Australian lifestyle ‘such a luxury’ for the young

As a teenager, Helen Zhi Dent began studying English in China’s Shandong Province so she could sing along to George Michael’s Careless Whisper.

Helen Zhi Dent says people should be quite proud to be associated with Australia. Picture: Nikki Short

As a teenager, Helen Zhi Dent began studying English in China’s Shandong province so she could sing along to George Michael’s Careless Whisper.

Little did she know that 25 years later she’d be living in Sydney, singing along to the Wiggles and about to become an Australian citizen. While there are many things she likes about Australia, Ms Zhi Dent thinks it’s the best place in the world to raise her three-year-old son, Ollie, who was born in Sydney.

“I think fundamentally this is the best reason to become Australian — I think it’s a much better place than China or the UK to raise a family,” she said. “Children here have such a healthy lifestyle.

“They are always outdoors and have the beach all the time for free — it’s the best lifestyle. Such a luxury.’’

Ms Zhi Dent had no idea when she began studying English because she wanted to be able to sing a pop song that it would lead her to a new life in a country about which she knew nothing.

“I loved that song (Careless Whisper). I just wanted to sing along,” laughed Ms Zhi Dent, 26 floors above Sydney’s Barangaroo precinct. “So I had to learn English. That was my primary drive.”

Her English skills led to a job in China’s foreign affairs office in Jinan, the capital of Shandong.

“I accompanied the mayors and local businesses to help them do business in Europe,” Ms Zhi Dent said. “From there I got a job in London and being there was like being on top of the world.”

She met her husband in London and when he was transferred to Sydney after the global financial crisis, she didn’t know what to think.

“I didn’t want to leave London. I knew nothing about Australia — you hear nothing about it in London unless there is a fire or a flood.”

To Ms Zhi Dent’s surprise, Australia suited her and was more familiar to her than she expected. She also found work helping ­locate Australian investment opportunities for Chinese businesses in KPMG’s China business practice.

“One thing I noticed really early on is how straightforward and friendly the people are in Australia,” she said. “I’m from Shandong province where people are also direct, so that’s my culture as well. In England, people are very subtle.

“Australians are so warm-hearted. I once got on the wrong ferry and didn’t know how to get myself back home. The ferry crew heard that I was new to the country so the captain decided to take the boat to the wharf I was meant to be on as I was the only passenger on board. I was so touched by that.”

Ms Zhi Dent also quickly learnt about all the “hidden gems” Australia has to offer those who come to live here.

“Australia has the best coffee. I used to think Italian coffee was the best, you know, but ours is much better,” she said. As she contemplates becoming an Australian citizen, something that means giving up her Chinese passport, Ms Zhi Dent is happy with her decision.

“It’s a good thing … people should be quite proud to be associated with Australia,” she said.

“The people are friendly and the weather is good and there are so many good things from here that I appreciate now — Lorna Jane Activewear, RM Williams, the Wiggles. They’re all I sing along to now.”