Mei-Leng Hooi
WRITER, EQUITY ADVOCATE
Mei-Leng is a first-generation Australian of Malaysian Chinese heritage. She believes in the power of the arts to uplift, connect and to heal. She is a passionate advocate for cultural diversity and representation, disability equity, and creating a society where vulnerable people are safe from harm.
Mei-Leng is a first-generation Australian of Malaysian Chinese heritage. She believes in the power of the arts to uplift, connect and to heal. She is a passionate advocate for cultural diversity and representation, disability equity, and creating a society where vulnerable people are safe from harm.
Her early love of literature instilled a passion for language, theatre and film. This passion extends to her own work, where she champions the power of stories to connect and inspire.
Mei-Leng's international travels have broadened her appreciation of diversity in all its forms and the profound impact that an individual can make. She is a passionate supporter of the CALD community. She values fairness and equity, particularly in relation to systemic improvements for women and children who have experienced family violence, and in disability awareness and rights.
Mei-Leng contributes to Multicultural Arts Victoria as a writer and serves on several boards and committees, including Disability Discrimination Legal Service, Every Australian Counts, GenWest Survivor Advisory Group, Outpatients Steering Committee at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, and BreastScreen Australia National Policy and Funding Review Expert Advisory for the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care.
Writings:
Hidden Tunes: A Powerful Harmony of Voices at La Mama
Published: 2 December 2024Small Ripples Theatre’s second production, Hidden Tunes 弦外之影 is more than just a Mandarin language pop musical, it’s an evocative and timely exploration of gender based violence against women, the bystander effect, friendship, trauma and the complexities of navigating these issues within a multicultural context. The story asks: “What do I do when a friend has experienced sexual assault? Do I stand up? Do I stand out? Do I stand with her?”