ANZA Magazine May 2019

WHAT’S ON

TRAVEL

TOURS

SPORTS

OUT & ABOUT

CHECK OUT

YOUR STORIES

A U S T R A L I A N A N D N E W Z E A L A N D A S S O C I AT I O N

THE AUSTR ALI AN & NEW Z EALAND ASSOCIATION May 2019

Singapore

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ANIMAL EDITION ADOPT A STREET DOG WHERE TO SPOT OTTERS FIGHTING FOR FELINES ANIMAL HOTSPOTS

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E DI TOR’S NOTE

WELCOME “Despite being a towering metropolis, Singapore is home to a surprising wildlife population.”

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his issue looks at our animal friends in Singapore – from wild pangolins and lovable otters, to stray cats and street dogs. Despite being a towering metropolis, Singapore is home to a surprising wildlife population – it’s not uncommon to see a cheeky long-tailed macaque swinging in the trees (or trying to steal your bag as happened to me in Sentosa!), lazy monitor lizards, oriental hornbills, snakes, and even crocs and wild boars if you venture out of the city area.

We’ve uncovered some fantastic animal tales (should that be tails?) for you to enjoy. Discover more about the process of adopting a ‘Singapore special,’ dog, just like our staffer Mathilde Dujardin; learn about how guide dogs are trained from disability advocate Cassandra Chiu; get the lowdown on the best places to view wild animals from our intrepid writer Karola Clarke, and meet two incredible volunteers from Save Our Street Dogs and Cat Welfare Society.

This month, we celebrate Vesak Day, and I’m using the long weekend to travel to Phuket with a bunch of expat families.

There will be kids of all ages, beaches and swimming, dive

trips and golfing. Plenty of laughs are guaranteed. I suspect this is what we’ll treasure about our time in Singapore – our friendships with people from all over the globe. Finnish, Japanese, Irish, American, English…we’ve connected and are making the most of living in this fantastic country.

Oh, and one last thing before I go… Happy Mother’s Day to all our incredible ANZA Mums. Your efforts – on the courts, sports fields, beaches, on bikes, volunteering, touring Singapore, in our office, exec committee, or behind a computer screen - you make this organisation tick.

Pip Harry, Editor editor@anza.org.sg

THE ANZA TEAM THE AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND ASSOCIATION 47A Kampong Bahru Road, Singapore 169361 Hours: Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm +65 6223 7992 www.anza.org.sg facebook.com/anzasingapore @anzasg

GENERAL MANAGER & SPONSORSHIP Kerry Low gm@anza.org.sg

ADVERTISING Deborah Gillies marketing@anza.org.sg

EVENTS Helena Biggin events@anza.org.sg

ACCOUNTS Ellie Mills accounts@anza.org.sg

WEBSITE Geoff King web@anza.org.sg

ADMINISTRATION Kerry Abdallah admin@anza.org.sg

COMMUNICATIONS & MEMBERSHIP Mathilde Dujardin membership@anza.org.sg

ADMINISTRATION Mandy Reinders-Hall info@anza.org.sg

DESIGN Christina Lim design@anza.org.sg

ADMINISTRATION Janice Burns info@anza.org.sg

@anzasingapore linkedin.com/groups/ANZA-Singapore

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ANIMAL EDITION 40

22 FEATURES

20 UNIVERSAL THEMES

Professor Brian Cox is touring Singapore with his live show. We chat to him about the Universe and what it means to be human.

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22 WILD SINGAPORE

Karola Clarke explores Singapore’s wild side, including spotting otters, pangolin, dugongs, crocs and monkeys.

34 FIGHTING FOR FELINES

We talk to the President of the Cat Welfare Society about improving the lives of community cats.

36 SAVE OUR STREET DOGS

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Find out how to adopt or foster a lovable Singapore stray.

38 GUIDING LIGHT

Disability advocate Cassandra Chiu introduces her new guide dog Elke and reveals how using a service animal changed her life.

40 MEET THE ANZA DOGS

Introducing the pups that brighten up the ANZA workplace!

44 BERLIN STORIES

Travel writer John Burfitt offers a fascinating look at Berlin’s historical sites.

48 BLOOD TIES

Expat Liz Coward talks about co-writing the WW2 book, Blood & Bandages, with 103-year-old William Earl.

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Editor’s Note President’s Message Post It Partner’s Page What’s On Australian High Commission New Zealand High Commission ANZA Action Check Out – Animals Out & About: Black and White Wine, Thriving, Ladies Night, Whisky & Watches.

30 ANZA Tours 50 Hotspots – Eat & Drink 52 Tastebuds 54 Tuckerbox 56 ANZA Click! Photography 58 Soul Fuel 59 Wandering Yogi 60 ANZA Sports 66 ANZA Groups 68 Membership Benefits 70 New Members/Classifieds 72 10 Minutes With…

the fine print ANZA will not be liable for any consequential loss or damage occasioned by the failure of any advertisement to appear due to any cause whatsoever, nor does it accept any liability for error in any advertisement published or its failure to appear on a specific date. ANZA does not endorse or promote any product, service, or view offered through any advertisement, community service notice, or club or group activity that may appear in the magazine, nor does it accept responsibility for any specific advice or opinions offered by contributors or writers, and any subsequent reliance on such advice or opinions by its readers. ANZA magazine permit number: MCI (P) 165/03/2018.

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PRESI DENT ’S MES S AG E

G’DAY

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ur theme for this month is all about animals and pets.

I never had a pet growing up, however I’ve been surrounded by dogs my entire life. My Nanna had an adorable black Labrador named Junior, followed by Pal, a Chihuahua cross. My brother Marc has Jake, a Bull Arab and my sister Kristy has two dogs, Maggie and Harvey, both King Charles Cavalier Spaniels. I love the warmth and joy they all bring to our extended family.

This May we also have three major celebrations - SUPERBALL, our annual ANZA Black-Tie Charity Ball on Saturday 11 May, Mother’s Day on Sunday 12 May, and Vesak Day on Saturday 18 May. Mother’s Day is always a gorgeous opportunity to celebrate our Mums and the massive impact they have on our lives.

I’m very proudly a ‘Mummy’s boy’ - a title I embrace and take very seriously! I’ve been blessed with an awesome Mum, who leads and inspires me to be the best version of myself.

Mother’s Day takes on a new relevance for me this year, as my wife Jo is now a mother to our little boy, Ashleigh. I’m so proud of Jo and how seamlessly she has embraced the role of Mum and I can’t wait to spoil her for the amazing job she does every day.

Our SUPERBALL is going to be outstanding! As I reflect over the past decade of putting on my penguin suit and going to the ball, I’m so proud of our ANZA team who continue to create a memorable, fun and festive black-tie theme and deliver an event that brings our diverse members together for a night of celebration. This year is going to be no different.

See you at our SUPERBALL!

PJ Roberts, President

ANZA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE CO-PATRONS His Excellency Bruce Gosper, High Commissioner for Australia | His Excellency Dr. Jonathan Austin, High Commissioner for New Zealand CHARITIES PATRON Antonia Kidman

President PJ Roberts

Vice President Adam Martin

Treasurer Zenaida Bharucha

Executive Secretary Mark Neo

Community Services Coordinator Andrew Wratt

Membership Secretary Megan Kinder

Committee Member Philip Simmonds

Committee Member Don Northey

Committee Member Tristan Perry

Committee Member Lee Carsley

Committee Member Danny Tauroa

Committee Member Louise Jones

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Joint Sports Coordinator Sommer Dunham

Joint Sports Coordinator Marnie Watson

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POST I T

POST IT

K E E P U P -T O - D AT E W I T H T H E A N Z A C O M M U N I T Y E A C H M O N T H AT A N Z A .O R G . S G

ay Thursudne 27pJm - 9pm

MIGHTY MATILDAS

Congratulations to ANZA Soccer’s Matildas team, who have won the JSSL Championship for the G13 age group. A huge achievement! Our dedicated Matildas program encourages girls to play soccer and the squad is both fun and competitive. For more info head to anza.org.sg/sports/soccer

MEET A FEATURED PARTNER

Overseas Money Transfers

MANSI CHOPRA Marketing Manager, InstaReM

Borders Why is your company a good fit for Bridging ANZA Currency as a partner?

Just as ANZA was founded to provide friendship and support to Australians and New Zealanders living in Singapore, InstaReM is also focused on supporting expat communities in Singapore by making overseas money transfers cost efficient and hassle free.

What does InstaReM offer expats in Singapore?

Headquartered in Singapore, InstaReM is an online overseas money transfer platform that offers lowcost transfers to 55+ countries worldwide. InstaReM understands that unfavourable foreign exchange rates are a major pain for expats. Hence, we offer Zero-Margin FX Rates, mid-market rates sourced directly from Reuters, without any margins.

What ANZA event do you enjoy most?

It has to be Melbourne Cup! What is your one tip for people new to Singapore?

Make the most of this experience - explore the city, soak up the local culture, connect with other expats and be aware of unnecessary expenses that may burn a hole in your pocket.

6.30

Join ANZA and Art Works for a private art exhibition, wine tasting and live jazz performance at historic The Arts House. Discover more about the history of Australian indigenous art with Art Works director Samuel Hardwick. Enjoy a selection of Australian wines, delicious canapes, and the smooth jazz sounds of talented saxophonist Daniel Chia, one of Singapore’s rising stars on the contemporary jazz scene.

Members $50. Non-members $60

DID YOU KNOW? Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, begins on Sunday, 5 May. Muslims refrain from food and drinks daily (dawn to sunset) At the end of Ramadan, Hari Raya Puasa will be celebrated on 5 June.

– Raelene Tan

GOT SOMETHING TO SAY? Email us at info@anza.org.sg or comment on our Facebook page facebook.com/anzasingapore

STAY CONNECTED WITH ANZA! facebook.com/anzasingapore @anzasg @anzasingapore linkedin.com/groups/ANZA-Singapore

May 2019 anza

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ANZ A PARTN ER S

THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING ANZA PARTNERS, VALUED GREATLY FOR THEIR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF THE ASSOCIATION. PLATINUM PARTNERS

GOLD PARTNERS

Overseas Money Transfers

Bridging Currency Borders

SILVER PARTNERS

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WHAT’S ON

PRETTY GIRL

Actress OON SHU AN stars in This is What Happens to Pretty Girls, written by acclaimed Singaporean playwright, Ken Kwek. Ken drew from 100 interviews and true-life stories to create a provocative play inspired by the #MeToo movement.

What did you think when you read Ken’s script?

I was blown away. It is such a powerful script. Ken has covered so many facets of the #MeToo conversation it totally boggles my mind!

What themes resonated with you?

Justice. Who do we hold accountable? Who is responsible for change?

Tell us about the character you play?

I play Amanda, a literature professor. She’s smart, funny and caring. She eventually finds herself in a compromising situation with a student from the school.

Do you think audiences will find this play polarising?

Possibly. It is a very difficult topic to address! Even during the reads we already had many differing views. I think there are clear cut cases (of sexual violence) in this play, that are black and white. There are also situations that go into the grey area. We need the vocabulary to discuss both. If we get comfortable with having uncomfortable conversations, I think only good can come out of that. Ultimately, it has taken a ridiculous amount of time for us to get to where we are, but we still have a long way to go.

Why is it important for #MeToo to be tackled onstage?

Art is a great way to tackle big topics and theatre provides a useful discussion tool. For example, a big argument in #MeToo is that you are hearing two different accounts of the story, so you won’t know for sure exactly what happened. When onstage, lines, looks, pauses, everything down to the slightest nuance, can be used as reference points. You also can see very real characters grappling with very difficult conversations, right in front of you, with people around you reacting to that. It is very visceral, but seeing a play allows you the distance to analyse, because it isn’t a real situation that requires you to step in.

What are your passions outside your work as a performer?

Finding safe spaces to discuss ideas and devise work with people. Cute animal videos.

And sleep.

What are your hopes for women in the future?

I hope for us to be able to live in a world where our views and experiences aren’t disregarded purely based on our gender, race, age, appearance, status, religion... feel free to add to the list.

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10-26 MAY

THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS TO PRETTY GIRLS Drama Centre Theatre Playwriter Ken Kwek and local theatre company Pangdemonium examine eight lives that become entangled in sex, violence and blurred lines: an undergrad and a lecturer begin a precarious flirtation, two workmates go on a date that each remembers very differently, and a long-lost bogeyman returns to draw new blood from old scars. For audiences 16+. Preview tickets from $25, Sistic.

May 2019

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25 May - 29 Dec

Elmer the Patchwork Elephant Show KC Arts Centre Based on the classic children’s book series

by David McKee, this fun puppet show features Elmer, an elephant who refuses to be grey and dull, instead sporting a patchwork of brilliant colours. His cheerful personality keeps everyone in a playful mood, until the day he gets tired of being different and tries to blend in with the herd. The show’s message for kids is that you should always be yourself. Tickets from $42, Sistic

National Gallery Singapore

3 May

Gallery Children’s Biennale 2019: Embracing Wonder National Gallery Singapore Families will adore this wondrous exhibition, which features 11 interactive artworks by Singapore and Southeast Asian artists, which aim to spark imagination and creativity. Compose your own tunes using 300 ping pong balls, peer into a magical mirror, and explore three reimagined spaces at the Keppel Centre for Art Education’s Project Gallery, Children’s Museum and Art Corridor. General admission applies. childrensbiennale.com

11 May

Jason Mraz Good Vibes Tour Star Theatre Multiple Grammy Award winner Jason Mraz is bringing his Good Vibes Tour back to Singapore.

The crooner will perform a host of hit songs, including his record-breaking singles, I’m Yours and I Won’t Give Up. Tickets from $98, apactix.com

11-12 May

OCBC Cycle 2019 Singapore Sports Hub This fun cycle event has categories for families (kids from 5 years), adults and corporates and the competitive OCBC Cycle Speedway Club Championship. The event also has a green heart, with organisers pledging to plant one tree for every 50 cyclists, offering workshops on recycling and upcycling, and replacing trophies with reusable steel tumblers. ocbccycle.com

25 May

Purnati Indonesia

Until 31 May

16 May – 2 June

Singapore International Festival of Arts (SIFA) Various locations Celebrate the arts with this eclectic line-up of boundary-pushing theatre, dance and music performances from around the globe. SIFA brings together the best of local and international artists and aims to inspire audiences through unusual and ground-breaking works. sifa.sg

Universal After Hours Resorts World Sentosa Fridays, Saturdays and Select Public Holidays Universal Studios keeps the fun going after the sun goes down. From 5pm, experience adrenalinefilled rides under the stars, the neon and LED magic of the Hollywood Dreams Light-Up Parade, local bands, food from pop-up stalls, and end the night with a brilliant fireworks display. Tickets from $75, rwsentosa.com/universal-after-hours

AIA Glow Festival Sentosa Island This chilled beach festival, offers live music, 30 yoga classes, a 5km charity run, and healthy festival food.

