CNN Hero – Member of the Order of Australia

Michael grew up in Sydney and studied high school in north-west NSW before completing an Arts/Education degree at the University of NSW. Michael worked as an English and ESL teacher for four years before returning to UNSW to work in Gifted Education while studying a Masters of Education.

In 2002, Michael moved to Vietnam and established Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation in response to the overwhelming needs of street children in Hanoi. With no experience or funding, the early days were extremely difficult, but with help from local people, Blue Dragon soon began to take on a life of its own.

Blue Dragon now serves the needs of over 1500 highly disadvantaged children, including children and youth who have been trafficked; street children; and children with disabilities. Many Blue Dragon children are in conflict with the law or are victims of crime.