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TRANG: The More You Give
Melbourne, Australia, 1996
‘For you, Trang. The Prime Minister’s Office.’ Trang took the phone, wondering which of her friends was playing a practical joke. Then a voice, strangely familiar. ‘I’ve called to offer the best gig going in Australia right now,’ John Howard said. ‘I’d like you to serve on the Council for the Centenary of Federation.’ Trang was momentarily speechless. She quickly rallied, accepting the appointment and thanking the PM. Her schedule was overcrowded as always, but to decline such an opportunity to serve was unthinkable. Yet she struggled to come to grips with the PM’s invitation. The holder of Australia’s highest political office had called personally to recruit her to a position of great honour. Why her? Yes, she was already a high achiever in both academia and public office. Her successes had raised her profile, especially as a representative of multicultural interests. But this appointment was a much broader recognition. It told her that she had made the transition from successful immigrant to eminent Australian.
‘For you, Trang. The Prime Minister’s Office.’ Trang took the phone, wondering which of her friends was playing a practical joke. Then a voice, strangely familiar. ‘I’ve called to offer the best gig going in Australia right now,’ John Howard said. ‘I’d like you to serve on the Council for the Centenary of Federation.’ Trang was momentarily speechless. She quickly rallied, accepting the appointment and thanking the PM. Her schedule was overcrowded as always, but to decline such an opportunity to serve was unthinkable. Yet she struggled to come to grips with the PM’s invitation. The holder of Australia’s highest political office had called personally to recruit her to a position of great honour. Why her? Yes, she was already a high achiever in both academia and public office. Her successes had raised her profile, especially as a representative of multicultural interests. But this appointment was a much broader recognition. It told her that she had made the transition from successful immigrant to eminent Australian.
272 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 16, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 7, 2019
I have just finished reading ‘Trang: The More You Give’ by Peter Nolan.
I found this a fascinating biography of my friend, and of many others, Trang.
I met Trang through our common interest in travel and Psychology.
The account uncovers so many layers in Trang’s amazing life to date, many of which I knew little about, or just snippets. This is typical of Trang: she is a humble person who can easily fly under the radar, unless you ask.
Peter Nolan has managed to extract different aspects of Trang’s life and expressed them in a concise and clear way. I enjoyed the short Chapters and the clear, chronological descriptions of the many transitions in Trang’s life, ranging from geographical (eg Hanoi to Saigon as a refugee, to Australia), major appointments (eg 1st female Professor) to philosophical (political engagement, feminism, human rights, multiculturalism).
Nolan managed deftly to weave the personal attributes of Trang throughout his account, alongside his exploration of her career that developed through sheer determination to break through discrimination, and glass ceilings.
When opportunities arose, Trang extended herself to accept them despite an already full existence, following her life’s mantra from her mother’s influence: the more you give.
This is such an apt title.
Trang’s loyalty, compassion and practical support shines through, such as her financial support of her beloved nanny who was one of the important female influences in her life. Nolan showed great insights as to the drivers in Trang’s life and how they underpinned Trang’s decisions.
I think this is a fascinating account of an 18 year old who came to Australia in search of education and independence, under difficult circumstances, leaving her war torn homeland of Vietnam.
Nolan has navigated Trang’s complex and full life from both a personal and career perspective. He has managed to describe the push and pull of many roles that Trang lived, as student, partner/marriage, mother, career and mentor. Her humanity shines through it all.
I can recommend this Biography in its own right, whether or not you had the pleasure of knowing Trang.
Dr Elise Julien
I found this a fascinating biography of my friend, and of many others, Trang.
I met Trang through our common interest in travel and Psychology.
The account uncovers so many layers in Trang’s amazing life to date, many of which I knew little about, or just snippets. This is typical of Trang: she is a humble person who can easily fly under the radar, unless you ask.
Peter Nolan has managed to extract different aspects of Trang’s life and expressed them in a concise and clear way. I enjoyed the short Chapters and the clear, chronological descriptions of the many transitions in Trang’s life, ranging from geographical (eg Hanoi to Saigon as a refugee, to Australia), major appointments (eg 1st female Professor) to philosophical (political engagement, feminism, human rights, multiculturalism).
Nolan managed deftly to weave the personal attributes of Trang throughout his account, alongside his exploration of her career that developed through sheer determination to break through discrimination, and glass ceilings.
When opportunities arose, Trang extended herself to accept them despite an already full existence, following her life’s mantra from her mother’s influence: the more you give.
This is such an apt title.
Trang’s loyalty, compassion and practical support shines through, such as her financial support of her beloved nanny who was one of the important female influences in her life. Nolan showed great insights as to the drivers in Trang’s life and how they underpinned Trang’s decisions.
I think this is a fascinating account of an 18 year old who came to Australia in search of education and independence, under difficult circumstances, leaving her war torn homeland of Vietnam.
Nolan has navigated Trang’s complex and full life from both a personal and career perspective. He has managed to describe the push and pull of many roles that Trang lived, as student, partner/marriage, mother, career and mentor. Her humanity shines through it all.
I can recommend this Biography in its own right, whether or not you had the pleasure of knowing Trang.
Dr Elise Julien
September 7, 2019
Biography of an amazing woman
The biography of Professor Emeritus Trang Thomas deserves to be read, recounting the life of Trang from nervous student from Vietnam and family tragedy to the first female professor at RMIT . Her story is told with sensitivity In the context of the rise of feminism and the development of a muticultural Australia. From the board of SBS, reporting on the children in detention , a director of the Australian Psychological Society, she Worked tirelessly to contribute to her new homeland. Her story moves along quickly but keeps one looking forward to the next chapter to hear more about this amazing woman.
The biography of Professor Emeritus Trang Thomas deserves to be read, recounting the life of Trang from nervous student from Vietnam and family tragedy to the first female professor at RMIT . Her story is told with sensitivity In the context of the rise of feminism and the development of a muticultural Australia. From the board of SBS, reporting on the children in detention , a director of the Australian Psychological Society, she Worked tirelessly to contribute to her new homeland. Her story moves along quickly but keeps one looking forward to the next chapter to hear more about this amazing woman.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews