Alumni Cadet, volunteer addict and all round Doxa legend Priscilla Pham is a Bachelor of Environmental Science (Environmental Management and Sustainability) from Deakin University. She completed her work placement at BP Australia and has some great ideas about making the world a better place.
What’s your favourite TV show and why?
Absolutely going to say Friends, a great comedic classic. If I ever need a good laugh I can always rely on Friends. Though I’m also a huge animation addict and have an undying love for Adventure Time. It resonates well with my inner childhood as well as some deep obstacles that we tend to face in life.
Can you tell us about your involvement with Doxa?
Where do I even begin haha, I love Doxa and they’re my forever family. It all started from the Cadetship program where I was selected to commence my placement with BP Australia back in 2013. I’ve finished that now, but felt that Doxa and I could do so much more together. With more capacity for Cadets and Alumni to support and contribute to Doxa, I’d taken on a wide range of voluntary opportunities. I’ve helped out at a series of working bees, racing lunches, Cadetship camps and Holiday Camps in Malmsbury, University Pathways Programs and now the Future Focus program.
“What I can do now with all the skills and experiences is to give back and provide opportunities to the kids who don’t have it, who were like me when I was their age. It’s time for me to give back.”
Priscilla (right) at Doxa Malmsbury Working Bee, March 2016
How has Doxa had an impact on you?
Doxa helped me to believe that no matter what situations happen in my life anything is achievable, all I had to do was seek the resources and support that was already there waiting for me. Doxa made me realise that I’m beyond a social construct and that family comes in all shapes and sizes. Honestly, I don’t know where I’d be now if I didn’t have Doxa there to support me at my lowest. What I can do now with all the skills and experiences is to give back and provide opportunities to the kids who don’t have it, who were like me when I was their age. It’s time for me to give back.
“Doxa helped me to believe that no matter what situations happen in my life anything is achievable.”
Name some of the things in society that matter to you?
Oh gosh, there’s so many! Here are a few key areas though:
Everything from quality living standards, to equality on every level and ensuring that everyone takes into account their responsibility for the environment.
Providing opportunities matters to me because I know that talent is existent in everyone, and if every person has that opportunity to showcase their talents and capabilities only greater things can come from that. It’s amazing what we’re capable of.
I always love to refer to the United Nations 17 Sustainability Goals that countries adopted in September 2015 as their new sustainable agenda. I can relate to all their set goals as my own and their goals are fantastic. We’re in a day and age where societies are capable of so much more.
“Providing opportunities matters to me because I know that talent is existent in everyone…”
What’s your favourite social network and why?
Facebook is my go to and a long time buddy. It’s where I can find interesting news feeds, recipes, updates on friends and family and a great tool for global integration. I can say that half my friends aren’t Australian and I can learn so much about who they are and their culture. Snapchat is great too, it was initial peer pressure but I’ve grown fond of the filters!
What are the top 3 things on your bucket list?
- Travel the world, again and for longer
- Help as many people as I can while I can
- Exude happiness wherever I can
