awarded an Australian Centenary Medal in 2001 "for service to the advancement of multiculturalism in Australia",[5] and appointed as an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2010.[6][7]

Le's appointment as Governor of South Australia to replace Kevin Scarce was announced on 26 June 2014; he took office on 1 September, with Scarce's term expiring on 7 August.[4][8] Le is a Catholic and credits his experiences as a refugee for strengthening his religious convictions.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 DiGirolamo, Rebecca. "Life's no accident". The Southern Cross. Retrieved 18 December 2014.
  2. ↑ Martin, Sarah (2 September 2014). "SA Governor Hieu Van Le 'a beacon of hope'". The Australian. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
  3. ↑ Holderhead, Sheradyn (26 June 2014). "South Australia Premier Jay Weatherill names Hieu Van Le as next Governor". The Advertiser (News Limited). Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  4. 1 2 "Hieu Van Le to be next SA Governor: From war-torn Vietnam to vice-regal post". ABC News. 26 June 2014. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  5. 1 2 3 "Hieu Van Le to be appointed as South Australia's next Governor" (PDF) (Press release). Government of South Australia. Premier of South Australia. 26 June 2014. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  6. ↑ "LE, Hieu Van". It's An Honour. Government of Australia. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  7. ↑ Gibson, Candy (March 2009). "Honorary degrees: Two of South Australia's most distinguished citizens have been awarded honorary doctorates by the University of Adelaide". Adelaidean. The University of Adelaide.
  8. ↑ "Rear Admiral Kevin Scarce to stay on as South Australia governor". news.com.au. 13 February 2012. Retrieved 30 June 2014.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Le Van Hieu.
Government offices
Preceded by
Kevin Scarce		 Governor of South Australia
2014–present 		Incumbent
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