Gem ramos biography

Tell us a little bit about yourself.  

I’ve been a fundraiser for 15 years. I grew up in Hong Kong to Filipino parents, and Melbourne has been home for 25 years. Six months ago, I started as Head of Philanthropy at Austin Health. 

What was your very first job? 

In the early 1990s, I had a summer job at the Hong Kong offices of the Singer Sewing Machine Company. I learned all the usual summer job skills, and gained an early experience of spreadsheets (Lotus 1-2-3!). 

I will confess that I spent much of what I earned on three things: taxis to work, Dreyer’s ice cream, and a Swatch watch. I want to say I bought my mum a gift as well …

What did you dream of being when you were a child? 

I’ve wanted to be a writer since I started reading. I went on to major in writing at uni, and quietly I still harbour the dream that I could make it my full-time job! When I’ve had free time (and free mental space) I’ve been working on a memoir about my parents.

What are you passionate about? 

So many things - but i

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