Date21/02/1991DescriptionPhuong Ngo, (Vietnamese) Alderman of Fairfield, and Lawrence White, Mayor of Fairfield are standing beneath the Pai Lau Gate archway in the Cabramatta Mall.
The gate was opened in 1989 and commemorates the refugees who have come to Australia, the Australian people and the Australian government who offered them asylum. The building of the Pai Lau Gate was also supported by local European groups. The words across the top of the gate says, "The world is for us to share and respect" and is believed to be from Confucius.
The gate is inscribed in five languages. Vietnamese on top, English in the middle to the left beneath the English is Khmer and to the right beneath the English is Lao. Then below that is Chinese.
Australia is represented by the kangaroos and koalas.
The 13 meter high gateway forms the entrance to Cabramatta's Freedom Square (later changed to Freedom Plaza). About 35000 people attended the opening ceremony where the Premier unveil the mable and teak portal, a $360000 gift from the local Indo-Chinese community. PhotographerDavid PorterGeolocation[1] NotesROGERS-www.johnrogersarchice.com
SMH-910219
Story by Col Allison
Details
Image ColourBlack & WhiteImage Size254 mm x 204 mmFile SizeJPG : 2.30 MBTypePrintOriginalYesAccessAppointment required to view original photographCopyrightRestrictedRightsFairfax MediaAcknowledgementFairfield City Council acquired copies in December 2020 from Daniel Miller Californian photography dealer). The original copyright is held by Fairfax Media
Fairfield Aldermen at the Pai Lau Gate Gateway in Cabramatta (21/02/1991). Fairfield City Heritage Collection, accessed 10/03/2026, https://heritagecollection.fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au/nodes/view/2860