18 March 2013 - A Filipino-Australian, Deborah Ruiz Wall, has been chosen to be one of twelve Seniors Week Ambassadors for its celebration in New South Wales (NSW), Australia from March 17 to 24.  

The NSW Seniors Week Ambassador program selects prominent individuals from the Australian community who embody the “Live Life” theme of the program and inspire other seniors to be active, healthy, and independent.

Ms. Wall was born in the Philippines but has lived most of her life in Australia. As a teacher for nearly 30 years with the NSW Technical and Further Education (TAFE), Australia’s largest provider of vocational education and training, she worked to empower people through education. 

Ms. Wall completed several funded projects on the oral history of the Aboriginal people and inter-cultural story sharing between aboriginal and Filipino women in inner city Sydney and in Fairfield, West Sydney.

Ms. Wall is a writer of non-fiction and poetry. Some of her works include Reconciliation, Love and other Poems( 2006), Becoming Australian: A Filipino Woman’s Journey (2008), Salu-salo: In Conversation with Filipinos: An Anthology of Philippine-Australian Writings (2008),  and Poetry Without Borders (2008). She also occasionally stages photography exhibitions.

She was awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for her contribution to the community in the areas of social justice, multiculturalism and reconciliation in 2004. She is listed on Who’s Who of Australian Women from 2007 to 2012. 

Proving that one can continue to be an achiever at 63 years old, Ms. Wall is currently a PhD candidate with the Institute for Culture and Society, University of Western Sydney. The subject of her thesis is the liquefied natural gas development project in the Kimberley, NSW.

Ms. Wall said that she seeks to be a bridge-builder from one generation to the next that will embrace continuity, change and survival.

Philippine Consul General to Sydney Anne Jalando-on Louis commended Ms. Wall on her achievements and continued commitment to serve the community as an advocate for peace across different cultures. END