|
Attending a networking event is perhaps an unusual time for
dreaming about fairytales. However, listening to the inspirational
women speakers at yesterday’s Newcomers Network IWF breakfast I was
reminded of Lewis Carroll’s book Alice in Wonderland, where
Alice said: “There is no use in trying, one can’t believe
impossible things.” “I dare say you haven’t had much
practice,” said the Queen, “When I was your age, I always did it
for half an hour a day. Why, sometimes I’ve believed as many as six
impossible things before breakfast.”
And it was that sense of self belief, passion and commitment that
literally shone from the rostrum yesterday.
Sally White, whose latest book Understanding Australia: a
guide for international students is an author who has taught
journalism at RMITUniversity. Having had two Asian students living
with me this year, I found her comments refreshing and
enlightening. After coming to the conclusion that teenagers are
universal no matter which country they come from, I was ready for a
new perspective because it is so easy to be complacent and expect
others to adapt to our culture instead of vice versa. Sally’s story
about a coloured student who wondered why no one would sit next to
her on the trams in Melbourne highlighted the fact that we are
often unaware of how others behave. Once the student was taken out
on the trams and shown that even Australians often avoid sitting
next to each other she was much more able to cope with this aspect
of life.
“Live is a journey of learning,” says Poh Len Pek, Business
Development Manager, CSIRO Health Sciences and Nutrition. Speaking
“off the cuff” Poh Len Pek talked about being “traditionally
Chinese” yet with a forward-thinking father whose desire was to
educate his daughter to be more than “married or a Singapore Girl”.
Being brought up in an environment where equality was the key, Poh
Len explained how her deep core philosophy that “my strength is
being Asian” led to a career in international marketing. “Relating
to people is a life skill and through years of pain, you come to
realise what it is all about and that every interaction is a
beautiful one” she said. Poh Len’s strength, persistence vitality
and vivacity were evident and her “tough luck” no nonsense attitude
combined with her self confessed “I’m a bit wacky and I like to
have fun” approach certainly jangled the senses with me.
Dynamic, articulate and influential is how I would describe
Marion Lau, Chairperson, Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria.
Marion talked about her personal struggle trying to run a business
in a multicultural community. That her fight for equality amongst
women migrants has been achieved with passionate and steely
determination was obvious. I fastened my eyes and ears on Marion’s
“one hundred mile an hour” presence as she highlighted the fact
that “our future is what we make it.”
Christine Sather, Director, Melbourne Marketing Group sees
Australia as a land of opportunity, where it is possible to achieve
professional goals. She highlighted the value of being persistent
and remembering that it is important for everyone to “Pay it
forward” (i.e. ‘pass on’ the consideration shown to us). This
statement really resonated with me because I personally believe
that competition in business is healthy and that there is abundant
work for everyone. “
Christine also said "I believe that Australian’s see themselves as
conservative in business, but in my experience we are able to take
professional risks here that amaze our counterparts
overseas."
Laila Ahmed, Community Development Officer, City of Warrnambool
stressed the importance of encouraging migrant women to be proud of
their differences, that success is difficult and a continuing
process for all of us. Laila is testament to her belief that “open
heart multiculturalism public services should be available to all
and that “acceptance is the key word.”
The IWF was no fairytale, yet the art of storytelling was in full
force. It was exciting, stimulating and personally challenging to
be amongst so many thoughtful, successful and positive women who,
having persisted to overcome their own difficulties, are willing to
pass on their experiences to others in order to encourage them to
“achieve the impossible before breakfast.”
Back
|