OUR SCHOOL WEEK IS AS INDIVIDUAL AS YOUR CHILD AND WORKS AROUND YOU
Imagine a school day which is tailored to your needs, which allows you to organise your week in a way that suits both the needs of you and your child — the AIS Early Years program does just that.
The Early Years program at AIS includes weekly: Mandarin, SmartSteps, Music, Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics
’ m writing this from day nine of a 14day hotel quarantine stay at the Sofitel Wentworth in Sydney. My beloved sister passed away unexpectedly in late March and I immediately started searching for flights online. Luckily a friend told me to step away from Skyscanner and directed me to Singapore Airlines Head Office.
There, the understanding staff put me on a compassionate flight, leaving in 19 hours. They pointed me to Raffles Hospital, where I did an express PRC test – a negative result was back in four hours. I filled out a travel declaration with the Australian Government, threw my life in a suitcase and headed to Changi. Travelling during a pandemic is like being in a science fiction movie. The airport was eerily empty and my flight had about 35 passengers, with rows and rows of empty seats.
Upon arrival in Australia, our flight was met by military, police and medical teams and we were bussed to various hotels and serviced apartments. Everyone involved was upbeat, kind and professional. Our bus driver even managed to make us laugh, referring to our accommodation as a ‘fivestar prison cell’.
Although not everyone has the same quarantine experience, mine has been very positive. Grief-stricken and in shock, I was immediately scaffolded and supported by a team of mental health nurses and psychologists. Their friendly and compassionate daily calls held me together through heartbreak and tears. Care packages started arriving as soon as I put my bags down, some from my extended ANZA family – delicious food, yoga mat, wine, flowers, a pampering kit.
If you’re contemplating a quarantine, here are my top tips:
Pack an HDMI cord – you’ll need it to plug your laptop into the TV to watch Netflix and other streamers
Take tea towels for washing up and your own metal cutlery. Ask for china plates/bowls.
Don’t do 14 days of Nescafé instant. Take a coffee plunger and grounds, or make a daily delivery order with a local café when you arrive.
Hire a spin bike or other exercise equipment and schedule workouts. Being active passes the time and helps lift your mood.
Order in – from UberEats to Kmart and Woollies deliveries, most packages will find your hotel room door.
Join ‘Mandatory 14-day Hotel Quarantine Chat Group’ on Facebook – full of useful advice and solidarity.
Pip Harry, Editor editor@anza.org.sg
AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND ASSOCIATION
261A Beach Road, Singapore 199541
Hours: Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm +65 6291 6301
www.anza.org.sg
facebook .com/anzasingapore @anzasg @anzasingapore linkedin.com/groups/ANZA-Singapore
GENERAL MANAGER & SPONSORSHIP
Kerry Low gm@anza.org.sg
WEBSITE
Geoff King web@anza.org.sg
MEMBERSHIP SERVICES
Mandy Reinders-Hall info@anza.org.sg
DESIGN
Christina Lim design@anza.org.sg
ADVERTISING
Deborah Gillies marketing@anza.org.sg
ACCOUNTS
Ellie Mills accounts@anza.org.sg
COMMUNICATIONS
Trudy Nearhos comms@anza.org.sg
MAY/JUNE 2021
28 MEET THE EC
Find out more about the ANZA Executive Committee and what their goals are for the association in 2021.
36 WOODLANDS WONDER
ANZA joins Colonel Grant Motley and his wife Jenny for a relaxed tour of their historic black and white home, Woodlands House, in Sembawang.
40 ROUND ISLAND WALK
Congratulations to the intrepid ANZA Kill-oMetre walkers who completed the Singapore Round Island Route Challenge (RIR Challenge), designed by SGTrek. Melanie Row reports on a walk to remember.
42 KIWI WAKA AMA
Kerry Low joins a New Zealand outrigger paddling group and discovers her whanau in Singapore.
46 CRUISE TO NOWHERE
Trudy Nearhos offers her tips for casting off on the holiday du jour in Singapore, The Cruise to Nowhere.
62 ANZA YOUNG WRITERS’ COMPETITION WINNERS!
The inaugural ANZA Young Writers’ Competition was a huge success – attracting entries from across Singapore. Read the winning entries.
Our students know.
At CIS, Open Minds sees students in grades 1-6 learning in a variety of real-world locations. Spending up to a week at locations like Chinatown, Sungei Buloh, or the Asian Civilisations museum, students investigate concepts from class in a relevant context. First-hand experience with artefacts, field experts or opportunities to go “behind-the-scenes” results in powerful hands-on, minds-on learning.
Book an on-campus tour to learn more about Open Minds and experiential learning at CIS. www.cis.edu.sg/openminds.
This month is our Kids and Family issue! We have lots of great stuff in this edition to entertain landlocked kids and discover more of our home away from home. As we continue to set records for our longest stretch in Singapore, our young family have become sleuths at tracking down new and exciting kids’ activities. With umpteen trips on the Sentosa cable car using our bargain annual season pass, the animal parks (including the unforgettable experience of feeding the towering giraffes), Forest Adventures (which pushed our cautious five-year-old to new limits), and a myriad of playground expeditions to new corners of Singapore; it’s always great to hear of exciting new activities to explore. Speaking of families, Mother’s Day is on 9 May and all the mums out there deserve an extra special day. This year, more than ever!
Several of our sporting groups have closed out their seasons, including Netball and Soccer, which have been a phenomenal success. Congratulations and thank you again to all our awesome volunteers who navigated the additional COVID-19 requirements to deliver such outstanding programs. My first season of ANZA Soccer with my daughters has been an amazing experience. My eldest had sworn off soccer (and pretty much anything else that caused her to sweat), but she now treasures Saturday mornings. As her team’s coach, I also enjoy those priceless daddy-daughter bonding moments. For those considering getting involved in volunteer roles, and given the ongoing travel restrictions, there’s no better time!
We recently hosted the 2021 ANZA AGM, where we were excited to hear our passionate sub group leaders speaking about their last 12 months, and insights from our ANZA Co-Patrons New Zealand High Commissioner Jo Tyndall and Australian High Commissioner Will Hodgman. We also voted in our 2021 Executive Committee. Welcome aboard to our two new Executive Committee members, Alistair Green and John Neilson and thanks to our outgoing committee members Sommer Dunham and Marnie Watson. Happy reading and discovering!
Specialised expert advice is critical in resolving family and relationship law issues - particularly where they extend beyond Australia’s borders.
Lander & Rogers has the largest family and relationship law practice in Australia, assisting Aussie expats and those with a connection to Australia in all aspects of family law involving married and de facto couples.
We have significant experience working with partner firms in Singapore, Hong Kong and Southeast Asia in cases involving multiple jurisdictions.
For assistance navigating an international or cross-cultural family or relationship law matter, speak with one of our experienced family lawyers.
Melbourne +61 3 9269 9000
Sydney +61 2 8020 7700
Brisbane +61 7 3456 5000
Singapore celebrates Mother’s Day on Sunday, 9 May. A big thank you to the amazing and dedicated ANZA mums who volunteer for our association in so many ways. From driving and coaching our sports groups, to charity work for ANZA Action, running our interest groups, working in the office, and on our Executive Committee, we are so grateful for your ideas, time and energy.
How long has AAM Advisory been an ANZA partner?
AAM Advisory are Platinum Partners of ANZA and we are proud to say this partnership has been going for near on 10 years! We are also Premier Partners for the New Member’s events.
What have been the highlights of joining the ANZA community?
ANZA is such a diverse and inclusive association; the office team and all the volunteers work hard to make everyone feel part of a community. If you’re an expat living away from friends and family that’s very important. ANZA have created so many ways for members to make connections, whether through sports, numerous groups such as Casual Coffee and Mahjong, and through New Member’s information mornings.
What does AAM Advisory do for expats in Singapore?
May treats us with not one but three Public Holidays, starting with Labour Day on 1 May, Hari Raya Puasa on 13 May, and Vesak Day on 26 May. Enjoy your time out everyone!
– Raelene Tan
We are a wealth management and financial advisory firm offering a holistic approach to managing wealth and finances. We help members in areas such as their insurance needs, taxes, retirement planning, and tax efficient savings to make the most of your time as an expat. Guardianship for your children, wills and estate planning are also important areas we can help with. What’s your one finance tip for Singapore expats? Save! Take advantage of the low tax environment and be disciplined with saving as part of your monthly budgeting.
STEIN Senior Wealth Manager AAM Advisory
Where’s your favourite place to hang out in Singapore?
I personally love the Botanic Gardens and Bukit Timah nature reserve. Great places to find some calm amongst the hustle and bustle of life.
GOT SOMETHING TO SAY?
Email us at info@anza.org.sg or comment on our Facebook page facebook.com/anzasingapore
THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING ANZA PARTNERS, VALUED GREATLY FOR THEIR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF THE ASSOCIATION.
GOLD PARTNERS
@anzasingapore
www.anza.
org.sg
@anzasg
facebook.com/ anzasingapore
linkedin.com/ groups/ANZASingapore
Australian High Commission Singapore
25 Napier Road Singapore, 258507
Tel 6836 4100 Fax 6737 5481
Meet Australian Deputy High Commissioner ANGELA ROBINSON , who recently arrived in Singapore to take up her posting.
Hot on the heels of the new Australian High Commissioner to Singapore, The Hon Will Hodgman, our new Deputy High Commissioner – Angela Robinson – took up her post in March 2021. We grilled Angela shortly after she arrived to hear about her role, first impressions of Singapore and previous work in Dili, Baghdad and at a greyhound racing track in Cannington, Western Australia!
What is the role of a Deputy High Commissioner?
The best part of my job is that there’s no template. As Deputy Head of Mission in Iraq, I was flying to meetings in Black Hawks. In Timor-Leste, I was opening sanitation plants. Here in Singapore, I’m driving collaboration on cutting edge digital economy projects. The role also adapts to the strengths the Head of Mission and Deputy Head of Mission bring to the table. It’s great working with High Commissioner Hodgman and the political skills he brings. Think of him as the Chairman and me as the CEO of the High Commission!
You have been in Singapore for a few weeks now. What are your first impressions?
I’ve always known how diverse Singapore is, but it’s amazing to see this in-person; on the streets, in the food culture, and in workplaces. Australians pride ourselves on our multiculturalism. Singapore also embraces this wonderful strength as part of its national identity. In terms of what has impressed me day-to-day, I love how kid-friendly Singapore is. I have a four-month-old son and an eight-yearold daughter. Everywhere we go, my kids are greeted with smiles.
How has the COVID-19 pandemic changed your role and how are you adapting?
STAY CONNECTED
Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/ AustraliaInSingapore
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/ company/ahc-sg
Twitter: @AusHCSG
COVID-19 turned diplomacy on its head. No country can tackle this crisis alone and strong foreign relationships have never been more important. But diplomacy has traditionally been driven by human interaction behind closed doors. We had to quickly invent a new form of digital diplomacy. For me, this crisis is an opportunity to break down the (high) walls of our diplomatic buildings and innovate how diplomats work and communicate.
Lucky for us in Singapore, the Government has handled the health crisis amazingly well. I arrived after you all did the hard yards on lockdown last year. For now, I’m enjoying being able to meet people face-to-face (or mask-to-mask). But it’s clear that diplomacy will never be the same again.
We all want to help families and friends reunite and a bubble will be an important step for economic recovery.
much more I need to try. On my list is chicken rice, hokkien mee, bak chor mee (as long as it’s not too spicy), chilli crab, char kway teow and ice kachang. I’m also game to try the King of Fruits, come durian season and I’m enjoying the fresh Australian produce on supermarket shelves here. Singapore is truly a food paradise.
Australians living in Singapore are naturally excited about the prospect of a travel bubble. What information can you provide?
Ministers have said that opening a travel bubble between our countries is a priority, when safe to do so. Australia is taking a measured approach to re-opening our borders and COVID-19 brings new challenges every month so it’s hard to predict exactly when a travel bubble will get off the ground. Here at the Australian High Commission, we will be working hard to make it happen. We all want to help families and friends reunite and a bubble will be an important step for economic recovery.
You previously served as Deputy Head of Mission in Dili and Baghdad. What experiences from these postings will you will bring to your current role? My time in Baghdad certainly put things in perspective and made me a more relaxed person as a result - if we’re not in life threatening danger, there’s always time for a cup of tea. My time in Dili came with stark lessons on the things that are really important to a society, including nutrition, education, health and safety in the family home. I also previously served at the UN in Geneva, which taught me the (often unheralded) power of collaboration. My work in Singapore will be very different, but Dili and Baghdad were formative experiences which showed me what diplomacy can achieve.
