Meet our Thailand Ambassador, John Hancock

Advance Global Australians Ambassadors kindly volunteer their time to help Australians overseas. John Hancock is Advance Global Australians Ambassador in Thailand. He shares his journey, what it means to be a Global Australian & tips for others considering going abroad.

Can you share your journey with Advance Global Australians and how you became involved with the organisation?

I was invited to attend the 100 Global Australians in Sydney in 2006 - the only invitee from Thailand. The Summit was a major event with high level speakers and good breakout and entertainment, including a reception at Kirribilli House hosted by former PM of Australia, John Howard. A few years later, I attended the Advance Asian Summit in Shanghai, attended by former PM Bob Hawke – again I was the only invitee from Thailand.

Around that time, I was actively building up a law practice for global law firm Baker & McKenzie in Bangkok - fully involved in a busy law practice and heavily involved in regional and global management activities as well as supporting Australian related business and alumni bodies in Thailand. And there were no further Asian initiatives by Advance Global Australians.

However, my experience with the Australian Thai Chamber of Commerce (AustCham) as President, with the Thai Australian Association (now the Australian Alumni Association -Thailand) as a committee member and later Honorary Advisor, as well as the Australia-Thailand Institute (DFAT) as a Board Member, I became more aware of the lack of Australian knowledge of Asia and how to effectively and sustainably engage in the area.

I felt there was a real need for an Australian-based body (developed and supported by Government) to work on a strategy to increase the awareness of and source of opportunity in Asia, at all levels in Australia. The need for a national program for coordinated and sustained engagement with Asian alumni as well as the recognition and leveraging of the Australian diaspora in the nation’s interest. A real “Australia Inc” effort.

I noted that in the last year or so that Advance Global Australians had developed an interest in this area, but had no presence or representation in Thailand.

Recently Phil Forrest, a good friend of mine and Advance Global Australians Ambassador in Singapore, introduced me to Joseph Kwok, an Advance Global Australian Board member based in Singapore. I met with Joseph on his visit to Bangkok and was impressed with his enthusiasm in areas which matched mine.

In late 2023, I became the Advance Global Australians Ambassador for Thailand. I was fortunate enough to attend the Gala Dinner in Sydney recently, and meet some of the Advance Global Australians Board, advisors, ambassadors and team members.

What motivates you to be part of Advance Global Australians?

All global Australians are representatives of Australia with respect to the communities in which they live and work. Their behaviour drives the view of Australia and Australians. I thus consider it my obligation to behave as a de facto and positive ambassador of Australia and Australians, and to contribute to Australia’s positive future. In order for Global Australians who are like-minded to play that important role, they need recognition and support. This will hopefully come from Advance Global Australians’ efforts.

BEING A GLOBAL AUSTRALIAN

What does being a Global Australian mean to you personally?

A lot. It provides the motivation to encourage Australia and Australians to exercise curiosity with respect to exploring and understanding and engaging in the greater world in which they live. To consult, listen, learn and adapt their policies, culture and behaviour outside of Australia so as to create a positive image which gains global respect and provides great global opportunity.

Can you share an example of how you’ve seen the impact of Global Australians in the world?

Certainly. In my profession, and in my old law firm, the initiative and leadership of our engagement and growth in Asia-Pacific since 1974 came from Australian lawyers who ventured overseas and pioneered the establishment and development of law offices (which are now major players in Hong Kong, Thailand, Taipei, Singapore, Vietnam, China and  Indonesia), and who went on to regional and global strategic and leadership positions – one of whom became our Global Chairman.

In what ways do you believe Global Australians can contribute to Australia's growth and innovation?

By convincing Australian Government and companies to identify and engage with highly skilled global Australians working with world leading global companies/organisations. To recognise, consult and listen with respect to methodology of creating and implementing long-term national strategies that are critical to Australia’s survival – such as diplomacy, governance, water supply, health, high speed train connections, science and technology, clean energy and more.  Also, by being enticed back to Australia with incentives and opportunities, so they can inspire and assist in building up our local organisations to be able to effectively engage and compete in world markets.

What are some of your favourite aspects of Australian culture and lifestyle?

I enjoy all aspects of Australian culture and lifestyle – particularly when visiting my children and grandchildren and catching up with old friends. Travelling and enjoying the diverse country-side, coastal and remote areas; enjoying cleanliness and general law and order; following Aussie Rules, Rugby (both Union and League) and major sporting events such as the Australian Open Tennis.

How do you stay connected to Australian traditions while living abroad?