All day pass from $99 (other passes available from $19) glowfestival.sg

8 May

Thriving in Singapore

11 May ANZA SuperBall

27 JUNE Art, Jazz, Wine

anza.org.sg May 2019

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AUSTR ALIAN HIG H C OMMIS SION

POODLES RULE AT THE AUSTRALIAN HIGH COMMISSION! STAFF AT THE AUSTRALIAN HIGH COMMISSION INTRODUCE THEIR DELIGHTFUL DOGS.

“Bailey came home from the pet store and we were wondering what to call him. Sitting around the family lounge, we saw some bottles of Baileys liqueur and we decided Bailey would be a great name! My mum guilt tripped my dad into buying him Olivia Wea for her. We already therley - Sn r Admin Officer, Dep had two dogs and a artment of Home A ff ai rs & Bailey, A cat at the time. “ ustralian Si Terrier x M lky altese

“My daughter Abby asked me every day from the age of two for a dog, she’s now 12. She ended up writing me a letter after doing persuasive text writing in English at AIS in Year 5 - how could I say no? I also now have the letter to wave in her face every time she doesn’t want to feed him, walk him or clean up after him as she said she would do it every day!”

Dominic Evans - Safe Hand, Security & Freddie, Cavadoodle

“We called him Muffin because he uses oatmeal shampoo and reminds us of an oatmeal muffin!

Muffin is called Mufoot because he’s always getting underfoot. He has to be fed spoon by spoon, otherwise, the fussy French gent won’t eat. My friend almost sat on him thinking he was a stuffed toy!”

Smitha Venk atesh Receptionist & Muffin, Apricot Toy Poodle Jenn Ward - Executive Assistant & Lola, Toy Poodle “Lola looks like a designer puppy now, but she was adopted from a local shelter in Singapore, Voices for Animals. We went to ‘just have a look’. There were at least 50 dogs in the adoption pen that day, but we watched Lola follow the volunteers around. It was like she was begging for a home and we couldn’t say no.”

“When he was a puppy (less than six months) he fell into our swimming pool at night. Luckily someone that was staying with us heard him and rescued him. To this day he won’t go near the pool or water. When he was a puppy he would only chew M Havaiana thongs, now he loves his CS , dsell, OAM Brendan Woo trative is in chicken carcass as well as his daily m Ad ce cer, Defen Warrant Offi dentastick.” le od vo sta, Ca Assistant & Bu

Australian High Commission Singapore 25 Napier Road, Singapore, 258507 Tel 6836 4100 Fax 6737 5481

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STAY CONNECTED Stay up to date on events here in Singapore, and find information about Australia by following our Facebook page ‘Australia in Singapore’ (facebook.com/AustraliaInSingapore)

May 2019

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ANZA Stitches

Join anza stitches and work on your own needlecraft project, make friends and discover singapore’s crafting world.

Who: open to anyone who quilts, knits, crochets, embroiders, or does any other needlecraft. Bring your projects, share ideas or ask questions. all skill levels welcome.

Meet: Most Thursdays at 10am, rotating members’ homes. once a month head out to explore all the amazing crafty things singapore has to offer.

More info: anza.org.sg/groups/stitches

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NEW ZEAL A N D HIG H C OMMIS SION

#BALANCEFORBETTER

New Zealand High Commission Singapore One George Street, Level 21-04 Singapore 049145 Tel 6235 9966 Fax 6536 8180

Māia NZ Women’s Network with High Commissioner Tyndall, and BBC news presenter Sharanjit Leyl (in red)

Earlier this year, the New Zealand Chamber of Commerce hosted their annual International Women’s Day event. Guided by this year’s Balance for Better theme, High Commissioner Jo Tyndall opened the event by sharing some of her own experiences, followed by a rousing discussion on how each of us has a role to play in creating a more balanced and inclusive world.

The event also marked the official launch of the Māia NZ Women’s Network, which aims to bring together professional, like-minded women working in Asia. “Māia” – meaning to be brave, bold, capable and confident – is the name gifted to the network by Wayne Mulligan, CEO Fomana Capital. In his mihi (welcome address) to guests, Wayne explained this choice: “Māia is not a name, Māia is a movement.”

Details on Māia can be found here: nzchamber.org.sg/maia

SINGAPORE INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF ARTS: PETER & THE WOLF

STAY CONNECTED Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/ NewZealandinSingapore Register when travelling: safetravel.govt.nz Find out more: mfat.govt.nz/singapore

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This month, the Singapore International Festival of Arts (SIFA 2019) returns for its 42nd year, featuring a line-up of iconic artists and performances from around the world – including a live performance

by Auckland-based Silo Theatre.

From 18-20 May, Silo Theatre will present a modern adaptation of Sergei Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf. Using a six-piece band, puppetry, live videography and a local narrator, the talented artists will tell a story of of courage, adventure and friendship that will delight audiences, especially children. More info: sifa.sg

AUT INTERNZ IN SINGAPORE Last year, Auckland University of Technology (AUT) extended its AUT Internz programme to Singapore, allowing AUT students to find studyrelevant internships with businesses here.

In this issue we profile Shae Parsons Wanoa, a communications major who completed an internship with Baldwin Boyle Shand – the Singaporean arm of an Aucklandbased public relations agency. Here’s what she had to say about her experiences here in Singapore: “The biggest takeaway from the experience so far is communicating and working in an international context. Learning the cultural, linguistic and socio-political aspects of communicating across different geographical and cultural markets is a challenge at times, but one of the most rewarding experiences. I work with both New Zealand and international clients - seeing how companies which started in my home country perform on the world stage makes me proud, if not a little homesick at times!“

May 2019

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Join the ANZA Sea Fishing group for a weekend adventure on the high seas.

CATC

H OF THE DAY!

Sign up for a fishing trip at anza.org.sg/groups/sea-fishing-group/

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A N Z A AC T IO N

SINGAPORE CANCER SOCIETY KENNETH FOO, Deputy Director of Community Health at Singapore Cancer Society shares more about their organisation, volunteering opportunities and everyday ways to prevent cancer.

WHAT’S THE SINGAPORE CANCER SOCIETY? Singapore Cancer Society (SCS) is a selffunded, voluntary welfare organisation dedicated to minimise cancer and maximise lives. We do this through cancer screening services at no cost, cancer treatment subsidies, financial and welfare aid, home hospice care services, rehabilitation programmes, and support groups for cancer survivors.

SCS’s impactful programmes continue to contribute in four main areas: Reduce the incidence of cancer Increase survival rates Improve the quality of life Rally the community to take pro-active action and join the fight against cancer SCS has supported over 100,000 beneficiaries over the years. Community support is crucial in expanding and strengthening the outreach in the collective fight against cancer.

WHAT DO YOUR VOLUNTEERS DO? Our volunteers participate in a range of activities that address real needs at every stage of the cancer journey. By volunteering, they gain the opportunity to learn and develop a variety of skills and make a lasting impact in the lives of others.

There is a wide variety of volunteer positions available, from raising funds through sporting activities, to reaching out to others through community visits, manning the call centre, administration, transport and deliveries, and event support. Volunteers aged 50 and above

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can become Silver Ambassadors, helping to raise awareness of cancer and healthy lifestyles at selected Polyclinics.

This requires a commitment of eight hours a month.

Contact anzaaction@anza.org.sg for details of the SCS volunteer portal.

HOW CAN WE PREVENT CANCER? Eating a well-balanced diet, exercising, not smoking, and getting regular medical care minimises the risk of cancer.

Singapore is known to be food paradise, but do watch your diet.

Research has shown that cancer cells absorb more sugar than normal cells.

A diet high in sugar can cause you to gain excess weight and increase your risk of diabetes. People who are obese or have diabetes have a higher risk of developing certain cancers.

Maintaining a healthy weight with a balanced diet and regular physical activity might lower the risk of various types of cancer.

According to World Health Organisation (WHO), smoking is related to six million deaths worldwide each year. Smoking is the most preventable cause of death and SCS aims to instill knowledge about the harmful effects of smoking.

Certain cancers are preventable, and many cancers are treatable and curable, especially with effective treatment in the early stages. SCS recommends screening for colorectal, breast and cervical cancers. See your health professional for a screening plan that is right for you and your family.

WHAT’S COMING UP? Our signature event, Singtel-Singapore Cancer Society Race Against Cancer (RAC) 2019 will be held on 28 July at Angsana Green, East Coast Park. RAC raises funds to support SCS programmes and services for the cancer community. Join in the fight and run alongside those who are impacted by cancer!

For more details: facebook. com/raceagainstcancer.sg or singaporecancersociety.org.sg On May 24 at 10am, ANZA Action and Casual Coffee host the Biggest Morning Tea to raise funds for the Singapore Cancer Society.

Held at the residence of the Australian High Commissioner, attendees can view the lovely grounds, hear our guest speaker’s journey, enjoy a delicious morning tea and enter the Charity Prize Draw for a chance to win some fantastic prizes.

Come along to this inspiring event and help minimise the impact of those diagnosed with cancer. Register now at anza.org. sg/events

May 2019

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anza

Thriving in Singapore

Tips to living in the Lion City Whether you are new to Singapore or a long-term resident, find out more about life on this tiny island.

Learn the top tips from our team of experts and meet new people.

9.30am-11.30am Wednesday 8 may AAM AdviSory,138 MArket Street, #06-01 CApitAGreen, 048946 Please register online at

anza.org.sg

NEW MEMBERS PREMIER PARTNERS

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NEW MEMBERS SILVER PARTNERS

ORGANISED BY

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CHECK OUT

Singapore has loads of unmissable animal attractions, as well as places to spot wildlife in their natural habitats.

WILDLIFE SPECIAL

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SINGAPORE BOTANIC GARDENS

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EAST COAST PARK

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SENTOSA

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CHE CK OUT

1 JURONG BIRD PARK 2 JURONG HILL 628925

wrs.com.sg/en/jurong-bird-park Jurong Bird Park offers a haven for close to 3500 birds, across 400 species. Take the family and enjoy a day out with our feathered friends. Visit zones like Birds of Prey, Flamingo Lake, Hornbills and Toucans.

Penguin Coast, Pelican Cove, Swan Lake, Wetlands, Wings of Asia, and a walk-in waterfall aviary where birds fly overhead or strut around the rainforest floor. There are also bird shows, lorikeet feeding and more.

2 MACRITCHIE RESERVOIR ALONG LORNIE ROAD, BUKIT TIMAH

nparks.gov.sg MacRitchie Reservoir is Singapore’s oldest reservoir and is fantastic for hiking, kayaking and wildlife spotting. This 12-hectare green space is great for bird watching and home to a large population of macaques. Join a regular free monkey walk, led by park wildlife experts. If you do encounter monkeys, be advised not to feed them, use flash photography, or hold plastic bags or food in your hands.

3 SINGAPORE ZOO 80 MANDAI LAKE ROAD 729826

wrs.com.sg/en/singapore-zoo The Singapore Zoo is an institution and a must do for visiting friends and family.

Wander through a series of zones that replicate diverse animal habitats around the globe - from Australasia to Africa. Meet reptiles, giraffes, primates, Asian elephants, kangaroos, big cats, and more. There’s also water play, a ropes course, and thrilling daily shows.

4 RIVER SAFARI 80 MANDAI LAKE ROAD 729826

wrs.com.sg/en/river-safari River creatures are represented in this separate zoo attraction, which takes visitors on a walking and boat tour of some of the world’s most famous waterways, including the Mekong, Nile, Mississippi, Congo, Yangtze and Amazon rivers. View

otters, manatees, crocs, electric eels, fish, stingrays, turtles, giant puffer fish, and snakes. The other attraction here are the giant and red pandas. The mostly flat walkways are perfect for little kids and those who are not so mobile.

5 BUTTERFLIES UP CLOSE SCIENCE CENTRE 15 SCIENCE CENTRE RD, 609081

science.edu.sg/whats-on/exhibitions/ butterflies-up-close Step inside Singapore’s only indoor butterfly enclosure, where humidity and temperature are carefully controlled to ensure a thriving winged population.

Walk among beautiful butterflies from Singapore and around the region. Discover more about the stages of butterfly metamorphosis, from an egg to a striking adult. Guided tours are offered daily at 2.30pm.

6 HAY DAIRIES GOAT FARM 3 LIM CHU KANG LANE 4, 718859

haydairies.sg With more than 20 years in the goat business, Hay Dairies in the place to go if you’re interested in these farmed animals.

Take an educational tour, which includes a goat milking session (between 9-10.30am) and hands-on feeding. Find out how to care for these sociable, curious animals and taste delicious goat’s milk, or pick up a souvenir, such as handmade goats milk soap.

7 MEOMI CAT CAFÉ 668 NORTH BRIDGE ROAD 188801

facebook.com/meomicatcafe No pets at home? Get your fluffy fix at Meomi Cat Café, located in the Kampong Glam area. Resident in-house cats stalk about purring and preening, or snoozing in comfy cat nooks. With lots of seating and plenty of cake and coffee, it’s easy to hang out with these kitties for a few hours. Note: the café only accepts kids over six years.

8 MARINA RESERVOIR / GARDENS BY THE BAY If you’re on Singapore otter watch like us, head down to the path alongside Garden’s by the Bay (look out for the otter signs) There are two species of otters that have returned to the island – smooth-coated otters and Asian small-clawed otters, and there have been consistent sightings around this marina area. Dawn and dusk are the best times to spot otters.

9 GALLOP STABLE 100 TURF CLUB ROAD 287992 & CARKPARK C, 61 PASIR RIS GREEN, 518225

gallopstable.com Love horses? Get back in the saddle or introduce your kids to the joy of horseriding at Gallop Stable. This friendly stable offers riding lessons, longer trail rides, kids camps and workshops, and other horsey activities like pony feeding, birthday parties and other special events. They also offer a stable experience, where little ones can learn how to care for these regal animals.

10 ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS, SENTOSA PALAWAN AMPHITHEATRE

sentosa.com.sg/explore/attractions/animalbird-encounters The Palawan Amphitheatre on Sentosa’s Palawan Beach puts on free daily animal encounters. Take the kids down to the sand and see displays of intelligence, agility and responsiveness from mischievous macaques, majestic birds-of-prey, reptiles and colourful parrots. From 2pm to 5.30pm. Other wild animals you can spot on Sentosa include lizards, monkeys, birds, and more.

