Ching Sii
I started with PP Melbourne in 2018, coming from a smaller firm where I’d hit a ceiling in my learning and development. I was actually referred by a friend, and when I was offered the role after just one interview with Gavin Debono, I decided to take the leap. Moving from a firm of 80 people to a much larger organisation could have been intimidating, but PP didn’t feel corporate in the traditional sense. It felt warm, friendly, and genuinely supportive – more like a family.
I quickly learned that PP is the kind of place where building relationships matters. I made connections across the firm with people who were experts in their areas, and those relationships helped me navigate everything from technical challenges to career growth. Many of those colleagues became close friends. We supported each other through COVID, staying connected and proving that the care people showed wasn’t just professional – it was personal too, as they also supported me throughout a particularly difficult year, which meant a lot.
Eventually, I became curious about what life in industry might look like, and as a new mother at the time, I was concerned with the workload at PP and I needed to make sure I have the right balance to be a mother who is present for her child. That led me to Catch Group and OneDigital, the digital division of Wesfarmers, where I stepped into a newly created Tax Manager role. The exposure to a major listed environment and the chance to help shape tax reporting and compliance for such a large organisation was an incredible learning experience. I loved the insight into how a retail business operates – the decision-making, the algorithms, the way customer behaviour is predicted. But over time, I realised I missed the connection, challenges and collaboration I’d had at PP. At Catch I was getting comfortable and the day-to-day started to feel routine and repetitive.
Throughout my time at Catch, my PP friends never let me forget I had a place to return to. When I began feeling less challenged in my industry role, the timing aligned perfectly: Mel Dawes reached out and suggested the possibility of returning. She’d also left PP and come back, her career journey resonated well with me, and she understood exactly what I was thinking and feeling. Our conversation was the spark I needed.
Returning to PP surprised me in the best way. The trust, the flexibility, and the support for working parents were more than just words – they were lived experiences. Because people already knew my work ethic and communication style, I had the freedom to shape my working arrangements in a way that supported my daughter’s kinder schedule and allowed me to set healthy boundaries. I really could “work where you need to be” and find the balance I needed.
Looking back, I can see how much my early years at PP prepared me for everything that came after. The firm’s reputation gave external colleagues and employers confidence in my skills. The diverse client base and strong organisational systems made me adaptable and flexible, and pushed me to think from multiple perspectives. That breadth of experience shaped me into someone who can take on any challenge with confidence.
My proudest moments at PP aren’t tied to technical achievements, but are more about the people. The lifelong friendships I’ve built. The junior staff I’ve mentored and watched grow in their careers. The resilience and confidence I’ve built thanks to my technical skills and supportive network.
There isn’t just one person who shaped my journey. The Partners and the diverse range of clients that I worked with had a huge impact, and more importantly the friendships I made carried me through some of my toughest moments. Mel’s encouragement helped bring me back to the firm at exactly the right time.
Today, my life looks different again. My family and I have moved out to Gembrook. I continue to grow in my career and also give back as Treasurer for the NFP Melbourne Electronic Sound Studio, applying my skills in a new way to support a creative community. Moving forward, my focus is continuing to find a balance that means I can excel both at work and as a mother – making sure I can give the most I can to both of these fulfilling roles.