Do you know when the SBS Cantonese Sydney team presenters and community hosts migrated to Australia, and what challenges they faced after arriving?
To celebrate the SBS Cantonese Facebook page reaching 100,000 followers, SBS Cantonese held its first Community Host Day, bringing presenters Ivan Leung and Winnie Wong together with guest host Vera to discuss migration and integration on the Public Forum program.
Full audio recording:
Guest host Vera said taking part in the program was a childhood dream come true. “Thank you to SBS for this opportunity. I hope everyone will be kind,” she said.
At the start of the discussion, the three hosts shared their migration journeys to Australia.
Winnie Wong said she moved from Singapore to Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. With lockdowns and restrictions making it difficult to meet new people, she often felt lonely.
“I'm someone who really values my social circle, so it was quite a difficult period. But by getting involved in different activities, I gradually settled into local life.”Vera reflected on arriving in Australia from Hong Kong in 2000 to study.
“Back then, many shops in Sydney weren't open on Sundays. Coming from Hong Kong, I found it quite hard to get used to.”
Vera said she initially struggled with loneliness after arriving in Australia. Expensive international calls also made it difficult to stay in touch with friends back in Hong Kong. But as she built new friendships, she gradually settled into life in Australia.
Ivan Leung also reflected on his early impressions of Australia:
“When I first arrived, many shopfronts still had roller shutters. It felt a bit like stepping into a less developed country such as Vietnam or Cambodia. Australia today is completely different, much more diverse and modern.”When asked about the biggest challenge of settling in Australia, all three agreed that building a social network was the most difficult part.
Ivan Leung added that in the early days, before smartphones and internet messaging, the only way to stay in touch with friends in Hong Kong was by making international calls from public phone booths.
“You had to carry a pocket full of coins and feed them in one by one. I really miss those days.”Language and cultural differences were another common challenge. Vera said that although she had received an English-language education in Hong Kong, adjusting to Australian social norms still took time.
“Australians tend to make small talk before getting down to business. In Hong Kong, people are usually more direct. You say ‘hello’ and get straight to the point. Learning that style of interaction took some getting used to.”The discussion also touched on challenges such as limited transport options and a slower pace of life. However, Ivan Leung noted that Sydney's expanding Metro network has significantly improved convenience for residents.
Vera also shared her experience of moving back and forth between Australia and Hong Kong over the years. She said each return to Australia was driven by a different chapter in life.
“The first time I came was to study, the second was for work, and most recently it was for my family and children.”Listeners also joined the discussion. One text message suggested that Australia’s insects and seasonal allergies are among the biggest challenges for migrants. Another listener remarked that “Australia is so far away from everywhere,” making overseas travel less frequent.
Meanwhile, Melbourne listener Henry called in to say he enjoys Australia’s clean air and climate, but is concerned about what he sees as a deterioration in public safety in recent years.
What has your migration journey been like? Join the conversation on the SBS Cantonese Facebook page and share your experience.
For more insights and stories, listen to the full episode.
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