What local foods have you tried and what are you looking forward to trying?
I’ve already had some outstanding Singaporean food experiences, from the laksa and satay at a food centre close to my home to finedining at Candlenut on Dempsey Hill, but there is obviously
I called Bingo at a greyhound racing track in Cannington, Perth when I was about 14 years old. It was possibly a reflection of my skill with numbers that I was promoted to cashier by age 15 to count the day’s takings at the track. The fact they allowed a high school student to count tens of thousands of dollars alone in a locked room each evening still makes me laugh.
We’re spoilt for choice in Singapore with the range of Australian products, produce and experiences. Like most of the expat community here, my “care package” would be my family and friends, so I can show them around this fascinating place.
The New Zealand High Commission celebrates IWD, participates in COP 26 Youth Climate Dialogue and invites a talented young artist for afternoon tea.
They say that children are the future and the team at the High Commission has been fortunate enough to meet some talented youth over the years. Earlier this year, High Commissioner Tyndall hosted a special afternoon tea for 10-year-old Ava Soh – winner of the New Zealand Chamber of Commerce Singapore’s Waitangi Day tote bag design competition.
Over tea and cakes, Ava shared her love of painting and the inspiration behind her design with HC Tyndall. Ava’s passion for and dedication to art was truly inspiring, and she clearly benefits from her family’s unstinting support. Congratulations Ava and keep up the exceptional work!
New Zealand High Commission Singapore One George Street, Level 21-04 Singapore 049145
Tel 6235 9966 Fax 6536 8180 nzhc.sin@mfat.govt.nz
Among the many things we have missed this past year are the well-patronised events hosted by our colleagues from the New Zealand Chamber of Commerce, so we were incredibly happy to be part of the Chamber’s first live business event.
The panel discussion marking International Women’s Day was hosted in partnership with the MAIA Network.
Climate Change Negotiator
Collaboration and engagement were at the heart of the Conference of the Parties (COP) 26 Youth Climate Dialogue, hosted by the British High Commission in March.
The dialogue saw High Commissioner Tyndall joining speakers including the Minister of Sustainability and Environment, Grace Fu, and Singapore’s Chief Climate Change Negotiator, Joseph Teo. Having given government perspectives, they in return heard from passionate Singaporean youth on why urgent and ambitious action on climate change is important to them.
Drawing on her previous experience as CoChair of the Paris Agreement Work Programme, High Commissioner Tyndall provided insights into the complex and arcane workings of the multilateral COP and explained why youth engagement is such a powerful force driving positive climate transformation on the ground. A very big thank you to our talented colleagues at the British High Commission for organising such a wonderful event!
STAY CONNECTED
Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/ NewZealandinSingapore
Register when travelling: safetravel.govt.nz
Find out more: mfat.govt.nz/singapore
Each panellist shared their own stories, and personal commitment to push for gender equality. President of the New Zealand Chamber of Commerce, Nick Lee, gave us one of the most compelling quotes of the evening – “we haven’t come this far, to only come this far” – reminding us all that the gender agenda still has a long road to travel.
ANZA’s newest recruits gathered to chat and discover tips for settling into life in Singapore. It was our first in-person event since March, 2020!
Cubs and Joeys had a great outing to Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, despite the rain. They encountered snakes, butterflies, caterpillars, squirrels and lizards!
In March, we held our Ladies’ Night tables of eight meet-ups at SO/ Sofitel Singapore, with a delicious set menu and drink deals just for ANZA. It’s a fantastic way to widen your social circle and have a laugh.
The new ANZA Mahjong Monday evening sessions are proving to be a huge hit. The group also gathers on various weekdays to play this fast paced, social and fun game
Our new Set-Lunch Group is going strong – discover restaurants and cafes, make friends, or catch up with ANZA mates over an affordable set lunch.
ANZA Cycling have been enjoying plenty of Max8 rides around the island, plus social catch ups and post ride coffees and meals. Keen to join the cycling crew? The Newcomers’ Ride is held on the first Saturday of each month. For more details and to register please contact cyclingmembership@anza.org.sg
Our bean buddies love catching up at different coffee hotspots around the island.
The ANZA Ladies 9-Hole Golfers are delighted to be back on the greens at Mandai Executive Golf Course. They’ve welcomed lots of newcomers to the group in recent weeks.
Love walking? Our Kill-O-Metres group explores trails all over Singapore, with day and night walks on various days of the week.
Sea of Tiki
S.E.A AQUARIUM AT RESORTS WORLD SENTOSA rwsentosa.com/en/attractions/sea-aquarium
Don’t miss the final weeks of S.E.A. Aquarium’s island paradise theme, The Sea of Tiki. Kids will adore viewing and uncovering fun facts about tropical fishes, going on a tiki trail featuring a majestic volcano and snapping some photos with the aquarium’s much-loved manta ray mascots – Mika, Mako and Manja. The long-awaited dive feed makes its comeback; watch the incredible feeding of over 40,000 marine inhabitants at the Open Ocean Habitat.
Paw-verbs on the Lawn MALAY HERITAGE CENTRE 85 Sultan Gate, 198501 malayheritage.gov.sg/en
Malay Heritage Centre (MHC) has teamed up with popular Japanese artist Juno for the sweetest art installation on the island: Paw-verbs on the Lawn. 30 of Juno’s adorable cat illustrations are displayed on the expansive green lawn of MHC, interspersed with 10 common Malay proverbs that spotlight how cats convey different aspects of human behaviour. Snap a few photos for the ‘gram, enjoy other galleries and exhibits at the centre or grab a bite around trendy Kampong Glam.
Picturing the Pandemic: A Visual Record of COVID-19 in Singapore NATIONAL MUSEUM OF SINGAPORE 93 Stamford Road, 178897 nhb.gov.sg/nationalmuseum
With the onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic, the National Museum commissioned five local photographers – Bob Lee, Brian Teo, Edwin Koo, How Hwee Young and Zakaria Zainal − and two filmmakers – Adar Ng and Dave Lim – to visually document how Covid was experienced in Singapore. The photographs and short film, along with a selection of objects, are showcased in this fascinating exhibition, presenting a resonant portrait of a nation responding to and coping with an unprecedented local and global health crisis.
ANZA organises monthly girls-only get togethers in tables of 8, on various dates, at different hotspots around Singapore. It’s a fantastic way to widen your social circle, meet newcomers to Singapore and have a laugh. We try to find buzzy new venues and great deals on drinks and food. It’s always a fun night out!
For more information and to register visit anza.org.sg/groups/ladies-night/
We have launched mini Casual Coffee catch ups so you can gather in smaller groups of eight for a cuppa and a chat. These are held on various days and at locations around the island. Whether you are new to Singapore, new to ANZA or a long term expat, Casual Coffee mornings are a fantastic way to meet new people, pick up advice and tips for living your best expat life in Singapore and find out more about what ANZA offers its members.
anza.org.sg/groups/ casual-coffee
Acrylic Pour is the coolest new art form in town! Enjoy personalised guidance from our instructor in a cosy studio setting. Understand the nature of acrylic paint, the origins of Acrylic Pour art, and the materials and tools involved. Discover the golden ratio of paint to pouring for the perfect consistency. Practise three essential pour techniques that can be combined and adapted to create different variations. No prior art experience required. Suitable for ages 12 and above.
DATE: Tuesday 11 May
TIME: 10am – 12pm
MEET: 9.45am, Room to Imagine, 395
Jalan Besar #04-01, 209006
COST: Members $85, non-members
$95
DATE: Saturday 22 May
TIME : 8am – 11am
MEET: 7.50am, Telok Ayer
MRT station, Exit A
COST: Members $20, nonmembers $25
Join us on a 15km charity walk from Singapore’s downtown area to Labrador Park. Pass the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, Rickshaw station, and the old headquarters of the Tiger Balm empire. View Baba House, once the ancestral home of a 19th century shipping tycoon Wee Bin. Continue past VivoCity along the HarbourFront with a stop at Keppel Island for coffee at your own cost. Follow the beautiful coast into Labrador Park to discover fascinating historical war sites, ending at Alexander Arch.
Balestier Road is well known to locals for its culinary attractions and as the ‘go to’ place for light fittings and home decorations. Learn about its rich history, with links to the USA, Myanmar and personalities like Chinese revolutionist leader, Dr Sun Yat Sen. View beautiful shophouses and discover traditional bakeries and other interesting landmarks. Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring your EZ-Link card.
DATE: Tuesday 1 June
TIME: 9.30am – 12pm
MEET: 9.20am, 218
Balestier Road, in front of Value Hotel; next to HDB Block 104
COST: Member $50, non-member $60
Join us for dim sum at a traditional Chinese restaurant that’s been operating for over 50 years and still uses traditional pushcarts. Afterwards, learn about the art of drinking tea, believed to aid digestion. Visit a 100-year-old heritage tea house, one of the few tea merchants in Singapore who still blend their own tea leaves using the traditional method. Leave with a beautiful tea set that comes with five packets of tea.
DATE: Thursday 10 June
TIME: 9.30am – 12pm
MEET: 9.20am, Exit C of Chinatown MRT (above ground), in front of OG People’s Park
COST: Member $65, non-member $75
DATE: Wednesday 16 June
TIME: 9.30am – 11am
MEET: 9.20am, Outram Road MRT exit H (above ground), next to Dorsett Residences.
COST: Members $45, non-members $55
What does Keong Saik Road mean to Charmaine Leung, the author of 17A Keong Saik Road? A red-light district in the 1970s, Keong Saik Road was home to Charmaine, who was the daughter of a brothel operator. She recounts the stories of the marginalised, forgotten women of the past and their struggles to make a better life for themselves and their loved ones. Hear stories of the people and places that played a part in shaping Charmaine and her mother’s lives. All participants will take home a signed copy of Charmaine’s acclaimed memoir.
STPI is a unique not-for-profit creative workshop and gallery that offers an insight into printing and paper art. On this tour, we invite families to discover the centre and try different printing methods. While the children are busy creating, parents can take a private tour of the amazing facilities, including innovative printing presses, gallery spaces and exhibitions.
DATE: Saturday 26 June
TIME: 11am – 12.30pm
MEET: 10.50am, entrance of STPI, 1 Robertson Quay, 238236
COST: Members only – Children $45, accompanying adult free
Looking to kickstart your golf game and meet friendly female players? Join this relaxed group at a beautiful green course on Tuesday mornings. Other activities include group lessons and social events. Suitable for beginners and those seeking a handicap.
VENUE:
Mandai Executive Golf Course
Upper Seletar Reservoir, Mandai Rd Track 7, 779384 anza.org.sg/sports/golf-9-hole-ladies
The ANZA Casual Tennis group get together each Friday from 9am to 11am to have a fun hit. Complete beginners and players of all abilities are welcome. Join us for a coffee and chat afterwards.
BEGINNERS’ CLINIC: Meets Wednesdays
COST: Four-week program, $100
TAMMAR STEIN looks at where you can volunteer with your kids in Singapore.
Aside from the personal satisfaction of helping others, volunteering helps foster gratitude, humility, and social connections. If you’d like your kids to get an early start on experiencing these firsthand, volunteering as a family is a great way to go. Luckily, there are multiple options for families to volunteer together in Singapore.
Willing Hearts is a soup kitchen located in the Chai Chee Community Hub. It makes and distributes 9500 meals, 365 days a year, providing cooked, nutritious meals to Singapore’s most vulnerable population. It’s a juggernaut of an operation, especially given that it’s run almost wholly by volunteers. Willing Hearts welcomes anyone who comes with a “how can I help?” attitude. Families are encouraged to volunteer together, with children as young as five finding suitable tasks, such as sticking labels on lunchboxes. Volunteers need to sign up for a shift online. Shifts come in four hour blocks and may include chopping ingredients, packing lunch boxes, cleaning up, or delivering meals. willinghearts.org.sg
The ANZA Action supported Salvation Army has a mission to serve the underprivileged in our community without discrimination. This includes material support for families in need, care and protection of children, elderly needing health care, as well as a spiritual ministry. Volunteers are needed for weekly food deliveries, after school tutoring, activities and workshops, and running donation drives. Older children can volunteer – but please check ahead with staff.
salvationarmy.org
At our Annual General meeting on 22 March, we voted in a new ANZA Executive Committee, a diverse group of Australian and New Zealand expats who oversee the strategic direction of the association.
