Author name: Andrea Rowe

My name is Bonnie Kwan. My husband and I migrated from Hong Kong to Melbourne in 2004, and we now have two teenage children. Like many mums, I am constantly juggling family, parenting, and work, but I always find ways to keep myself happy and refreshed. I have been working at Dental Innovations as an Accountant for 20 years. I still enjoy my role and truly appreciate the people I work with. Who has been a major influence in your career and why? I was a science student in high school and always loved Maths, but I had never imagined becoming an Accountant. I was offered a place in a science-related university course after school, but it was not the one I truly wanted to study. While I was still considering whether to accept the offer, one of my most respected teachers suggested that I explored accounting as a profession. She mentioned to me that every business, no matter where in the world, needs accountants. Her sharing made a lot of sense to me. I enjoyed Maths, so it seemed practical to follow that direction (though I later discovered that accounting is not really the same as Maths!). I was then offered a place in Accounting at the University of Hong Kong. Later, I continued further studies that were recognized by CPA Australia, which enabled me to start my CPA program. Before migrating to Melbourne, I gained valuable experience working at a large accounting, tax and auditing firm. What Hobby or activity do you enjoy outside of work and how did you get into it? I recently started playing pickleball, and I play once a week. It is quite a challenging sport for me as I am still learning all the rules, but I really enjoy it especially when playing with friends and family. On Sundays, I regularly serve as a worship leader at my church. I love singing and find great joy in leading the congregation in praise through songs. If you could travel anywhere in the world where would you go and why? Dubai – It is known for its impressive array of world-class attractions. The city has many modern architectural marvels as well as entertainment options. I would love to explore it if I have the chance. What’s your favourite way to unwind after a busy day? After a busy day, I enjoy a foot spa bath, adding my favorite herbal sachet to the water. It helps me release stress and improves my sleep.   What’s one piece of advice you would give your younger self? Treasure my time with my parents – one day that time will run out.