I engage actively (and at various times have had leadership, management, advisory, honorary and liaison roles) with various Australian and Australian-related private and public sector organisations in-country; these include the Chamber of Commerce, Embassy, State representation, educational institutions, NGOs, charitable organisations and alumni associations.

MOST PROUD MOMENT

What is a moment in your life or career that you are most proud of as an Australian abroad? How did this moment shape your identity as a Global Australian?

There were several such moments including becoming the founding partner of global law firm Baker & McKenzie’s office in Thailand in 1977; being elected President of the Australian-Thai Chamber of Commerce in 1986 and again in 1998; being awarded an Order of Australia (AM) in 2016 for services to Thai-Australian relationships - personally bestowed by the Governor General Cosgrove in a ceremony at the Australian Embassy in Bangkok; and being recognised with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Australian Alumni Association Awards in Bangkok in 2022. These have provided me with a higher profile as an Australian in the Thailand community– and I have hopefully portrayed a positive image of Australia and Australians. All of which has energised and assisted me to contribute more on that front.

In what ways has your international experience influenced your view of Australia?

Australia is a large country, but with a small population. We have to work smarter together and effectively leverage what we collectively have. Australia does still seem so locally focused. We need to establish sustainable programs and plan to collectively and effectively leverage the very significant aid, educational and other contributions Australia has provided over a long period to the global and regional communities – not to mention the global Australians, their overseas organisations and the foreign alumni of Australian educational institutions. We need to be more active and create good long- term relationships and greater opportunities for productive overseas engagement. And it must be sustained.

How has it affected your understanding of what it means to be Australian?

I am an Australian national. I feel like I am an Australian. I really care for Australia. I want to be proud of Australia and Australians. I feel so fortunate to have had global experience and I want to share my experience to help in whatever way I can to that end.  However, while there are a large number (more than a million) global Australians we do not seem to be on the agenda in Australia on matters that impact us or on which we can contribute. We are in many ways peripheral Australians. I hope that Advance Global Australians can play an active and positive role in changing perceptions, and to encourage and welcome the input and return of global Australians so as to transfer their experience for common benefit.

John Hancock at the Australian Embassy in Thailand for the visit of the South Australian Governor.

Left to right: Nikki Lohitnavy (Manager & Winemaker, Granmonte Winery), Dr Angela Macdonald (Australian Ambassador to Thailand), John Hancock AM (Advance Global Australians Ambassador - Thailand), Frances Adamson (South Australian Governor) and Anucha Burapachaisri MP (deputy secretary-general & government spokesman).

OTHERS BECOMING GLOBAL AUSTRALIANS

What advice would you give to Australians looking to go global?

Give it a good look. There will always be many opportunities offshore where there are bigger and welcoming organisations, businesses and economies – where one can possibly break out of any applicable local inhibitions or restrictions on your ambitions and aspirations. Recognise that the consequence of becoming a global Australian and succeeding/reaching a world class standing in a field or profession, may mean that it may be difficult to return to Australia in a similar position/role/employment package. And that, even if willing to accept a lower or less qualified role, Australia may not have the same wide range of employment spots available – they may be filled or not open to those without prior Australian experience or Australian networks.

What tips would you offer to Australians considering working or living abroad?

If you want to work and live in Australia first, then consider getting a job with (a) an Australian organisation with global presence, which may provide opportunities overseas, or (b) a foreign organisation with operations in Australia, which may provide an enhanced pathway to employment overseas or in Australia upon return.
While overseas, engage actively with the locals and develop long-lasting trusted relationships with them, as well as with Australians in your location. If you plan to or contemplate that you may return to Australia, then make sure you keep in touch with those in Australia who will likely recognise the value of your global experience and will facilitate your re-entry at the appropriate levels.

How can they best prepare for the challenges and opportunities of being a Global Australian?

Join Advance Global Australians. Talk to those who are or were global Australians. Do thorough focused research on the countries of interest. Engage with businesses or organisations or people in Australia from the countries you are interested in. Seek out and cultivate connections, introductions and opportunities in those countries. Try to pick up a little of the relevant foreign language.

What future opportunities do you see for Global Australians?

Hopefully the opportunity to contribute to Australia from overseas, or in Australia upon their return. All of which will depend very much on broader and sustained Australian recognition and engagement. It is up to Australia to provide and grasp that opportunity and to reap its benefit.
I am looking forward to working with Advance Global Australians and making a difference.

  John Hancock

Are you an Australian in Thailand? Connect with us to find out about local events and initiatives for Australians: thailand@advance.org