top of page
First Homes, First Vacations
- click images to expand and for further details -
First Homes, First Vacations is a series of photographic collages exploring the intersections of childhood memory, family histories and the enduring consequences of war and displacement. Developed following my travels to former Hmong refugee sites in Thailand in 2020, the works bring together photographs I captured at these sites, historical imagery of Hmong refugees, and family photographs documenting our lives in Australia, from Sydney to Far North Queensland. Through digital manipulation, these fragments are assembled into highly saturated, dreamlike landscapes where different places, people and moments coexist. Rather than reconstructing the past, the works imagine encounters between histories I never directly experienced and the ordinary childhood that followed my family's resettlement in Australia.
Each collage is accompanied by a handwritten annotation in Hmong and English, recalling everyday experiences of family life, road trips, swimming holes, backyard gardens, suburban adventures and childhood mischief. Often humorous and nostalgic, these recollections sit alongside histories of conflict, displacement, survival and the search for belonging. The contrast between the imagined landscapes and intimate personal narratives reflects the complexities of growing up in the aftermath of a war that occurred before my birth. Through these unlikely encounters, First Homes, First Vacations considers how inherited histories continue to shape our understanding of home, identity and memory, even when the experiences we remember seem far removed from those of previous generations.
A maroon in Liverpool, Ban Vinai
Digital collage, 2020.
My mum gave birth to me at Liverpool Hospital in Sydney, but I have no memories of this city as we moved to far north Queensland when I was just a toddler. I’ve been back a few times. It’s an okay place. I am a certainly a Queenslander through and through, even though I do support NSW when it comes to State of Origin.
My mum gave birth to me at Liverpool Hospital in Sydney, but I have no memories of this city as we moved to far north Queensland when I was just a toddler. I’ve been back a few times. It’s an okay place. I am a certainly a Queenslander through and through, even though I do support NSW when it comes to State of Origin.
Afternoon stroll in the western suburbs, Ban Vinai
Digital collage, 2020.
I never experienced the refugee camp like most of my other siblings. You could say I was one of the lucky ones. I never had to play in the dirt, I never went to bed hungry, and I never had to eat rats or cockroaches. It was a happy childhood for the most part. The hardest thing was trying to know and understand what had happened before my birth.
I never experienced the refugee camp like most of my other siblings. You could say I was one of the lucky ones. I never had to play in the dirt, I never went to bed hungry, and I never had to eat rats or cockroaches. It was a happy childhood for the most part. The hardest thing was trying to know and understand what had happened before my birth.
Waiting for Josephine and others, Mekong River
Digital collage, 2020.
My oldest sister was born in Ban Vinai Refugee Camp and spent her first six years there. Once she started school in Australia and picked up a bit of English she took on many roles in the family, many of which was to do with interacting with the outside world. She was still young, but we couldn’t wait for others who knew any better, nor was anyone else coming.
My oldest sister was born in Ban Vinai Refugee Camp and spent her first six years there. Once she started school in Australia and picked up a bit of English she took on many roles in the family, many of which was to do with interacting with the outside world. She was still young, but we couldn’t wait for others who knew any better, nor was anyone else coming.
Who said you can’t take it all with you, Ban Vinai
Digital collage, 2020.
Our first ever car was a used Holden HX Kingsford. My parents brought it a little while after we arrived in Sydney. Even with nine of us at the time, we all we squeezed in and made it work. When we decided to move to Innisfail, we used the Kingsford for the long road trip up north with all the belongings we had accumulated during our first few years in Australia. Unfortunately, the Kingsford didn’t last much longer after that.
Our first ever car was a used Holden HX Kingsford. My parents brought it a little while after we arrived in Sydney. Even with nine of us at the time, we all we squeezed in and made it work. When we decided to move to Innisfail, we used the Kingsford for the long road trip up north with all the belongings we had accumulated during our first few years in Australia. Unfortunately, the Kingsford didn’t last much longer after that.
To school near Mt Bartle Frere, Ban Vinai
Digital collage, 2020.
Our rental in Innisfail was close to Goondi State School. We used to wait for my sisters to walk home each afternoon, meeting them halfway before going home together. It was my mum and seven kids walking along a busy road. We still drive on this road when we go to Innisfail, but our old rental has since been demolished. Toyotas are now sold where we once lived.
Our rental in Innisfail was close to Goondi State School. We used to wait for my sisters to walk home each afternoon, meeting them halfway before going home together. It was my mum and seven kids walking along a busy road. We still drive on this road when we go to Innisfail, but our old rental has since been demolished. Toyotas are now sold where we once lived.