Current employment: Private Banker
Years in Singapore? 13
Years on the EC? 11
Why did you want to join the ANZA Exec? I still remember landing in Singapore many years ago without really knowing anyone. Luckily, I found ANZA with their warm welcome in our new home. That evolved into an opportunity to do my part in the ANZA community, which has been an amazing experience alongside our awesome and passionate volunteers!
What skills or experience do you bring to the committee? 11 years across various roles on the Executive Committee, the majority as Vice President and now President. This has given me an intimate
Current role: Relocation Consultant and Realtor
Years in Singapore? 17
Years on the EC? 6
Why did you want to join the ANZA Exec? To be involved in the ‘bigger picture’ and share what I’ve learned from working in an exec capacity in one section of the organisation (ANZA Cycling) to support the wider association.
What skills or experience do you bring to the committee? A long-term outlook, quirky creativity, vast reserves of patience
and openness to change, along with a deep understanding of what it takes for an organisation to thrive within the local context and culture.
What are your goals for ANZA? To see even greater diversity across the organisation and for each member to feel they really belong to the ANZA community.
Something interesting about you? An avid wordsmith and word puzzler, I once worked as a lexicographer (writing dictionary entries).
view of the structure, processes and people within our awesome association; important as we’ve navigated the COVID-19 situation.
What are your goals for ANZA? Across 2020, ANZA played an even more essential role within our community as we all faced long periods away from home. In this dynamic, fast moving Covid environment I want to ensure the Executive Committee continues to evolve to support our members through this period and continue our amazing 73-year legacy.
Something interesting about you? I have three girls under five so there is plenty happening in the Martin household!
Current employment: Group General Counsel and Company Secretary Years in Singapore? 7
Years on the EC? 5
Why did you want to join the ANZA Exec? ANZA contributes so much to the community and its members – mostly on the effort and time so generously given by volunteers. As part of the committee, I hope my small contribution will help ANZA continue to flourish.
What skills or experience do you bring to the committee? My legal and secretary background aligns well with my role as committee secretary, and I will continue to support the President, Vice President and Executive Treasurer through some of the greatest challenges that ANZA has
Years in Singapore? 4
Years on the EC? 2
Why did you want to join the ANZA Exec?
To introduce our members to a broad range of people in Singapore within volunteer, social and recreational settings, where there are opportunities to forge and strengthen bonds with the diverse local community. And to help our members be aware of the environment and sustainability.
What skills or experience do you bring to the committee? I’ve been on many different committees including Aussies Abroad Abu Dhabi, Wesley Rowing
Parents Support Group, APSM Rowing Club, Dental Therapists’ Association, Parap Preschool Parent Committee, Darwin Junior Netball Coordinator - to name just a few.
What would you like to achieve for ANZA? I want to be part of ANZA Action to enrich the lives of our members. Through charitable acts and volunteering we can engage in new activities and connect with community. We can make a difference. I want volunteers to share the joy, meet new friends, and learn new skills while doing good for others and for themselves.
Current employment: Technology and Cyber Security, Banking / Citibank Years in Singapore? 11
Years on the EC? This is my first year. Why did you want to join the ANZA Exec? I’ve always enjoyed the ANZA community and events. Now, with more time on my hands due to other commitments easing I wanted to see how I could help at a broader level.
What skills or experience do you bring to the committee? I’ve been a surf lifesaver and instructor and was the U11 age
faced as a result of the pandemic. What are your goals for ANZA? Covid has caused so much upheaval for so many of us and not being able to return back to Australia or New Zealand to see family and friends has been difficult. ANZA has helped us to cope by providing a sense of community, a de facto family and a reminder of the best bits of the Australian and New Zealand spirit that we all sorely miss. I want to see ANZA come out of this pandemic stronger than before. Something interesting about you? My Singapore grandparents lived on a farm raising chickens and fish and growing local fruits. So much has changed since then, but I still fondly remember visiting and helping cut down durians as a child.
group coordinator for ANZA Nippers for two years, as well as a condo chairman, social club organiser and coach of various sports.
What are your goals for ANZA? To learn where my skills and experience can help the most and give it a go.
Something interesting about you?
My wife Silvia Hajas and I joined ANZA Nippers with our daughter Trinity three years ago after Silvia risked her life to save three boys from drowning on the east coast.
Current employment: Stepping Stone –Portfolio CFO
Years in Singapore? 7.5
Years on the EC? 4
Why did you want to join the ANZA Exec? We joined ANZA years ago as my son wanted to play soccer. With my finance and accounting background I put my name forward for the role of the Treasurer to give back and volunteer for the broader ANZA community. This was also a great opportunity for us as a family to meet more people in Singapore and make more friends.
What skills or experience do you bring to the committee? Before joining ANZA, I volunteered with various organisations overseas and have been part of school
Current role: Head of Commercial, AsiaPacific, Amadeus Hospitality
Years in Singapore: 13
Why did you want to join the ANZA Exec? To help people assimilate into our great life in Singapore.
What skills or experience do you bring to the committee? Good software technical skills and 20 years’ experience and knowledge around online marketing and e-commerce. I am also good with
change management. With 35 years in the hospitality industry, event planning is a skill I hope to be able to use if we can start doing some events in the next 12 months.
What would you like to achieve for ANZA? In a post COVID-19 world, I think we will be working through very different challenges in the next few years, so I’ll have to wait and see what I can assist with.
Current employment: Song Division Asia
Years in Singapore? 6
Years on the EC? 2
Why did you want to join the ANZA Exec? To give back to the amazing community and to Singapore. The EC is a great vehicle to propagate change and positivity, and I love being a part of it. What skills or experience do you bring to the committee? 20+ years of event delivery and production, as well as expertise in the virtual event space. In the last year, my company has planned and delivered over 600 virtual events worldwide, so I’m well placed to
Parent Associations, so I understood and valued the volunteering ethos.
My roles in Finance, Accounting and Project Management allow me to help ANZA from a financial reporting and compliance perspective, as well as assisting on projects.
What are your goals for ANZA? To assist the finance team and board in constantly improving our financial processes and embracing technology.
Something interesting about you? I was born as a Zoroastrian (we are often called Parsees) Our religion started 4000 years ago in ancient Persia. Today we are only 160,000 in the world and unfortunately are a dwindling community.
help ANZA with the most current and best practices in the field.
What are your goals for ANZA? I’m looking to help the EC plan and manage virtual, hybrid and in-person events in the coming years.
Something interesting about you? I’ve been a professional composer and musician since the age of 19. During my touring days, I shared the stage with Jimmy Barnes and Ian Moss (Cold Chisel), Delta Goodrem and even David Hasslehoff! I’ve also written a custom song for Sir Richard Branson and performed it with him live on stage. It was a real highlight!
Current employment: Director, Asia at ExpertsDirect.com
Years in Singapore? 12 Years on the EC? 4
Why did you want to join the ANZA Exec? When I first arrived in Singapore 12 years ago, I knew very few people. The ANZA events provide a springboard to meet new and interesting people, from diverse backgrounds. The ANZA spirit is strong in Singapore and I feel that I can help to expand that camaraderie and inclusive nature to a wider community. What skills of experience do you bring to the committee? I have worked as an integrated marketing and sales professional for 15 years, as well as
marketing within the hospitality sector. I think the combination of the two can help build our membership base, through a connected, socially conscious community, and commercial partnerships and opportunities.
What are your goals for ANZA? To help sustain ANZA’s role and relevance for the next 70 years in Singapore. To create a connected experience across all the groups and communication channels we have, and build a diverse and inclusive local-global community.
Something interesting about you? I once had my own radio show called ‘Boogie Nights’ on a community radio station in Sydney.
Current employment: Regional Vice President, Oracle Cloud Engineering Years in Singapore? 3.5 Years on the EC? This is my first year. Why did you want to join the ANZA Exec? I’ve been an avid member of ANZA Cycling and Triathlon and felt a desire to contribute to the people and the organisation that supports so many in our community.
What skills or experience do you bring to the committee? I spend my days building connections between people, teams and strategies through my leadership role. I have a keen sense for business and the
Current role: Sole Practitioner, Chartered Accountant
Years in Singapore? 14
Why did you want to join the ANZA Exec? When I first joined the committee some 10+ years ago they were without a treasurer, so I was asked to help. The other benefits have always been the social and networking sides of ANZA. What skills or experience do you bring to the committee? As a Chartered Accountant and trainer in accounting software I initially brought my expertise to help with setting up and running the financials for six years as Treasurer. My side passion is photography and pre-Covid I enjoyed supporting with events photography.
ability to see through the details to the real issues impacting people.
What are your goals for ANZA?
To grow our community building and supporting role in Singapore. This present time is a challenge for so many in Singapore and abroad. The sense of community and identity that ANZA brings is important for people’s self-worth and feeling of belonging.
Something interesting about you?
My wife, Karen, and I are regular Scuba Divers and look forward to the borders opening again soon to explore waters beyond Singapore.
With more social and business activities resuming, it’s essential to step up safety and protection of employees, guests, and users in retail, recreation, and work spaces. Rentokil offers solutions for managing airborne viruses and dengue disease in Singapore.
As we continue to contend with COVID-19 and dengue cases in Singapore, there are proactive steps and measures that can reduce the spread of disease.
“We are constantly at risk of cross contamination and disease transmission, such as dengue,” says Paul Hellyer, Managing Director, Rentokil Initial Singapore. “As the leading pest control and hygiene solutions specialist, we introduce cutting-edge air purification and dengue prevention innovations to protect people and enhance lives.”
Pathogens can be spread in three ways: through person-to-person, surface-to-person and air-to-person contact. There are growing concerns about aerosol transmission of viruses such as COVID-19, as variants continue to spread around the world.
In a recent research conducted between Opinium LLP and Rentokil Initial among 2,000 adults in the UK, 75% of respondents agreed they can easily wash or sanitise hands to protect against contaminated surfaces, but are unable to protect themselves from breathing in contaminated air.
What the overall hygiene protocols in place are What the current air quality condition is Whether there is constant activity and engagement taking place
AIR QUALITY CONCERNS IN PUBLIC SPACES INCLUDED:
How many people are in the environment
How long they’re spending indoors
Reducing the risk of airborne transmission requires more than just opening doors and windows for air circulation and ventilation or installing standard air-filters that have limited efficacy against enveloped viruses.
Indoor environments, such as homes and offices, are great breeding grounds for pathogens and germs that are released during talking, coughing, sneezing and regular exhalation. Air sterilisation helps to minimise our exposure risk as we engage in human interactions and activities at home or in the workplace. More importantly, it offers peace of mind during this pandemic.
Air quality is vital to health and wellbeing and it’s even more critical recently as bacteria and viruses like COVID-19 can be spread via the air. Regular exposure to other air contaminants, including particles, volatile organic compound (VOC), pollutants and dust also puts us at risk of ill health and diseases.
The latest air purification innovation from Rentokil Initial eliminates 99.9999% of viruses effectively on a single pass, with independently tested cases against the Coronavirus DF2 (a surrogate for Coronavirus), Adenovirus, Influenza and Polio.
The air purifier eliminates contaminated air through a triple filter system, including a HEPA 13 filter plus a UVC chamber (with titanium dioxide, TiO2) that removes particles as small as 0.3 microns in size and is certified to eliminate virus in a single pass.
The Carbon filters remove a wide range of larger contaminants from the air while the HEPA filtration captures airborne bacteria and viruses. The unit uses shortwave ultraviolet light to eliminate viruses, and effectively moderates the air intake and ensures that the air released back into circulation is free of pathogens. The unique UVC chamber captures and kills more remaining pathogens, delivering a safer and more sterilised environment among the breathing zones.
Air purifiers are available in different size coverages and installation modes, depending on whether you are using for residential homes, office receptions, high engagement premises or critical and high dependency businesses. For example, the Hextio model is used for a small coverage setting of 20m², ideal for residential homes or office receptions as it’s conveniently placed on a table or counter top.
For bigger spaces, such as commercial and industrial premises, schools and retail and hospitals and medical, the VK 102 and VK 401 are designed for wide coverage. While the VK 102 extends protection up to 165m² on a floor-standing basis, the VK 401 are wall-mount units with medium size coverage of 60m².
