Migration has profoundly shaped my identity, making me a proud Australian with Chinese heritage. I cherish the diversity embraced by Australia, describing it as the land bound by luck and fortune with the Chinese words “XING” (luck) and “FU” (fortunate).

Back in March 1989, my dad set foot in Australia with the same dreams countless migrants carry – the dream of a better life, quality education, improved health, and more opportunities for the family. I joined Australia as a primary school kid, and being part of the education system made me feel more at home than it did for my hardworking parents.

I threw myself into everything at school, even playing Aussie Rules football, standing out as one of the few Asian heritage students doing so. My pride as an Australian has driven me to go the extra mile and give back through community work, especially in the education sector where I aim to provide opportunities for talented young minds.

Witnessing the transformative journey of migrant parents, I’ve learned the immense impact of their dreams on future generations. Despite successful migration stories, I feel there is still a noticeable lack of representation in public service careers among generational migrants. My advice to newcomers is to stay open-minded, be flexible, and embrace the opportunity to rewrite their lives in Australia. The country offers immense opportunities, and the key is to give back early on – true success lies in the lives you touch, not just the money you accumulate.

Growing up, I was a bit of a curiosity at school due to the scarcity of multicultural peers, but it turned into a chance to share my culture. My parents’ resilience and values, despite setbacks, taught me the importance of taking on challenges. Their journey from factory workers to entrepreneurs instilled in me the belief that being part of the solution starts with seeing yourself as one.

Family bonds are strong in my Chinese heritage, especially during Lunar New Year celebrations when family comes together for a meal, reconnects, and spends quality time together. We spend time with our elders and community leaders. Since becoming a father, I can see my son Archie having the same excitement around red envelopes that I had when younger. In fact, I still have a yearning for a red envelope at that time of the year. The multicultural environment in Australia allows me to embrace both cultures, and I take pride in championing causes for multicultural youth. As a first grandchild, I regret not spending more time with overseas grandparents.

Working in education, I’ve taught over 20,000 students, believing in the transformative power of knowledge. My proudest achievements are my family, especially watching my son, Archie, grow up in this beautiful country with my beautiful wife, Amanda. The community and charitable endeavours I’ve engaged in with Rotary, the Salvation Army, Mates for Change, the Refugee

Communities Association of Australia, and other organisations have been made achievable through the opportunities and platforms that I was fortunate to receive and those I actively constructed for myself.