Bic Walker

Author, Entrepreneur, Illustrator, Inspirational Speaker

Born in Vietnam in 1974, Bic Walker escaped war torn Vietnam at the age of four. Bic’s experience as a refugee was the catalyst for her first Book A Safe Place to Live. This autobiographical chil­dren’s book recounts her experience in fleeing Vietnam with her family in 1979 on a tiny boat bound for freedom. The events that transpired are the stuff of Hollywood movies: attacked by pirates and left drifting in the open ocean without fuel, the family were finally rescued by a Canadian oil tanker. Bic and her family were transported to Malaysia where they waited for six months before being taken to Australia.

Where were you born?

I was born in Vietnam on the southwest side of the Mekong delta in a little town called Rach Gia which is near the border of Cambodia.

What themes are recurring in your work?

My themes revolve around multiculturalism and identity: growing up Asian in Australia, being an outsider and trying to fit in.

I also share my personal experience as child refugee.

I also talk about resilience and the ups and downs of being an entrepreneur.

What have been the highlights of your career?

My first book, A Safe Place to Live was included in the Premier’s Reading Challenge. I wanted to produce a picture book about my refugee experience to reach people in places beyond the limits of my personal circle. Being a picture book, A Safe Place to Live is able to transcend culture, language, and age. My second book Hope raised over thirty thousand dollars to assist poor and underprivileged children and their families in Cambodia.

What other jobs have you had?

I was trained as an Architect and worked in some of the top firms in Melbourne for 10 years.  After writing my first book I launched my own stationery and print business. Most recently I started an online fashion label with my teenage daughter and learned all about marketing on social media. Dibo Bodi now ships to over 50 countries.

What are you passionate about?

I am passionate about building resilience, overcoming stereotypes and maintaining personal cultural identity.  I am a continuous learner also passionate about sharing my experience and knowledge as a creative entrepreneur and marketer.

Haven’t I seen you before?

My story was published in Frankie magazine (issue 53). I have also been reviewed in The Herald sun, Progress Press and Melbourne Weekly. My cards and prints are stocked in many shops in Melbourne and I sometimes appear in my daughter’s TikTok videos for Dibo Bodi.

 

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