Spotlight on Six Rising Chinese Australian Councillor Candidates - Victoria City Council Elections

"Spotlight on Six Rising Chinese Australian Councillor Candidates - Victoria City Council Elections" is coming!

ACYPI Melbourne Chapter is excited to co-host this in-person event with PR Asia. 

📅 Date & Time: 12pm to 2.30pm Tues 15 Oct 2024 (event starts from 12.30pm)
📍 Location: Level 4/332 St Kilda Rd Southbank VIC 3006

EVENT DESCRIPTION

We're excited to present you an exclusive panel of six rising Chinese-Australian City Council Election Councillor candidates who are making waves in the current local council elections. This is a rare and incredible opportunity to meet and hear directly from an emerging generation of Chinese-Australian leaders making strides in the political sphere as they share their motivations, visions, and journeys in political involvement. 

They are from different city council areas, so it's great opportunity to gain dynamic information on different city council elections including your civic rights to vote and to nominate!

Calling all aspiring leaders, join us to equip yourself with city council election knowledge and network to prepare to be future city council councillor candidates! 

MODERATOR

Judy Gao - Board & CEO at ACYPI
2024 MELBOURNE CITY COUNCIL Councillor Candidate

Judy Gao, Board Chair and CEO of the Australia-China Young Professionals Initiative (ACYPI), will moderate this inspiring panel. ACYPI is the largest not-for-profit organisation for young professionals and entrepreneurs in Australia-China relations. Judy leads a global team supporting over 4,000 members across nine cities, including Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Brisbane, Adelaide, Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, and Guangzhou, driving initiatives that strengthen ties between Australia and China.

Judy is also a councillor candidate for Melbourne City Council, Australia’s largest council, covering key areas including Melbourne 3000 & 3004, East Melbourne 3002, West Melbourne 3003, Southbank 3006, Docklands 3008, Kensington 3031, Flemington 3032, North Melbourne 3051, Parkville 3052, Carlton 3053, Carlton North 3054, South Yarra 3141, and Port Melbourne 3207.

With three influential board roles at the national and global levels, along with serving two consecutive terms as an re-elected industry councillor representing 40,000 members in Victoria, Judy is a trailblazer in community development, Australia-Asia relations, and multicultural advocacy. As a new migrant and former international student who has called Melbourne home for 15 years, Judy brings a deep understanding of the community’s needs.

Trust Judy for a democratic, safe, affordable, and multicultural Melbourne with a flourishing economy, innovative technology, sustainable urban design (housing & transport), and global leadership. People-first! Empower youth and young entrepreneurs! Judy is also gaining recognition as an influencer on Little Red Book—follow her candidacy journey here: https://www.xiaohongshu.com/user/profile/5b3c28184eacab3239d3bf9e?xhsshare=CopyLink&appuid=5b3c28184eacab3239d3bf9e&apptime=1728904666&share_id=e0100007fb224fe6b87b99b2cef7627b.

PANELLISTS

Philip Le Liu - Current Councillor at MELBOURNE CITY COUNCIL
2024 MELBOURNE CITY COUNCIL Councillor Candidate

Phillip Le Liu is a Councillor for the City of Melbourne, which encompasses key areas including the central business district (CBD), Docklands, Carlton, East Melbourne, and parts of Southbank. The regions he represents fall under postcodes such as 3000, 3008, and 3053.

Phillip Le Liu was born in Shanghai, China, and moved to Melbourne at a young age, growing up in the suburb of Balaclava. His background as a migrant has shaped his strong connection to both the local and international communities in Melbourne. Phillip speaks both English and Mandarin fluently, which allows him to effectively engage with Melbourne’s multicultural population, particularly the international student community. His experiences as a migrant and his professional background in business have influenced his approach to city governance.

Phillip Le Liu is running for re-election to the City of Melbourne Council in Arron Wood’s team, reflecting a focus on making Melbourne a more inclusive and dynamic city. Le Liu’s campaign emphasizes his commitment to supporting local businesses, enhancing public spaces, and fostering a sustainable urban environment. As a long-term CBD resident, Phillip has been actively involved in Melbourne’s community development and has chaired key council portfolios, including finance and governance. Phillip is motivated to continue his work in creating more open spaces and supporting the post-pandemic recovery of Melbourne. His campaign is centered around the idea of ensuring Melbourne remains a livable city for all, balancing the needs of residents and businesses while promoting sustainable development

Lawrence Lam
2024 MELBOURNE CITY COUNCIL Councillor Candidate

Lawrence Lam, son of Hong Kong immigrants and fluent in Cantonese and English, was born and raised in Melbourne’s Eastern suburbs. Now living in West Melbourne 3003, he is running for City of Melbourne Council, inspired by the birth of his 10-month-old son. His priorities include more dog parks, green spaces for families, reducing small business regulations, creating a helpdesk for migrant business owners, and calming traffic to improve safety for pedestrians and families.

