Personal Reflections on my identity as an Australian
My identity as an Australian has shifted throughout my life—shaped by my family’s migration story, my experience as a Young Australian of the Year, and more recently, my appointment to the board of the National Australia Day Council, where I help honour individuals as Australians of the Year.
Before I share my reflection, I would like to thank everyone who has shared their own identity stories with me. Your voices are the reason I continue to find the courage to share mine. Each time I offer something personal in the public arena, it feels daunting—but I’ve come to trust that somewhere, someone will read these reflections and feel a little less alone. In sharing this journey of my evolving Australian identity, I hope it brings comfort, recognition, or strength to anyone who has wrestled with belonging too.
I was born in Australia and have lived here my entire life. For my family—who arrived as refugees—this country was a sanctuary, a place of safety and new beginnings. From a young age, my grandparents and parents instilled in me a deep sense of gratitude for the opportunities Australia offered us. I knew that whatever path I chose, I wanted to give back to the nation and community that gave us a place to call home. That calling led me to become a Specialist in Special Needs Dentistry and build more equity in our community through inclusive oral healthcare.
Growing up, I experienced racism and discrimination that made me question whether I truly belonged in Australia. I tried to assimilate—to dilute my cultural heritage in order to fit into a mould that didn’t leave room for all parts of who I was. Questions like “Where are you really from?” and comments like “Go back to where you came from” made me feel that my Asian physical features marked me as someone who could never be seen as a “true Australian”—even though I was born, raised, educated, and have worked my entire life in this country.
When visiting my parents’ birthplaces, I was told I didn’t belong there either —“You’re an Australian girl. You’re not like us. You think differently than us.” For many years, I carried a quiet question: Where do I truly belong?
A turning point came in 2022 when I was named SA Young Australian of the Year and later selected as one of ten everyday Australians to attend the funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. It was an immense honour—and a daunting and challenging experience for someone who is naturally private and doesn’t like the limelight. I asked myself the question, “Are you willing to sit with your own discomfort for the greater good?” And every time I said yes, I gained the opportunity to spotlight special needs dentistry, uplift the stories of my patients who live with disabilities that are often unheard, contribute in ways I couldn’t have by remaining silent, and help people on a scale far greater than I could by saying no.
One of the most profound moments where I realised the scale of which my saying “yes” for the greater good, came after my selection was announced. I received countless messages from Australians of Asian heritage who shared what it meant to see someone like them representing Australia. After the rise in racism toward Asians during the COVID pandemic, it was a powerful reminder: This is what Australia looks like—and it includes us.
That moment played a significant part in reshaping how I understand my Australian identity. I no longer feel the need to shrink my cultural background or the aspects that make me different. I now embrace it. Our diversity, our commitment to equity, and our respect for each individual’s dignity—these are among the most beautiful aspects of being Australian.
To anyone who has ever felt the need to hide or minimise their cultural heritage: I hope this reflection encourages you to embrace it fully and make room for all parts of who you are.
