About Australia Taiwan Culture Foundation Ltd.
The Australia Taiwan Cultural Foundation Ltd. (ATCF) is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to fostering mutual understanding, respect, and cooperation between the peoples of Australia and Taiwan. Based in Brisbane, ATCF operates as a platform for dialogue, cultural engagement, and policy reflection, with the aim of strengthening bilateral and community-level ties in an increasingly interconnected region.
ATCF’s work centres on promoting informed discussion and cultural awareness through public events, forums, and collaborative initiatives that encourage cross-cultural exchange and civic participation. The Foundation is particularly committed to advancing Taiwan-Australia relations by highlighting shared democratic values, cultural diversity, and people-to-people connections.
The organisation is led by a team of experienced senior community leaders who bring extensive backgrounds in public service, education, business, and multicultural affairs. Their collective expertise underpins ATCF’s mission to serve as a bridge for intercultural engagement and policy-related dialogue, while supporting the broader interests of the Taiwanese diaspora and multicultural Australia.
Although still evolving, ATCF aspires to contribute meaningfully to public discourse and long-term cultural diplomacy. With a growing network of supporters and partners, it continues to lay the foundation for deeper engagement and more nuanced understanding of Taiwan’s role in the region and its relationship with Australia.
The Board Members
Phyllis Lo
President
Phyllis Lo is a distinguished community leader and entrepreneur with a remarkable record of service across both Australia and the Taiwanese diaspora. She currently serves as the Chairwoman of Raby Bay Harbour and was appointed by the President of Taiwan as a Council Member on the Overseas Community Affairs Council.
Phyllis is the Honorary President of the Global Federation of Chinese Business Women (GFCBW), Australian Chapter, and has previously served as President of the Taiwan Women’s League of Queensland.
Her achievements have earned her multiple prestigious accolades, including the Centenary Medal by Queen Elizabeth II, 2001, honouring her contributions to Australian society. In 2003, she was recognised as an Australian Citizenship Ambassador, further affirming her role in fostering multicultural harmony and civic engagement.
Melody Chen
Vice President
Melody Chen is a Council Member of the Overseas Community Affairs Council (OCAC), appointed by the President of Taiwan. She is also the founding president of World Arts & Multi-Culture Inc. In 2021, she was named an Honorary Ambassador for the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Trust.
Her achievements include the Australia Day Cultural Award from Lord Mayor Campbell Newman (2010), the Australia Spirit Medal from Hon. Julia Gillard (2011), and the Queensland Inspiring Women Speaker’s Award from Hon. Fiona Simpson MP (2014). In 2018, she received the Queensland Artistic Achievement Award from Hon. Curtis Pitt MP, and in 2019, she was honoured with the Queenslander of the Year Award by Hon. Leeanne Enoch MP.
John Chen
Director
John Chen is a registered migration agent accredited by the Australian Federal Government, specialising in providing immigration, study, and visa application services. In 1988, he established “Australian Study and Migration Consultant Pty Ltd” in Australia, offering professional services to overseas immigrants for over 30 years. John has been appointed as an Associate Advisor of OCAC, Taiwan since 2016.
Florence Day
Director
Florence Day immigrated to Australia in 1973. In 2010, she assumed the role of Chief Organiser for the Multicultural Dragon Boat Festival and received the prestigious “Community Event of the Year” award from the Lord Mayor Campbell Newman in 2011. From 2012 to 2014, she served as the President of the Hakka Association of Queensland. Subsequently, from 2017 to 2021, Florence Day held the esteemed position of Secretary General of the Queensland Federation of Taiwanese Associations. She is currently a Council Member of OCAC, appointed by the President of Taiwan in 2015.
Administrative Staff (Volunteers)
Edward Lin
Chief Executive Officer
Edward Lin is a senior physics teacher with Education Queensland and a PhD candidate in Education at the Queensland University of Technology. He holds Master’s degrees in Philosophy and Business Administration.
In 2016, he became Executive Director of World Arts & Multi-Culture Inc. (WAMCI) and was appointed President in 2017. Under his leadership, WAMCI’s Harmony Week celebration expanded into the Brisbane International Arts Festival—a dynamic platform encompassing performing arts, visual arts, cultural forums, book publishing, Taiwanese film festivals, and multicultural networking events. Until 2021, he led its transformation into the widely recognised Taiwan Cultural Festival and WAMCI Multicultural Festival.
Edward currently serves as an Advisor to the Overseas Community Affairs Council of Taiwan and supports cultural exchange as the CEO (voluntary) of the Australia Taiwan Cultural Foundation.
Susan Yang
Treasurer
Susan Yang has been a passionate advocate for the arts and multiculturalism in Queensland for over a decade. She has held key leadership roles within World Arts & Multi-Culture Inc. (WAMCI), including Director, Executive Secretary, Project Manager, Chief Curator, and now serves as President.
Susan has played a vital role in organising major multicultural initiatives such as the WAMCI Multicultural Festival, Taiwan Culture Festival, STORIES Art Exhibitions, the Sunnybank Multicultural Gallery, and the WAMCI Art Trail, which engaged over 25 ethnic communities across Queensland. Her vision and commitment have significantly enriched the region’s cultural landscape and provided meaningful platforms for diverse communities to share and celebrate their heritage. In addition to leading events, she actively supports various ethnic organisations in promoting their cultures.
Despite her very tight schedule as President of WAMCI and Treasurer of ATCF, Susan also serves as a Coach for the Formosa Association of Student Cultural Ambassadors (FASCA) in Brisbane and an Associate Advisor of OCAC.
Advisors
Koda Chen
Advisor
In early 1994, Koda Chen arrived in Australia to pursue his studies. In 1997, he immigrated and founded Chiao Shun International, a company specialising in education and migration services, recruitment, internship arrangements, real estate, and property management. Koda has held the positions of both the 23rd and 26th President of the Taiwan Friendship Association of Queensland Inc. Currently, he serves as an Associate Advisor for OCAC, Taiwan.
Charles Hsiao
Advisor
Charles Hsiao, the founder of Times Education Group Australia. The company specialises in providing training, consulting, educational resource development, project planning, and promotion services. Charles himself holds the position of CEO within the organisation. Times Education Group Australia manages a higher education institute, four vocational colleges accredited by the Australian authorities, and an institute offering English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS).
Grace Yu
Advisor
Grace Yu founded Grace Education & Migration Group in 1994 and has served as its Executive Director ever since. In 2015, she was honoured with the appointment of Honorary Charity Ambassador for the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Trust in Brisbane.
Grace has held several esteemed positions within the Taiwanese community in Brisbane, including 17th President and later Honorary President of the Australian Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce Queensland, Secretary-General of the Queensland Federation of Taiwanese Associations, Advisor to the Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce Oceania, and Associate Advisor to OCAC.
Arthur Chen
Advisor
Arthur Chen graduated with a Master of Information Systems from Queensland University and made history by establishing the first Taiwanese bank (ICBC) in Brisbane in 1999. With a strong background in finance and leadership, he now serves as the General Manager of Bitan Golf Club in Taiwan. In addition to his professional role, Arthur is actively involved in community service as the Vice President and Secretary of the Rotary Club of Taipei Excellence, contributing his expertise and dedication to both business and social initiatives.