37 | Robert Chelliah, Lexmin and a Life Well Lived

Compounding Curiosity

My guest today is Robert Chelliah. Robert’s story is unreal so strap yourself in. Born in Malaysia in 1939 in a rubber plantation town. His father passed away when he was only 7, and when Robert turned 16 he left home and hitchhiked across Asia to Europe and then to England. Robert later returned home, became a social worker in Singapore, and eventually became one of Australia’s first migration agents in 1990. He built a successful business with offices in Perth, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and India. And today, while still a registered migration agent, he’s found a new passion in life. Robert at 83, is the founder and CEO of Lexmin, an organic health food farm he created in Cambodia.

In this conversation, we cover his incredible story, the secrets to his incredible success and drive, and what it’s like running an organic farm in Cambodia.

Robert’s enthusiasm and positive attitude are infectious, and there’s so much to take away from his story today. So I’m sure you’ll enjoy my conversation with Robert Chelliah.

For the full show notes, transcript, and links to mentioned content, check out the episode page at https://compoundingpodcast.com/ep37

Special thanks to Norm Aisbett and Murray Hunter for helping make this interview happen. Murray for helping me connect with Robert, and massive thanks to Norm for helping with my research and questions by providing his past research and interviews. Wouldn’t have been possible otherwise.

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Show Notes:

[00:00:31] - [First question] - Hitchhking to the UK

[00:03:09] - Back to Singapore

[00:05:50] - Coming to Australia and social work

[00:13:45] - Settling Christmas Islanders

[00:17:03] - Interesting episode in India

[00:21:47] - Origins of Lexmin and health wellness

[00:25:31] - Challenges of Organic farming

[00:36:19] - Why Robert is so good at tackling and solving problems

[00:42:39] - Where Lexmin goes from here

[00:45:04] - Robert’s favourite memory across his career?

[00:53:37] - Advice for young people?

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Connect with Robert:

Lexmin’s Website: https://www.lexmin.com/

Australian Migration Agents’s Website: https://austmigration.com.au/

Connect with Robert on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertchelliah/

Robert’s Australia (Mobile): +(61) 412 173 502

Robert’s Cambodia (Mobile): +(855) 1533 5259 | +(855) 1233 5259

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