Lawrence is the Founder and Managing Director of Lumenary Investment Management, with two decades of financial services experience. He has held key roles at Deloitte, RBS, MUFG, and APRA. He co-founded W Legal Group and serves on the board of the Australia China Business Council, where he chairs the Future Leaders Forum. His upcoming book, The Founder Effect, is set for release in 2025.

Serena Huang 
2024 BOROONDARA CITY COUNCIL - Bellevue Ward Councillor Candidate  

A proud Kew East local, Serena loves being part of the Bellevue Ward community with her family. She serves on the committee of the Kew Toy Library and is a member of the Rotary Club of North Balwyn. She understands what matters and as your Councillor, will fight to maximise value for ratepayers and return to the basics. Serena will advocate for improved street lighting and community safety; better noise barriers and measures to address impacts of the North East link project; planning controls to regulate inappropriate development. 

Articulate, caring and educated, Serena runs a small business and holds a Bachelor of Business, an Executive MBA and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Serena seeks to make a difference, not a career! A strategic thinker with great problem-solving skills, she will prioritise sorting the Kew Recreation Centre debacle, improving local roads and footpaths and delivering high-quality services. Serena will hit the ground running and insist upon clear communication and consultation with residents and businesses. Under Serena’s watch, there will be transparency in decision-making and Council will meet its triple bottom line obligations – economic, social and environment. Vote for integrity, capability and determination – [1] Huang,Serena www.bellevueward.com

Iris Du
2024 MELTON CITY COUNCIL - Lake Caroline Ward Councillor Candidate  

As a mum with a young family, a multi-award-winning leadership strategist and #1 Amazon best-selling author. Iris is running as an independent candidate for the Melton City Council - Lake Caroline Ward, with no political affiliation. Moving to Australia alone at 15 taught Iris the value of sacrifice, hard work, and the importance of creating a safe environment for families. Now, as a mum raising her own family in Caroline Springs, these values mean even more to her.

With 18 years of leadership experience and deep involvement in local organisations, she is running to be the voice for change. She cares deeply about increasing police presence, supporting youth programs, improving roads, and ensuring better access to public spaces. As a business owner, she is also passionate about supporting local and family-owned businesses to boost our economy. As a community advocate, she is dedicated to making council resources accessible, transparent, and accountable to all residents, ensuring the best value for ratepayers. www.voteirisdu.com.au https://www.facebook.com/irisdu4lakecaroline

Aaron Qin
2024 WHITEHORSE CITY COUNCIL - Sparks Ward Councillor Candidate

Starting from Scratch, Striving Relentlessly. As a first-generation Chinese immigrant, Aaron Qin understands the challenges of building a new life from the ground up. Years ago, he arrived in Australia with dreams and hopes, but faced language barriers, cultural differences, and the pressures of daily life. Despite these obstacles, he never gave up. Through hard work and perseverance, he earned his Master of Nursing from the University of Sydney and established his life in Australia. Along the way, Aaron gained a deep understanding of the struggles immigrant communities face in unfamiliar environments. 

A Commitment to Community, A Voice for the People. Aaron became a registered nurse in Australia because he believes nursing is more than just a profession—it’s a calling to care for others. Over the past eight years, he has cared for over 1,000 elderly, disabled individuals, and patients, helping them find dignity and comfort. Through his work, Aaron witnessed the unique challenges facing the Chinese community, especially the elderly—whether it’s overcoming language barriers, accessing healthcare, or meeting daily care needs. These are the issues he is passionate about addressing. 

Why Run for Council? Aaron’s goal is not just to serve his community as a nurse but to be a leader who gives them a voice. As a first-generation immigrant, he understands the diverse challenges residents face, from housing and employment to safety and cultural identity. He wants to help solve these everyday struggles and foster a sense of belonging in a multicultural community. Too often, the voices of the Chinese community are overlooked, and Aaron is determined to change that by bridging the gap between his community and local politics, empowering immigrants to participate and thrive. www.aaronqin.com.au

CO-HOST

PR Asia

PR Asia was established in year 2014, starting from the city of Melbourne in Australia. PR Asia has consistently paying efforts to bridging Asian cultures internationally. As suggested in the phrase “PR Asia”, they represent a new young generation with attitude of guarding Asian traditional cultures. PR Asia has created a professional planning and execution team, as well as being developed onto the sole cultural and entertainment enterprise in Australia. Their content ecosystem covers six primary modules : Film / Fashion / Comedy / Art / Sport/ PRO


Don’t miss this chance to engage with leaders shaping the future of our cities and learn how you can be part of the next wave of change. 💪