Since Balaclava, Mekong River
Digital collage, 2020.
Mum became an orphan when she was young and never got the chance to attend school in Laos. She also stayed home during the first couple of years in Australia to take care of my siblings and I while we were still young. Once we all started school though, she decided to work hard for us with what she knew and could do. Since then, she hasn’t stopped moving, she hasn’t had much rest.
Mum became an orphan when she was young and never got the chance to attend school in Laos. She also stayed home during the first couple of years in Australia to take care of my siblings and I while we were still young. Once we all started school though, she decided to work hard for us with what she knew and could do. Since then, she hasn’t stopped moving, she hasn’t had much rest.
Staying above the floods, Mekong River
Digital collage, 2020.
During those early years’ dad worked between different unskilled and laborious jobs. He had had some experience in Thailand as the Thai government had recruited him and others to build houses and roads outside Ban Vinai. In Australia he did what he could, but eventually he was let go from these jobs. Dad said that he was ‘not up to par’ with the other workers, much of it owing to his smaller stature.
During those early years’ dad worked between different unskilled and laborious jobs. He had had some experience in Thailand as the Thai government had recruited him and others to build houses and roads outside Ban Vinai. In Australia he did what he could, but eventually he was let go from these jobs. Dad said that he was ‘not up to par’ with the other workers, much of it owing to his smaller stature.
Straight along Robert Road, Ban Vinai
Digital collage, 2020.
For a long time, we lived in a rental house along Robert Road. There was a large grassy field across from us, which no one ever seemed to use. But my siblings and I used to play all sorts of sports there using discarded equipment we accumulated from the local buy back shop. Although we couldn’t venture too far out, this was our playground, where I felt we become less like strangers on this land.
For a long time, we lived in a rental house along Robert Road. There was a large grassy field across from us, which no one ever seemed to use. But my siblings and I used to play all sorts of sports there using discarded equipment we accumulated from the local buy back shop. Although we couldn’t venture too far out, this was our playground, where I felt we become less like strangers on this land.
A family in a garden, Ban Vinai
Digital collage, 2020.
We travelled in and around Cairns often when we first arrived. There aren’t too many places in Cairns that we did not explore. But after a few years, we stopped visiting these places. We became little bit too busy tending to our own gardens.
We travelled in and around Cairns often when we first arrived. There aren’t too many places in Cairns that we did not explore. But after a few years, we stopped visiting these places. We became little bit too busy tending to our own gardens.
Sugar mill over mountain and water.
Digital collage, 2020.
At our rental home in Balaclava, we dug up the backyard and turned the area into a garden. It didn’t matter that the backyard was small, nor that it faced the local school. Back then my dad wasn’t yet aware of the local tip, so before we left this house, we dug up the garden and buried all our rubbish. Sometimes I wonder now if our things are still there, hidden away and now part of someone else’s backyard.
At our rental home in Balaclava, we dug up the backyard and turned the area into a garden. It didn’t matter that the backyard was small, nor that it faced the local school. Back then my dad wasn’t yet aware of the local tip, so before we left this house, we dug up the garden and buried all our rubbish. Sometimes I wonder now if our things are still there, hidden away and now part of someone else’s backyard.
If you see a track, think a train, Ban Vinai
Digital collage, 2020.
To make ends meet, my parents would find all sorts of produce to sell at Rusty’s Market. This included banana leaves, which they used to make banana leaf wrapped sticky rice snacks for us to eat and sell. These were steamed sticky rice marinated in coconut cream with sweet banana slices in the middle. The aroma spread throughout our whole house, reminding us of places we had never been.
To make ends meet, my parents would find all sorts of produce to sell at Rusty’s Market. This included banana leaves, which they used to make banana leaf wrapped sticky rice snacks for us to eat and sell. These were steamed sticky rice marinated in coconut cream with sweet banana slices in the middle. The aroma spread throughout our whole house, reminding us of places we had never been.
Six and out with the leafy greens, Phanat Nikhom
Digital collage, 2020.
It was usually the role of my brothers and I to water the garden every afternoon. We would often fight over who did what, even though it didn’t require too much effort. On many occasions while we were playing cricket, we would hit the ball into the garden and destroy a few crops before trying to hide the evidence. We were much better cricketers than farmers and my sisters always hated us making a racket in the backyard.
It was usually the role of my brothers and I to water the garden every afternoon. We would often fight over who did what, even though it didn’t require too much effort. On many occasions while we were playing cricket, we would hit the ball into the garden and destroy a few crops before trying to hide the evidence. We were much better cricketers than farmers and my sisters always hated us making a racket in the backyard.