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UNIVERSAL THEMES Having set two Guinness World Record titles with his previous sell-out live tour, Professor BRIAN COX is heading to Singapore with a brand-new show, the Universal World Tour 2019 on Saturday 8 June at the Star Theatre.

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sing state of the art graphics and imagery from telescopes and space probes, and ultra high resolution LED screen technology, Brian will explore the nature of space and time, from the Big Bang to black holes, and the origin and fate of life and intelligence in the Universe. During a promo tour to Singapore, Brian sat down for a one-on-one chat about everything from the potential for alien life, to what it means to be human.

Have you been to Singapore before?

I’ve been to Singapore many times. The first time I came Raffles Hotel was on the seafront. So that must have been some time ago now. I come back quite a lot – I really like it here.

You can’t escape deep existential questions when you’re faced with the Universe

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Did you conceive the show yourself?

Yes, the show was all my idea. What’s wonderful about the live shows is it’s exactly what I want to say, unlike television which is more collaborative, and things tend to be decided by a committee.

What can audiences expect?

One of the incredible things about the show are the high res images of the Universe. The Hubble Space telescope images from Cassini spacecraft around Saturn are high resolution, but you just never see that definition on a computer monitor, where we usually view these images. But we’ve been able to put those images 30 metres wide and they’re so detailed and clear, they look fantastic.

Who have you worked with on the tech side?

About a year ago I started collaborating with a company called DNEG, who worked on the movie, Interstellar - they won the Academy Award for Best Achievement in Visual Effects. They created the black hole in the movie – one of the central images. The great advantages of doing these huge shows around the world, is you can spend the money on graphics.

It’s been a real highlight for me to work with them.

Is this show for kids and adults?

It really does cross generations. Families like to come to the show, and we even had someone attend on their 98th birthday. We get a lot of 9 to 11-year-olds as well. That’s the challenge, to get the rhythm right.

We get a lot of science fans, so I do talk about general relativity in some detail, but there’s such a broad range of ages. A 90-year span in some audiences!

What questions do you raise during the show?

Cosmology (a branch of astronomy that involves the origin and evolution of the universe) is a terrifying science in the deepest sense of the word, and it raises a lot of questions. I get asked a lot about the large-scale structure of the universe – but people are interested in much more human questions, too. For example, what does it mean to be human? What does it mean to be so small, fragile and such a temporary

presence in such a vast and possibly infinite universe?

I try to talk about that.

Virtually the only interesting question I think is what it means to live a finite and small life in an infinite universe. I think everything comes down to that actually – all of art and philosophy and theology.

Do you tackle the meaning of life?

The show starts with quotes from some of my favourite scientists – one of them is from American physicist Richard Feynman – he wrote an essay called The Value of Science, in which he asks the question; ‘what is the meaning of it all?’ That doesn’t sound like a question that falls within the domain of science but what science does is provide a framework which you need if you’re going to begin to answer these big questions. You need to know where we are, and when we are, how we came to be here.

Is there intelligent life in our galaxy?

From a biological perspective it’s quite unlikely. My guess is microbes may well be all over the place, but not necessarily complex life.

Do you think there was ever life on Mars?

I would expect life got going on Mars because the conditions were the same (as Earth) four billion years ago. But the transition from simple life, to complex life is much trickier.

Do people come away from your show with unanswered questions?

That’s the idea - Richard Feynman’s answer to ‘what is the meaning of it all?’ is first to admit you don’t know.

He says that’s the most valuable thing science teaches us. There’s a great line where he says, ‘scientists have a very great experience in doubt.’

What are your passions outside science?

I have an interest in wine and the counter balance to that is I like to exercise a lot. My boxing trainer comes with me on the tour as kind of part assistant, part boxing trainer. I love to keep fit. It’s about finding a happy medium.

What’s next?

I also love music – I’m doing a project later in the year, A Symphonic Universe with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, playing the Austrian composer Gustav Mahler’s music, against cosmology.

Professor Brian Cox Universal World Tour 2019 is rocketing into Star Theatre on 8 June, sistic.com.sg

Lateral Events

Are you excited to bring your show here?

I did a smaller tour here a few years ago, but I’ve never done one of these big shows. The first set in London and the UK sold out, and they were huge. The biggest one was Birmingham, which was 12,500 people. The centrepiece are the screens, which are high definition, state of the art LED. They’re massive. At full scale they are 30 metres wide.

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Singapore’s numerous nature reserves and coastal areas are also home to rare and endangered animals, from long-tailed macaques, to turtles, monkeys, crocs, pangolins and the famous otter families. KAROLA CLARKE reports.

Otters had almost disappeared from Singapore by the 1970s, due to waterway pollution. But a general waterway clean-up, mandated by Lee Kuan Yew, saw their return, and thanks to a cleaner habitat the otter population began to flourish. National University of Singapore (NUS) biology lecturer N. Sivasothi, who heads the OtterWatch facebook group (www. facebook.com/OtterWatch), estimates the population at about 80. The otter species commonly seen here is the smooth coated otter, which can grow to nearly one metre long. These social animals usually live in family groups.

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“Marina Bay, including Kallang and Singapore Rivers, are the best places to see the otters as there are permanent resident families there,” explains Sivasothi.

Co-existing with humans in these urban areas does present some problems. “Some of the main threats are roadkill, entanglement in fishing line, and plastics,” says Sivasothi.

Although they seem very cute and cuddly, National Parks advisories warn that otters are wild animals and should be treated with caution, especially when otter pups are nearby. In 2017, an otter bit a five-year-old girl at Gardens by the Bay.

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Yes, dugongs can occasionally be spotted in Singapore. These air-breathing mammals live underwater and exist on a diet of seagrass. They can grow quite large, over 2.5 metres and weigh over 300kgs. Dugongs often travel hundreds of kilometres for food and are difficult to find in the wild. In recent years they’ve been spotted off Pulau Ubin. Dugong activity can also be seen in the ‘feeding trails’ they create through seagrass meadows as they methodically rip up the seagrass while swimming past. Trails have been seen off Changi, Pulau Ubin, Pulau Sekudu, Pasir Ris and the Southern Islands.

Dugongs are listed as critically endangered. Humans are the main threat to the dugong population, as they are still illegally hunted for their meat, skin (for leather) and for traditional medicine. The greatest threat is the loss of seagrass habitats.

One of the most effective ways to help dugongs is to preserve Singapore’s seagrass meadows. Visit the Team Seagrass website for information on this valuable habitat and volunteering opportunities. teamseagrass.blogspot.com

Pangolins are the world’s most heavily trafficked mammal, according to Wildlife Reserves Singapore. Their scales and meat are prized in traditional medicine and for food. They are also slow breeders, with only one or two babies per year. This combination of factors has led to their critically endangered status.

These shy nocturnal creatures are hard to spot in the wild.

Angelica Teo of pangolin research group, The Pangolin Story (thepangolinstory.wordpress.com), explains: “As pangolins are nocturnal animals, they’re only active for a few hours each day, this makes them notoriously difficult to track. It’s thought the population is in the low hundreds.” A few live at Central Catchment Nature Reserve (MacRitchie Reservoir), and Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. The main threats to pangolins in Singapore are urban development and roadkill. “As Singapore continues to rapidly urbanise, it is inevitable that pangolins start to venture into urban areas. Roadkill claims an average of 6 to 8 pangolins a year.” To help pangolins, you can donate to the Wildlife Reserves conservation fund: wrs.com.sg, or volunteer with The Pangolin Story.

Singapore is home to Estuarine Crocodiles, also known as saltwater crocodiles, which can grow to over five metres.

Estuarine crocodiles are listed as critically endangered - threats come from hunting (for skin and meat), and habitat loss. Some scientists believe that extensive coastal development in Johor has forced some crocodiles further south into Singapore.

Croc enthusiasts should head to Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, where several crocs have made their home. National Parks hosts regular crocodile talks at the Reserve (nparks.gov.sg).

It’s rare to see crocodiles elsewhere, but in February of this year, a 1.7 metre crocodile was captured by National Parks officers at Lower Seletar Reservoir and relocated into the wild. In 2017, several were spotted near Pasir Ris Park, prompting warning signs at the beach. They’ve also been seen at East Coast Park and Changi Beach. If you find crocodiles in an urban area, call the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) on 1800 476 1600.

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There are several monkey species in Singapore, of which the Long-tailed Macaque is the most common. National Parks estimates their population at around 1,500. They live in large family groups and are often seen around Singapore’s nature reserves and coastal areas.

While you might think the monkeys are cute, they can be aggressive when they feel threatened. In 2017, the AVA received over 160 complaints about monkey attacks and behaviour. This led to the formation of the Macaque Working Group, comprised of agencies including the Jane Goodall Institute, National Parks, Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (ACRES), the AVA and several universities, to develop solutions to ease human-macaque tensions and educate the public on macaque behaviour. Humans feeding the macaques is a big source of concern, as it can change the feeding patterns of the monkeys, and cause aggression or illness.

If you want to learn more about these primates, the Jane Goodall Institute and National Parks run monthly guided monkey walks at MacRitchie Reservoir, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and Lower Seletar Reservoir (janegoodall.org.sg/event/).

Singapore once hosted a significant tiger population during early colonial times. Jungle areas were extensively cleared in the mid-1800s for plantations, forcing the tigers into the open.

According to the National Library Archives, during the 1860s more than 350 people were killed in tiger attacks. An entire village near Bukit Timah was abandoned due to frequent tiger attacks in the area. The government put a bounty on tigers, starting with $20 for every tiger killed. This was soon increased to $100 to curb the growing problem. Unfortunately, the enthusiasm displayed for this ‘sport’ led the tigers to extinction in Singapore, with our last wild tiger killed in the 1930s.

As wild animals often wander into urban areas, it’s important to know what to do when you encounter them. Ms Anbarasi Boopal, Deputy Chief Executive of ACRES, explains their guidelines: “When sighting wildlife, the golden rules are to appreciate from a distance and never to feed them. If the animal looks distressed, lost or trapped call our 24hr wildlife rescue hotline 9783 7782 for assistance. For baby animals such as birds or squirrels, we urge public not to remove them or bring home but to look for adult animals or call us with a photo for further action.”

The Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (ACRES) works in wildlife rescue and rehabilitation and has a dedicated wildlife rescue centre. “We attend to over 700 calls a month for wildlife in distress,” explains Ms Boopal.

ACRES also works extensively against the wildlife trade, including conducting undercover investigations and public education campaigns. The rescue centre currently houses 105 exotic wild animals from the illegal wildlife trade.

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May 2019

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Biggest Morning Tea • Guest speakers • Delicious cakes & savouries • Charity prize draw

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10am – 12 noon Australian High Commissioner’s Residence $35 Members $40 Non Members Gold coin donations on the day.

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OUT & ABOUT

BLACK AND WHITE WINE EVENING

Our latest Black and White Wine evening was a smashing success. On 14 March, a group of ANZA members and guests stepped inside a gorgeous heritage shophouse in Kim Yam Road, River Valley, featuring an exclusive private whiskey club inside!

Guest historian, Julian Davison, shared the history of the home and its fascinating neighbourhood.

Guests tasted six hand-curated wines from event partner Pop Up Wines, enjoyed delicious cheeses, and viewed artworks from American artist Jan Larsen. One lucky winner took home a luxury hamper, thanks to our event sponsor Select Investors.

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WHISKY & WATCHES

On 26 March, ANZA members and friends enjoyed an engaging whisky masterclass with world-class spirits expert Lewis J Mitchell and previewed Swiss luxury watchmaker Breitling ‘s exclusive Boutiques Editions. Guests tasted blends from the fresh and delicate Lowlands and spicy Highlands.

Smooth whiskies were paired with Boston Lobster Bruschetta, Smoked Duck & Orange Salad Shooters, and a live station serving Roast Beef & Yorkshire Puddings. For sweet lovers, there was Mini Eclairons (macaroons shaped like eclairs!) and Chocolate Fudge Brownie Squares. Thanks to everyone for a fabulous night of shopping and sipping!

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OUT & ABOUT

THRIVING IN SINGAPORE

Thriving in Singapore was held at AAM Advisory’s buzzy CBD office space on 13 March. Members enjoyed delicious croissants and hot cross buns from Baker & Cook and discovered the nitty gritty about living on the island - from key medical and legal information, to international money transfers and what ANZA offers members. Join the next Thriving event on 8 May! anza.org.sg/events

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TWO FOR ONE!

Our recent Ladies Nights have been super relaxed and friendly – with a diverse mix of regulars and new faces. On 27 March a group gathered at Jamie’s Italian Forum at Orchard for Bellini cocktails on arrival and a chatty alfresco meal. On 10 April we had great turn out at Dallas Restaurant and Bar in Suntec City. Any hump day blues were forgotten as glasses of wine were raised and new friendships formed.

Join us at the next Ladies Night on 15 May at Tapas 26 in Dempsey Hill. anza.org.sg/events

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ANZA TOURS MAY 30 anza

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DATE: Wednesday 15 May 2019 TIME: 9.00am-1.00pm MEETING POINT: 8.50am at the entrance to the carpark at Newton Food Centre.

NEAREST MRT: Newton.

COST: Member: $65, Non-member: $75

Eclectic North-East Singapore

Discover the rustic charm of North East Singapore, including a forgotten Japanese cemetery. Walk back in time through the ‘Last Kampong’ to uncover 1960s Singapore. Meet a kampong resident and enjoy a tea break inside her house. Our last stop will be the Soek Seng 1954 Bicycle Cafe in Seletar Airbase. The owner of the cafe, besides being a vintage car restorer, is also a bicycle artist.

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Karni Tomer

Wok’n’Stroll Little India

DATE: Tuesday 7 May 2019 TIME: 9.30am-12.30pm MEETING POINT: 9.20am Tekka Market Taxi Stand on Race Course Road (Block 661, Buffalo Road) NEAREST MRT: Little India COST: Member: $90, nonmember: $100

Join passionate Singapore food explorer Karni Tomer on a tour of Tekka market. Savour colourful spices and discover fresh local ingredients at Karni’s favourite market stalls, then taste a delicious Indian sampling menu at a hawker centre. Stroll along Serangoon Road, exploring small provision shops, and marvel at the vast and iconic Mustafa’s department store. Learn how to find the best Middle Eastern, Mediterranean and Indian delights at reasonable prices.

Designers Tour

DATE: Tuesday 11 June 2019 TIME: 11.00am- 2.00pm MEET: 10.50am at corner of Arab Street and Beach Road, nearest MRT Bugis.

