Cr Chan Uoy arrived in Australia in 1976 as a Cambodian Refugee. He attained a Bachelor of Business at Deakin University, majoring in accounting. Realising that he needed a creative outlet, he opened Cambodian restaurants in Yarraville and Docklands. After 20 years, he made a tree change and opened the Dimboola Imaginarium.
He dreamt of having creative freedom, and buying the old bank in Dimboola enabled this. He knew he had to create a shop unlike those in Melbourne or Adelaide to get people off the Western Highway. Dimboola needed a compelling visitor experience that could be spread through word of mouth. The retail shop and accommodation upstairs in the old bank building have since been featured in magazines and on television.
Hindmarsh Shire Council has welcomed and supported his business ventures, believing in his vision for uniqueness. When he proposed the Wimmera Steampunk Festival, the Council fully supported it. Now coming to its third year, Grampians Wimmera Mallee Tourism also recognises the event.
His time in Dimboola has been an incredible journey of personal development. He is naturally community-orientated, but he never envisioned becoming so involved in the community and boosting tourism. He has met wonderful people, not only through the Dimboola Imaginarium but through various committees and organisations. He has fallen in love with the region. Standing for Council was natural, as Cr Uoy felt he could offer more for the community. During his term, he would like to inspire the revitalisation of the towns in Hindmarsh Shire. He wants to learn from the Dimboola experience and replicate the passion and vision to create a wow factor that would make Hindmarsh Shire a desirable place to live, work and play.