By Matthew Sims
Seddon resident Gary Lee has been an advocate for international education for about 20 years.
Awarded an honorary Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) on Thursday, January 26, he said he was “extremely humbled” to receive the recognition.
Coming to Australia from Malaysia to study a Bachelor of Business (Marketing) at RMIT University, Mr Lee said he quickly became involved in the international education community.
“My speciality lies in the areas of high level strategic planning; policy development and advice; design and delivery of complex projects including festivals and arts programming, student wellbeing programs and youth consultation,” he said.
“In my current role, I lead the international education portfolio at the City of Melbourne and over the years, we have led and supported many high impact programs including the Our Shout food voucher program, The Couch – International Student Centre, the Lord Mayor’s Student Welcome, the ‘Act of Translation’ theatre project and the Melbourne International Student Conference.”
Mr Lee said he was also keen in advocating for more diversity in Australia’s leadership and media landscape.
“We’re quite happy to see that is slowly changing,” he said.
“Australia is a very inclusive and welcoming community.
“My goal is to really ensure that they are seen.”
Mr Lee’s other awards and recognition has also included a Distinguished Contribution to International Education award with the International Education Association of Australia in 2018 and a New Australian of the Year award in 2016.
Mr Lee said he was looking to broaden his work within the west beyond his support for Foodbank and the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre.
“I am looking forward to working with more organisations and community groups in the west and help engage CALD communities, including international students in its programs, activities and life,” he said.
Mr Lee said his work was a way to return the favour to the country which had given him a number of opportunities.
“I truly respect and appreciate the value of giving back, so that drives me,” he said.
“It’s something I’ve always been passionate about.
“More importantly, I want to make sure that no one gets left behind in life.”
Footscray Returned and Services League (RSL) sub-branch president Long Viet Nguyen was also awarded with an OAM.
Acting as the RSL’s president since 2011 and a member since 2001, he was also the president of the Vietnamese Veterans Association of Victoria from 2007 to 2011 and 1989 to 1993, as well as the past president of the Vietnamese Community in Australia (Victoria).
