Cr Cuc Lam awarded Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM)

Published on 27 January 2026

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Maribyrnong City Council congratulates Cr Cuc Lam PSM on being awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the General Division for service to the community of Maribyrnong.

Cr Lam has served the Maribyrnong community across four terms as a Councillor, including two terms as Mayor (2017–2018 and 2023–2024). First elected in 2000 and returning in 2016, Cr Lam is widely known as a visible and accessible civic leader who promotes connection, pride and empathy across the community.

Arriving in Australia as a refugee from Vietnam in 1978, Cr Lam has drawn on her lived experience to champion fairness, inclusion and equity. Self-described as the “harmony Councillor”, she is recognised for bringing people together across cultures and perspectives. Her story is also acknowledged at Melbourne’s Immigration Museum, where her red suitcase from her arrival is held on permanent display.

Cr Mohamed Semra, City of Maribyrnong Mayor, said the honour reflected a lifetime of service grounded in community and compassion.

“Cr Lam’s leadership has helped shape a more inclusive and connected Maribyrnong. This recognition is richly deserved,” Cr Semra said.

Service beyond Council

Cr Lam’s governance and community leadership extends beyond Council through a range of board and advisory roles, including as:

  • Board Member, Australian Vietnamese Women's Association.
  • Member, Community Advisory Committee, Western Health.
  • Representative, Multicultural Community, Western Health.
  • Board Member, Australian Local Government Women's Association Victoria.
  • Justice of the Peace, since 2003.
  • Board Member, Western Health Foundation.

Awards and Recognition include:

  • Victorian Honour Roll of Women, 2007.
  • Public Service Medal, 2002.
  • Refugee Recognition Award, 2007.
  • Victoria's Multicultural Awards for Excellence.

Other positions:

  • Member, Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Building belonging and civic participation

Across her civic leadership, Cr Lam has supported initiatives that strengthen belonging, equity and participation, including:

  • Supporting the development of Maribyrnong’s first Intercultural Strategy to foster dialogue and connection across cultures
  • Promoting recognition and celebration through community milestones, citizenship ceremonies and local acknowledgement
  • Advocating for inclusive communities, including support for LGBTIQA+ inclusion and Council commitments to human rights
  • Encouraging women’s leadership, particularly culturally diverse women, through mentoring and advocacy
  • Supporting sustainability and accessible community infrastructure, including contributions to major civic and community hub initiatives

Cr Cuc Lam PSM continues to share her story with local primary and secondary schools, encouraging students to build resilience, volunteer and contribute positively to their community.

Cr Lam said “I am deeply honoured to receive the Medal of the Order of Australia. I accept it with gratitude and humility, and I share it with the community of Maribyrnong that has welcomed me and shaped my life.”

“I arrived in Australia as a refugee with hope and a belief in kindness. This honour reminds me that when we choose empathy and inclusion, we can build a community where everyone belongs.”

 

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