My name is Htun Htun Oo, and I am running for the position of Councillor, with Tony
Judge for Mayor, as part of Your Community Voice. I am 53 years old, a husband,
and a father of four, two of whom were born in Coffs Harbour. Originally from
Myanmar, I fled my country to escape political violence and sought refuge in
Australia, becoming a citizen in 2007.
My family owns a small business on Harbour Drive, and I have worked as a nurse in
the Intensive Care Unit at Coffs Harbour Hospital for the past 15 years. I am also
actively involved in the local multicultural community. My vision is to see our area
prosper, with thriving businesses that serve the community's needs while maintaining
our relaxed lifestyle. I want our children to grow up in a beautiful, positive
environment that leaves a lasting impact on their lives.
Although I have Labor Party endorsement for the local government election and
embrace their values of equality, democracy, liberty, and social cooperation, I am
committed to listening to and representing our community's voice. I am passionate
about the well-being of people of all ages and the decisions made by the council on
behalf of our community. I am a person who listens, cares, understands, and takes
action for the betterment of our community. My goal is to move our local government
area towards progress and prosperity.
My educational background includes high school in Myanmar, completed in 1986. I
then taught mathematics and physics to high school student while studying. I studied
Geology at Mandalay University in 1988 but was unable to finish my degree due to
political unrest. I managed a paint shop, and was deeply involved in the pro-
democracy and human rights movements in Myanmar. I spent 12 years in conflict
zones, participating in major battles and working as a trained paramedic.
From 1993 to 1996, I studied trauma and war causality management. As a well-
trained trauma medic, I performed numerous minor and major surgeries to save lives
and limbs. I established clinics, trained medics, and wrote training manuals for
managing landmine injuries and war casualties. My work earned me invitations to
international trauma and landmine conferences, and I founded the Trauma Care
Foundation Burma (TCF - Burma). I was one of the co-founder of BMWEC (Burmese
Migrant Workers’ Education Committee).
I have learned and improved many skills over time. I am proficient in four languages:
Burmese, English, Thai (good functional proficiency), and Karen (good functional
proficiency; one of the ethnic groups in Myanmar).
Upon arriving in Australia in 2003, I completed my Bachelor of Nursing degree at
SCU Coffs Harbour and have been working in the ICU since 2009. I am actively
involved in local communities and organizations wherever I have lived. While
residing in Bellingen, I volunteered with the SES (State Emergency Services) and
the Bellingen Community Garden. I was also one of the co-founders of the Myanmar
Community Coffs Harbour (MCC), where I served as president for about ten years. I
continue to be a community leader for the Myanmar community in Coffs Harbour and
currently serve as the president of the Coffs Coast Multicultural Society Incorporated.
I am the president of the Coffs Coast Multicultural Society which i organized the
Coffs Coast International Food and Dance Festival last November.
I started a family business in 2018, and my experiences have proven that I remain
calm, productive, and effective under stress. These qualities will serve me well in
council work as your representative.
Australia has given my family and me so much, and now I want to give back. On
September 14th, I humbly ask for your vote to help me contribute to the future of our
community. Together, we can ensure a bright future for the people of Coffs Harbour
and keep our young people within our city.
Thank you,
Htun Htun Oo (H2O)
