A family of graduates

Following the establishment of communist governments in the former French colonies of Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos in 1975, around three million people undertook perilous journeys, most often by boat, often with young children, seeking safety and refuge.
The parents of Jenny, Julie and Kevin Taing – all graduates of the University of Melbourne – were among those who fled.
“Both our parents are refugees who arrived during the Fraser years, our father a refugee from Cambodia and our mother, a refugee from Vietnam. They came to Australia with no financial resources or English skills,” says Jenny Taing, the eldest of the three, and the first to graduate from the University of Melbourne, with a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) in 2006.
“As the eldest child in a refugee family, I shouldered a lot of responsibility and experienced firsthand the many challenges, obstacles and disadvantages my parents faced. I remember when I was nine years old, my parents bought a house and as the one with the best English skills in the family – Grade 3 level - I had to read all the paperwork and play interpreter for the transaction!”
Education was very highly valued, critical for surviving and flourishing in a new culture. Jenny and her siblings worked hard throughout school.
“All three of us had a public school education and we were all self-starters with a lot of ambition,” she says.
“We grew up always believing anything in life is possible and that a tertiary education is empowering and key to changing one’s circumstances.”
Jenny was the first to enrol in the University of Melbourne, followed by Julie, who accepted a place in the Bachelor of Dental Science from which she graduated in 2008. Kevin, the youngest, followed a few years later to accept a place in the Bachelor of Commerce.
“Jenny is the first in our family to ever receive a tertiary education and is our inspiration,” Mr Taing says. Both my sisters are my role models…I wouldn’t be where I am today without their advice and support. They have taught me to make the most of every opportunity that comes your way.”
The sisters’ entrepreneurial spirit was clearly inherited from their parents Seng and Linda Taing, Jenny Taing explains. “From a very young age mum was running the family business, one of Saigon’s largest shoe department stores. With her entrepreneurial skills and determination, she established a successful kitchenware business here in Australia. She is an inspirational woman who broke the mould of traditional roles for women of her time.”
While both Jenny and Julie chose to go to the selective MacRobertson Girls’ High School in Year 9, Kevin stayed on at his local high school and on completing Year 12, took up a Melbourne Access Scholarship.
The Access Scholarship is awarded under a variety of circumstances including, in Kevin’s case, to those who gain entry from an under-represented school.
“The Access Scholarship gave me so much support during my studies, including a mentor from the business world as part of the Access Connections Mentoring Program. I received invaluable advice, which helped me transition from university life to the professional world.”
Kevin was also awarded a ScholarFit Sports Scholarship for Fencing, and represented the University of Melbourne at the Australian University Games.
He completed his degree in 2014 and has recently commenced a role in finance at Mercedes-Benz Australia/Pacific.
“We have all taken different paths. Jenny is a lawyer, Julie is a dentist and I work in finance, but we are all united by the belief that it is a privilege to have a tertiary education and that we all have a duty and responsibility to give back to the community.”
Jenny Taing’s work, both professionally and in the community, clearly shows this commitment. She is the recent recipient of the Faculty of Arts Alumni Rising Star award for her work in public health, journalism and multicultural policy and has been recognised as one of Australia’s young leaders, appearing on CPA Australia’s list of top 40 Young Business Leaders for 2013. She is currently a senior lawyer at the Australian Securities & Investments Commission, on the board of The Royal Victorian Eye & Ear Hospital, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, the advisory board of the University’s Centre for Advancing Journalism and the Alumni Council, and a former commissioner of the Victorian Multicultural Commission.
It was during her time as a commissioner that she met her friend and mentor, the late former Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser.
“Mr Fraser is the reason my parents were able to come to Australia and he has been one of the most important and influential people in my career and life. I am so lucky to have had his friendship and advice and we shared many common values and interests, including the importance of multiculturalism and the humane treatment of refugees.”
 “There is much said in the public debate about the refugee issue that detracts from meaningful and sensible policy discussion and formulation,” Ms Taing reflects. As a starting point, I think it’s so important for people to hear about the positive and valuable contribution refugees and their children make to Australian society and its future. Hopefully this can promote a more informed debate based on mutual respect and understanding.”
Jenny Taing will present a webinar – Entering the Boardroom – as part of the Alumni Career Webinar series on 12 May at 8pm.
http://go.unimelb.edu.au/389n