KEYNOTE SPEAKER - Bic Walker

Born in 1974 in the small town of Rach Gia, on the southwest coast of Vietnam near the Cambodian
border, Bic Walker’s life was shaped early by displacement and resilience. At just four years old, she
and her family fled war-torn Vietnam in 1979 aboard a small fishing boat, seeking freedom and
safety. Their journey was harrowing — attacked by pirates and left adrift in the open sea without
fuel, they were eventually rescued by a Canadian oil tanker. The family was taken to Malaysia, where
they spent six months in a refugee camp before being granted asylum in Australia.

That life-altering experience became the foundation of Bic’s first book, A Safe Place to Live — an
autobiographical children’s picture book that tells the story of her family’s escape. Written to reach
young readers and their families, the book offers a powerful message of hope and humanity, and was
proudly included in the Premier’s Reading Challenge.

Creative Themes and Purpose

Bic’s work is driven by themes of multiculturalism, identity, and resilience. She often explores what it
means to grow up Asian in Australia — navigating the feeling of being an outsider and finding a sense
of belonging. Her stories, talks, and creative projects frequently draw from her experience as a child
refugee and her ongoing journey as an entrepreneur.

Book Bic as a keynote speaker for your next event to inspire your audience with a powerful story of
courage, creativity, and reinvention.