COST: Member: $45, nonmember: $55 BRING: EZ-Link Card

Sue Elliott

Charming Tiong Bahru

DATE: Thursday 30 May 2019 TIME: 9.30am-12.30pm MEET: 9.20am, Tiong Bahru MRT, Exit B next to McDonalds COST: Member: $45, nonmember: $55

Explore Tiong Bahru, Singapore’s charming, chic Art Deco housing estate. Stroll along the narrow streets and glimpse new shops, hip cafes and boutiques, alongside family businesses dating back three generations. Meet the cobbler who conducts business from her street level apartment window and taste an award-winning gula melaka chiffon cake. View street murals and discover an old air raid shelter. Our tour ends at the wet market where you can taste delicious local food at your own expense.

Don’t you wish there were more interesting and authentic souvenirs from Singapore besides the usual ‘I LOVE SG’ T-shirts and Merlion keychains?

Look no further! Come on this active walking tour to meet three of Singapore’s most original designers. Young, passionate and with lots of enthusiasm for Singapore’s heritage and cultures, their products range from beautiful to quirky. After meeting the first designer, we will stop for a quick drink and bite.

The Shape of Water Singapore Style

DATE: Saturday 15 June TIME: 9.30am-1.00pm MEET: 9.20am, entrance to the Newton Food Centre carpark. Nearest MRT Newton.

COST: Member: $75, nonmember: $90

During this unique and insightful tour, we will discuss and explore the various challenges that Singapore faces in establishing water sources, and witness the development of managing water security in innovative and sustainable ways. Our knowledgeable guide will take us to visit Marina Barrage’s Sustainable Singapore Gallery, and one of our Public Utilities Board (PUB) NEWater facilities to see innovative water engineering solutions in action.

Bring the whole family!

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ooking for your dream home can feel like an uphill battle; there’s combing through multiple property listings online, endless inspections that eat up your weekend, budget planning, and dealing with often confusing local documentation. As an expat, you might even be tempted to settle for less, reasoning that you won’t be staying here permanently anyway, so you might as well take what you can get.

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THENUGA VIJAKUMAR, President of the Cat Welfare Society (CWS) talks to ANZA about the challenges of Singapore’s estimated 60,000 cat population and their programs for cat sterilisation, mediation and education.

What does CWS do?

CWS advocates for the humane management of community cats, through sterilisation (not culling) and responsible cat ownership.

We are the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) mediation partner to amicably resolve cat-related issues, we conduct island-wide sterilisation programmes, and educate on responsible cat ownership.

What are your ongoing programmes?

The sterilisation programme has been going for over a decade.

We sterilise between 4000 and 6000 cats a year. This ensures that the cat population is kept at a manageable rate, so that resources can be maximised for the cats. Mediation resolves catrelated issues, often relating to irresponsible cat ownership. Our education efforts, through roadshows and events, helps set out what the basic requirements of responsible cat ownership are.

Why was the organisation formed?

The organisation was formed by friends who were fighting against abuse.

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What led you to being involved?

I started volunteering with CWS when I was a student. I helped sterilise cats for low income families primarily and wrote for the newsletter. As I learnt more about the organisation, I believed that CWS’s vision was not idealistic or unrealistic. I wanted to be involved in achieving a humane and safe community for one of Singapore’s most popular inhabitants - the community cats.

How can people foster and adopt cats from CWS? If you’re keen to foster, please email info@catwelfare.org.

CWS doesn’t run a shelter. It facilitates adoptions between independent rescuers and members of the public through the public adoption board on our website, and by organising adoption drives. If you’re keen to foster, please email info@ catwelfare.org. Anyone interested in volunteering can write to volunteer@catwelfare.org.

How can people be part of the sterilisation process?

The first step is to keep a look out for unsterilised cats. The faster they are neutered, the lower the risk of a population explosion and the risk of culling. The second step is to commence the trap-neuter-return-manage programme. If you have the skills to conduct the programme yourself, that’s great. If not, you can write to us to learn about it. If you can spare the time, then please donate, because every trapping session costs $100. Every cat sterilisation costs $30 and every night of boarding (CWS offers three nights per cat where possible) costs approximately $13. It’s easy to see how quickly this adds up for just one cat.

Multiply that by 4000 to see how much assistance we need in our fight for a humane Singapore!

What’s next for CWS? We are working toward the expansion of the Love Cats pilot programme, which is about the legalisation of cat ownership.

Find out more at catwelfare.org

What to do in a cat emergency Q. I found a lost cat what should I do?

Scan for a microchip at the nearest vet. Put up posters and post in Facebook groups dealing with lost animals. Call the SPCA to inform them (in case the owner calls to ask if anyone has sent in their cat). Foster the cat or seek fosters online to assist you. If no owner comes forward, then be prepared to rehome the cat if you can’t keep them yourself.

Q. I found a litter of kittens, any advice?

Leave them alone. Wait for their mum to return.

If they are young enough for nursing, and the mother is missing for several hours, then ask for help. Seek fosters experienced in bottle feeding. If they’re old enough to eat on their own (approx. two months and older), either leave them alone until they are old enough to neuter, or take them in to foster and rehome.

If they are about 5 to 6 months old, they can be sterilised and released back to the community.

Q. I found an injured cat, or knocked over a cat with my car?

Take the cat to the nearest vet immediately in both cases. It is an act of cruelty to leave an injured cat if you have hit it with your car.

Q. Where can I report possible cat abuse?

Report to the AVA at 1800 476 1600 (24 hours) Q. There is a community cat in my neighbourhood or condo, should I feed it?

In most cases, the cat will already have a feeder.

You can assist that feeder by helping with food costs and/or medical costs as necessary. There is no need to report the cat’s presence to any authority unless the cat appears to be in some sort of distress, in which case it should be taken to the vet.

One of the stars of the CWS 2019 fundraising calendar ($15)

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Nivedita Nayar

I wanted to make a difference and boost awareness on the plight of stray dogs. They deserve a safe environment and a happy home.

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SAVING STREET DOGS

Expat NIVEDITA NAYAR works as a re-homer and adoption drive volunteer for Save Our Street Dogs (SOSD), a volunteer-run organisation dedicated to the welfare of Singapore’s many stray dogs.

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How did you find out about SOSD? I’ve always been extremely passionate about animals and was involved in rescue efforts back home in India. When I moved to Singapore four years ago, our apartment didn’t allow us to keep pets. Having had dogs all my life, it felt very weird to not have one. That’s when I decided to find a shelter where I could be around dogs and most importantly be able to help them. I started looking online and SOSD popped up. I dropped by one of their adoption drives to meet the volunteers and of course the dogs!

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What appealed to you about the organisation?

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Describe your role at SOSD?

I was amazed by the fact that everything was being run by a young set of volunteers, who loved the dogs and were so passionate about what they were doing at SOSD. I decided to sign up and three years later, I’m loving my role as a re-homer for the organisation. It’s an amazing feeling when you see photos of your adopted dogs thriving in a home, getting all the love they deserve.

As a re-homer, my role is to make sure I find the right family for our dogs. We hold adoption drives every month, hoping our dogs are seen by people and find loving homes. The first stage after the drive is to get in touch with the potential adopter or fosterer to check if they’re still keen on helping the dog they have signed up for.

During this phone call we give them a bit of background about the dog and reiterate our stringent adoption process.

Some adopters have told us our long process is frustrating, so it’s necessary to explain why these measures are in place. Our process ensures dogs find the right home and generally do not come back to us.

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Favourite re-homing story?

A case from 2018 is very special to me; a couple took in one of our dogs who had severe separation anxiety and feared humans.

They worked on him tirelessly, hired a trainer, and even looked at videos on YouTube! I use this case as an example now when I work on other adoption cases, showing that patience and commitment can help change an animal.

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What is the process of adopting a street dog?

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What changes do you see in people that adopt?

We set up a house visit to meet the family and get a sense of the house. Meeting the family face-toface makes it easier for us to gauge whether the dog is the right fit for them. I take time to understand the family, give them tips on what to do, what not to do, and what to expect.

We then set up interaction with the dog. This could be at the shelter or at their home. I see how the family interacts with the dog and make suggestions on how to better handle them.

The dog then has a one-week home trial, where I’m constantly in touch with the adopter, checking on their progress. If there are any concerns or issues, it’s my job to guide them through and if need be to visit their home to understand the problem and find a solution for it. At the end of the trial period, once the adopters are ready, I drop by to help them sign the papers.

Adopters often tell me the dog has made their children more responsible and independent, or their dog has been a source of emotional support.

This is what matters to us at the end of the day; our dogs in loving homes and making a difference.

7

Why do you love what you do?

Being a voice for these animals, seeing them thrive and being loved in a home is what matters to me. Seeing a family happy and most of all the dog happy, is the reason I do what I do. Singapore Specials are the same as any other dog breed.

They are equally loyal and loving and deserve the same amount of respect and love from us humans.

SAVE A DOG!

Interested in sponsoring, fostering or adopting a street dog? Check out sosd.org.sg to find out more. Volunteering opportunities are also available.

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GUIDING

LIGHT

Disability advocate and guide dog owner CASSANDRA CHIU talks about the independence, safety and confidence her service animal Esme has given her, and how she’s committed to changing attitudes to disability and guide dogs in Asia.

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How has having a guide dog changed your life?

You have a new guide dog on the way?

I call Esme my yellow ‘Furrari’, emphasis on fur, because she accelerated my life and gave me independence, safety and confidence. Having Esme in my life also gave me the advocate bug - I just couldn’t stand the idea of other blind people needing guide dogs and facing the same negative experiences I did – like being unceremoniously manhandled out of establishments and battling taxi drivers.

My simple hope is that 50-100 years down the road blind people needing guide dogs will have it a lot easier and there will be more understanding and tolerance in Asia about service dogs.

Yes, her name is Elke! Elke was bred by Guide Dogs Victoria. She was puppyraised by a volunteer family until she was a year old, before entering formal guide dog training at the school. Over the past months she has been trained to weave through crowds, avoid obstacles, and find landmarks like curbs, stairs and bus stops, to aid in a blind person’s mobility.

I’m going over to Guide Dogs Victoria this month to be trained with Elke in Guide Dog Victoria’s onsite residential training. I’ll stay for about a month.

During the training, we will get an opportunity to learn each other’s body language and to trust each other. Elke will fly back with me to Singapore on Qantas airlines. She’ll guide me at the airport and on and off the plane - guide dogs fly in the cabin with their handlers, to continue the work they do.

What have been some of the guide dog initiatives you’ve been involved with?

In the early days it was speaking with different stakeholders in the public and private sectors about guide dogs and requesting policy changes for guide dogs in establishments. The part I enjoy most now is curating Esme’s Facebook page (facebook.com/ EsmeTheGlobalGuideDog), which has organically grown to over 11,000 followers over the years. On the page, I can show the regular person what a guide dog can do daily and how it changes my life as a blind person.

How long does it take to settle in with a new guide dog?

Whilst it only takes hours to fall in love with the sweetness of a Labrador, it takes a couple of weeks to establish a working relationship. It involves a lot of repetition, for example, going to our regular places like the office, church or mall. With more successful trips, Elke will learn to trust that I’ll provide the directions she

Over the past months Elke has been trained to weave through crowds, avoid obstacles, and find landmarks like curbs, stairs and bus stops requires to do her job well, and I’ll learn to put my life in Elke’s four paws to keep me safe. I think it will take several months for our bond to be cemented. Elke has big paws to fill as Esme my retired dog guide has been just simply life changing and amazing!

What’s next for Esme?

A good friend of mine will be adopting Esme, and she will transition into a lady of leisure! I’ll still get to visit her on weekends.

How have attitudes changed towards guide dogs in Singapore?

It has come a long way. When I first returned with Esme in 2011, it was almost impossible to go anywhere without a drama. Nowadays, I hear little children on the trains or in malls tell their parents; “that’s a guide dog, it’s helping that blind lady, and it’s allowed in here”. It helps a lot when members of the public speak up when seeing a guide dog team being refused access into a public place.

Whether it’s a pair of wheels to replace legs, or four paws to replace eyes, it’s a way for disabled people to mitigate their impairment.

Guide dog Elke star ts work this m onth!

Cassandra is a counsellor, speaker, advocate and consultant.

You can contact her at cassandrachiu.com

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Meet the ANZA Dogs

The ANZA office in Kampong Bahru is a dog friendly zone – with several staffers bringing their adorable dogs into work on a regular basis. Meet our four-legged friends, Frankie, Chutney and Ellie!

M e et C h ut n e y Regular ANZA volunteer Simon Tyndale-Biscoe comes into the ANZA office every Wednesday to work on Membership cards and New Members packs, bringing along his gorgeous Golden Retriever, Chutney. Chutney loves a snuggle, but he’s never far from Simon’s side! “Chutney provides love and affection to me, my wife, and our helper all the time,” says Simon. “He welcomes everyone who visits our home with a friendly bark, and he puts a smile on everyone’s face who meets him.”

Chutney’s brother Pickles sadly passed away, but Chutney provides Simon with ongoing doggy love and support in Singapore. “He’s a valued family member, and a source of joy and happiness no matter what’s going on.”

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Simon with Chutney and his brother Pickles (foreground)

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15/4/2019 2:57:56 PM

M e et Fra n k i e Communications & Membership Manager, Mathilde Dujardin brings her Singapore rescue dog Frankie into the office on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Frankie can be found snoozing in sun patches, sneaking a second breakfast from Designer Christina Lim, and guarding the team from nefarious posties and unannounced visitors!

“We rescued Frankie when she was five months old from local shelter Save Our Street Dogs (SOSD) and she has been the best addition to our family,” says Mathilde.

“We’d been looking for a rescue pup for a while and she jumped out at us from the moment we met.”

Frankie is a bundle of energy, who requires plenty of exercise. “She brings so much joy to our lives and forces us to get up for those early morning walks before work. We definitely get our 10,000+ steps in every day now!”

Work days are one of the highlights of Frankie’s week and she laps up unlimited pats and attention. “She loves to come in to the ANZA office, where she is showered with love and cuddles by the whole team and has even convinced some to share their snacks and lunches with her!”

BENEFITS OF DOGS IN THE WORKPLACE

Studies show bringing your pooch into the office makes for a more relaxed, productive, enjoyable workplace.

Being around animals has many positive health benefits, including fewer visits to the doctor, lower cholesterol and improved heart health. A study in the International Journal of Workplace Health Management found that workers who brought their pets to work had decreased stress levels and more creativity.

