On 10 February, pioneering ENT, Head and Neck surgeon Professor Kelvin Kong AM delivered the 2026 Wang Gungwu Lecture. Now in its fifth year, the annual lecture celebrates the substantial and longstanding contributions of Australia’s diverse Chinese communities to Australian life.
Professor Kong is a proud Worimi man of Chinese-Malaysian heritage and is recognised as Australia’s first Indigenous surgeon. He has dedicated his life to improving the health of others through his work in paediatric and adult otolaryngology, head and neck surgery. His distinguished career spans medicine and policy development with a focus on improving health outcomes for Indigenous communities.
In an uplifting address delivered at the Great Hall of Parliament House in Canberra, Kong honoured the sacrifices of his Chinese ancestors who endured war and poverty and his Aboriginal family members who faced structural barriers and policies of exclusion.
Kong also addressed the ongoing challenges faced by Chinese and First Nations peoples who experienced racism, microaggressions and assumptions around identity, and reflected on his own experiences navigating his identity and a sense of belonging.
'Growing up, I was often “too Chinese” for some, and “not Aboriginal enough” for others. In the schoolyard, my features were a puzzle. The questions were constant, and not always kind.... I realised that living in that gap gave me a unique sight. I could see bridges where others saw walls. I learned to translate—not languages, but experiences, hurts, and hopes... And that led to “success”. Not success defined merely by a title or a salary, but success defined by acceptance.’
Minister for International Development, Minister for Small Business and Minister for Multicultural Affairs, the Hon. Dr. Anne Aly welcomed guests to the lecture.
'Our national story weaves ancient songlines and migrant journeys, with inspiring Australians such as Professor Kelvin Kong AM bringing that story to life. As a Worimi man of Malaysian Chinese heritage, he embodies the intersection of histories that have shaped this country and demonstrates how diversity strengthens our institutions and our shared sense of purpose.'
The event was hosted by Chair of the National Foundation for Australia-China Relations, Marina Go AM.
'Professor Kong is an inspiration. He brings to his lecture his skill as a surgeon, a sense of awe at the gift of hearing, and authenticity as a storyteller. As he highlights in his own life the extraordinary contributions of both Chinese-Australians and the Traditional Owners, he brings us together as a nation.'
A vote of thanks was delivered by Gabriel Ng, Member for Menzies.
Previous lectures were delivered by paediatrician and former Australian of the year, Dr John Yu AC; former Australian Children’s Laureate, Gabrielle Wang; former Chair of Diversity Council Australia and the first Asian woman to lead an ASX200-listed company, Ming Long AM; and five-time Olympic diver, Melissa Wu OLY.
The lecture is named after the pre-eminent scholar on China and Chinese diaspora communities around the world, Professor Wang Gungwu AO CBE. Professor Wang is a pre-eminent expert on Chinese diaspora communities around the world and a seminal figure in Asian studies in Australia. Among other roles, Professor Wang was Chair of the Australia-China Council (the Foundation’s predecessor body). He was also President of the Australian Academy of Humanities and Director of ANU’s Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies.
The lecture will premiere on ABC Australia and ABC iview at 8.00pm AEDT on Friday 20 February.
