Geraldine
Cox
Speaker Profile
Geraldine Cox started her career with the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs at the age of 25 in 1970 with her first posting to the Embassy in Phnom Penh, when the Vietnam War spilled over into Cambodia. There she lived a life of privilege under the diplomatic umbrella, while hundreds of thousands of Cambodians were suffering in unbelievably deprived living conditions as they fled the countryside to the city, to escape the provincial bombing by the Americans. For the milkman's daughter from Adelaide this had a lasting impact which she carried in her heart throughout her other postings to the Philippines (five years), Thailand (three years), Iran (three years) and finally America (three years) in the Embassy in Washington DC, before returning to Australia in 1987.
Geraldine makes it clear that there is very little that life has to offer that she hasn't grabbed with both hands. She wants to make sure she is never described or perceived as a bleeding-heart do-gooder.
For most of her adult life Geraldine has denied herself nothing and was considered by many to be a passionate hedonist! However, she states that although she has never had less materially than she has in Cambodia, her life has never been happier. Cambodia makes her feel young, strong, stimulated, healthy, challenged, creative, needed and loved.
She moved to Cambodia to live in 1996 and for the next year until the coup in July 1997, Geraldine worked as an Executive Assistant for the Cabinet Director in the Cabinet of the then First Prime Minister of Cambodia, HRH Prince Norodom Ranariddh and administered the orphanage in her spare time.
Geraldine says she is proud and lucky to be an Australian, but Cambodia has stolen her heart and she is happiest when she is there with her children in the orphanage she co-founded in 1993: Sunrise Children's Villages.
Back in Cambodia many more orphans are waiting to be taken in under Sunrise's wings, but more sponsors are required before they can be accepted.
Geraldine says that turning children away is the most difficult part of running the orphanage.
She hopes that corporations will want to help build new lives for these beautiful, but unwanted children, left behind after 30 years of war, by donating to Sunrise.
Travels from Cambodia
Client Comments
Client Comments
- Geraldine had the audience of 2,000 people at 'Happiness & Its Causes 2009' captivated with her passionate and compelling presentation. She is an inspiring speaker and paints an unforgettable picture of overcoming the odds to establish Sunrise Children's Village. The stories of her courageous children are heartwarming and uplifting.
Vajrayana Institute - Geraldine Cox is a woman who has found herself and meaning for her life. She discovered a different type of wealth in the most unlikely place of Cambodia. Sunrise Villages are more than orphanages, they are family communities and give children the opportunity not only to be safe and well fed but to be nurtured, protected and receive unconditional love. The love and respect shown for Big Mama was obvious in one of her students in telling his story. Geraldine challenged all members of the audience to consider a different form of 'wealth'. I would thoroughly recommend everyone having the opportunity to listen to her life experiences and to not only hear about the differences that one individual can make but also hear her success stories.
City of Marion - Geraldine Cox enveloped us in a world so foreign to most of us, but she also enlightened us, enriched us and made us laugh
Janeen Brian (award-winning children's author) - Geraldine has a tremendous story and she tells it with passion, enthusiasm and irreverence. The Business Chicks community around Australia fell in love with Geraldine and many were inspired to take action after they heard her speak. We still get comments and feedback about her, and she was a joy to work with.
Business Chicks - First and foremost, allow me to salute you for the exemplary work you are doing in Cambodia. We deeply appreciate your efforts to provide an insight about your work to the 317 delegate from 100 leading universities from around the world at the University Scholars Leadership Symposium 2010. I would like to express my sincere appreciation for your invaluable contribution. You've indeed played a significant role in making this Symposium a memorable and successful one.
University Scholars Leadership Symposium 2010
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