Dogs are the ultimate ice-breaker and they increase socialisation between departments and colleagues, boosting opportunities for collaboration and teambuilding. A Dogs at Work policy is often viewed by employees as a valuable employment perk and can also lead to higher levels of job satisfaction. No wonder companies like Google and Amazon (and ANZA!) have adopted bring your pet to work policies.

23 June is Bring Your Dog to Work Day in Singapore! Don’t forget to bring a lead, pet food, toys, and lots of water.

M e et Elli e

Website Manager Geoff King’s West Highland Terrier, Ellie, also pops into the ANZA office from time to time, brightening up the work day for staffers.

She’s curious, a little shy and loves fruits; especially mango, rock melon and cherry tomatoes!

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17/4/2019 2:06:26 PM

A visit to Berlin offers a fascinating walk through the city’s extraordinary pages of history, writes JOHN BURFITT.

I

t’s been said that every street has a story to tell in Berlin. The German capital was front and centre for so much defining history of the past century, ranging from unmitigated chaos to world-changing high drama. But rather than push history away and not delve into its darker elements, modern Berliners have embraced their past as part of the narrative of their complex and often conflicted city.

For all the wonderful bars and restaurants, vivid arts scene, and the beauty of its grand architecture and parklands, Berlin’s history is top of most visitor’s agenda. There are tours galore offering time travelling walks along the streets that so potently changed the course of history.

Tales abound, from the time of the Prussian kings, to the phenomenon of the Nazi era, and the carnage of war, when two-thirds of the city was destroyed. There are later chapters like when the Berlin Wall divided the city, and then after its fall, the decades of reunification that continue to the present day.

Berlin never runs short of tales - here are six places where history jumps off the page.

The Reichstag is the historic seat of the German parliament and was built in 1894 but was burned in 1933 by the Nazis, as a pretext for the persecution of political opponents.

Left as a ruin for decades, it was fully restored after the fall of the Berlin Wall and when Berlin became the capital once more, reopening in 1999. The glass dome that today sits on top of the Reichstag has become its main attraction, offering extraordinary views over the city.

Advance online bookings are essential. visite.bundestag.de

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The defining symbol of Berlin and the city’s most famous landmark, the Brandenburg Gate was commissioned by King Frederick Wilhelm II in 1788. The imposing sandstone monument consists of 12 giant columns and is 26 metres tall. Atop the gate is a chariot drawn by four horses, carrying Victoria, the goddess of victory.

Located in the Mitte district’s Pariser Platz, the gate is a block away from the Reichstag. During the Cold War, its position as a blocked gate on the Berlin Wall made it a frequent site for demonstrations, and as the backdrop for powerful and iconic speeches by US Presidents John Kennedy and Ronald Reagan.

A couple of blocks from the Brandenberg Gate on Cora-Berliner-Strasse stands this powerful memorial and underground museum, dedicated to the Jewish victims of the Nazi Holocaust. The memorial consists of 2,711 concrete slabs of varying heights, arranged in a grid that covers almost a city block. To gain the full effect of the structure, walk through the sea of slabs for the sense of disorientation and confusion. The memorial’s underground museum includes the story of how this devastating chapter in history unfolded. stiftung-denkmal.de/en/home.html

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The UNESCO World Heritage listed Museum Island includes five institutions - Pergamon Museum, Bode-Museum, Neues Museum, Old National Gallery and Old Museum. The Pergamon is the most visited and home to three main galleries - the Middle East Museum, the Islamic Art Museum, and Antiquity collection. Taking the pride of place is the extraordinary Ishtar Gate of Babylon, which dates from 575BC and was reconstructed in 1930. Also on show is the Roman Market Gate of Miletus and the Mshatta Façade. visitberlin.de/en/museum-island-in-berlin

In 1961, East Germany sealed off West Berlin with a 155km wall that surrounded the city, containing 293 observation towers and a lethal ‘Death Strip’. The wall finally came down in 1989 and the city – and country – was reunified. The Berlin Wall Memorial on Bernauer Strasse contains a 1.5km stretch of the barrier and a museum that charts the story of the years the city was divided. Across town at Friedrichstadt is the Checkpoint Charlie memorial, which was the best-known crossing point between East and West. berliner-mauergedenkstaette.de/en/

Only 30 years ago, where the famous square now stands, was a wasteland that had been destroyed during the war and then divided by the Berlin Wall. Today, Potsdamer Platz is a hive of business and retail activity, showing off a new style of contemporary architecture. The grand square is home to the Renzo Piano and Christoph Kohlbecker-designed Daimler Chrysler Quartier, the Beisheim Center, Sony Center and the Arkaden. Potsdamer Platz is a striking example of the way Berlin has reinvented itself since the wall came down.

For more on Berlin head to visitberlin.de

Next Stop, Berlin

Getting to Berlin is easier now than in previous years, due to the direct service from Singapore on Scoot Airlines. The low-cost carrier began flying between the two cities early last year, and the 10,000km journey into Berlin’s Tegel Airport takes just under 13 hours. One-way fares start from S$331 (check website for latest deals).

Berlin is also the perfect stepping off point to the rest of Europe, as carriers like Ryanair and EasyJet fly from direct to London, Paris and Amsterdam. flyscoot.com

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May 2019

17/4/2019 2:09:29 PM

Stock up for BBQs and parties Special ANZA Member offer Purchase cases of Peroni at $88 or Hahn SuperDry (low carb) at $82 with free delivery for 3 or more cases.

To order, login to your ANZA account.

GET YOUR DOUBLE SHOT OF ANZA AT OUR TWICE MONTHLY CATCH UPS

CASUAL COFFEE DATE: WEDNESDAY 8 MAY, FRIDAY 31 MAY Where: The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf #01-26 Orchard Central, 181 Orchard Road Time: From 10am - 12pm WhaT To expecT: Meet new people, share tips about life in Singapore & catch up with friends.

Just turn up on the day, no RSVP required.

Berlin Top5 May19.indd 47

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Look for the new members commitee

15/4/2019 9:56:36 AM

LIZ COWARD, a Singapore based author and scriptwriter, co-wrote Blood and Bandages; fighting for life in the RAMC Field Ambulance 1940-46, with 103-year-old William Earl, who served with the Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC) in WW2.

Where is home?

Home is the south coast of England, just outside Brighton. We’ve lived in Singapore for nearly 18 months. My husband Richard was offered a full-time job with Airbus Asia Training Centre, based in Seletar.

We are here with our 13-year-old son, Tom.

How did you become the author of Blood & Bandages?

Purely by chance. My parents-in-law live a few houses down from William Earl, the book’s star. They’ve been friends for years and as he got older, they started to look after him. William was at their house one Remembrance Sunday when I popped in. As the Veterans March Past began, William started reminiscing about his time in the RAMC during WW2.

Who is William Earl?

William is an independent and bright 103-year-old former dispensing chemist. He’s a sports fan and lifelong supporter of Arsenal football team. He’s engaging and gregarious and has a keen eye for a pretty face. He’ll never turn down an adventure and sees each day as a blessing.

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ring the 28 in Italy du William aged ign .

Italian Campa

“It was hard work and at times the only thing that kept me going was my promise to tell William’s story.”

- Liz Coward

What’s the book about?

It focuses on the period 19391946 when William met his first wife Mary, was called up to serve in the RAMC as a nursing orderly, and his service in North Africa and Italy. His story is set in the context of the wider conflict and reveals the stories of his comrades, equally brave and selfless men who fought to save lives on the frontline at battles such as Enfidaville, Salerno and Anzio. It’s a unique and compelling story.

How long did this project take?

We started in January 2009 and worked right up until the publisher’s deadline in September 2016. It was hard work and at times the only thing that kept me going was my promise to tell William’s story.

Did you worry about finishing the book in time, given William’s advanced years?

We started when he was 96, so it was always in the back of my

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Hastings d Mary in William an listed before he en 1940 just

William an d Li in Shoreham z at the book launch

by Sea in A pril 2017

Blood and Bandages; fighting for life in the RAMC Field Ambulance 1940-46 can be purchased from sabrestorm.com

war than he did himself. The book includes extracts from his letters home, original photographs, training manuals, and official war diaries.

What relationship did you form with William?

We formed a relationship based on honesty, love, respect and support, which still exists today. We like each other and the warmth of our relationship can be felt in the prose. He trusted me with memories that he had never shared and I trusted him to disclose the truth, warts and all. He gave up his privacy and I put my beloved screenwriting on hold to complete this project.

How excited was he to see the completed book? uth r BBC So filmed fo g rden , n ga ei b ’s William ay in Liz d o T st a -E and South , Sussex m a h re o h S

mind. I needed to gather his evidence quickly and accurately so our interviews were recorded. I also felt that William’s testimony should be captured on film, so I have several hours of film footage. Once I had that, I knew I had enough material to work with should he pass away before the project was finished.

How much did you learn about WW2?

Very excited. For the first few minutes, he just kept turning it over saying; “This book. This is the book.” There were times when we thought it would never be finished.

What events did you do together?

William and I are a double-act, so after it was launched in April 2017, we appeared on BBC TV news and Forces TV; we were interviewed on the radio; we gave book talks and attended local fairs. In 2018, we were invited to sign books at the Imperial War Museum in London and appear at the War and Peace Revival in Kent. This year, we will be returning to War and Peace and William will no doubt woo the audience again with his stories and passion. I am definitely an ‘also ran’ when William is around.

A huge amount. I was starting from scratch and to pull this off I had to acquire a general knowledge of WW2 in northern and southern Europe; a good knowledge of the Italian campaign, the operation of the RAMC and the 56th London Division and an expert knowledge of a Field Ambulance and the 214th in particular.

What’s your next writing project?

How did you research?

Yes, if it was a unique story with good supporting evidence and I fell in love with it. You must love the story because it will take over your life for years.

I started with general textbooks on WW2 and moved onto books about the Italian campaign. I tracked down rare books on the RAMC’s operation published in 1943-4, but most importantly I trawled through hundreds of original documents at the National Archives in Kew, London. Eventually, I knew more about William’s

To complete my full-length stage play called Shakespeare’s Sister.

It’s set in 1920s England and is about a passionate kitchen maid who is determined to become an author despite her sex, family, class, and societal pressures.

Would you take on another biography?

Find out more about Liz at her website: lifeon-shorehambeach.blogspot.co.uk May 2019 anza

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HO T SP O T S

EAT

The ANZA TEAM ventured out to try Justin Quek’s new Poulet offerings and a sugar-free dessert bar in Duxton.

DUXTON 41

41 Duxton Road, Singapore 089505 duxton41.com

A

small ANZA contingent took an early mark to head down to nearby Duxton Road and test the first sugar-free dessert bar in Singapore. Stepping inside the converted shophouse (across the road from Six Senses Hotel) we’re immediately offered glasses of bubbles to pair with our healthy high tea selection. Owner’s Christoph and Wyatt explain their philosophy isn’t deprivation, but to enjoy life’s pleasures. “Our goal is to make desserts and pastries that look and taste like regular desserts but with much less calories and no added sugar,” says Wyatt.

The top section of the two-tiered afternoon tea stand is focused on savoury bites – our group adores the mini wheat croissant stuffed with ‘chicken rice’ and a healthy dollop of chilli sauce, spring roll, tasty mushroom quiche and otah. The sweet underbelly features delicate and artful chocolate and strawberry mousses, rainbow kueh, carrot cake, and a dense vegan brownie.

They also serve herbal teas from Ette, including ice kachang and kebaya blue flavours, coffee and hot chocolate.

VERDICT: If you love sweets, but are steering away from sugar, this is the perfect spot to indulge.

POULET + JUSTIN QUEK

Various outlets poulet.com.sg

H NOTE:

Justin’s dishes will be available till 31 May 2019 at Poulet Bugis+, Poulet Raffles City, Poulet VivoCity, and Poulet Kallang Wave.

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omegrown celebrity chef Justin Quek has cooked up a very special menu collaboration with French rotisserie chicken chain, Poulet. With an exclusive menu crafted by the charming Franco-Asian cuisine expert, there are three exceptional new dishes in Poulet outlets.

En Papillotes Baked Sea Bass ($15.90++) is a steam baked, perfectly-cooked fillet of sea bass with white wine and au jus. This light, fragrant dish is served in baking paper, on a bed of julienne vegetables with a pot of lemon beurre blanc. The star of the show is the generous Rossini Angus Beef Steak

(S$28.90), two pieces of excellent grain-fed sirloin steak, topped with pan-seared foie gras, with creamy baby spinach, buttery mashed potatoes, and a Madeira wine sauce so good we wanted to soak up the leftovers with crusty French bread! To finish is a nottoo-sweet Crème Chantilly Bitter Chocolate Tart ($8.90++), a Guayaquil bitter chocolate mousse with Sablé biscuit base, topped with vanilla whipped cream and strawberry.

VERDICT: Perfectly executed French flavours, at an affordable price point. Don’t miss trying this exceptional trio of dishes from a chef at the top of his game.

May 2019

17/4/2019 2:10:28 PM

DRINK

Travel back to the golden age of air travel at this luxe, retro-themed small bar at the Intercontinental Hotel.

IDLEWILD

80 Middle Road, Singapore 188966 idlewild.sg

Order up!

All the cocktails here are interesting, bold and creative, and Andy is a wealth of knowledge.

What’s to Eat: A generous tapas menu goes around the globe, with bite-sized sharing snacks highlighting flavours from Peru to Cuba and Italy to Portugal. We start with London’s Classic Fish and Chips ($18) a plate of battered cod and wedges, with sides of malt vinegar, sea salt and lemon. It’s super crunchy and delicious. Next is mini Cubano Sandwiches ($18) from Havana; chunky and filling Avocado Fries ($15), coated in almonds and served with lemon mayo; and Le Mexique Choux ($15) chocolate profiteroles, filled with smooth dark chocolate cream. Bar staff are happy to pair menu items to cocktails!

Don’t miss: A trip to the ‘Cabinet of Curiosities’ where you can order a 20ml pour from a selection of kooky, rare spirits from around the world.

The bar also serves up live music, with a rotating guest lead singer and a local jazz band.

Fast fact:

Idlewild was New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport before it was renamed in 1963 to honour the 35th President of the USA.

REVIEW: PIP HARRY

Tucked in behind the main lobby at the Intercontinental Hotel, Idlewild is a cosy, cool den with plush seating, low lighting and an air of old school luxury and romance. Behind the bar is New Zealand chef, turned cocktail master, Andy Griffiths, imported from Melbourne to take up the role of Head of Operations and Creative. In a smooth cravat and sharp suit, Andy embodies air travel’s resplendent years, guiding guests on a journey through cocktails that immortalise popular transatlantic destinations.