Repairs along the captain’s highway, Ban Vinai
Digital collage, 2020.
Whenever my dad was fixing the car in the garage, he would try to encourage us boys to come out and give him a hand, or at least watch and learn. I hardly ever came out, so I don’t know too much about fixing or maintaining cars. I was more interested in staying inside to watch the cricket and footy. I even started reading encyclopedias to avoid the garage.
Whenever my dad was fixing the car in the garage, he would try to encourage us boys to come out and give him a hand, or at least watch and learn. I hardly ever came out, so I don’t know too much about fixing or maintaining cars. I was more interested in staying inside to watch the cricket and footy. I even started reading encyclopedias to avoid the garage.
Broken Bones in Woree, Phanat Nikhom
Digital collage, 2020.
We’d climb the hill nearby when we lived in Woree. It wasn’t very high. There wasn’t much to do anyway in Woree, apart from going for a swim at the local swimming pool or a visit to the convenience store. Mum was always concerned something bad would happen to us. Then one afternoon, one of my Hmong friends got hit by a car on his way home from school and broke his arm. My mum said that that could had been me.
We’d climb the hill nearby when we lived in Woree. It wasn’t very high. There wasn’t much to do anyway in Woree, apart from going for a swim at the local swimming pool or a visit to the convenience store. Mum was always concerned something bad would happen to us. Then one afternoon, one of my Hmong friends got hit by a car on his way home from school and broke his arm. My mum said that that could had been me.
Our Tarago’s journey to five-hundred thousand kilometres, Ban Vinai
Digital collage, 2020.
Our Toyota Tarago was really our first family car that could fit all us kids and then some. We spent many hours packed inside, going up and down the road between Cairns and Innisfail. When it wasn’t packed with the family then it was full of fresh produce from around the region. But it started to fall apart towards the end of its life. Then one day it was just all too much, it couldn’t go on any further.
Our Toyota Tarago was really our first family car that could fit all us kids and then some. We spent many hours packed inside, going up and down the road between Cairns and Innisfail. When it wasn’t packed with the family then it was full of fresh produce from around the region. But it started to fall apart towards the end of its life. Then one day it was just all too much, it couldn’t go on any further.
Only an hour’s drive, Ban Vinai
Digital collage, 2020.
On most trips we would stop at the servo in Miriwinni, where we bought meat pies and hamburgers for the trip home. I looked forward to this much more than seeing friends and family. I often got tired of staring out the car window and instead annoyed my siblings and daydreamed about the games I wanted to play and the adventures I wanted to have. For a long time that was our routine, up and down the highway we’d go on the weekends.
On most trips we would stop at the servo in Miriwinni, where we bought meat pies and hamburgers for the trip home. I looked forward to this much more than seeing friends and family. I often got tired of staring out the car window and instead annoyed my siblings and daydreamed about the games I wanted to play and the adventures I wanted to have. For a long time that was our routine, up and down the highway we’d go on the weekends.
Stop, revive, and survive on self-serve bananas, Ban Vinai
Digital collage, 2020.
After driving past rows and rows of banana trees, we would often turn left at the big banana sculpture to grab a few kilos at the little self-serve shed. Even though we could get it elsewhere, something about these bananas just tasted better. It was often the best thing about getting to Innisfail. You had to be honest aAfter driving past rows and rows of banana trees, we would often turn left at the big banana sculpture to grab a few kilos at the little self-serve shed. Even though we could get it elsewhere, something about these bananas just tasted better. It was often the best thing about getting to Innisfail. You had to be honest as soon as you arrived.s soon as you arrived.
After driving past rows and rows of banana trees, we would often turn left at the big banana sculpture to grab a few kilos at the little self-serve shed. Even though we could get it elsewhere, something about these bananas just tasted better. It was often the best thing about getting to Innisfail. You had to be honest aAfter driving past rows and rows of banana trees, we would often turn left at the big banana sculpture to grab a few kilos at the little self-serve shed. Even though we could get it elsewhere, something about these bananas just tasted better. It was often the best thing about getting to Innisfail. You had to be honest as soon as you arrived.s soon as you arrived.
Early arrival and early pleasures at Munro, Ban Vinai
Digital collage, 2020.
I remember cars honking at us. I thought they were excited that we were getting our mango cravings fix, but it was probably more to do with the odd sight of a family of ten running around and collecting unripened mangoes from a public park that made them honk. Even so, they were the tastiest green mangoes I ever had.