With the tropical and warm climate in Singapore, the need for constant mosquito prevention is essential. Mosquitoes thrive particularly well in warm conditions, reducing their life cycle and turning mosquito-breeding larvae into adult mosquitoes more quickly. In homes with outdoor spaces, such as a balcony, patio and garden, family members working from home place themselves at higher risk of contracting dengue.
Most purification efficiency works at eliminating 99.99% of viruses. In an environment of 1,000,000 viruses, this means leaving behind 100 viruses. A 99.9999% filtration leaves just one virus in the environment. The VIRUSKILLER™ takes control of the airflow in a room - contaminated air is filtered and sterilised before sending it back into the breathing zone of the room. The single air pass means it offers real time protection with clean air circulating all the time, instead of the need to draw air through the unit’s multiple times. Compared to typical air filtration it can support viral kill, viral removal efficiency and Coronavirus (DF2) surrogate claims.
The In2care Mosquito Trap controls both adult mosquito and larvae without the need for frequent entry to your home or premises. It works through a “domino effect” - female mosquitoes spread the active ingredient as they fly and land on other sites, stopping the development of the mosquito life cycle. This prevents the transmission of diseases, not just at the localised site but also other potential breeding areas.
The contactless mosquito trap innovation allows continuous and consistent control in mosquito breeding and effectiveness against insecticideresistant mosquito challenges. In addition, it is green and sustainable with low toxicity ingredients used.
ANZA joins COLONEL GRANT MOTLEY and his wife Jenny for a relaxed tour of their historic black and white home, Woodlands House, in Sembawang.
Colonel Grant Motley, the Defence Adviser to the New Zealand High Commission, welcomes ANZA to his historic black and white home in Sembawang with a walking tour of the expansive property. The four-bedroom raised house is set on a hill, overlooking the nearby Sembawang Wharves. It’s one of a cluster of homes occupied by New Zealand military personnel. “The black and whites project a sense of history and connection to the early days of Singapore and New Zealand’s military commitment to the region and Singapore since WWII,” says Grant. “The surrounding houses include other NZDF families which provides for extended family.”
The imposing main structure, known as Woodlands House, was built in the late 1920’s as part of the British government’s development of HM Naval Base, Singapore. Since 1990, it has been the official residence of the NZ Defence Adviser in Singapore. Grant and his wife Jenny will live here for the duration of their three-year assignment. “We love that there’s plenty of space here, an elevated outlook over the large section and a real sense of history,” says Grant. The house is a look back in time, having stood for approximately 90 years, through war,
urban development and Singapore’s founding as a nation.
The large tropical gardens host a gazebo, tennis court and badminton net, which was a Christmas present from Grant to Jenny. In the front garden, there is a pond and red painted bridge, built by Japanese POWs in 1945. At that time there were still POWs in Singapore, being used as labour to clean up after the war. Captain McBeath, who was living in the house, decided some of the prisoners should build a pond and oriental style bridge in the front garden. This raised some dispute among the officers, as some believed that this was an inappropriate use of their time. The pond and bridge are in excellent condition and are currently teeming with thousands of goldfish and guppies,
which Jenny feeds regularly. “Unfortunately, the large resident turtles wandered off towards the sea,” says Jenny. “Although one was found by police and returned in the boot of a car, they have now all made their escape to the ocean.”
The garden also provides shade and shelter for local wildlife. Grant recalls a recent black cobra sighting on their path, a three -metre python, spirited monkey packs, and monitor lizards who climb the trees. Less welcome visitors are the mosquitos who descended during dengue season, forcing the couple to retreat indoors or lather up with repellent.
The house is a tourist attraction, and while we are visiting a school group wanders past and stops to take notes. The odd selfie seeker occasionally pitches up the driveway to take a photo, but most passers-by admire the heritage building from a respectful distance.
In the main house, the spacious and grand upstairs drawing room features soaring 15-foot ceilings, seating for at least 1012 guests and cabinets full of vintage crockery, glasses, and silverware. “There is plenty of old furniture that has been handed down to the residence from the days of NZ Forces South East Asia and this includes crockery, cutlery and silverware most likely from the Officer’s mess,” says Grant.
Having left Wellington and arrived in Singapore in January 2020, the couple haven’t been able to host large groups at the residence as they expected. “We arrived just prior to COVID-19 taking grip of Singapore and the world,” says Grant. “The house is well set up for hosting guests and accommodating visitors,
unfortunately Covid has limited our ability to do either.”
The couple’s two adult daughters are currently in NZ and have not yet been able to visit their parents, but they are keen to explore Singapore as soon as possible. Grant is also looking forward to travelling to the SEA region in his diplomatic role as Defence Attaché to Cambodia and Vietnam.
The couple have been married for 27 years and have lived all over the world, including in the UK, Canada, Australia (Canberra) and New Zealand. They like to travel light, but did bring art to Singapore – including three prints and a colourful fabric hanging by one of their favourite New Zealand artists, Ellen Giggenbach (ellengiggenbach.com) whose mid-century inspired graphic designs feature NZ birds and nature.
In the four large bedrooms that span out in two corridors from the main living area they have hung paintings featuring rural New Zealand scenes, including one of Fox Glacier on the South Island. The beautiful original wooden floorboards are due for a polish but are currently protected by rugs from Afghanistan that Grant picked up during a posting.
Grant works between home and the New Zealand High Commission near Boat Quay, but in their downtime the active couple enjoy golf, tennis and walking. They’re more likely to venture out for local hawker favourites and fresh lime juice, over hipster cafes. “Sembawang Park, the adjacent park connecter (PCN) and old haunts such as ‘the strip’ on the corner of Sembawang Road and Admiralty Road East makes for excellent local evening walks and casual eating out,” says Grant.
As we reluctantly leave the house, Grant shows us a framed list of all the NZ Defence Force residents of Woodland’s House, dating back to Brigadier Kennedy in 1973 as part of New Zealand Force South East Asia (NZFORSEA). It brings into sharp focus that this incredible house is more than just bricks and mortar – it is a symbol of the strong ties between New Zealand and Singapore.
island nation 1
8
28 hours ANZA walkers (plus reserves)
15 checkpoints
10 walk days
159 kms
Singapore’s heartlands, past a rainbow of HDBs, majestic mosques and refuelling at a fabulous hawker centre or two!
We ended the RIR Challenge on a beautiful sunny day with a celebration lunch on Sentosa.
The RIR Challenge was a great way to exercise, challenge ourselves physically and mentally, negotiate Singapore’s public transport system and see parts of Singapore some of us had never been to.
We loved meeting regularly, and chatting along the way made the kilometres fly by. For each and every one of us, it certainly was ‘a walk to remember’.
In order to complete the RIR Challenge, no pre-registration is required. You just need to:
1. Follow the GPS route set by SGTrek
2. Walk or run the route at any time, in any order and in any direction
3. Record your route and take a selfie at
each of the 15 checkpoints
4. Submit your maps and selfies to SGTrek for certification
What’s next for the eight walkers on the ANZA RIR team? Perhaps we’ll add the 100km Compass Route extension to complete the 250km Great Singapore Walk - discussions are underway…
ANZA GM KERRY
LOW reconnects with her New Zealand whānau at Kiwi Waka Ama outrigger club on the East Coast and talks to Co-Captain Mike Matthews.
I’ ve loved living in Singapore for the past 14 years, but like so many grounded expats here I’m missing my beautiful homeland and everything it represents; weekends away at the bach, paua fritters and crays on the barbie, world class mountain bike trails, Pohutukawa flowers in the summer, decent meat pies…the list goes on and on. But most of all I’m missing my whānau - my family and community.
As I was approaching the date of yet another missed trip back to Aotearoa and feeling achingly homesick, I heard about the Kiwi Waka Ama club. I decided to head down to Aloha Sports Club on the East Coast to check it out, quickly discerning that Kiwi Waka Ama is so much more than a paddling club.
New Zealanders share a deep culture that links to our people and our land and Kiwi Waka Ama is a place where members of all nationalities can learn about Kiwi culture, and experience being part of a whānau. It also provides a place for New Zealanders living in Singapore to connect
with their culture. For this homesick Kiwi, kicking off my jandals and heading out on the moana (ocean) in the waka (Māori canoe) with my new whānau is the next best thing to being home.
I had a chat with club Co-Captain Mike Matthews about Kiwi Waka Ama and what they’re all about.
How long have you lived in Singapore?
25 years. My wife Sandra and I came on a one-year contract and career opportunities, experiences and regional travel were compelling reasons to stay. Over time, becoming more connected with local communities and groups, and raising our daughter here made Singapore feel more home and it’s why we are still here.
Why did you start the Kiwi Waka Ama club?
In a word, connection. A small group of us were regularly paddling once a week using canoes rented from the Singapore
Experiencing the wairua, the deep connection to our heritage and knowing you belong has been hugely enriching and the very essence of who we are as a club.
- MIKE MATTHEWS
Paddle Club at Sentosa. In true Kiwi Style, we would bring kai (food) and socialise afterwards. As the group got bigger and we started to see and experience an identity, we realised that to grow, we needed to find our own tūrangawaewae (a place of being).
Given our whanaungatanga (family connection) to our cultural heritage, we also understood we needed more than a traditional set of club guidelines to operate. Our kaupapa (a principle or
policy) is the foundation for how we conduct ourselves, both on and off the water. We made the decision to base ourselves on the East Coast as it has a more relaxed vibe and is very suited to families, with plenty of space for the tamariki (children) to play together and build their own connections.
Mauri tū, mauri ora, an active soul is a healthy soul
What is your role with the club now?
I was President during the foundation years of the club, however, as the club grew and new roles emerged, I was appointed Co-Captain. I work closely with Mary (Women’s Club Captain) to plan, develop and manage the club’s on-water paddling activities. This includes building coaching and training programs, organising club training sessions and generally overseeing the growth and development of the paddlers. I also coach our young paddlers. Watching the youth develop their own strength, courage and leadership styles, while learning the principals of team work is extremely rewarding. The most important role however, is to support and contribute to the development
and preservation of the kaupapa of the club and support the collective efforts of the leadership team and all members –both past and present. It’s also important to acknowledge the efforts of the people who have returned to New Zealand or other shores, who were a big part of setting up the club.
He aha te mea nui o te ao
What is the most important thing in the world?
He tangata, he tangata, he tangata
It is the people, it is the people, it is the people
What is the Kiwi Waka Ama Club?
While the club’s main activity is paddling, kapa haka (a traditional song and dance performance) is an integral part of our activities. Through our learning and performing of kapa haka, the connections to each other, our heritage and culture, the land and water, we see ourselves as a whānau. This is very evident every weekend when we come together, old and young, and experience the wairua.
Toi tū te whenua, whatungarongaro he tangata
The land remains when the people have disappeared
How does the club celebrate NZ history and culture?
Pre-COVID we performed at Waitangi Day celebrations, the Aotearoa Ball with the Australian International School Kapa Haka Group, and have done a number of performances at trade events – including at the New Zealand High Commissioner’s
residence. We also live our kaupapa every day. From simple things like saying a karakia (Māori incantations and prayers, used to invoke spiritual guidance and protection) before leaving the shore or opening a committee meeting, to how we treat each other (as whānau). We adopt
and Sundays. On Sunday mornings we run sessions for rookies and we have a dedicated weekly youth paddle session.
What competitions are your members involved in?
As a club we compete in local paddling events, such as the Singapore Ocean Cup and the Country of Origin. Our paddlers have also competed in events in Hawaii, Tahiti, Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong and the World Va’a (outrigger canoe) Championships. Fingers crossed that international travel will return before the end of the year so we can send one or two crews to compete in the ATIR – a 46km paddle race around Hong Kong Island.
many traditions. For example, he importance of our tamariki (children) –they are our future. We have programs to develop their paddling, but we also make sure they are cared for and included in all the club’s activities, so that they can experience and learn about their culture and heritage. We don’t see leadership as the responsibility of a single person. Decisions are made through conversation, using our kaupapa for guidance.
How has being involved with the club enriched your time in Singapore?
Being part of the club has allowed me to connect with our culture, far more than had we stayed in New Zealand. Through our kaumātua (Māori elder), Tony Keepa, we have achieved more than simply learning waiata and haka. Experiencing the wairua, the deep connection to our heritage, and knowing you belong has been hugely enriching and the essence of who we are as a club.
For the members from other countries and cultures, experiencing our wairua is something they will carry forever.
Are you open to other nationalities?
