When I decided to leave England in 2004, Sydney was my only choice. Don’t get me wrong—I love Australia and have explored more of it than most Aussies, but I wouldn’t have left family, friends, and familiarity for any other city. Sydney felt like destiny from the start. I’m not the only one who feels this way; Elizabeth Farrelly wrote, “From the moment I first set eyes on Sydney, I was gone” (SMH).

A Childhood Dream

Interestingly, my passion for Sydney began with Melbourne — both the original one near my hometown, Ashby-de-la-Zouch in the UK, and its Australian namesake. Melbourne, Australia, was named in 1837 after the British Prime Minister at the time, whose seat was in Melbourne, Derbyshire. Ashby-de-la-Zouch is located just 7 miles from the original Melbourne in Derbyshire.

As a young child, I thought (or at least wished) that if I went to Melbourne, Derbyshire, and clicked my shoes together (even if they weren’t red sparkling ones), I could magically be transported from one Melbourne to another. One reason I wanted to visit Melbourne, Australia, so badly was to see my aunt, uncle, and cousins who moved there as Ten Pound Poms. Throughout my childhood, they often sent my siblings and me souvenirs from Melbourne and Australia. Thanks to these frequent reminders of a world far from Ashby-de-la-Zouch, some people described me as obsessed with Australia, even at a young age.

Then, as a teenager, we started to have frequent summer holidays in Tenby, South Wales. My Dad and I would go out sailing in the dinghy, and I would ask if he could sail us from South Wales to New South Wales. I don’t recall my dad’s reply, but I’m guessing it was something along the lines of “not today, darling.” I even dreamt about digging a tunnel through the centre of the earth to reach Australia! Even back then, I was determined to get here.

First Impressions

My first trip to Australia in November 1996 cemented my love affair. After four happy months in Melbourne, an overnight bus brought me to Sydney. Arriving by ferry into Circular Quay, Sydney Harbour took my breath away. As Bill Bryson aptly describes in Down Under, it’s “unquestionably the loveliest harbour in the world.” This iconic view made me feel instantly at home.

I headed south to Hyde Park and then followed the crowds. I bought 2 milk crates, made new friends and watched the Mardi Gras Parade. This vibrant event, filled with inclusivity and celebration, encapsulated everything I love about Sydney. I had a ball, despite not knowing where I was. I found out later, I was on Oxford Street in Paddington. You don’t get much better introductions to Sydney than this!

Sydney’s Magnetic Pull

I stayed in Sydney for a few months, working as a nanny to a lovely 4-year-old boy, before travelling up the East Coast once Sydney got a little chilly. I knew by the time I headed back to Sydney in September 1997 that I wanted to stay here. Forever. Sadly, my 1-year working holiday visa was about to run out, my round the world flight ticket was only valid for one year and I had won a 2-week trip round New Zealand, so I reluctantly left.

Sydney always drew me back. A spontaneous return for the Sydney 2000 Olympics highlighted the city’s infectious spirit, further reinforcing my desire to stay permanently. Sadly it was not to be at that time, so I returned to the UK again and got a job in London. Pretty quickly, I came to love London…almost as much as Sydney.  During my time there, I would go to the Down Under Live and Working International Expos at least once a year, to check how many points were needed to emigrate, how many I had, and live the dream for just a few hours.

Making the Dream Reality

I don’t recall exactly what made New Year’s Eve 2004 different to all the others, but this time I not only made the resolution to move to Sydney, I downloaded the form for a PR visa and it was finally approved 378 days later! On 17 April 2006, I boarded a one-way flight, finally calling Sydney home.

Creating Sydney Concierge

Today, as the founder of Sydney Concierge, my passion has evolved into a mission: simplifying the lives of busy professionals and families. Drawing on my personal experience juggling life’s demands, I offer tailored services including event management, home organisation, and personal shopping — empowering clients to reclaim their time and reduce overwhelm.

Sydney: More Than Just a Home

Almost two decades later, Sydney isn’t just a place I live — it’s an integral part of who I am. It’s seen me as a backpacker, immigrant, true-blue Sydneysider, and now, business owner. Each role deepened my appreciation and understanding of Sydney, ultimately guiding me to my true calling: giving busy Sydneysiders back their time.