David Sia, originally from Laos, described how things changed in Laos when the Communists won the civil war, and how his family developed an escape plan. On a 3rd attempt, his mother, a Loatian National, crossed the Mekong river to Thailand with 3 young children. After 6 months in a Refugee Camp, they boarded a small boat with 200 people. The boat was stranded off Singapore for 8 months, and then they were sent back to the Refugee Camp for another 6 months. Finally they were accepted as Refugees and came to Australia by Qantas, to start the process of building a better life.
David paid tribute to the Australian Government (under Malcolm Fraser as PM) for accepting 70,000 refugees from Indo China during the period 1976 - 1982.
David's parents had 5 children under 10, but borrowed from friends and family to establish a company called "Techware."
David is currently the General Manager of Techware, a business and IT solutions company based in Melbourne.
David also thanked us for our hospitality. "Everyone was so welcoming, and after speaking to some of the members, the act of giving by the members are so inspirational."