Absolutely! Connecting people from all backgrounds is an integral part of our kaupapa. We currently have members from more than 10 nationalities - all part of the same whānau. It’s really cool to hear members from other countries totally fluent in saying karakia before going out on the water.
What training is involved?
It really depends on the level of interest and commitment. Some of us can be on the water 4-5 times a week, as well as doing land-based training. Other members like the social aspect and will paddle once or twice a week. We run specific training for men (Tuesday evenings) and women (Thursday evenings). We currently have mixed training on Wednesday evenings, Thursday and Friday mornings (you get to see some amazing sunrises) and then a number of sessions on Saturdays
Any special achievements?
There have been many highlights, both on and off the water. Establishing the club and growing to now 80 members in just two years, contributing to the growth of the sport in Singapore and success in local paddling competitions are some. One significant moment was performing the haka to a Singapore Trade delegation departing for a two-week trip to New Zealand. As it happened, it was the day of the Mosque shooting in Christchurch. The power and emotion of the haka was deeply emotional for all in attendance.
What’s next?
We have recently launched a fundraising campaign to purchase additional waka so that we can continue to accept new members and grow the club. We’d love to see more youth getting involved in both paddling and kapa haka and we will continue to put effort in this area. We are also open to hosting team building events. The waka is an incredible platform for experiential learning of teams and leadership.
E hara ā tātou toa, i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takimano
Our strength is not that of an individual, but that of a collective
Support our fundraiser at accelevents. com/e/KiwiWakaAmaSingapore
Find us at wakaamasingapore.wixsite. com
TRUDY NEARHOS offers her tips for casting off on the holiday du jour in Singapore, The Cruise to Nowhere.
Since the Cruise to Nowhere initiative launched in Singapore last November, more than 120,000 passengers have made their way through the Marina Bay Cruise Centre to cruise on either Royal Caribbean International’s Quantum of the Seas or Genting’s World Dream. The “sea-cation” has become a popular holiday choice for families, with tons of on-board activities for kids.
Personally, I never thought I would be writing about going on a cruise as I’ve never once in my life had a desire to go on one, but what can I say? These are strange times. Was it worth getting a COVID-19 test for? Yes. Should you consider it? Absolutely.
From booking to disembarking, the experience with Royal Caribbean International was professional and well organised. Our family of four booked a ‘3 Night Ocean Getaway’ which was a comfortable duration, giving us two full days to enjoy many of the attractions and activities on offer. You can also book a two or four-night getaway. There are four cabin options including Interior, Sea View, Balcony or Suites catering for singles to large groups.
Quantum of the Seas has multiple dining options; those included in your package and other options including Jamie’s Italian, Japanese, a steakhouse grill or noodles - if you feel
BEFORE YOU BOARD:
Read all communications very carefully after booking
Download the Royal Caribbean app
Get your COVID-19 test
Watch the safety videos before boarding
If you would like internet access on board it’s easy to buy it in your package before boarding. Note: you can use the Royal Caribbean app without purchasing internet.
like something extra special or different. The kids particularly enjoyed the Windjammer buffet for breakfast; the spot to go if you have early starters. There are 11 bars or lounges to enjoy a tipple or two. The Bionic Bar is a popular attraction and a bit of a novelty. Two robot bartenders mix drinks via orders made on tablets.
After breakfast, we went poolside where the kids put their soda package and unlimited soft serve ice-cream to good use. We tried out the “Flowrider”, a 12-metre surf simulator. The kids felt it was worth the wait in the long queue. In the evenings we booked into the shows on offer, which did not disappoint. We also squeezed in some arcade action, Harry Potter trivia, a drink in the Bionic Bar, a couple of hours in Royal Caribbean’s award-winning Adventure Ocean Youth Programme for the kids, and a card game or two at the casino for the adults. We still didn’t manage to see and do everything, including the North Star observation capsule, skydiving simulator, Vitality Spa or Rock Climbing. Surprisingly, we all came home feeling well rested.
With regard to hygiene, there wasn’t a question in my mind that our family were at risk in any way. With mandatory testing, hand washing or hand sanitation when entering shared spaces, reduced occupancy, frequent cleaning and more, every effort is made to ensure passengers and crew are safe.
Quantum of the Seas is a remarkable ship and the Cruise to Nowhere is an initiative that has kept thousands of people in employment and given fortunate cruisers a unique and wonderful holiday experience. The most impressive thing for me, however, was the crew. At the time we sailed, they had not left the ship since November (five months) and despite having taken care of thousands of passengers, they were still incredibly professional, kind and accommodating.
At the time of writing, Royal Caribbean International announced it was extending its Quantum of the Seas cruises until October this year. With COVID-19 making the future of leisure travel unpredictable, it seems possible the sea-cation will become less a current fad and more a permanent holiday option. Many of our friends have already booked again. Bon Voyage!
royalcaribbeanincentives.com/ship/quantum-of-the-seas
1 To maximise your first day, check in early. There is plenty to do on board while your luggage arrives to your room. Pack your swimmers in a carry on if you feel like going poolside.
2 Many activities and events require you to pre-book on the app. Book early to avoid disappointment (don’t mention the bumper cars to my kids!)
3
Each member of your family will be given a card called a “Sea Pass”. You will be required to use it to swipe in and out of different areas of the ship along with making purchases and note that all prices are in USD.
4 Take each person’s card to the bar when getting drinks as they swipe each one. Be warned - our friends’ kids had a fantastic time in the arcade using their
Sea Passes and there was a ‘not small’ surprise on their account at the end of the day.
5 Each person is required to wear a wrist band token and children are required to wear another wrist band in the event of an emergency.
6 If you are traveling with children and they would like to go to the Adventure Ocean Youth Programme, you need to first register them in person and also book their session by calling ahead.
7 The ship docks at 6AM on the final day. The evening before you will have numbered luggage tags delivered to your room. Tune in to one of the television stations to see what time your number will be scheduled to disembark the following day.
My wife and I have two young children and we want to make the most of not only our time in Singapore but also our children’s. Can you offer any advice?
MJAMIE BURGMANN,
Private Wealth Manager
any expats wish to get ahead and be in a better financial position when they return home. Those who’ve started families in Singapore also want to set them up for success. Here are some tips to ensure your kids have a brighter financial future.
The old proverb, “give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime” is even more true for children. At school, I wasn’t taught about budgeting or personal finance. I believe this is in the process of changing, however it’s an important life skill that all children must learn. This can start at any age by using pocket money to teach them about saving, investing and spending. Be open about where money comes from - not trees, but in return for work! It’s a life skill they’ll thank you for in years to come.
Without you and your future income, your children and family’s financial future will be uncertain. Using Life, Critical Illness and Income Protection insurance to protect your family’s financial future is essential. No one can predict the future, but you can plan for it. Ensure you have Multijurisdictional Wills and Guardianships in place. It’s difficult to talk or think about this but it’s vital to ensure your benefits are passed on in accordance with your wishes, so your children can benefit from all the hard work you are doing.
As all parents would know, having children is expensive but well worth it! In planning for your children’s financial future, look to set up separate individual savings accounts for them to one day benefit from. This fund can assist in paying for future education costs, their first car, help them get into the housing market back home with a deposit and many other benefits. The sooner you set this up, the better it will be for your children. When your children are a little older, this fund can also help teach them about investing and the wonder that is compound interest. My 8-year-old nephew jumps for joy when he sees interest in his savings account every month, albeit only a few cents. In Singapore, there are a number of investment options available to you and for your children.
This article is purely for informational purpose. It should not be relied upon as financial advice and it does not constitute a recommendation, an offer or solicitation.
The value of an investment with St. James’s Place will be directly linked to the performance of the funds selected and may fall as well as rise. You may get back less than you invested.
Advice relating to a will and matters relating to guardianship involves the referral to a service that is separate and distinct to those offered by St. James’s Place.
at Select Investors, answers a reader’s question on successful planning with your children in Singapore. If you would like to learn more on this topic, Jamie and the Select Investors team regularly presents educational webinars to further outline the best ways to protect your assets through tax management and financial planning. Find out more at selectinvestors.sg or email Jamie at jamie.burgmann@sjpp.asia Members of the St. James’s Place Partnership in Singapore represent St. James’s Place (Singapore) Private Limited, which is part of the St. James’s Place Wealth Management Group, and it is regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore and is a member of the Investment Management Association of Singapore and Association of Financial Advisers (Singapore). Company Registration No. 200406398R. Capital Markets Services Licence No. CMS100851. The ‘St. James’s Place Partnership’ and the titles ‘Partner’ and ‘Partner Practice’ are marketing terms used to describe St. James’s Place representatives. Select Investors is a Partner Practice of St. James's Place (Singapore) Private Limited.
“We met up at Marina Bay Sands at the Art Science Museum to capture our photos for this issue,” says ANZA Click coordinator NANCY PADDISON. “The theme was to focus on ‘Shape, Form, Shadow and Light’. I asked the group to look at specifics, rather than the bigger picture. It was a short walk down to the Marina Barrage, passing various architectural highlights of Singapore.”
“I noticed there were a number of bees in the plants, gathering nectar from the lotus lilies. I photographed one at work.”
“During our photo walk I caught this glimpse of the sun at Gardens by the Bay’s Cloud Forest and Flower Dome.”
“This artsy look at the Art Science Museum was shot on a bright, sunny morning and colour graded in Adobe Lightroom.” THERASE
DR VALERIE DRUON is a family physician at Osler Health. She offers advice on protecting your family’s mental health.
Since the pandemic, we’ve seen a marked increase in patients seeking support for mental health, many for the first time. We’re also seeing an increase in teenagers and children in the clinic, with parents concerned about their mental wellbeing.
What do we mean by mental health?
Mental health relates to your emotional and mental wellbeing. Mental health problems are common but treatable.
When should I seek support for anxiety?
High anxiety can impact your daily activities, work performance, and relationships, causing self-doubt and affecting your self esteem. You may experience difficulties relaxing, shallow breathing, increased heart rate, sweating, discomfort in your chest and stomach, inability to focus and concentrate, sleep issues, and change in appetite and sex drive. Anxiety can worsen chronic conditions like asthma, eczema, or blood pressure. Activities that would normally help you to relax, no longer work. If this sounds like you, please seek support.
How do I know if I’m feeling a little down or am depressed?
You may be depressed if you have more than two weeks of low mood, poor motivation, difficulties with initiating activities, disturbed sleep and appetite, and the inability to enjoy pleasurable activities. It can be hard to identify the border between feeling a bit flat and mental illness – reach out to your doctor who can guide you.
A doctor will review:
Duration and severity of symptoms
Physical signs
Impact on day-to-day
functioning
Effects on others
I think my partner may be depressed – what can I do?
An open discussion in a non-judgmental
and supportive manner is the first step. It’s important to find time to listen to your partner and give them an opportunity to express their feelings. Empathy goes a long way.
SOME THINGS TO SAY:
“I’m here if you want to talk.”
“You’re not alone.”
“There is a way to recover from this.”
THINGS NOT TO SAY:
“Pull yourself together.”
“Go and get some help.”
“Cheer up.”
Suggest they see a friendly doctor and offer to go with them for support.
What else can I do to protect my family’s mental health?
Since the pandemic, 4 in 10 adults have reported symptoms of depression, anxiety, excessive stress, excess alcohol consumption and smoking.
Maintain a healthy lifestyle with good sleep, regular exercise, nutritional balance, moderation with alcohol and quit smoking. Limit your exposure to negative press and schedule regular time to check in on each other.
Remember:
Finding sources of help in a foreign country can be challenging - ask for help!
Be mindful of your own mental wellbeing, while being there for others.
HOW CAN A GP HELP?
We see patients all the time who are suffering with mental health challenges. We are here to help and have the knowledge and resources. Call us on +65 6339 2727 osler-health.com
Stylist JULIET HARPER suggests ways to brighten up and add colour to a child’s bedroom.
How we use colour in our home is so important. It influences mood in so many ways. Kids’ rooms that are bright and cheerful make them feel that way too! If your child’s room is due for a makeover, get them involved in the process. Together you can come up with ideas, decide on a colour scheme, narrow down styles on Pinterest and work to an agreed and realistic budget.