Andy starts our trip in Paris with The French Cook ($26) an elegant gin-based citrus cocktail, served in a cut crystal glass, topped with a soft wormwood absinthe jube. Fresh and tart, with a hint of fizz, it’s my pick of the night. Our next drink is the savoury, salty Touria from Casablanca ($24), which blends red bell pepper juice, cumin laced honey and dry gin. It’s served on the rocks, with a square of paprika dusted honeycomb. Next stop is Dublin’s Dagda’s Harp ($24) a whisky-based sweet treat with creme de cacao, lemon and teapot bitters, served with a piece of lacy white chocolate.

We finish back in Morocco with the Bebere Smash ($22) a tall, icy bourbon and mint cocktail with a good whack of salt – thanks to the preserved lemons.

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12/4/2019 6:39:27 PM

TA ST E BU D S

STEAMED SEA BASS IN THAI SWEET, SOUR & SPICY SAUCE PAYAL THAKURANI serves up a healthy, everyday seafood dish, with balanced Thai flavours. (serves 3)

INGREDIENTS

600g fresh sea bass fillets (or any other local white fish of your choice, i.e thread fin, snapper)

3 stalks lemon grass, lower half bashed with a pestle

6 cloves garlic, roughly chopped

2-3 Thai red chili padi, chopped

1 tbs chopped ginger

3 spring onion bulbs and greens, chopped separately

2 tbs coconut oil

1 cup chicken stock

2-3 tbsps fish sauce

½ Thai lime or lemon, freshly squeezed

1 tsp white sugar

6-8 lime leaves, roughly torn

METHOD

1. Heat coconut oil in a wok on medium flame. Add ginger, garlic, chilies, spring onion bulbs and lemon grass, stir-fry until garlic turns slightly brown.

2. Next, add chicken stock, turmeric and lime leaves, bring to a boil. Add fish, cover and cook on low heat for about 10 minutes, until fish is done.

3. Taste sauce, add sugar and 2-3 tablespoons fish sauce, depending on saltiness of chicken stock. Take off heat and add lemon, followed by spring onion greens. Serve hot with steamed jasmine rice and your choice of steamed vegetables.

Long term expat Payal Thakurani is an author, consulting chef, cooking instructor and founder of Commune Kitchen. She hosts cookery classes to promote healthy South-East Asian cooking at her studio in Downtown Gallery and also specialises in catering.

“I love wet markets in Singapore, mainly because of the wide array of locally available fresh seafood, along with herbs and spices from all over South-East Asia. My Thai steamed fish recipe is easy, super-healthy and so addictive that it’s become a weekly staple in our home. I have used fresh sea bass but any white fish works beautifully in this dish - thread fin, snapper, cod, and sole are all easily available in local markets as well as supermarkets here. Enjoy the recipe!”

For more: communekitchen.com 52 anza

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May 2019

12/4/2019 6:44:50 PM

an evening of....

LADIES NIGHT

Wine Tasting HosteD By – Petersons Wines tHursDay 16 may 6.30Pm – 8.30Pm

$D1rin0ks

$35

Per Person WEDNESDAY 15 May 6.30-9.00pm ROSE LOUNGE AND BAR Six Senses Maxwell 2 Cook Street, Singapore 078857

non memBers $45 Per Person Get your tickets from anza.orG.sG Price includes canapes, cheeses and cold cuts to accompany the selection of 6 wines that will be showcased

T UCKERB OX

TASTEFUL HISTORY Chinatown market 1970

HISTORY COMES ALIVE During the Bicentennial, The Civic District, Fort Canning, Marina Bay and Singapore River have organised trails offering insights into lesser-known historical points. Featured are exhibitions, roadshows, conferences and national events, including at museums, galleries and libraries. Look out for an online segment on the Cosmopolitan Women’s Club which this writer contributed to, via link bit.ly/cwcstory2019. Satisfy your appetite for history, as well as food, by combining a meal or snack with your exploration...

TELOK AYER STREET SITES In Chinatown, Telok Ayer Street provides a fascinating historical glimpse and is one of my favourite places to take visitors. At the end of the street near Maxwell Road, is the Chinese Methodist Church where the first church for Hokkien speakers, dating back to 1924, still conducts services. Wend your way past restored shophouses to Thian Hock Keng Temple, dedicated to the Goddess of the Sea, which became a gathering place for the Chinese Hokkien community upon completion in 1840.

Rest on a shaded park bench at Telok Ayer Green, and admire bronze sculptures depicting early immigrants, before proceeding to the restored national monument Nagore Durgha Shrine, built

by Indian Muslims in about 1830.

Born in Adelaide, Raelene Tan is an etiquette consultant and a food and travel writer. She has authored five books and has been a regular guest on radio and television.

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… AND TASTES Pop into Chong Wen Ge Café, nestled in an old school beside Thian Hock Keng Temple, for Nonya treats like mee siam (spicy noodles) and kueh (cake), plus

a refreshing lime juice. Absorb the atmosphere amongst a kaleidoscope of colourful Peranakan tiles as you drift back in time. At number 118 is Free The Robot café, with a hole-in-the-wall entrance, and good coffee and toasties which bring a touch of modernity to the quirky ambiance.

FORT CANNING SITES Learn more about history while ambling through Fort Canning Park. The Arts Centre holds treasures, the old Fort Gate has memories to share and Raffles House is well restored for hosting events. The spice garden and tombstone inscriptions from Singapore’s first Christian cemetery also form part of the country’s rich history.

… AND TASTES In a stately building circa mid-1920, is Hotel Fort Canning, named after Charles Canning, first Viceroy of India in 1858.

Located at 11 Canning Walk, the building is a former British military site. Visit The Salon here for breakfast, lunch or dinner, where Asian and Western dishes include lobster nasi lemak, curry chicken, pasta and pizza.

Cross over the road to the country’s oldest museum, the National Museum of Singapore, and pop into Food For Thought with its décor reflecting various ethnic facets in a family-friendly setting.

Menu items include satay beef rice bowl, spicy pulled pork linguine and ice-cream sandwiches.

Historical sites and tastes combine to make memorable moments in our homeaway-from-home.

Raelene Tan

RAELENE TAN suggests a walking and eating tour to celebrate Singapore’s Bicentennial commemoration, from January to September, which highlights not only the 200th anniversary of Stamford Raffles’ 1819 arrival, but also looks back to the 14th century to appreciate the country’s evolution.

May 2019

15/4/2019 3:32:53 PM

anza Yogis

Yoga in nature, connecting to the earth and air, four days a week. Feel the difference to yourself and to your life. everYdaY Yoga for everYdaY people SeaSon 3

SINGAPORE BOTANIC GARDENS, NEAR THE ECO LAKE 3 June to 27 July (5 June Hari Raya class is on)

Monday 8.30 - 9.45am YIN/YANG Wednesday 8.30 - 9.30am HATHA Friday 7.00 - 8.00am POWER YOGA Saturday 8.30 - 9.30am HATHA 5 Sessions: Members $100, non-members $140 10 Sessions: Members $200, non-members $280

Yoga has been k nown to improve happine ss an d health.

First time? Been doing yoga for a while? Join the ANZA Yogis – small personal groups, with experienced teachers.

5 and 10 session packs can be used for any class in the season in which they were purchased.

As an ANZA Yogi, you also receive discounts on yoga lifestyle products, retreats and yogi workshops. s ign up todaY v ia

anza.org.sg/groups/Yoga

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17/4/2019 3:06:30 PM

17/4/2019 3:07:12 PM

ANZ A C LIC K! PHOTO G R A PH Y

FAVOURITE SHOTS

This month’s theme was to share your favourite picture,” says BRENDAN PAGET. “It gave our photographers lots of scope to submit different shots and as a result this month’s selections are so varied and interesting.”

KIM GARLICK THE EYES ARE THE WINDOWS TO THE SOUL “I spotted this little puppy while visiting a farm in Vũng Tàu, Vietnam, earlier this year. He was malnourished, fly-bitten and his coat was dull. He definitely needed a bath, but the look in his eyes captivated me.”

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DREW WRATT STAIRCASE “This photo was taken on my morning walk to Fort Siloso. I like the way the light beams through the building at certain times of the day. It’s quite eye catching.”

ANDREW BEASLEY SCARECROW “Having just moved to Singapore I was hitting all the usual tourist spots. This photo was taken in the Flower Dome at Garden’s by the Bay. The person in the foreground is my good friend and travel companion, Kristen, who happened to be in town. I really like how it appears the scarecrow is looking past her and at me while I’m taking the photo.”

Interested in photography? We would love you to join our photowalks and discussions. Please contact Brendan at anzaclicksg@gmail.com for more info about Click and upcoming events.

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SOUL FUEL

LIFE LESSONS KIM FORRESTER looks at four vital lessons to learn … and teach

I

n a recent survey of school-aged children, more than 50% revealed that their greatest wish was to live in a kinder, more peaceful, more pleasant world. I know it can seem as if you are somehow disconnected from what happens ‘out there’ but the fact is you’re an integral part of society and you have the power to help make this world a brighter place.

To help you do so, I have listed below some powerful and liberating lessons that we can all learn to embrace and inspire in others:

1

YOU ARE PERFECT As a product of nature, you’re a perfect expression of the natural world. Nature does not make mistakes – it makes explorations, adaptations and exquisitely unique variations. Your appearance, foibles, idiosyncrasies, personal traits and desires – not one of these things can ever be wrong.

Everything about you is perfectly designed to help nature express itself in its fullest capacity, and your role in life is to embrace and experience everything about yourself – light and shade – with complete joy and curiosity.

2 Kim Forrester is a holistic wellbeing author, consultant and educator. kimforrester.net

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IT’S NOT YOUR FAULT You are not responsible for any of the misery that you may see in the world or in the people around you. It is not your role nor your responsibility to fix anything beyond yourself. Your sole responsibility is to find deep and lasting joy in your day-to-day life, and shine this as an example to the people around you. Neither are you to blame for any of your past actions or reactions. You

are not expected to carry shame or guilt from any of your experiences – you have always reacted in the best way you knew how, with the tools you had available, at any given moment. You are simply invited to review those moments and use that information to strive toward new ways of being in this moment.

3

YOU ARE IN CHARGE, BUT YOU ARE NOT IN CONTROL

In every moment, you have incredible power to shift your world and step into greater happiness and joy; to choose differently, think differently and react differently. You will never, ever, be able to control life or other people around you, but you will always have the power within to find faith, trust and gratitude for every experience you encounter, and use these experiences wisely to move into a greater version of yourself.

4

ALL IS WELL The concept of “good” and “bad” is an illusion created by your left brain, as it is limited to a rational understanding of the world and your personal viewpoint. This part of you is unable to see the grander picture unfurling around you. Life is a beautiful dance of interconnected experiences and interactions. Every single event in your life, and on the world stage, is a part of this dance. Even the greatest tragedy can bring unprecedented understanding and evolution. Everything that happens is designed to allow us, individually and as a species, to find greater compassion, joy and understanding. All is well. Always.

May 2019

12/4/2019 6:51:48 PM

WAN DE R I NG YO GI

SWITCHING SORRY LEE CARSLEY takes a look at the overuse of the word sorry, and suggests a simple switch.

W

e may have become a too polite society - saying sorry now gets used for everything from getting in someone’s road at the supermarket to recognising heinous human rights violations. It may be losing its impact.

When was the last time you said sorry?

Maybe five minutes ago? It has become that automatic.

Sorry is a sad state It turns out apologising is not so good for your health or developing empathy for another person. When we say sorry, neuroscience has proven we activate a set of neural impulses that affect our adrenals - the fight or flight reflex. Our emotional and physical body registers sorry as if it is happening to us. ‘Oh, I am so sorry.’

Do you notice how you might physically or metaphorically hold your hand to your heart as you say this? Feel sorry often enough and you burn out those adrenals.

This research has profound implications for caring professions - welfare workers, ambulance paramedics, nurses and school teachers. Even volunteers, it turns out.

Transforming apologies into action We can turn our sorry into compassion.

When we feel compassion, science has shown we activate the rest and restore elements of our brain. Which are also the same neural impulses relating to

connection, and they also create feelings of peace and gratitude. These same neural impulses encourage creativity - from where our greatest ideas emerge.

Sorry is the poor second cousin to its stronger relative, compassion. The difference? When we feel compassion, we can see the shoes people are walking in, but we’re not walking in them ourselves.

Observing feelings and not attaching to them, makes us stronger to help those less fortunate and take action.

But remember, learning the distinction between sorry and karuna (compassion), is a life long task.

Find gratitude & breathe Sorry hasn’t lost its place in a caring society. When we have hurt someone, intentionally or not, we may need to apologise. But not because we were first in line, or reaching across to grab that stapler.

Removing sorry from your vocabulary shifts the dynamic of conversation from passive to active. One of the quickest ways to shift our ‘sorry’ state to compassion is to say thank you. Try it...

“Sorry I am late” - “Thank you for waiting for me.”

“Sorry I forgot to empty the rubbish” “Thank you for doing this chore for me.”

“I feel so sorry for the plight of the dolphins at Tajii” - “I am grateful that the Dolphin Project is onto this and I will no longer go to dolphin shows.”

Lee Carsley is the ANZA Yoga founding teacher, and Yoga Alliance CE trainer. When not teaching yoga to students and other teachers, she also leads meditation workshops and bespoke yoga retreats. Be the light, show the light, and travel light. anza.org.sg/groups/yoga May 2019

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anza

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AT H L E T IC S

Season Round-Up

ANZA Athletics enjoyed a fantastic presentation night on 22 March as the kids, coaches, volunteers and parents celebrated the end of the successful 2018/2019 season. LUCY JAMES reports.

A

NZA Athletics has had a great year – more kids participating this season meant more competition and more fun. The social side of ANZA Athletics is just as important as the competitive aspect, with many young athletes becoming friends over the season and maintaining those friendships as they continue with the group over successive seasons. We had 3123 personal bests, or PBs, achieved over the season and nine centre records broken - some held for over 18 years. Well done kids!

CENTRE RECORDS BROKEN THIS SEASON ARE: Under 7 Boys (70m)

ETHAN RYAN

Under 10 Girls (800m)

LUCY EDWARDS

Under 10 Girls (High Jump)

OLIVIA CHONG

Under 11 Girls (High Jump)

MAEVE MURRAY

Under 11 Boys (Discus)

MATTHEW ALLEN

Under 11 Boys (100m, 200m & 400m)

DYLAN HUGHES

Under 13 Girls (Discus)

GRACE ALLEN

While having fun with peers and building new relationships, all participants are winners as they see the incremental improvements in their own performance over a season. I’d like to give a huge thank you to all the parent volunteers who assist weekly, and support not only their own children, but also many others.

