Celebrating Chinese Australian Achievers Melbourne Spring Gala 2024

I acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which we meet, the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Bunurong peoples of the Kulin, and pay my respect to Elders, past and present.

I also acknowledge any Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people here with us today.

[Acknowledgements]

It is a privilege to be here to support the Museum of Chinese Australian History and celebrate the 2024 Chinese Australian Achievers Awards.

Chinese Australian communities make a huge contribution to this country.

This is wonderfully captured by the One Million Stories exhibition, which celebrates Chinese Australian Achievers who have made contributions to Australian society in a range of fields – from education, science and the arts – to business, cuisine, sport and medicine.

Congratulations to the Achievers here today whose stories will be added to this exhibition.

You will be joining an eminent list of Achievers.

Achievers like Alice Pung, who grew up in my electorate in Melbourne's West.

Alice was awarded an Order of Australia Medal for her services to literature.

Her writing on growing up Asian in Australia has touched countless lives in Australia, and across the region.

And Lin Jong, who played for my AFL team, the Western Bulldogs.

Despite being a tad biased because the Bulldogs are my team, I believe Lin's achievements in inspiring more Chinese Australian kids to take up AFL are a key contribution to our society.

In my role as the Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs, I am proud to share stories like Alice's and Lin's with the world.

Because modern Australia's multicultural identity is an important source of insight and influence in our engagement with the world.

I meet people around the world who feel connected to Australia through our people – through you.

I get to tell a story about our society in which people from all backgrounds can thrive.

It is a strength of our country and is something that needs to be celebrated.

So thank you for all your contributions to Australia.

Thank you to the Museum of Chinese Australian History for ensuring that we properly celebrate and honour the achievements of Chinese Australian communities.

And congratulations again to the 2024 Chinese Australian Achiever Award winners.