I remember cars honking at us. I thought they were excited that we were getting our mango cravings fix, but it was probably more to do with the odd sight of a family of ten running around and collecting unripened mangoes from a public park that made them honk. Even so, they were the tastiest green mangoes I ever had.
A source of aggravation for nearby residents, Ban Vinai
Digital collage, 2020.
When some of our cousins arrived in Cairns a few years later, we decided to visit Cairns Tropical Zoo for the first time. It was also the first time we had the chance to feed kangaroos. It felt like a very Australian thing to do. But it wasn’t that fun. No more fun than feeding our backyard chickens.
When some of our cousins arrived in Cairns a few years later, we decided to visit Cairns Tropical Zoo for the first time. It was also the first time we had the chance to feed kangaroos. It felt like a very Australian thing to do. But it wasn’t that fun. No more fun than feeding our backyard chickens.
Next 12 kilometres up Gillies, Ban Vinai
Digital collage, 2020.
We would often drive up the Gillies Highway to get to Atherton. These were long, winding drives. Dad drove a lot slower than other cars, especially when my mum and us were at back. Other drivers would tailgate and honk at us, but dad didn’t care too much. He’d rather that than us puking.
We would often drive up the Gillies Highway to get to Atherton. These were long, winding drives. Dad drove a lot slower than other cars, especially when my mum and us were at back. Other drivers would tailgate and honk at us, but dad didn’t care too much. He’d rather that than us puking.
Chasing waterholes in Yidinji country, Ban Vinai
Digital collage, 2020.
During the early 90s we would often go in search for waterholes around Cairns. It was not just us who went, but also other Hmong families too. We would all go together in our big family vans, packed to the brim with kids, food, and clothes. It seemed like time flowed a lot slower back then as we discovered new places that reminded our parents of what they had left behind.
During the early 90s we would often go in search for waterholes around Cairns. It was not just us who went, but also other Hmong families too. We would all go together in our big family vans, packed to the brim with kids, food, and clothes. It seemed like time flowed a lot slower back then as we discovered new places that reminded our parents of what they had left behind.
A splashing good time, Ban Vinai
Digital collage, 2020.
We hardly ever went to the popular Sugarworld Waterpark, even though we drove past it every day on our way home. I also got sore feet every time I went there because of the pebbled pathways up to the top of the waterslides. They did eventually redevelop it, making it safer to experience a bit of risk, not that we needed more of it.
We hardly ever went to the popular Sugarworld Waterpark, even though we drove past it every day on our way home. I also got sore feet every time I went there because of the pebbled pathways up to the top of the waterslides. They did eventually redevelop it, making it safer to experience a bit of risk, not that we needed more of it.
Cooling off in Woree and the on ‘nard, Ban Vinai
Digital collage, 2020.
I’ve nearly drowned on three separate occasions. The first time was at a local creek with the family. I must have been around six years old at the time. The flow of water kept pushing me to a deeper area where I went under. I already took a few gulps of water before my dad was able to pull me up and onto his shoulders. Since then we have never visited that creek again.
I’ve nearly drowned on three separate occasions. The first time was at a local creek with the family. I must have been around six years old at the time. The flow of water kept pushing me to a deeper area where I went under. I already took a few gulps of water before my dad was able to pull me up and onto his shoulders. Since then we have never visited that creek again.
Dipping at Harvey Creek, Mekong River
Digital collage, 2020.
I would always stay in the shallow areas whenever we went swimming. I hardly ever ventured out any further than areas where I could still reach the ground. Maybe it was the fear of losing control, or perhaps it was the stories of drownings along the Mekong River which I had heard of from my dad, but I always panicked whenever I was required to float. It’s much more fun and safer to cling to the banks.
I would always stay in the shallow areas whenever we went swimming. I hardly ever ventured out any further than areas where I could still reach the ground. Maybe it was the fear of losing control, or perhaps it was the stories of drownings along the Mekong River which I had heard of from my dad, but I always panicked whenever I was required to float. It’s much more fun and safer to cling to the banks.
Only in the tropics, Mekong River
Digital collage, 2020.
We took floating couches and rings to a creek once. These were great to use as we were still young and unskilled at swimming. I still remember one of the couches floating away with my two older brothers onboard. We had to chase it down and bring it back onto land. We were like the Thai soldiers along the Mekong River, catching and detaining Hmong refugees that crossed over on bamboo rafts.
We took floating couches and rings to a creek once. These were great to use as we were still young and unskilled at swimming. I still remember one of the couches floating away with my two older brothers onboard. We had to chase it down and bring it back onto land. We were like the Thai soldiers along the Mekong River, catching and detaining Hmong refugees that crossed over on bamboo rafts.
bottom of page