Without our wonderful parent volunteers,

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About ANZA Athletics we would not be able to put on such a great programme for our young athletes.

Also, an enormous thank you to my fellow committee members. Amazing job!

We will be losing a few of our committee next season so if you’re keen to volunteer please get in touch at anza.athletics@ gmail.com. We look forward to welcoming back continuing athletes and meeting many new ones. See you trackside!

ANZA Athletics 2019/2020 season starts 6 September. Registration is open and you can sign-up at anza.org.sg/sports/ athletics.

ANZA Athletics children learn the basic skills of track running, hurdles, discus, shot put, long jump, triple jump and high jump. They’re exposed to all of these events during a six-week rotating program.

There are many benefits from taking part in little athletics. One of the best parts is physical development – learning and refining their skills in running different distances, jumping, and throwing. It builds their confidence as they improve from week-to-week and seasonto-season; getting faster, jumping higher and throwing further.

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N E T BA L L

OFF SEASON TRAINING

This month we chat to ANZA Netball’s professional coach, SHUANGRU LIN, who will be busy during the off-season, training the ANZA Netball girls who have signed up for the eight-week off-season programme, running from April to June.

T

he ANZA Netball off-season programme is run over two sessions on Saturday mornings, targeting those netball players who never tire of the game! All off-season programme sessions are run by professional coaches, which allow the parent volunteers to have a much-needed rest now that the ANZA Netball season is over. Coach Lin brings a wealth of coaching experience to the court. She’s a Level 2 Coach and has been coaching around Singapore in primary, secondary and tertiary institutions since 2003. Highlights include Head Coach and Assistant Coach at the National level for U17 and U14 age groups, and coaching at the elite level in the Netball Super League.

What sort of coach are you?

This is a question that I always ask my players! I usually get different responses. Some of them feel that I’m fierce and firm, some say I’m a fun-loving coach. To be honest, I have no clear answer to this question as I’m constantly adjusting to the dynamics of my players and what works best for them.

When did you become involved with netball?

What do you like about ANZA Netball?

I started playing netball when I was 13, it was considered pretty late to start, compared to my teammates who had prior experience in primary school. It was thanks to my best friend - she wanted to join and asked me along. I’ve not looked back since then.

It’s a vibrant and friendly environment. Everyone just loves netball and they share the same purpose coming down every week. The connection between people in ANZA is amazing and there are positive vibes everywhere!

Why did you become a coach?

I enjoy working with children and teenagers. It brings me so much joy to see them grow and learn. Coaching is a very rewarding experience, it gives me great satisfaction knowing that I’ve added value to them.

Do you have any quick tips to help players improve?

I always tell my players that the important thing for improvement is your attitude towards learning. With a positive attitude, you can always see results. There’s no short cut to improvement, it’s through hard work and discipline.

What the plan for the off-season training programme?

I’ll focus on brushing up player’s basic skills, such as landing, footwork, passing and catching.

It will also be a time for players to try out new positions and Registrations discover their hidden are now open for talents! So, I’ll strongly the 2019/20 season, which encourage all players will commence on 7 September who are attending the 2019.

Registrations are open for the off-season training first time for girls born in 2013. Get in to be brave and try early to ensure your place! anza.org. something new!

sg/sports/netball

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TIME TO

RACE

President MEGAN KINDER reports on what the ANZA Cycling crew have been up to on the race circuit.

S

o much has been happening in the cycling racing scene in and around Singapore over the last month or two. There was something for everyone!

Singha Tour The Singha Tour of Phuket took place from 8-10 March, with around 40 club members heading over for three days of racing. This comprised a short, but technical time trial and a hideously hot and hilly 140km day two, that unfortunately also included several crashes on the descent from the first KOM. Luckily there were no major injuries, so everyone was able to either get back out on the bike or help in a marshalling role for day three, which was a much tamer and more scenic 100km. Race results were dominated by Team Matador Racing but with most of our members taking on the Gran Fondo, we were happy to get onto the podium for some team prizes.

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May 2019

12/4/2019 7:29:12 PM

CYCL I NG

Tour de Bintan The eagerly anticipated Tour de Bintan took place from 29-31 March, with a massive cohort of 55 members taking the weekend to head over to the tropical paradise. Once again, a prologue 17km time trial marked the start of the event on Friday afternoon, with 140km on Saturday and 108km on Sunday of rolling hills.

The dry weather we’d been experiencing for the prior 6-8 weeks came to a halt, with massive thunderstorms breaking out. This led to delays in the race start across all categories on day two and the wet weather continued to wreak havoc with the bunches throughout the day, with spills and thrills at almost every turn. Congratulations to Pierre-Alain Scherwey (representing Allied World Treknology3), who took out the time trial in 23:25. Other club members on the podium for the weekend included Peter Williamson, Reuben Bakker, Mike Koreneff, Keiichi Hayashi, Vicki Goodwin, Nicole Rondy and Lizzie Hodges.

URA Car Free Sunday The URA Car Free Sunday Criterium took place 31 March. The pre-dawn spectacle was made up of five categories, racing around the closed roads of the CBD and Chinatown. Categories A, B and C were strongly contested by Singapore’s local teams, with Team Cycleworkz taking the top spot.

Congratulations to Andrea Ferschl for taking 3rd place in the women’s event.

Off Road The off-road scene has been blowing up with Cycosport’s Junglecross Series featuring two events this year as well as the Battle of Bukit Timah MTB held on 14 April. It’s been great to see a number of our roadies taking to the dark side and getting into the mud!

Tri training With a sizable number of club members registered for Da Nang 70.3 in May, triathlon training has kicked into the next gear.

Several swim-bike-run sessions over at Sentosa have seen the triathletes mixing it up with the ANZA Nippers down at Tanjong Beach on Sunday mornings. The Metasprint Series has also been in full swing, with the Aquathlon held in February, the Duathlon in March and the Triathlon in April. This series, known for its familyfriendly nature, is a fantastic introduction to the sport and a great opportunity to get everyone involved. Also coming up in May, we have the OCBC National Team Time Trial on 5 May and the OCBC Sportive ride on 12 May, which will be a huge focus for the club we have teamed up with Aidha to promote their cause by riding the event as the “Aidha Tour de Singapore”.

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AFL

AFL IN ASIA

The ANZA Singapore Wombats AFL Club have been busy playing in both a masters tournament and a tour to Cambodia! BEN ADAMS reports.

PHUKET MASTERS Some say life begins at 40, others say your football career is long over by 35 and you’re kidding yourself to keep playing. If that’s the case, then 18 blokes were definitely kidding themselves when they flew to Phuket for the second annual Phuket Masters tournament in early March to represent Singapore and ANZA. On a day that soared over 40 degrees from about 8am, these vintage Wombats started off beautifully with a tight win over Cambodia. Wayne Love turned back the clock, booting the deciding goal. This was followed by an equally narrow, controversial loss to the hosts Thailand (who decided to bolster their ranks with two ring-ins from Malaysia). We rounded out the group stage by defeating the Vietnam Swans, before falling short of the final by losing to the Indonesia Volcanoes in the semifinal. Throughout the day there were several standout performances, with club legends such as Tony Boatman and Justin Hotton starring, and Tim “Hymie” Wells unbeatable in the ruck.

Given the age of most playing on the day, things are looking good for the over 47 division at the Bali Masters over the Aussie June long weekend.

CAMBODIA TOUR Did I mention that sometimes footy in Asia is played in hot weather? 43 degrees in Phnom Penh is just another day in paradise for the Wombats.

Aside from a great day of footy, it’s an awesome weekend away with the boys and a great way to bond as a club. Best of all, the Wombats debuted the brand new 2019 playing kit, produced by our partners LRF Sports. We didn’t quite get the choccies, but there were some good signs for the year ahead. “Goal Dave” Beattie was in the middle of everything, Rory Freeborn was electric

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in the ruck, and selfanointed talisman Tim Nash even had a run and a bounce at one point – proving that miracles really do happen.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

WOMEN’S FOOTY You might have heard that the Wombats are officially launching our first ever Women’s Footy team in 2019. Come on down to Turf City on 11 May at 1pm to join in the fun. We’ll have a dedicated skills clinic, run through game simulations and then a practice match. It promises to be a great day of footy in the sun, and the beginning of a long-term commitment to growing our great game in Singapore for generations to come. For more info or to get involved, get in touch via the contact info below.

Did you know? The recent AWFL Grand Final between the Adelaide Crows and Carlton drew a record crowd of 53,034 spectators at Adelaide Oval!

11 MAY Women’s Footy inaugural clinic and training session 1pm-3pm Game vs Malaysia Warriors (Changi Cup)

3pm-5pm

31 MAY

Shanghai Tour (including AFL match between the Saints and Port)

7-10 JUNE

Bali Masters tournament tour

29 JUNE Game vs Jakarta

TRAINING SCHEDULE: 4 MAY

23 MAY

25 MAY

30 MAY

1pm-3pm

7pm-9pm

1pm-3pm

7pm-9pm

(Saturday)

(Thursday)

(Saturday)

(Thursday)

*All sessions held at Centaurs fields, Turf City 200 Turf Club Rd

If you’re interested in coming down for a kick and a run, whether for fitness or friendship, get in touch with us via anza.org.sg/sports/wombats-afl

May 2019

17/4/2019 3:14:16 PM

FINALS DAY

SOCCER

A

fter an incredible season, ANZA Soccer held their Awards Presentation Day on Saturday 13 April at The Cage, Turf City to round off the 2018/19 season. Almost 1000 boys and girls registered this season, with brilliant results in league games, JSSL, SEA Cup, and international invitationals. The day was a celebration of all the amazing efforts throughout the season from players, coaches, and parent volunteers. A huge thank you to everyone who chipped in to make the season so successful. Medals and trophies were presented, kids took on the parents in fun soccer games, a photo booth proved popular for those that like to strike a pose, there was face painting, popcorn, candy floss, and Jamie’s Italian ran a delicious gelato stall.

THANK YOU TO OUR ANZA SOCCER SPONSORS:

• Accor Hotels • CONNECT by Crossbridge • Expat Dental • Asian Tigers • City Osteopathy and Physiotherapy • Jamie’s Italian • World Wide Technology • Allied Pickfords • Crown Equipment Registrations for the 2019/2020 season are open from 6 May for boys and girls aged 3-18. Sign up at anza.org.sg/sports/soccer May 2019 anza

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ANZ A GROU P S

SPORTS GROUPS AFL Adults of all experience levels who are interested in Aussie Rules Football can get involved with the ANZA Singapore Wombats.

Training is on Thursday evenings and Saturdays, with regular social events too.

ATHLETICS A track-and-field programme run by parents for kids 5 to 16, with a focus on fun, fitness and skills.

CRICKET Fields three teams in the Singapore Cricket Association. Training is at Singapore Cricket Club nets from 7pm on Monday evenings.

CYCLING From 30km rides to long distance, rides are held every morning to suit all skill levels, embracing road, MTB, triathlon and Audax disciplines.

GOLF / 9 HOLE

CASUAL COFFEE SOCCER / LIONS ANZA’s men’s soccer team is a group of fun-loving, hard-working, soccer-crazy guys aged from their 30s to 50s. The Lions play mid-week Futsal team on the East Coast, and Saturday Over 35s around the island.

TENNIS / CASUAL Social tennis at the Fairmont Hotel, Friday 9-11am. Afterwards, take time out for coffee and a chat.

TENNIS / EXPERIENCED Mens, ladies and mixed doubles for players with reasonable skills.

Wed 8-10pm, limited to 20 players.

YOGA ANZA Yogis practice a range of yoga styles in the Singapore Botanical Gardens.

INTEREST GROUPS

GOLF / LADIES

Open to boys and girls aged 5-17, Scouting is about meeting new friends, developing leadership skills and being outdoors.

The ANZA Scouts meet Saturdays at AIS from 2-4pm.

NETBALL / KIDS Netball offers coaching and competition for girls aged 6 and upwards. Sessions are held on Saturday mornings from 8.30am at Tanglin Trust School.

NIPPERS Children from 5 to14-years-old can learn beach and ocean awareness through fun activities, and connect with the great outdoors – meeting on Sunday mornings.

RUNNING Looking to find some running buddies in Singapore for regular casual runs? The ANZA Running Group meets Monday evenings at 7.30pm in the Singapore Botanical Gardens.

SOCCER / KIDS Running programmes for children aged 3 to 18-years-old, focusing on participation and family fun.

Matches on Saturday mornings at The Cage Sports Park @ Turf City; training on Thursday evenings.

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CLICK! PHOTOGRAPHY The group meets regularly to share knowledge and advice in a friendly environment as well as going on photowalks across Singapore. All levels of experience are welcome.

ANZA SCOUTS

ANZA ACTION The community affairs arm for ANZA, supporting charities in Singapore through funding and volunteering activities. For info on the charities we support visit the ANZA website.

BOOK CLUBS We have a number of social book clubs that meet monthly in the morning or evening. Contact us to be connected with a group that meets at a time that suits you.

WINE CLUB The ANZA Wine Club aims to entertain and educate your passion for wine, plus fill your cabinets with fine wines from around the world.

It’s informal, fun and a great way to meet other wine drinkers. Join David Harker and Nicolas Olivry for regular tasting evenings.

MAHJONG This friendly group meets every week on Thursdays from 10am–1pm at Boomarang on Robertson Quay.

INVESTORS INTEREST GROUP Meeting monthly to connect and discuss investments and important financial matters for expatriates. Whether just starting out in investing, or a seasoned professional, you can benefit from being part of the group.

STITCHES Interested in needlecraft? All levels are welcome to learn, mentor and sew.

SEA FISHING

KILL-O-METRES

Aimed at beginners, those seeking a handicap and those with a handicap over 25.

The ladies meet every Thursday in Singapore and Malaysia.

Join us for our Casual Coffee mornings, where you get to meet other members and relax in a lovely spacious leafy indoor setting. We meet at Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, first floor of Orchard Central, on the second Wednesday and last Friday of each month, from 10am.

Join ANZA’s walking group each Monday to get together and get moving around some of Singapore’s great parks. Check the website for times and locations.

KNIT FOR LOVE Come along and knit beanies for Singapore Cancer Society chemotherapy patients. New knitters welcome – there will be friendly souls there to help you learn. The group meets on the third Friday of the month in the ANZA office.

A community of fishing enthusiasts who arrange regular boat trips across the Singapore Strait, The Andaman and South China Seas.

SECRET MEN’S BUSINESS Lunch and lager every third Wednesday of the month. Just turn up at The Penny Black, Boat Quay at 12.30pm. The lads also play golf in Singapore each Thursday.

