Small Table, Big Energy: SEA Effect Brisbane Begins
- Celine Dang
- Oct 27
- 3 min read
Last weekend, SEA Effect held its first-ever in-person meetup in Brisbane, marking a quiet yet powerful beginning to what we hope will grow into a meaningful community for Southeast Asian Australians and friends of the region.
We gathered with just a handful of chairs around the table, yet the energy could have filled a room.
What began as introductions quickly unfolded into heartfelt storytelling, shared identity moments, conversations about career, creativity, regional ties, and what it means to carry Southeast Asian heritage into the future while living in Australia.
One question sparked a beautifully introspective moment:
“Which part of your cultural heritage would you want to carry through generations?”
One moment in particular stayed with all of us. When our Filipino friends, Vic and Glenn, shared the tradition of Mano po (translated as "Your hand, please") - a gesture where a younger person gently lifts an elder’s hand to their forehead as a sign of respect and blessing - the group paused. It was simple, intimate, and deeply meaningful. They spoke about wanting this act of love, humility and reverence to live on through future generations. It was one of those moments that gave us goosebumps - a reminder that without spaces like this, we may never discover the quiet beauty within each other’s cultures.
Food memories flowed just as deeply: Halo-halo, the layered Filipino dessert tied to joy; Abodo - rich meat dishes shared over rice; Phở and Bánh mì from Vietnam; and also the Nón lá (conical hat), a symbol of Vietnamese resilience and grace. These weren’t just foods or objects - they were living signatures of identity, heritage and home.
As stories flowed, so did ideas, about cultural expression, regional collaboration, storytelling platforms, cross-border projects, and how our identities hold power not just in nostalgia, but in legacy.
The conversation ran overtime, not because we planned to talk more, but because nobody wanted it to end!
In that moment, it was clear:
This wasn't just a meetup. It was the beginning of a space where heritage, ambition, and community could meet.
We saw early signs of what SEA Effect Meetup could become a space where:
Belonging feels immediate, even among new faces
Culture is not only remembered, but reimagined for future generations
Collaboration between Australia and Southeast Asia becomes natural and possible
Ideas for shared action emerge organically
Friends and allies from all backgrounds are welcome to listen, learn, support and grow with us
This first meetup was more than a start - it was a signal that there is a hunger for spaces that allow us to embrace our heritage proudly, build regional connections intentionally, and explore identity not as something we left behind, but something we carry forward with purpose.
What's next?
Our next Brisbane Meetup is happening in November 22nd - featuring a mini cultural highlight on Vietnamese coffee, exploring how it’s traditionally brewed, shared and experienced. It will be another invitation to connect, learn from each other, and deepen this growing community. Stay tuned for more details.
And Brisbane is only the beginning. As our network grows, SEA Effect meetups will gradually roll out across other cities.
Be part of the Journey
This was only the beginning, and we can't wait to see where it leads.