When starting any design project, one of the biggest considerations is colour. The 60:30:10 principal is a good one to follow. Choose one dominant colour to fill 60% of the space. In the bedrooms shown here, all the walls are painted white. The secondary colour should fill 30% of the look and the remaining 10%, the accent colour. Grey or neutral tones are a perfect mid colour to use as they provide a blank canvas which will make any accent colour pop. For example, grey rooms with yellow accents provide a wonderfully calm nursery. Investing in furniture items such as the IKEA Kallax shelves in grey or an inexpensive bedside table from Castlery is worth your while, as they go with any look and the room can be easily updated, as children get older.
For kids’ rooms, primary colours always look great. Layer up with different textures such as a tufted headboard, striped or plaid duvet cover, chair and lamp. Try painting bedheads a bright red or any shade of blue. Add horizontal stripes on walls by carefully placing painters tape and painting alternative lines - use a level and apply pressure to the tape to avoid the paint bleeding. Scatter cushions in different shades and patterns instantly transform any space. I changed the look of this grey bed by simply changing the cushions.
From a monochromatic room to using blues in different stripes and shades, the feel of the room changed instantly. By changing the cushions and accessorising to red it looked brighter and more fun.
A monochromatic room works well with a variety of patterns and colours. A tiny accent of yellow adds wonders to this look, making it brighter and fun. Blue cushions of different shades in tweed, spots and stripes make it perfect for any age group.
Red always pops, especially when combined with grey. By layering cushions in stripes and plaid and adding red accessories, it creates a stunning look for young boys or girls.
Jellycat bear and toys from Monument in Tiong Bahru
Scatter cushions from Bungalow 55, Lazada and Affordable Style Files
Cushions on the beds are self-made Fabric from Spotlight and People’s Park
Linen duvet covers from Affordable Style Files and Originals
Temple jar from Lims
Kids’ wall accessories from Deer Industries
Shelf from Ikea
Red Kartel bedside table from LifeStory Tent from Smallable
Chairs from Smallable and Originals
RAELENE TAN visits Raffles icon the Tiffin Room and PIP HARRY tries a new café in the east.
The legendary Tiffin Room has been a part of Raffles Hotel Singapore’s history since 1892, serving delectable North Indian cuisine. Located off the Grand Lobby, the elegant restaurant offers authentic Indian dishes with interactive tableside service by chefs. The recently restored interiors feature herringbone wooden floorboards, along with locally made porcelains and tiffin boxes.
A la carte dinner choices include succulent boneless chicken leg cooked with chickpea flour and rich saffron, accompanied by a fragrant sweet corn and onion salad. Plump, juicy scallops in a coconut, lemongrass and tamarind curry, scented with curry leaves and coconut, marry well with cool cucumber salad. Tandoori (clay oven) bread and chawal (rice) choices add to the colourful meals.
Enjoy a tiffin box (tiered container for transporting a meal) of meat
Lor vegetarian curries, accompanied by chutneys, pickles, rice and bread, presented in a tiered copper tiffin, harking back to homeprepared meals in India.
Indian desserts are legendary. Gulab jamun (sweet milk dumplings) with chocolate and saffron is recommended, while mango kulfi (ice cream) refreshes the palate after a spicy feast. Lassi (yoghurt drink) should not be missed and there is an international wine list.
VERDICT: For a relaxing environment reminiscent of a bygone era, enjoy a delicious meal here with service to match.
Note: Due to Covid restrictions, the Tiffin Room’s breakfast and lunch buffet menus are currently available as à la carte options.
ooking for a bright, friendly café with excellent coffee and a solid brunch menu?
Leading the charge of new east side F&B openings, The Brewing Ground offers outdoor seating and a leafy setting in The Yards – the site of the old Telok Kurau Primary School, which is now home to arts, dance and fitness studios. This tranquil hideaway also features a beautiful heritage kapok tree.
On my first visit I order the generous granola bowl ($12) with fresh fruits and berries, thick Greek yogurt, nuts and a drizzle of honey. On the second, the Burrata and Tomato Tartine calls my name – toasted sourdough piled with
marinated cherry tomatoes, creamy burrata, almond flakes, basil and balsamic glaze. On my third and most recent visit, it was time to try the perfectly cooked scrambled eggs and sourdough, with a side of whole avocado and thick cut maple bacon. Seriously yummy. For those looking for lunch options, the café also serves more substantial mains like the wagyu beef cheeseburger ($25), crabmeat tagliatelle ($26) and fish and chips ($22) and befitting its name, a handful of creative cocktails and craft beers.
VERDICT: A lovely quiet spot for easties looking to get a coffee and brunch fix.
Perched atop a conservation shophouse in Tanjong Pagar, open air bar LEVANT is a stylish new addition to Singapore’s rooftop bar scene.
Looking for a fresh rooftop hang with stunning views and creative cocktails? Head over to hip Levant, a concept bar with Mediterranean vibes which wraps around the fourth floor of a conservation shophouse in Tras Street. Overlooking the impressive Pinnacle HDB building, rows of shophouses and the green wall of the Oasia Hotel, it’s the perfect spot to soak up Singapore’s urban landscape.
Sherbet, Grapefruit and Amalfi Lemon. It’s tart and summery, with a topping of fresh thyme and foam. The beautifully presented, tangy and floral Il Rhubarb Sour ($18) finishes our cocktail discovery – with Monkey Shoulder Whisky, Rhubarb, Hibiscus and Cinnamon. It’s such a pretty pink creation it’s a shame to drink it!
We start with advice from the excellent staff, who recommend the Sangaree Rose ($18) with Cocchi Americano Rosa, Cherry, Mirto, Szechuan Pepper, Juniper and Cinnamon, served ice cold with a slice of lightly charred ruby grapefruit. It’s an easy drinking winner, with pops of sweet cherry and slightly bitter undertones. The Blossom Mist ($22) with Roku Gin, Elderflower, Chamomile and Calamansi is served neat over a large cube of ice, topped with a purple edible flower. It’s refreshing, floral and sweet...finished in a flash.
Taking a leap into drier, more spiced cocktails, our mixologist whips up a Citrus Tree ($24), Botanist Gin with Candied Citron, Bruto Americano, Barolo Chinato, Aleppo Pepper and Citrus. It’s paired with the Amber Constellation ($22) a blend of Monkey 47 Gin, Vermouth, Bergamot, Gran Classico Bitter and Star Anise. Both are lovely, smooth, short drinks, served over ice, but a little too strong for my palate. We finish with two fluffy, fruity drinks which are more my style! The Sea of Citrus ($22) is a concoction of Tequila Blanco, Imperial Mandarin, Blood Orange
Levant offers a well-considered mezze menu, inspired by exotic Mediterranean destinations. Choose from hot and cold dishes, salads and pickles, and sweets. We match our drinks with generous Beef Kofta Sliders ($18 for three) with an eggplant fritter and green chilli relish. We’re intrigued by the Tindle Chicken Manakish pizza ($20) with melting cheese, spicy harissa and dollops of creamy avocado, sprinkled with dukkha. Tindle is a new plant-based chicken alternative developed by a Singaporean company. It’s tasty and delicious - we wouldn’t have known we were eating an imposter, except for the lack of meaty, stringy bite. We also ordered the flaky, golden parcels of Smoked Duck and Truffle Samosas ($18) with mango amba sauce and dusted with cinnamon and icing sugar.
VERDICT: Dreamy city views, delicious bar bites and inventive cocktails.
Sri Lankan-born and French-trained, chef ROSHINI DHARMAPALA shines when cooking authentic French cuisine. Her recipe for beef bourguignon is rich and full of braised beef and slow-cooked vegetables. The preparation time for this dish is considerable, but it is well worth the effort.
Serves 6
INGREDIENTS
1.5kg chuck beef, cut into cubes
150g plain flour
Salt, as needed
Ground black pepper, as needed
200g bacon, cut into matchsticks
150g button mushrooms
85g butter
200g peeled shallots
1 tbsp sugar
1–2 tbsp water
2 tbsp chopped I talian parsley
MARINADE
750ml red wine
3 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
3 stalks celery, chopped
6 cloves garlic
1 bouquet garni (thyme, bay leaves and parsley stalks)
3 tbsp brandy
3 tsp black peppercorns
STOCK
3 tsp tomato paste
700ml (231/3 fl oz) beef stock
1. M arinate the beef for at least two hours or overnight if time permits. Place all the ingredients for the marinade in a large bowl. Add the beef and mix well. Cover and set aside. Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F).
2. Remove the beef from the marinade. Strain the marinade into a medium pot and set the aromatics aside. Bring the marinade to a simmer.
3. Dr y the beef well on paper towels, then coat with flour and season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
4. Heat a large ovenproof pan over medium heat and fry the bacon until crisp. Remove and drain on paper towels. Reheat the pan and sear the beef until browned. Remove and set aside.
5. Prepare the stock. Reheat the pan and add the aromatics from the marinade. Add the tomato paste and cook for 10 minutes.
6. Deglaze the pan with the warm marinade.
7. Add the beef and beef stock and
bring to a boil. Cover the pan and place in the oven. Braise the beef for 11/2–2 hours, turning it over every 30 minutes, and cooking until the meat is fork-tender.
8. I n the meantime, wipe the mushrooms with a damp paper towel and cut into quarters. Heat half the butter in a pan over medium heat. Add the mushrooms and sauté until soft. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
9. Heat a clean pan over medium heat. Add the shallots, a pinch of salt, the remaining butter, sugar and water.
Cover and cook until the shallots are soft.
10. Remove the beef from the stock and place in a casserole dish.
11. Strain the stock and discard the aromatics. Bring the stock to a boil and simmer over low heat until thick and glossy. Pour over the beef.
12. Top the beef with the bacon, mushrooms and shallots. Garnish with parsley.
Reprinted with permission from COOK: Food to Share ($40), available through bakerandcook.biz/collections/cookbooks
Rice dumplings are a favourite flavour every June, when the annual Dragon Boat Festival is celebrated. Why dumplings?
RAELENE TAN investigates…
This important and much anticipated Festival commemorates the death of Qu Yuan in 278BC, a respected government minister and poet who, in protest at anomalies in the government, took his life by throwing himself into the Milo River in Hunan Province, south-central China. One of Qu Yuan’s most admired works, expressing his thoughts on political matters, is “Li-Sao” (The Lament), which is still today regarded amongst the best of Chinese literature. When news of Qu Yuan’s death became known, fishermen tried unsuccessfully to save him, and then threw dumplings into the river for his soul. To frighten away sea creatures,
the fishermen decorated their boats to resemble dragons and made a lot of noise as they rowed on the river. The festival is celebrated on Monday 14 June this year.
Popular types of dumplings enjoyed during this Festival include the Hokkien version with a savoury filling of pork and dried prawns, traditionally wrapped in
Over the years, this annual commemoration has evolved into the popular Dragon Boat Festival, with the dragon boats signifying the fishermen’s boats, adding colour and noise to the exciting spectacle of dragon boat races. Today, a dragon boat is long and narrow (approximately 12 metres by one-and-a-half metres), normally carrying about 20 paddlers. Its elevated bow symbolises the dragon’s head, the stern represents the tail, and the boat is colourfully painted to resemble a dragon’s body. With a skilful helmsman at the stern and an enthusiastic drummer at the bow, the energetic paddlers sit in the body of the boat, their paddles representing the majestic dragon’s claws, as the fun-filled races get under way, with spectators cheering on their favourite teams.
deep green bamboo leaves (my family’s favourite), and the Nonya style with its sweetened pork filling, customarily wrapped in fragrant pandanus leaves (my choice). The Cantonese version, filled with streaky pork, mushrooms and chestnuts, is traditionally wrapped in large lotus leaves. Pyramid-shape steamed rice dumplings are exchanged between relatives and friends, always in pairs or even numbers. As a point of etiquette, the leaves should be opened up fully (fingers may be used) before commencing eating the dumpling straight off the leaves. The dumpling is eaten either with chopsticks or a fork. The leaves are left on one’s plate or the table, depending on the setting.
Other favourites during this Festival are five-spice tea eggs with their attractive marbled appearance, representing harmony and fertility, as well as traditional Chinese rice wine, sipped for good health.
Dumplings are sold in some places throughout the year, but in abundance during the Dragon Boat Festival. Look for them in hotel cake shops where a roaring trade is done. As an example, one leading five-star hotel averages approximately 21,000 dumplings purchased over an 18day period.
Excerpts from “Chinese Etiquette-A Matter of Course” by Raelene Tan, published by Landmark Books.
