Chinese New Year: Whitehorse’s Sean Dong’s optimism for the Year of the Tiger

A Surrey Hills immigration specialist is confident Whitehorse will get a shot of life with the return of more overseas migrants as the Lunar New Year unfolds.

A Whitehorse-based immigration specialist is predicting a boost to the local economy and the return of plenty of international students following two years of border closures.

Surrey Hills’ Sean Dong believes the Covid-19 pandemic has reached its “pivot point” and there are positive signs of prosperity and growth for Whitehorse as the Chinese community celebrates the Lunar New Year.

Mr Dong is the director and principal immigration adviser for ProActive Legal, which has offered assistance to many migrants during the challenges of the pandemic.

“It definitely has been hard for migrants to come to Australia and a lot of people can’t be granted visas … when the border closes down and the economy has issues, it’s hard to not be impacted,” he said.

“But I think the worst has possibly past, and it is a good opportunity for us to prepare for fast growth.”

Surrey Hills’ Sean Dong is part of a new video made by Crown Melbourne to celebrate Lunar New Year. Picture: Mark Chew

Mr Dong believes more international students will return to Whitehorse to resume their studies in the second half of 2022, saying most he has spoken to are keen to return despite concerns from parents.

He also believes other skilled migrants could be attracted to the Whitehorse area due to its multiculturalism, with flow-on benefits to the local economy.

“The link of cultures will attract lots of investors, not just from China,” he said.

“They will like it here if they feel homely and comfortable, and I think that’s what Box Hill and Whitehorse can provide, and that will stimulate the local economy.”

Mr Dong is featured in a documentary released by Crown Melbourne to celebrate the Lunar New Year, titled Hear Melbourne Roar: The Year of the Tiger.

In the video, he states the water tiger has the ability bring “prosperity, fortune and good development for family and business”.

But he also believes the timing of a water tiger year will allow people to use their leanings from the pandemic and be agile and adaptable in the face of sudden changes.

“It’s a water tiger year and it brings us hope that things are getting better,” Mr Dong said.

“A tiger is not always running and rolling, we need to know the situation and environment and adapt to it.

“That’s what I think we should learn from the year of tiger, to understand its true meaning, and that is to be agile.

“We need to have the heart of a tiger, and that is, when we need to lay low, lay low, but when we need to fight, fight strongly.”