My first job was with the Taipei City Government Department of Environmental Protection. But I don’t think I’m too good at working with government – sometimes I’m more loyal about doing the right thing than being loyal to my boss! So, after that, I formed my own organisation, called the Green Formosa Front, which I grew from 1 person to 10 people. We achieved many things, including organising a Clean Up Taiwan day which was modelled on Clean Up Australia day, fighting against a new nuclear power plant being built, helping farmers to set up safe farming practices, and stopping toxic waste being illegally dumped in Cambodia by Taiwanese companies.
By 2001, my family had all migrated to Australia, so I decided to come and join them. I found a job doing energy policy research, where my manager and I worked together on setting up what became the NSW Climate Change Fund. Then, I decided to strike out on my own again, and I co-ordinated a number of projects to improve energy efficiency in small businesses. One was a project to upgrade Sydney’s dry cleaning shops to make them more energy efficient. At that time, they were the highest small business consumers of electricity, due to the steam generated by electric boilers. I think we must have visited nearly every single one in the end! For that project, we won two Green Globe awards.
Next, I spent some time travelling through some developing countries, including Cambodia and Laos. Soon after my return, the Australian government announced their plan to send refugees from Nauru to Cambodia. I couldn’t believe it – I had visited lots of local NGOs in Cambodia, so I knew it was a very corrupt and poor country, and therefore not a good place to send refugees.
As a result, I started a group called People Just Like Us, which I now devote 100% of my time to. One of our main focuses is to run refugee talks because we believe it’s important for people to hear refugees talk about their experiences in order to understand what they have been through.
Australia is a signatory to the United Nations 1951 Refugee Convention – we are actually one of the founding countries – yet we take very few refugees compared to the rest of the world. And we are a rich country, yet we are outsourcing our legal and moral duty to poor countries.
These people have come to our door for help, and as human beings, I believe we should be showing them humanity and compassion.
Joyce
Taiwan
Arrived 2001
Please consider supporting the New Humans of Australia project by becoming a patron, from as little as $1 per week. https://www.patreon.com/nicolagray?ty=h
Well said Joyce. I think a lot of people would benefit from hearing first hand what refugees have gone through, where they are coming from and why they want to be here.
Pages like this show what valuable, contributing members of society refugees are becoming. They’re not here to ‘steal’ our public housing or welfare. They want safe, productive lives.
I think programs like ‘go back to where you came from’ (or similarly messaged shows) should be mandatory viewing in all high schools. Australians need to see refugees as humans they can relate to rather than scary headlines and political footballs.
You have led a wonderful life so far Joyce and it’s great to have someone like you decide to live here. Welcome!
Ok, Joyce is my new hero.
Couldn’t agree more ????
Welcome Joyce, yet amother hugely contributing member of our society. I can’t believe we send refugees to Cambodia. Disgraceful. ????
You are a role model migrant with a conscience! Keep up the good, much needed work trying to get the real stories out there!
Thank you, thank you, thank you Joyce, for all of your work so far. We’ve got such a long way to go, so please keep it going!!
You are an amazing person. Thank you for all that you do xxx
What a shining light you are!
Joyce you need to tell your stories in schools. Kids need to have first hand experiences of refugees. Educate a child and you educate the world.
Thank you Joyce for trying to correct this nations moral compass
Di DeLaine I think you’ll like this one
Anja interesting story you might like and be inspired by!
The world needs more people like you Joyce! Well done ☺️
Great Joyce
Proud of You.
Thanks a lot for your contribution and sacrifices.
Wow. Why haven’t I heard about this amazing woman till now?
Wow so nice to know the face behind People Like Us and what a fantastic career! Well done Joyce can’t wait to see what you do next.
Ella McNeill, look familiar? This is the lady from The Beekeeper session!
Pris Lam this woman is amazing
Terrific Joyce. Pleased to read your story.
Thank you Joyce for sharing your humanity and compassion ! We are so grateful you decided to come to Australia and showed us how to welcome refugees here.
Erin Chew, this is Joyce who I told you about
I love your work, Joyce. ???? So inspiring! I also support People Just Like Us.