ANZA Magazine March 2018

Sin g a p o re

March 2018

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

THE AUSTRALIAN & NEW ZEALAND ASSOCIATION

MARCH 2018

E DI TOR’S NOTE

T

MARCH 2018

“What do you first notice when you travel someplace new?”

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

THE ANZA TEAM The Australian and New Zealand Association 47A Kampong Bahru Road, Singapore 169361 Hours: Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm +65 6223 7992 www.anza.org.sg

he first thing to hit me is the heat; a wall of warmth, a weighted air so palpable, so heavy, like the suitcases trailing behind me. There’s the smell of the tarmac, of kerosene and something more exotic. I’m greeted by a paper sign, “Welcome to Singapore, Hottie” and there’s a whirlwind of excitement and hugging and soft kisses. There’s the fluorescent fuchsia of the bougainvillea and the emerald greens of the vines and angsana trees that stretch and retract; the jungle that seems like it could recapture the concrete within hours. There’s an unbelievable man-made skyline of glass and stone mountains, of Avatar-esque trees and haphazard houses from a bygone time that come into view as we cross a bridge. Later, blueish smoke from an outdoor grill curls into the air and there’s the salty sweet scent of soy and bbq, plus a faint tang of the gutter tempered by a myriad of perfumed bodies from around the world. There’s a scratchedrecord remix of gecko’s tchak tchak tchak-ing, karaoke music, and a hundred international voices. And there’s a view of an architectural, boat-shaped wonder, of mythical sea lions and river boats reflected in the glass of the Strait.

These are my first memories of Singapore.

What do you first notice when you travel someplace new? I find that it’s these small sights, smells and sounds that years

later will remind me of particularly special memories. I’ll be someplace else but I’ll instantly be transported through time.

Like the aroma of sardines covered in olive oil and cracked salt over hot flames, always teleports me to a beach shack in Portimão, Portugal. I’m about five, less than waistheight to my dad, oily with Ambre Solaire sun-cream, and I can visualise my mum and my grandparents, all a deep mahogany brown, asking for yet more sardines and laughing over the beer order.

Isn’t travel, and the wonderful memories it evokes, a fabulous thing?

This month for our annual travel issue, there’s a range of articles to inspire you to hustle to the airport or the ferry. From a city escape to Chicago and a foodie odyssey in Portugal, to trekking the Annapurna mountain range and playing Peter Pan in paradise, there is plenty to get you clicking through Expedia or TripValet. Remember, travel is the only thing you can buy that makes you richer, so purchase the memories, not the things.

This issue is for those with wanderlust.

Breathe deeply and follow your nose to your next adventure.

Charley Larcombe, Editor editor@anza.org.sg

EVENTS Helena Biggin events@anza.org.sg

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

ADVERTISING Karen Henaghan marketing@anza.org.sg

ACCOUNTS Ellie Mills accounts@anza.org.sg

DESIGN Skye Jefferys design@anza.org.sg

ADMINISTRATION Peta Hayes info@anza.org.sg

WEBSITE Geoff King web@anza.org.sg

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

C ONTENT S

THE TRAVEL ISSUE write for anza magazine

FEATURES

We’d love you to write for us. Editorial deadline is 19 March for the April Magazine and 16 April for the May Magazine. Write between 400–600 words per page.

If you’re interested, please email Charley, the

22 Neverland

The magic of Nikoi for all members

Editor at editor@anza.org.sg.

of the family.

photographers

38 A Portuguese Marvel

Attention, all aspiring snappers – we want you! Please note photos need to be 300dpi.

Take a city break to one of Europe’s great capitals this year.

20

Email the Editor at editor@anza.org.sg.

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

46 My Kind of City

Lee Carsley tells a tale of two cities during her visit to Chicago.

The Kids Are Alright Useful hacks to help make travelling with the family stress-free. Relatively...

REGULARS 01 Editor’s Note 04 President’s Message 07 Post It 08 New Members

MCI (P) 135/04/2017.

10 What’s On 12 Australian High Commission

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

Current and prospective members and guests are encouraged to reference both the constitution and terms and conditions of ticketed events.

14 New Zealand High Commission 16 ANZA Action

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18 Check Out: Tiong Bahru

The Foothills of the Heavens

30 Casual Coffee

Photographer Tatyana Kildisheva & her husband go hiking in Nepal.

34 Member Benefits

26 Out & About: The GADBBQ &

Ladies Night 32 ANZA Tours 50 ANZA Click Photography A U S T R A L I A N A N D N E W Z E A L A N D A S S O C I AT I O N

52 Tastebuds 53 Hotspots 54 Sourgrapes

T H E A U ST R A L I A N & N EW Z E ALAND ASSO C I ATI O N March 2018

Singapore

56 Tuckerbox 59 Soul Fuel 60 Wandering Yogi 62 Mad About Fashion 64 ANZA Sports 74 ANZA Groups

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75 ANZA Classifieds

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March 2018

MARCH 2018

Girl Power The success story of the ANZA Matilda’s soccer triumph in Bangkok.

