Mr Nicholas Kee (LLB ‘92, BCom ‘95) and Dr Weng Yee Chin (MBBS ‘94) are pillars of the UWA alumni community in New York and proud members of the UWA Law School Dean’s Circle. Raised in Perth, their paths have taken them from Australia to Hong Kong to the US, where Nick works in global compliance at an investment bank and Weng contributes remotely to World Health Organization (WHO) research. We chat to them about career, community and life abroad.

Weng & Nick: Staying connected takes intentionality and effort. We’re fortunate to return to Australia several times a year, making it a priority to attend every class reunion. It’s important to stay connected with former alumni and colleagues, to build authentic relationships that enrich both personal and professional lives. 

Here in New York, we love catching up with fellow UWA alumni, and our WhatsApp group chats have become a lifeline, keeping us close to friends and family scattered across the globe. Meeting alumni here also helped form a new circle of friends, many of whom have called America home for years.
 

Image: Nick and Weng with UWA alumni and Chancellor Diane Smith-Gander AO in New York.

Weng & Nick: The energy and diversity of New York – a constant sense of wonder in the city. We’ve met people from all over the world who came here driven by passion, ambition and creativity. What we miss most about home are the deeper roots, grounding and perspective, as well as the familiarity of community, the “can-do” spirit of Australians and family. The contrast between the two places feels like a gift: New York fuels us with drive and inspiration, while Perth anchors us and reminds us of the values that shaped us.

Nick: My advice? Put yourself out there. Meet people with intent – through work and beyond – and be ready to reinvent yourself by investing in learning new skills, staying flexible, and embracing the opportunities that come with career transitions. You’re never truly on your own, there’s always someone who’s walked this path before, ready to offer friendship, encouragement, and advice.

Nick: We’ve been very fortunate to live, work, and build a life both in Australia and abroad. Along the way, we’ve benefited from the generosity of others, and it’s important to us to give back in whatever ways we can, including through service or financial support.

Though we’ve been away for many years, we never forget that we wouldn’t be where we are today without the foundation we received at UWA. The Dean’s Circle allows us to contribute to the next generation of law students, offering flexibility to support areas close to our hearts – from financial scholarships to mental health and wellbeing.

Our hope is simple: to give today’s students the chance to shape their futures with confidence, and to make a difference, in their profession or beyond it, in whatever way feels most meaningful to them. 

Weng: What started as a simple pastime to stay connected online during Covid evolved into a creative outlet on Instagram and blogging, as both a passion project and a bridge. It keeps me grounded and opens doors to conversation – because food is a universal language that crosses social and cultural boundaries.

As both a teacher and family doctor, I can weave together knowledge, care and creativity. If someone leaves inspired to try a new recipe, experiment with an unfamiliar ingredient, or reflect on how their food shapes their health and happiness – that’s meaningful to me. The most rewarding is welcoming guests into our home, sharing a glass of Australian wine and a home-cooked meal!

Image: Weng in her kitchen.

Top header image (L-R): UWA LLB Class of ’92, Mr Nicholas Kee and Dr Weng Yee Chin, UWA MBBS Class of ’93 (first year class photo)