Motivation
30
The story of
a child soldier
turned lawyer
and motivational
speaker
By Andrew-Knox B. Kaniki,
APA WA President
Trials And Triumphs
u IT WAS TWO WEEKS AGO, during Australia’s Harmony Week,
that the African Professionals of Australia (APA) had its first Meet Up
with Deng Thiak Adut. He came, he spoke, and he conquered.
Deng was in Perth as a guest of the APA on a three-day official visit
to address issues surrounding community and social development –
focussing particularly on high school mentoring.
Over three days, Deng also presented on several other matters including the bright future we have as an integrated migrant society,
and how fortunate we are to call Australia home.
“We have all the opportunities we could ever wish for and we
should work hard not to dent the country giving you these opportunities. Work hard, contribute positively to this society and blame no
one,” said Deng.
He also discussed everything from how we need to handle refugees
– citing his own experiences of trekking bare-foot across north-east
In 1985, the Sudanese government began destroying villages
around the nation, leading to the rise of the People’s Liberation Army
(PLA). At the age of six, Deng was taken from his family home – a
remote banana farm in South Sudan – and conscripted into the army.
During several years of army service he underwent vigorous military
training and witnessed numerous atrocities, and when he was still
just a boy, he was shot in the back while running through a village.
Though he now speaks boldly about this today, he tells of the continuing effects this experience has had not just on his body, but on
his mind.
Finally, a chance meeting led to Deng reuniting with his older brother, who helped to smuggle him out of the country by hiding him in
a corn sack on the back of a truck. The two brothers befriended an
Australian family and eventually, they arrived as refugees in 1998. After working at a local service station to learn English, Deng enrolled
at TAFE and completed his Advanced Diploma in Accounting, before
deciding to study law. In 2005, he enrolled in a Bachelor of Laws at
Western Sydney University and became the first person in his family to
graduate with a law degree.
Deng now works as a lawyer in Blacktown, New South Wales,
where he is determined to ensure that other Sudanese refugees have
the legal advice and support they need before entering the court system.
“I am happy to say that I work with a very diverse team and my staff
hail from all side of the globe. I appreciate and encourage diversity,”
Deng said.
Deng’s visit to Perth in Western Australia was organised and coordinated by Andrew-Knox B. Kaniki – President of the African Professionals of Australia – and supervised by Tommy Adebayo – APA National
Chairman.
Africa – and the challenges around violence, bullying, and family life.
He expressed the importance of appreciating Indigenous Australians
and understanding their ownership of the land, as well as the need
to work closely with them. Deng’s evident passion during his speech
and in-depth Q&A session, encouraged attendees to become even
more engaged with his ideas. The atmosphere was truly electric and
eye opening.
So, who is Deng? He is a social justice advocate and defense lawyer…but there is more to him than that. To answer this completely, we
need to look at where he came from.
AFRICAN PROFESSIONALS OF AUSTRALIA
www.smpmagazine.com.au | Autumn 2016
The APA (Limited by Guarantee) is a not-for-profit
organisation with the purpose of empowering people
of African origin to reach their full potential in their
respective professions, careers and goals, as well as
integrate into Australian society. The APA has hosted
several networking and information events across
Australia since its launch in 2007, and has successfully run
mentoring and support programs.