Phebe Chan

Gadigal land | Photos by Arielle Gamble

We caught up with Groundswell member Phebe Chan in her Potts Point home on Gadigal Land, Sydney late last year. Dressed in a beautiful emerald green pyjama set tailor made for her in Hoi An Vietnam, we spoke with Phebe about her love of art and learning, her family’s extraordinary journey escaping the Vietnam War, and the power of kindness and giving in daily life.

Home is . . .

All my relatives facetiming each other all at once on multiple devices while I eat mum’s homemade cooking.

Happiness is . . .

Entertaining, cooking and cracking jokes with a loved one or friend.

The footprint I want to leave on this earth is . . .

Professionally, I hope my work in philanthropy and fundraising, can help raise drive research and innovation in the sustainability sector through the Arts, Design & Architecture. Personally my aim is to continually be a kinder, gentle human to others.

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What helps when things get tough?

Perspective gets me through tough times. I reflect back on my family’s hardships and how lucky I am to be in my position now. My family fled conflict and came to Australia by boat after the Vietnam war: my mum, dad, grandma, aunties and 8 cousins all under the age of 10. Mum doesn’t even know how to swim. It must have been terrifying for them. I was born in Australia and have always lived a lucky life. When things get tough for me, I remember my family’s history and I know that I can get through anything life throws at me.

“Perspective gets me through tough times. I reflect back on my family’s hardships and how lucky I am to be in my position now.”

What has been one of your greatest lessons in life?

As a young child my family taught me the concept of karma and this has been intrinsic in most of my decision making whether it be in my personal life or professional practice.

My family taught me that doing good deeds makes your heart warmer and your life fuller.

What do you wish you could do better?

Be kinder to my body and mind, incorporate more sustainable practises in my daily life, not to be so hard on myself, and be a gentle human being.

What do you wish we could do better as a nation?

I wish more of us made decisions that were universally better for the world and didn’t just consider our own hip pocket.

I wish the government took climate change seriously instead of making decisions on a 3 year term cycle for re-election.

I wish my government didn’t create policy based on fear of otherness.

I wish my government was brave and benevolent.

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What was your penny drop moment about climate change?

The penny dropped for me when I attended a panel talk called ‘Strikers! Youth’ leading change as part of the ‘Conversation Starters: Temperature Rising’ Talks Program at the MCA in 2019.

I listened to a cohort of young people seeing their world in trouble and acting beyond themselves. They were tenacious and determined.

I thought to myself this shouldn’t even be something these young people have to be concerned about, but they are because they have to be. I knew then that I needed to support climate action however I could. If these teenagers could devote their time and fight, then I should too.

What gives you hope?

When I see cross generational understanding and support of climate change action.

When I see change taking place in important conversations: especially around intersectional environmentalism and what it means to protect vulnerable cultures and people who are on the frontline of climate change.

“I want giving to form part of my life habits and giving to Groundswell to support them to fund important causes, is now just part of my life. I am grateful for the life and opportunities I have been given and I want to give back in a meaningful way.”

Why did you join Groundswell?

I believe that if you can, you should. We all need to contribute to the solution whether  this is donating or giving your time to causes that further the movement.. I think Groundswell shares a similar ethos.

Initially I wanted to support Groundswell and be part of a giving circle for climate change action. My participation with Groundswell has evolved over time, exemplified through the learnings from Groundswell’s recent anti-racism workshop organised by Groundswell and Democracy in Colour. I did not think I would be putting what I learnt into practise 3 days after I completed the workshop. It truly empowered me to call out racism and gave me a realisation that I have a voice and a platform and I need to use it. In  doing so, I can help others become true allies and help to stamp out racism whether it be overt or covert.

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