‘The Last Empress of China Town’

Elizabeth Chong “OBE” (Over Bloody Eighty)
Delivered what can only be described as a riveting Brimbank Business Breakfast address as their guest speaker this morning.
This charming and entertaining octogenarian had her audience practically spellbound as she revealed her family story which is in fact also an integral part of what is Victoria’s story.
Telling in detail a story that took the audience back in time to when her Grandfather left China to find work in the ‘Land of the New Gold Mountain’ and soon through character and perseverance was at the tender age of 23 a general store owner and what we may describe today as an entrepreneur.
The next generation gave us Elizabeth’s father who was equally entrepreneurial beginning the mass production of ‘Dim Sims’s’ and ‘Bean Sprouts’ and his benevolence starting a care home for the elderly who were unable to continue manual labour.
So begins the Elizabeth Chong story; now in her eighties and still going strong and not looking a day over sixty. It’s difficult to comprehend that with four children working 10 hour days that this woman is still here to tell her story.
Eight books later and a hatful of prestigious awards this inspiring woman is still teaching and still travelling espousing the culinary delights to be found in Asia. She tells us that the “joy of living begins at the table” perhaps it’s time we enforced a rule of no TV, phones, iPads, iPods, think-pads, tablets or gadgets at the dinner table and perhaps we might all enjoy conversation, food and life just a little bit more.
Elizabeth shared some wisdom for the budding entrepreneur; “see your niche and go for it, ignore the negatives because there will always be negatives.” Remember a half hearted approach will bring half hearted results.
She left us with ‘Three Words of Wisdom’ in business have:
Passion
Commitment
Integrity

Thank You,
Elizabeth!