The Happiest Refugee: The Extraordinary True Story of a Boy's Journey from Starvation at Sea to Becoming One of Australia's Best-loved ComediansAnh Do nearly didn't make it to Australia. His entire family came close to losing their lives on the sea as they escaped from war-torn Vietnam in an overcrowded boat. But nothing - not murderous pirates, nor the imminent threat of death by hunger, disease or dehydration as they drifted for days - could quench their desire to make a better life in the country they had dreamed about. Life in Australia was hard, an endless succession of back-breaking work, crowded rooms, ruthless landlords and make-do everything. But there was a loving extended family, and always friends and play and something to laugh about for Anh, his brother Khoa and their sister Tram. Things got harder when their father left home when Anh was thirteen - they felt his loss very deeply and their mother struggled to support the family on her own. His mother's sacrifice was an inspiration to Anh and he worked hard during his teenage years to help her make ends meet, also managing to graduate high school and then university. Another inspiration was the comedian Anh met when he was about to sign on for a 60-hour a week corporate job. Anh asked how many hours he worked. 'Four, ' the answer came back, and that was it. He was going to be a comedian! The Happiest Refugee tells the incredible, uplifting and inspiring life story of one of our favourite personalities. Tragedy, humour, heartache and unswerving determination - a big life with big dreams. Anh's story will move and amuse all who read it. |
Contents
1 | |
9 | |
Chapter Three | 27 |
Chapter Four | 49 |
Chapter Five | 63 |
Chapter Six | 69 |
Chapter Seven | 75 |
Chapter Eight | 111 |
Chapter Nine | 133 |
Chapter Ten | 179 |
Chapter Eleven | 189 |
Chapter Twelve | 217 |
In Memory of my friend Dave Grant | 230 |
Acknowledgements | 232 |
Back cover | 233 |
Common terms and phrases
asked Australia beautiful become boat boys brother called couple Dad’s Dancing decided didn’t don’t door eyes face father felt find first fish five four friends front gave girl give going Grandma half hand happened happy hard head heard hold huge hundred inside Khoa knew later laughing living looked mate minutes months morning mother move needed never night okay once picked played pulled realised remember running seen side smile soon started stopped sure Suzie talk tell Thank thing thought told took train Tram tried trying turned Uncle Vietnam Vietnamese waiting walked watched week whole woman young