September 18, 2025
5:30 PM to 9:00 PM
Chinese Museum, 22 Cohen Place, Melbourne
About Event
Professionals are constantly juggling the differing – and sometimes conflicting – demands of their careers, their families, and their own personal interests.
How do you find the time and energy to excel in one field, let alone two?
ASPIRE is proud to host the ‘Journey to Achievement’ evening with Alice Pung OAM, a bestselling author and lawyer who has skilfully demonstrated how to achieve this balance.
Join us as Alice shares her inspiring “Journeys to Achievement.” From her childhood assisting in her father’s electrical appliance store, where she first learned the nuances of business law, to becoming a prolific writer and a respected lawyer specialising in pay equity. Alice’s story is one of resilience, passion, and purpose.
This special session, sponsored by the National Foundation for China-Australia Relations (NFCAR), will be moderated by Stephen Lew.
What you will gain from attending this session:
- Inspiration for Balancing Your Passions: Learn how to effectively manage the challenges of a multifaceted life and pursue personal interests alongside a demanding career.
- Insights into a Remarkable Journey: Gain wisdom from Alice’s unique path from her family’s store to the Fair Work Commission, and from her first scribbled words to becoming a bestselling author.
- A Deeper Understanding of the Australian Dream: Discover the powerful stories behind her award-winning books that depict the struggles and successes of an immigrant family chasing a new life in Australia.
- Lessons in Resilience and Purpose: Hear her inspiring story of her family’s survival during the Khmer Rouge regime and how it shaped her view of Australia as a “Wonderland” of opportunity.
About the Speaker:
Alice Pung OAM is an award-winning author, lawyer, and educator. For her services to literature, she received the Order of Australia Medal. Her first book, Unpolished Gem, won the Australian Book Industry’s Newcomer of the Year Award and has been published internationally. As a qualified lawyer, she works at the Fair Work Commission, helping to ensure equitable pay for all Australians. Alice was born a month after her parents arrived in Australia from Cambodia, and her remarkable story continues to inspire people across the nation.
Supported by Premier Community Partners
We’re proud to be supported by a network of influential communities.
- AHN (Asian Hustle Network)
- CTN (Crouching Tiger Network)
- OV (Overseas Vietnamese)
- TEDx ARISE
- GLOBAL VIET WOMEN
This is your chance to directly engage with our speaker, ask important questions, and connect with leaders and decision-makers from these communities. Grow your professional network in a carefully curated, high-value environment.
Secure your spot and be part of a conversation that matters.
Event Details:
Date: Thursday, 18 September
Time: 5:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Venue: Chinese Museum, 22 Cohen Place, Melbourne, VIC 3000
Early bird tickets are now available! Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to learn, grow, and connect.
YOUR EVENING INCLUDES:
- 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm: Premium Networking Reception (Canapés and drinks)
- 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm: Panel Conversation with Alice Pung
- 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm: Strategic Networking Session (Drinks)
- 8:30 pm: Exclusive Prize Draws
- 9:00 pm: Event Concludes
Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from one of Australia’s most engaging and inspiring voices. We look forward to seeing you there!
Panel Members
Alice Pung
