The Migrant’s Story is a firm annual fixture on the WACCC calendar of events. Just recently the 2024 Migrant’s Story, featuring BJ Zhuang AM was staged at the Double Tree Hilton Waterfront hotel, attracting an audience of over 120 Chamber members, Chamber friends and young entrepreneurs. The evening opened with a welcome speech by the WACCC’s VP Mr Henry Habekost and was hosted by Honorary Life Member of the WACCC, Mr Jeffrey Cha.
The Migrant’s Story is a testament to the many who have come to our shores over the years and made WA their home. Their stories are bathed in themes of adversity, resilience, determination, triumph and success.
BJ Zhuang, himself a migrant, shared his story of the significant contribution he made to Australia’s bilateral relations, which were leveraged off the exportation of LNG to China’s Guangdong Province. BJ’s amazing archival and historical use of images told the story of how the “deal was sealed” with Australia winning the tender after a period of five years of talks.
The whole time BJ stressed the negotiations were peppered with principles of trust, relationships and connections. In noting the crux of the LNG success, BJ emphatically closed by stating that, “China always remembers old friends.”
BJ’s keynote presentation was complemented by brisk remarks from WACCC’s sponsors CBA, AsiaLink Capital, H2Legal, Imperial Finance and Kingsbridge.
A touching presentation was also delivered by the Hon. Ayor Makur Chuot MLC, herself a migrant from South Sudan, who also conveyed best wishes from the Hon. Dr Tony Buti MLA, Member for Armadale, Minister for Education, Aboriginal Affairs, Citizenship and Multicultural Interests.
In closing the evening, WACCC President Mr Tony Chong enthused that the Migrant’s Story was his favourite event in the WACCC Calendar and that it stood as a testament to the Chamber’s ethos of diversity & inclusiveness.