SINGLE PARENTS NETWORKING FORUM Being a single parent is never easy, and can be even more challenging when away from family and close friends. This group aims to provide support, advice, friendship and fun for single parents in Singapore.

LADIES NIGHT A monthly get-together at different, funky locations. Bring your friends or come alone and meet new members. Ladies Night is just for the girls!

WRITERS’ GROUP This group of new writers and published authors meets monthly to read and discuss their work.

BUSY BEES The Busy Bees get together fortnightly at the ANZA office to craft all the fantastic props that are used for ANZA’s major events. Props are sold at the end of the events to raise funds for charity. If you are crafty, or even if you’re not, this is a great fun group to join. For more details, or to register your interest in this group, please email info@ anza.org.sg

WANT TO SIGN UP FOR AN ANZA SPORT OR GROUP?

GO TO

ANZA.ORG.SG disclaimer ANZA offers many and varied activities and events to benefit its members. Occasionally, and due to circumstances outside of ANZA’s control, activities or events (including sporting competitions and seasons) may be cancelled or subject to date, venue or content changes. Every effort is made to avoid this, but where it does happen, neither membership or ticket fees are refundable. Current and prospective members and guests are encouraged to reference both the constitution and terms and conditions of ticketed events.

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M EET THE GROUPS

The ANZA Book Club Meet the ANZA Book Clubs, who meet up for regular literary chats.

Author Rosie

Milne joins AN

ZA Book Club

WHO ARE THEY: A couple of different ANZA Book Clubs meet up around Singapore in the mornings and evenings to chat about all things literary. This month, we take a closer look at the long-running Tuesday morning group.

WHERE DO THEY MEET? “We meet on the third Tuesday of the month at 10am,” says clubber Tanya Burrows. “We tend to gather at each other’s homes. The host provides morning tea, scones, cakes and biscuits.”

WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT? “It’s a lovely group and everyone’s shared love is reading. You only need to read one book a month, but we often discuss other books we’re reading as well. We choose our books over a year ahead, so people can plan their reading. We tend to read recently published books but add a few oldies as well.”

WHAT DOES A TYPICAL MEETING ENTAIL? “We sit around and chat and then one of us provides the author’s bio. Then each of us talks about the book we’ve just read and gives it a mark out of 10,” says Tanya. “The convenor takes notes and sends out a review afterwards. It’s always interesting when we have different points of view about the book in question!”

GUEST AUTHORS: “We combined with another ANZA book group for an author visit with Rosie Milne. She wrote Olivia and Sophia (a novel based on the lives of Sir Stanford Raffles wives)

and recent book Circumstance. She had interesting insights into writing and researching a book. We all enjoyed it thoroughly.”

BEST THING ABOUT THE GROUP? “It’s a very relaxed, welcoming book group, with a reliable structure. We try to vary the books and that means we all read books we wouldn’t necessarily pick up ourselves. My favourites are the local Singapore novels, but we also read thrillers, classics and nonfiction. It’s a fantastic mix.”

HOW DO I JOIN? You need to be a ANZA currently current ANZA member, then head to has book the ANZA website and click on groups, clubs running book club. “We are always open to new members,” says Tanya. “There are day on Tuesday or evening choices available. We have mornings only ladies in our group, but blokes are and Monday very welcome too.” evenings. Find HOT TIP: “It’s a really good idea to join out more about the Singapore Library Service (nlb.gov.

Book Clubs at sg) - there are many branches, and tons anza.org.sg/ of print books and ebooks available,” groups/booksuggests Tanya. “Kinokuniya is also a club great book shop if you like to own the books you read.”

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FEATURED

ANZA MEMBER BENEFITS MAY Here’s a selection of our best offers available this month – exclusively for ANZA members.

FEATURED D I SCOU NT

30% OFF BEST AVAILABLE RATES ON ACCOMMODATION.

Melia Purosani, Yogyakarta melia.com Enjoy 30% off best available rates on accommodation by making reservations through reservation@meliajogja.com or direct call to 0274 589521/23 or WhatsApp +628180413199.

F E ATU R E D BEN EFI T S JEEVES

MISOBASE

HARD ROCK CAFÉ

jeevessingapore.com First time patronage entitled to 25% discount (min spend of $100). Subsequent patronage entitled to 10% discount (no min spend) for 12 months. Complimentary delivery and pickup services (with min spend of $40).

misobase.sg 25% off all experiences until 31 July 2019.

To redeem, enter ANZA25 at check out.

hardrock.com/cafes/singapore 15% discount to all members for food, beverage and merchandise when an ANZA membership card is produced.

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ANZA MEMBER BENEFITS MAY Present your ANZA membership card – or use the discount code online – to receive an array of discounted products & services.

To view the full list of ANZA member benefits and T&Cs, visit anza.org.sg

S E L E C TED BEN EFI T S THE SANCHAYA, BINTAN thesanchaya.com ANZA Members enjoy 10% on website prices, plus 15% off spa treatments (subject to availability) and an evening cocktail once during stay. Guests can choose from any of our Table Side Made Cocktails.

TUXEDO CAFÉ carltoncity.sg/dining/tuxedo ANZA members enjoy 10% off (Friday – Sunday) and 15% off (Monday – Thursday) on regular pricing.

THE STRAND HOTEL & CRUISE hotelthestrand.com ANZA members receive 10% off direct website bookings. Valid on either the hotel or the cruise. Quote “ANZA10” to redeem the discount.

OAKWOOD HOTEL & APARTMENTS, SHIN-OSAKA oakwoodasia.com 10% off website accommodation prices with the understanding that bookings are made directly with the hotel. Email

reservations.apartments-shinosaka@ oakwood.com and mention you are an ANZA member.

ROSEWOOD HOTELS - PHUKET AND LUANG PRABANG rosewoodhotels.com 10% off direct website bookings with minimum two night stay.

BAROSSA barossa.com.sg ANZA members receive 15% off the total bill.

MAISON AURELIA SANUR, BALI preferencehotels.com/Maison-Aurelia 10% off website accommodation prices with the understanding that bookings are made directly with the hotel.

PAN PACIFIC SINGAPORE panpacific.com/anza 10% off website accommodation prices with the understanding that bookings are made directly with the hotel.

PURI DAJUMA – BEACH ECO RESORT & SPA, WEST BALI dajuma.com 10% off direct website bookings based on a minimum two night stay with the understanding that bookings are made directly with the hotel.

SCC SPORT CAMPS

OAKWOOD HOTEL & APARTMENT, BRISBANE oakwood.com 15% off best available rates bookable via oakwood.com using promo code “PROANZA”. Based on a minimum stay of two consecutive nights.

BREAD & HEARTH breadhearth.com Members enjoy 10% off (peak) and 15% (off peak) at both outlets by providing the staff with an active ANZA membership card.

sportscamps.sg ANZA members receive 10% off all sports camps.

Interested in offering a discount to ANZA members? Email marketing@anza.org.sg

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N EW M E M B E R S A N D A N Z A C L AS SIF IED S

NEW MEMBERS

WE ARE DELIGHTED TO WELCOME NEW MEMBERS EVERY MONTH TO THE ANZA COMMUNITY.

Aaron Agius

Philip George

Gaurav Nikam

Andreas Schmitt

Julien Alaniou

Neha Anant Goek

Gordon Nugent

Andrew Seck

Amanda Aruldoss

Anant Goel

Miles Oberton

Katherine Seck

Kenneth Aruldoss

Neil Gunn

Karuppan Palaniappan

Debbie Speers

Antony Auliso

Julianne Hay

Vidhya Palaniappan

Gene Speers

Jason Barnes

Cathrine Hemming

Katherine Peatey

Adam Stephens

Linda Barnes

Anthony Hogg

Alex Peebles

Tania Stephens

John Barrett

Ian Hughes

Deborah Peebles

Kevin Stroman

Louise Barrett

Melinda Jacoby-Hogg

Linda Preece

Michelle Stroman

Rob Behennah

Jennifer Jones

Mary Jean Price

Susanne Stroo

Dheer Bhatnagar

Kathleen King

William Price

Kazuaki Takabatake

Christopher Brown

Gladys kwok

Annette Qi

George Teague

Peter Bruce

Yee Kwok

Amber Riley

Rhian Ward

Alex Campbell

Scott Lam

Brett Riley

Donna Watts

Gian Clancey-Agius

Matthias Lechevoir

Gregoire Rochon

Glenn Watts

Chris Colman

Vivian Lin

Jennifer Ross

Carly Wishart

Sarah Crane

Ivan Lu

Charles Rudolph

Mykolaj Znetyniak

Alex de Lisle

Michael Lyons

Angela Ryan

Samantha Znetyniak

Hannah de Lisle

Iain Mackenzie

Mark Ryan

Arnaud de Parseval

Rhonda Mackenzie

Petronille de Parseval

Elisa Mallinder

Debra de Reeper

Andrew Mankiewicz

Michael de Reeper

Sue Marsh

Gernot Dobida

Jeremy Martin

Tsvetelina Dobida

Julianne Martin

Anne-Claire Duchaussoy

Hugh McKee

Emily Eley

Megan McNeill

Fergus Eley

Roger McNeill

Melanie Fantin

Benita Meagher

Michael Fantin

Harm-Jan Meijer

Rachel Fergus

Leon Miri

Gavin Franicevic

Melissa Moi

Natasha Fuchs

Natacha Muller

Ron Fuchs

Paul Nelsen

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ANZA MONTHLY GIVEAWAY

Congratulations to Gernot Dobida Winner of this month’s $50 voucher from The Butcher.

NEW MEMBERS PREMIER PARTNERS

May 2019

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CLASSIFIEDS OFFER YOUR SERVICES HERE STRUGGLING WITH MATHEMATICS? Tutor with over 30 years relevant experience available for 1 on 1 or small group coaching for all your mathematics needs at all levels to Grade/Year 12. Proven track record with students from various international schools in Singapore since 2006. For further enquiries, contact Andrew on HP 92994822 or email mathsolution4me@gmail.com

ACCOUNTING HELP FOR SMB’SSINGAPORE SMBER’S. Are you in need of help with your Singapore accounting software, GST, income tax, accounts preparation, annual returns, financial procedures & projects or business advice? Specialising in Xero, QuickBooks, Reckon & MYOB Software, and accounting/govt. requirements for small/medium business and personal needs. I can also help with financial issues back in OZ from being in Singapore.

Call Don on 9850 5521 or email smallbusfinsol.don@gmail.com

in ladies-only expat hair care, my Orchard-based service offers shaping and styling services, colour work, foils, block colour, tinting, highlights or lowlights.

To make an appointment text +65 94365565 or email: lindacrosswell@yahoo.com.sg

ASIAN COOKING WITH CLASSES WITH VIDA vidadavid@singnet.com.sg www.vidasinvitation.weebly.com Spice up and learn the true harmony of Asian flavours! The menu features Thai, Indian, Malaysian and Thai cuisine with recipes and lunch. With over 29 years’ experience teaching cooking, we use quality ingredients for each dish and share cooking techniques that will give the best results at home. Classes are done on my premises. Day, evening and Saturday classes are available. Helpers are welcome to join classes and wet market tours (see below).

Culinary Wet Market Tours and Indian Spice Shops. For newcomers and anybody else, these tours are full of information

HAIR BY LINDA

about all the produce you see in the markets including seafood,

lindacrosswell.com New Zealand stylist with 35 years’ experience in the industry using L’Oréal, Schwarzkopf, Wella and Olaplex products. I specialise

vegetables, fruit, herbs and spices. Visit Indian grocery shops and learn to buy quality spices there and lots of tips. Call 6468 2764 or email the above for the monthly programme.

To advertise with ANZA, please contact marketing@anza.org.sg

Advertise with us!

Only $60

per classified ad

PRE-PAID BLOCK BOOKING Discount 6–10 ISSUES

10% OFF 11 ISSUES

20% OFF ANZA New Members Classies May19.indd 71

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10 MI NUTES W ITH

10 MINUTES WITH...

RAMYA RUGUPATHI RAMYA RUGUPATHI is the founder of local health and wellness food company, Oh My Goodness! Her cakes, cookies and breads are gluten free, dairy-free and refined sugar-free. She chats to ANZA about setting up this delicious and nutritious small business.

Where is home?

I was born and bred in Singapore but I’ve lived in several places around the world, from Canada to Albania.

Why did you come up with the idea for Oh My Goodness!?

I have chronic sinusitis and rhinitis and I set up Oh My Goodness! to serve other people with allergies, intolerances and sensitivities, who have been suffering in silence with all the really bad food out there. Gluten-free, dairy-free food is always either completely covered in sugar, or it’s hard, tasteless and flavourless. It doesn’t have to be that way. I want to make sure that people with food sensitivities have access to delicious food. Ultimately, the mission of Oh My Goodness! is to make good gluten and dairy-free food available, accessible and affordable.

How did you start baking?

I’ve baked since I was 16, but in 2013 I found out that I couldn’t eat wheat or dairy. I was living in London as a student and I started playing around with new recipes and I came up with a glutenfree, dairy-free and sugar-free chocolate cake. I brought the cake to a party on a visit back home to Singapore - everyone just loved it and told me I should just sell it here as they couldn’t believe the taste. I came back to Singapore in April 2016 and decided to see what I could do

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with the idea. It’s gone from passion project, to e-commerce business, to now food company, in less than two and a half years. It’s been an exciting journey.

The biggest challenge of starting a small business?

Starting it is the easy bit, sustaining it is much harder. It’s no secret that with start-ups, cash flow is really the thing that keeps you up at night. Am I going to have enough money to pay people?

Am I going to have enough money to pay the rent for the facilities where we produce the products? We are now at the stage where we are becoming an SME and expanding our business, so that’s the next challenge.

What’s the social enterprise arm?

The big way in which we are a socially responsible business is through inclusive hiring. We hire ex-offenders and people with intellectual disabilities. We’ve been doing that for the last two years.

We have a fantastic team - really wonderful, loving, compassionate people, who create the kind of work environment where everyone is tolerant, no one cares about anyone’s background or disabilities - we care about everyone’s abilities and attitudes and spirits, today.

What’s next for the business?

Singapore is a great market, but we set up to feed the region. We are looking at Dubai, India, Thailand, Hong Kong and Jarkata. We are expanding the bread selection, and we’ve got three new products coming up this year.

Favourite yummy, healthy treat?

Our signature dark chocolate cake.

Having said that, the soon-to-belaunched vegan walnut carrot cake is my new favourite, too.

For more information or to order Oh My Goodness! products head to ohmygoodness.co

May 2019

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