To redeem your Member Discounts, your electronic ANZA membership card must be presented to your venue host beforepayment. For more information go to anza.org.sg/ memberdiscounts
TREASURY WINE ESTATES ANZA EXCLUSIVE DEAL
anza.org.sg/treasury-wine-estates-member-offer
Our partners at Treasury Wine Estates have a cracking deal, exclusive to ANZA Members. Head to our link above to find out more.
SO/ SINGAPORE
so-singapore.com/wine-dine/xperiencerestaurant
25% off food on the a la carte menu at Xperience Restaurant.
THE LOKAL SINGAPORE thelokalsingapore.com
Enjoy 15% off your total bill, valid for brunch and dinner.
VINEYARD AT HORTPARK vineyardhortpark.com.sg
10% discount off the total food and beverage bill on weekends (Friday to Sunday), and 15% off the total food and beverage bill on weekdays (Monday to Thursday).
MOGAMBO BAR & RESTAURANT
mogambo.sg
Six bottlesMixed $100for
10% discount on all non-promotional beverages.
SARNIES sarnies.com
10% off total bill.
HERO’S heros.sg
10% discount on all non-promotional beverages.
RACINES AT SOFITEL
SINGAPORE CITY CENTRE
sofitel-singapore-citycentre.com/ gastronomy/racines
10% discount off a la carte orders.
BAROSSA BAR & GRILL, VIVOCITY
barossa.com.sg
10% discount off the total food and beverage bill on weekends (Friday to Sunday), and 15% off the total food and beverage bill weekdays (Monday to Thursday).
PATARA FINE THAI
CUISINE
patara.com.sg
10% off the total food and beverage bill on weekends (Friday to Sunday), and 15% off the total food and beverage bill weekdays (Monday to Thursday)
Terms & conditions apply to Member Discounts. Please check our website for details of each offer before you go.
The inaugural ANZA Young Writers’ Competition was a huge success – attracting entries from across Singapore from local and international school students aged 6-18. “On behalf of the ANZA Writing Group, we would like to thank everyone for participating in the 2021 ANZA Young Writers’ Competition,” says organiser KRISTEN HOBBY. “We received a large number of entries and the standard of writing, creativity and flair shown by the young writers was very high. This made for difficult judging!”
The judges were impressed by the range of writing styles and subjects submitted.
“Themes in the stories ranged from the pandemic to school pressures, the environment, Singapore history, and more,” says Kristen. “We were thrilled to see young authors tackling all kinds of genres - from fantasy to graphic novel, poetry, realistic contemporary, horror, fable, and humour. We would like to encourage all our young scribes to keep writing and we hope to see your entry in next year’s competition!”
11-14 years
Samuel couldn’t sleep until he saw rays of sunlight coming through the velvet tamarind trees. Birds were already chirping. He could hear the sound of the first daily train to Kranji. He was longing to have a cup of hot cocoa with gula melaka. The drink always brought back memories of his childhood.
Many years ago, Samuel was a good-looking man. In his early 80’s now, he didn’t have the time nor strength to make himself look dapper. As long as he took his daily wash and wore something clean, he thought no more of what others might say about him. He was comfortable and happy with his baggy denim trousers and old brown sandals.
No one could imagine what it was like to grow up during the war time. Samuel didn’t have any happy colours to remember. He could only recall fear and hunger. Samuel was always hungry as a child. He remembered how his mother used to save some of her food, for Samuel to eat later. His house was too small for a big family. His grandparents, along with his parents and his baby sister made eight people living under the same roof.
Samuel closed his eyes. He could hear the marching sounds of soldiers and the terrible sound which comes from above and leads to a bigger sound on the ground - bombing! Yes, it all started one miserable December. People shouting, crying for help, crying in pain, Samuel wiped the corner of his eye with the tip of his index finger.
That was the high time for all the men to be united and fight for their freedom. They were gathering together. After all, this was the “Lion City”. It didn’t take a long time for both Samuel’s grandfathers and his father to join the Singapore army as soldiers. Alas, it also didn’t take a long time to hear the painful news. It felt like a thousand knives spearing his heart at once. His father and grandfathers were killed in the war zone.
Samuel could remember that day, how his mother squeezed his sister and him towards her chest. He could hear her heart beating fast. She didn’t cry aloud for some reason. He felt her warm tears on the back of his neck.
Children were not allowed to play in open areas at that time. Most women had lost their partners. They didn’t want to lose their children too. Samuel’s mother always kept an eye on them.
Luck was not on Samuel’s side. Darkness knocked
on his heart and soul twice.
One sunny day, Samuel thought of stepping outside the house. He’d had enough of being caged in the house for too long. He snuck out the window and walked towards the green path where he used to play with his friends before the catastrophe.
He couldn’t walk more than a few hundred metres.There was a huge explosion. It came from the direction of his house. He ran back, but in vain. Everything was foggy. The smell of smoke, fire and the sound of sirens made him drop to the ground like a chopped tree. The ugly, miserable war took away all his family members.
Samuel spent an extremely difficult three years after losing his family. Things started to change when the enemies finally left the Lion City. However, the empty dark hole in Samuel’s heart could never be filled.
Time flew like the wind.
Days, weeks, years passed. Things changed. Samuel had to face those changes too. He passed many stages in his life. From childhood to old age, he carried the pain of losing loved ones in his heart.
Ten years ago, Samuel found somewhere where his heart felt warm. He liked the atmosphere. Most of all, the place was peaceful. He fell in love with it on the first day. The smell of fresh cut grass and colourful flowers gave him a homey feeling. Flowers reminded him of his mother and sister. He became the Singapore Kranji Cemetery’s caretaker. He knew his father and grandfathers were buried there. After many years he felt a small joy in his heart. It was like when his mother made him fish and potato pie on happy days.
“They died for all free men”, Samuel reads this quote every day. And he smiles to himself. Rubs his chest with his right-hand fingertips. Bows a little. That is his pride. He is surrounded by heroes and loved ones.
Samuel is a hero among heroes.
JUDGING PANEL: We enjoyed the strong Singapore themes, haunting emotions and clear narrative arc.
“We have it totally under control. It’s one person coming in from China, and we have it under control. It’s going to be just fine.”
“Just fine,” said the President, “Just fine.”
22nd January 2020
Somewhere in the US, that one person shakes hands with his new boss, who goes home to his family and kisses his children goodnight.
23rd January 2020
A teacher from Clayton Primary goes to the doctor. She has not been feeling well and is struggling to breathe. Her fingers scrape against the rutted hospital walls as her brittle-stick legs flail. Her lungs gasp for breath, and her head is a lightweight of nothingness. A long flatline beep fills the room. She is the first coronavirus death.
30th January 2020
Mitchwell Jameson’s skin is like icesheets spread thin over his muscles, tendons, and nerves. His eyes are covered in mist, his mouth numb and clammy. Mitchwell trudges to work – he does not make it back home. His flat is empty and filled with deafening silence. He is the second coronavirus death.
5th March 2020
Kelly Vander lies dead on the hardwood kitchen floor, her eyes open in an eternal gaze. Her skin is flaking off her body, and her dirty blond hair is unstitched and falling out of the seams. The aroma of degrading flesh is sealed within that concrete-walled apartment. Her landlord breaks open the splintered birchwood door; her rent was overdue. It is 10:15pm, and Kelly Vander is the 7,567th coronavirus death.
17th June 2020
Christine Brandshore is in the hospital. The hospital is overcrowded with people. She struggles past a mob of unruly relatives, attempting to force their way into patient rooms. She collapses, sinking deep into the floor. The floor is an abyss of cold tiles and hospital bile. She is coughing uncontrollably, and the air in the room is not making its way into her lungs.
Christine Brandshore is the 9,576,893rd coronavirus death.
16th August 2020
Dave Clandine is having a party to celebrate being allowed back into the US from Singapore. He invites all his friends, and they invite their friends. He smiles, for he is having a good time. A friend of a friend of a friend begins spluttering and coughing uncontrollably. Dave is not worried – he is drunk, and oblivious to the danger. Dave then begins to feel queasy, his stomach a writhing torrent of ocean, waves of acid rise up within his bowels. He stumbles awkwardly to the bathroom, before his legs give way as he struggles to breathe. His body lies crooked on the wine-stained ground, his limbs splay in awkward positions. Dave Clandine is the 179,756,621st coronavirus death.
26th October 2020
The streets are closed, the shops vacant. The only movements are automated delivery drones, delivering essentials to the remaining citizens of America. Kacy Alendson is lying face down on a bus shelter seat. His skin rigid and pale, his body stiff and unmoving. Bile drips from the corners of his mouth and onto the gum-laden concrete below. It is just another hell-filled day in America, and Kacy Alendson is the 1,210,671,567th coronavirus death.
4th February 2021
The President lies slumped in his oval office chair. He is dead, but his fake-tanned-lathered skin is still warm. His lungs are empty of air and his skin is ice. He is the last President of the United States of America.
“It’s going to be just fine”, he said, “Just fine”. He is the 6,567,871,432nd coronavirus death worldwide.
JUDGING PANEL: Such a timely piece and clever perspective on the pandemic. It takes the reader on a very emotional journey.
AFL
A vibrant and welcoming Aussie Rules Football program for adult men and women. Training is on Thursday evenings and Saturdays, with regular social events.
A track-and-field programme run by parents for kids 5 - 16, with a focus on fun, fitness and skills.
Three teams play in the Singapore Cricket Association. Training is at Singapore Cricket Club nets from 7pm on Monday evenings and the indoor nets at The Cage, Turf City.
CYCLING
30km to long distance rides are held every morning to suit all skill levels, embracing road, racing, MTB and triathlon disciplines.
GOLF / 9 HOLE
Aimed at beginners, those seeking a handicap and those with a handicap over 25.
NETBALL / KIDS
Accelerate your netball with ANZA Netball. Classes and competitive opportunities are available to players aged 6 - 16, Saturday mornings at Tanglin Trust School.
NIPPERS
Children aged 5 - 14 learn beach and ocean awareness through fun activities, and connect with the great outdoors – meeting on Sunday mornings at Palawan Beach, Sentosa.
Looking to find some running buddies in Singapore for regular casual runs? The ANZA Running Group meets meets Monday evenings in the Botanic Gardens and Tuesday evenings on the East Coast.
SOCCER / KIDS
Soccer programmes for children aged 2 - 18, focusing on fair play and community. Saturday mornings and Thursday evenings at The Cage Sports Park Turf City.
TENNIS / CASUAL
Social tennis at the Fairmont Hotel, Fridays 9 - 11am. Beginner sessions on Wednesdays, 11am2 pm. Afterwards, take time out for coffee and a chat.
ANZA SCOUTS
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 various locations from 2 - 4pm.
ANZA ACTION
The community affairs arm for ANZA, supporting charities in Singapore through fundraising and volunteering activities. For info on the charities we support visit the ANZA website.
ART AND CRAFT GROUP
Join this group and learn new craft skills, such as silk painting, bookbinding, candle making, sewing a bag, card creation, beading or batik. Activities are designed with beginners in mind, and each month a new craft activity will be introduced.
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.
CASUAL COFFEE
Mini Casual Coffee Catch Ups are being held on various days and locations around the island. Go to anza.org.sg/groups/casual-coffee to join in.
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.
This money-minded group meets monthly to connect and discuss investments and important financial matters for expats.
KILL-O-METRES
Join ANZA’s walking group to get moving around some of Singapore’s great nature reserves and interesting neighbourhoods. Check ANZA’s website for times and locations.
Come along and knit beanies for Singapore Cancer Society chemotherapy patients. New knitters welcome. The group meets on the third Friday of the month in the ANZA office.
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!
Join small group Mahjong sessions on various days and locations around the island. Let us know you’re interested at anza.org.sg/ groups/mahjong
Interested in needlecraft? All levels are welcome to learn, mentor and sew.
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. The lads also play golf in Singapore each Thursday.
The ANZA Trailing Talent Facebook group is for trailing spouses looking for social and networking opportunities. Find support from like-minded people facing similar challenges of isolation and looking for work in a challenging environment.
This group of new writers and published authors meets monthly online to read and discuss their work.
** Due to phase three restrictions all ANZA groups are meeting in max8 groups at various dates and locations around the island. Please register ahead at anza.org. sg. Drop ins to ANZA groups are not possible.
Fancy catching up with friends over an affordable set lunch? The new ANZA Set Lunch group chopes set lunch deals around Singapore each month to enjoy in group outings. Discover new restaurants, hawkers and cafes, expand your social circle, and explore Singapore’s diverse and delicious food scene. GABRIELLE CAROLAN tells us more about the gastronomic group.
WHAT IS SET LUNCH GROUP ABOUT?
With the easing of restrictions in Singapore, everyone is looking to socialise again and explore Singapore. ANZA Set Lunch Group aims to provide a set priced luncheon option for its members which caters for all budgets, from hawker stalls to high end restaurants. Its member-initiated platform provides the opportunity to get together, make new friends and explore new neighbourhoods.
WHEN DO YOU MEET?
Initially the group was going to meet just once per month, but the idea has organically grown, with set lunch opportunities popping up on any day of the month as members become more confident with their reservation skills!
WHAT DO YOU OFFER MEMBERS?
A social group at heart, our main purpose is for people to enjoy food, being together, making friends, and sharing experiences. Any member of the group can initiate a “set lunch” deal on the WhatsApp forum by posting the deal and then making the booking.
ANY FUTURE PLANS?
In the future an “offshore” set lunch may be an option when travel is allowed.
ANZA Set Lunch Group aims to provide a set priced luncheon option for its members which caters for all budgets, from hawker stalls to high end restaurants .
I would also love to see the group review their experiences and share them for the benefit of whole ANZA community.
HOW DO I SIGN UP?
To register and join the WhatsApp group, go to anza.org.sg/groups/set-lunch
BEN ADAMS reports on pre-season training and the ANZA Singapore Wombats and Wombettes long awaited return to the field.
The usual doldrums of preseason running and halfhearted attempts at dieting and drinking less have now been replaced by actual footy, and the guys and girls couldn’t be happier!
Before we got to kicking footies, the club participated in a 6-week pre-season campaign that included body analysis scans from our network of F45 sponsor gyms (Aljunied, Amoy Street, River Valley, Siglap and Tiong Bahru), boxing with Spartans Boxing Club, running time trials, a 100km cycle around Sentosa and even a trip to an indoor Ninja obstacle course.
While there are no matches on the horizon with the current COVID-19 restrictions, training is in full-swing to keep up the fitness and the competitive and social aspects that make a footy club great.
At the time of writing, we’re limited to groups of 8, but contact is permitted. This allows for bigger and better drills and more competitive action within groups - the opportunity to tackle being perhaps the only way certain Bats and Bettes get near the footy… For now, we encourage everyone to come down for a kick, do some fitness work, and get to know the players. It’s a great culture to be around, and whether you’re elite, beginner or somewhere in between, you’ll get a lot out of it.
To sign up for the ANZA Singapore Wombats or Wombettes, go to anza.org.sg/sports/ wombats-afl, email info@singaporewombats. com or whatsapp Ben via 83504798.
Please check the Wombats Instagram @singaporewombats for the latest schedule information and download TeamApp (then add the team Singapore Wombats) to RSVP to join a session.
What a season! Through thick and thin, ANZA Soccer players experienced fun, friendship and football during the 2020–21 season. CARA D’AVANZO reports.
During the 2020–21 season, ANZA Soccer’s motto of ‘fun, friends, and football’ held true, despite the extraordinary circumstances caused by the pandemic. We congratulate the players, parents, volunteers, staff, and sponsors who persevered to make sure the kids enjoyed their time on the pitch.
The season started early to make up for lost time during the circuit breaker. In July, pilot summer camps yielded positive feedback from participants and Age Group Coordinators (AGCs). Throughout August, all players could attend preseason sessions to get back in shape, enjoy old and new friendships, and get used to the COVID-19 protocols. Working in groups of five, players engaged in active drills, fitness exercises and smallsided scrimmages. Volunteers adapted and refined the guidelines in response to government inspectors’ feedback. We were heartened that nearly 800 players registered for ANZA Soccer, and our parent community stepped up to volunteer for all the extra roles, from organisers to temperature takers and safe-management officers.
Once the season officially started on 29 August, we had even better rates of attendance than normal because ANZA Soccer was one of the only games in town! While our usual league games and age-group competitions were not possible, our many willing parent coaches - guided by our professional coaching staff - had fun and varied drills ready each week and were creative in finding new ways to challenge and engage each group of five. Our youngest players focused on fitness, skills and fun, while our older players improved their passing and positioning through multiple touches in 2v2 or 3v3 games.
Training sessions with our professional coaches began in early September and were well attended. At all times, ANZA Soccer’s Code of Conduct applied, and players were expected to uphold our Fair Play ethos.
After a few weeks, we were given the goahead for 5v5 scrimmages with a buffer zone between the groups. This made for more authentic soccer play and was quickly adopted. Once the government allowed groups of eight in early 2021, most age groups organised modified league competitions, with points counted from each team’s Saturday mini games. Coaches and AGCs collaborated to agree on special rules to meet safety guidelines and encourage passing and team play. It was a season like no other, but many
creative and positive innovations were developed thanks to our community’s can-do attitude.
Our girls-only teams had a very successful year, with players developing strong team spirit, supporting each other, working on their skills, and playing competitively whenever possible. On Saturdays they were a force to reckon with, known for their passing, communication, and patience with the ball. Our Matildas competition teams are proving
themselves strong opponents against teams from other academies. We are pleased that our girls’ programme has continued to develop and now boasts at least one Matildas team in every eligible Saturday age group, as well as multiple competition teams across external leagues’ age groups.
Over 250 of our keenest players spent longer than usual preparing for Sunday competition team play! Encouraged by their enthusiastic Competition Team Coordinators (CTCs), they attended weekly practice sessions diligently and were more than ready by the time the government’s regulations allowed for inter-squad play. When the JSSL and ESPZEN leagues finally got up and running in the spring, ANZA Soccer entered over forty 4-a-side teams across age groups and divisions. In our eyes, our
comp team players are already winners for their patience and dedication to their sport!
volunteers,
ANZA Soccer’s parent volunteers rose to the occasion in record numbers this season! Our Committee put in long hours discussing, developing, and communicating the many rules and protocols needed. AGCs and CTCs kept records, allocated mini-squads, liaised with volunteers and professional staff, and dealt with on-pitch issues. Parents in yellow vests helped everyone remember about masks, check-in, distancing, and entry and exit rules. Our professional
coaches and groundskeepers proved ready and able team players in everchanging circumstances. By helping offset our costs, our generous sponsors ensure that ANZA Soccer remains affordable for all. We thank all these contributors to our success—you certainly went ‘above and beyond’ this season!
Hats off to all our families! Thank you to all our families for your support and positive encouragement of your children over the 2020–21 season! From our two-year-old’s to our Young Lions B18 team, ANZA Soccer players had fun, played with friends and enjoyed their football in this unique and challenging year. While we all hope for more relaxed conditions next season, we will certainly never forget this one!
ANZA Singapore Nippers is a volunteer-led surf lifesaving group which teaches children lifesaving and water skills at Palawan Beach, Sentosa. Meet some of the dedicated committee members who make sure ANZA Nippers runs smoothly each season.
This will be our fourth year of ANZA Nippers. We originally joined as I wanted to provide our kids, who have never lived in Australia, some of the experiences I had growing up. It also helped that it starts at a nice time on Sunday morning - everything else in Singapore tends to open at 11am! We could give the kids a great day out and still get them back home to beat the heat.
I was quickly wrapped up into Nippers to support the founders, Alex and Skye, and the rest of the team who did an amazing job building it from scratch. Being part of the committee as well as an Age Manager, (plus various other functions) has been extremely rewarding, particularly after you see the kids having a great time on the beach on Sunday mornings.
We have also been fortunate enough to forge some amazing friendships and create incredible experiences. It is a very
social activity during normal times, and we will be strengthening the community aspect as soon as MOH guidelines allow.
Originally, I’m from Ocean Grove in Victoria. I grew up surfing and had very little to do with the local surf club. However, after moving to Singapore three years ago, via Hong Kong, I wanted my son to have a little piece of home. We joined ANZA Nippers and I initially volunteered as Secretary, but as Nippers were short of Age Managers, I found myself leading the U7 group this year. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to be a lifesaver to lead the age groups. We leave that important skill to our certified Bronze Medallion holders. So far, it's been a great experience leading the kids - they're so enthusiastic and such good sports when it comes to participating in races, either in the water or out. Although I really look forward to
WE ARE DELIGHTED TO WELCOME NEW MEMBERS EVERY MONTH TO THE ANZA COMMUNITY.
Milana Norman
Lisa Smith
Neil Smith
James A Brumby
Dini S Djalal
Rachel Wang
Brenda Cowles
Blair Cowles
Rosalind Lillywhite
Emma Leahy
John Butler
Lawrence Ng
Deborah Cozzone
Patrick Cozzone
Sylvia Bhatia
Alok Bhatia
Tay Ai Joo Winnie
Simon Middleton
Erlina Sidik
Tammy Henry
Sascha Ward
Justin Ward
Michael Duncan
Shanti Mcloughlin
Siti Zaraha
Veli-Matti Rantanen
Thuy Le
Simon Gealy
Christina Leach
Stephen Leach
Alex Crouch
Colin Zhang
David Sandgren
Su Mei Teh
Richard Harshman
Grace Chua
Colin Tan
Rachael Milford
Wu Shilin Serene
Sim Wen Hong
Sahir Malik
Melanie Ricketts
James Hammond
Sienna Hammond
Juliet Middleton
Alexis Middleton
India Freeman
Marco Rossi
Bing Li
Wei Li
Dean Farcich
Dianne Farcich
Sharon Ong
Bruna Tovar Faro
Romario Tavora Britto
Roger Charles
Danielle Boekel
Chantal de Roo
Peter de Roo
Rebecca Nalletamby
Adrian Nalletamby
Richard Kitts
Swasti Ariani
Roberto Mariani
Lam Chiaw Yen
Amelia C Fyfield
Paul Middleton
Michael Dutch
Denise Curnow
Manfred Paul Hertenberger
Melody Hertenberger
Angelina Dass
Kumaresan Gohulabalan
Colette Moore
John Moore
Antony Isoardi
Fiona Cheong
Alice Sauve
Steve Robinson
Shahirah Price
Laura Chapman
Scott Chapman
Christoph Hallier
Sybille Buehre
Tee Davies
Scott Davies
Oscar Casamian Marco
Christine Morris
James David Morris
Alyssa Matheson
Leighton Matheson
Andrew Lim
Genevieve Yip
Laura Crennan
Mark Crennan
Joel Liebi
Andrea Lim
Pnina Moscovici
Les Sarkady
Liz Sarkady
Shaun Reincke
Rebeccah Reincke
MaryAnn Puthussery
Sandra Cho McDonald
Judd McDonald
Rebecca Curino
Jacy Logue
Karen Yau
Julian Wei Loong Su Andrew Philippou
Nicholas Anthony
Patricia Anthony
Melanie Lindquist
Charles Lindquist
Tracy Duwei
Jing Huang
Hamish Stone
Melanie Stone
Lisa Firnett
John Firnett
Koreen Barbara
Jonathan Toeng
Maxime Damphousse
Colleen Measday
Shaun Measday
Sherene Richards
Sean Richards
Margaryta Chmel
Morgan Sparrow
Paul Brown
David Cardile
Taylor Laurence
Kazu Ota
Lee Taylor
Rini Taylor
Gaetan Chaumette
Peilun Chen
Gwendolyn Mai
Darron Rowe
Lexi Howland Jackson
Ed Howland Jackson
Lisa Parr
Scott Johnson
Matthew Mooney
Kate Mooney
Lauren Raps
Liz LaFleur
Shaun LaFleur
Kent McCallum
Amanda Clarke
Simon Millar
Shane Millar
Jane McMillan
Jacqueline Morrison
Janne Greta Barrelet
Till Ole Barrelet
Nicole Groene
Fabian Groene
Gemma Lower
Andy Lower
Angela Kitching
Chris Kitching
Fu Xiaowei
Zhang Fan
Jeff Pruis
Fiona Hall
Mark Chadwick
Parul Bhandari
Gautam Bhandari
Alex Webster Aranchikov
Alex Aranchikov
Omkar Sen
Rob Davis
Chloe Bidos
Philip Law
Jane Sullivan
Mark Heap
Wendy Smith
Amanda Plakalovic
Ognjen Plakalovic
Timothy Cormier
Jennifer Cormier
Kirrilee Hughes
Andy White
Kim Jong Yoon
Jennifer Ross
Stefanie Chorlton
Adam Koebel
Laura Koebel
Congratulations to Oscar Casamian Marco Winner of this month’s $50 voucher from The Fishwives.