76 10 Minutes with…

Chill, Chat, Connect’s Phil Biggin OBC_COVER_MARCH_76pp_REVISED.indd 2

Tatyana Kildisheva

9/2/2018 10:57:20 AM

ANZ A PARTN E R S

THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING ANZA PARTNERS, VALUED GREATLY FOR THEIR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF THE ASSOCIATION. PR E M I E R P A R TN E RS

PL A TI N U M P A R T N E RS

GOLD P A R TN E R S

S I L V E R P A R TN E RS

F EA TU RED PART NER

AUSTRALIAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL Andre Casson, new Head of School & former Principal of AIS WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE FOR NEW PARENTS MOVING TO SINGAPORE? Singapore is a wonderful, safe destination for families. Health care is excellent, foods from home are readily accessible and, of course, the schools are brilliant! My main advice for parents is to maintain an open dialogue with their children about the move. Children manifest their anxieties in a myriad of different ways. An open, caring relationship between parents and their children is the best recipe to facilitate a positive transition.

If you do notice any concerns I would urge parents to engage with their children’s school. Working together, school and home,

only serves to assist the support for the child.

This is an important aspect of our pastoral provision at AIS. WHERE ARE YOUR TOP TRAVEL STOPS? My family and I have just returned from a ski holiday at Happo One in Japan, our second trip to the country. Coming from Perth, I had never seen snow until I was 36 and had not skied until last year but I can say that I am definitely hooked – although still a very poor skier! Although this may not be one of the quick get-aways from Singapore, Japan is still much more accessible from here rather than from the antipodes.

March 2018 anza

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PR ESIDENT ’S MESSAG E

MARCH 2018

“I get to explore the travels of our wonderful contributors and be inspired to pick up my passport again.”

G’day and welcome to the annual travel edition of our ANZA Magazine. I must be getting old because these special themed issues seem to be rolling around quicker and quicker each year. I think I notice this one in particular though, because each time I’m struck by the conflicting feelings surrounding travel that many expats experience.

Obviously we love to explore or we wouldn’t have flown thousands of miles and crossed oceans to live in another country. And being in a central hub like Singapore means we get to see other exotic places regularly without having to wander too far, which is fantastic.

On the other hand though, it often means we don’t have any choice but to travel extensive distances. Whether its long-haul flights home for events - both happy and sad - or for work which so often involves regional travel, it can sometimes feel like you’re spending all your time on planes and in airports.

That’s why I love the travel issue of our magazine though. Each year it gives me the opportunity to have another look at how I feel about travelling. I get to read about the intrepid trips from our wonderful contributors and be inspired to pick up my passport again. When all is said and done, I’m reminded that travel is one of my oldest loves and after reading the magazine I’m inevitably making bold new plans to go exploring!

Safe and happy journeys ahead.

Cheers,

PJ Roberts, President

ANZA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Co-Patrons His Excellency Bruce Gosper, High Commissioner for Australia | His Excellency Dr. Jonathan Austin, High Commissioner for New Zealand Charities Patron Antonia Kidman

President PJ Roberts

Vice President Adam Martin

Treasurer Zenaida Bharucha

Community Services Coordinator Fiona Harrison

Committee Member Megan Scott

Committee Member Don Northey

Committee Member Andre Casson

Committee Member Richard Foltin

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January – February 2018

Membership Secretary Megan Kinder

Committee Member Mark Neo

Sports Coordinator Kylie Barry

Committee Member Tristan Perry

Sports Coordinator Marnie Watson

POST I T

POST IT

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

BE BALL READY Win a styling session with Covetella if YOU BUY your BonANZA Black-Tie Ball tickets before the end of the month!

HOW TO WIN • • •

Go to anza.org.sg, & buy your tickets before Mar 31 You’re put into a draw to win a place in the Fashion Styling Workshop You get lucky & win! Well done!

DID YOU KNOW? On the second Monday in March annually (Monday 12 this year), Commonwealth Day is celebrated. There are currently 52 countries within the Commonwealth, including Australia, New Zealand and Singapore.

– Raelene Tan

Covetella, Singapore’s premier dress rental destination, has partnered with ANZA to offer ten lucky winners an amazing experience of head-to-toe personalised styling, with top tips to discover the perfect outfit to suit your style.

Let Covetella’s Fairy Godmother, Carol Chen, and her team of stylists help you feel a million dollars in a private event on Wednesday 11 April, from 6-8pm.

Browse hundreds of designer dresses and accessories and view their latest collections, all whilst enjoying delicious wine and nibbles in Covetella’s beautiful showroom. It’s a real-life dream closet that you can access at a fraction of the price – not forgetting the exclusive discount of 15% for BonANZA Ball ticket holders.

One lucky girl at the event will also win a free manicure package to complete her look!

Cinderella, you will go to the ball – and you’re going to look red-carpet-ready. But you have to get organised! So Whatsapp the group and book your tickets now – and just maybe you’ll win this exclusive prize!

JOIN ANZA CRICKET! Do you miss donning the whites and getting out on the hallowed turf? If that’s a yes, then ANZA Cricket is for you!

We field three teams from Division 2 through 6 of the Singapore Cricket Association with regular nets sessions. Despite the season being underway, we play through to October and always welcome new players. We use the cricket nets at the Singapore Cricket Club for training under lights from 7-9pm on Mondays, and also at the Australian International School for training on Sunday mornings from 9.30-11.30am with games on Saturdays or Sundays.

For those less serious but interested in a social game, the ‘Dream Team’ play each month, usually as 30 overs per side matches against other social teams. Lots of good-humoured sledging, some good and bad cricket, but always followed by a few beers where one can reflect on the day’s achievements and balance performance (or lack thereof ) with a few well-constructed excuses.

For more information, go to anza.org.sg/sports/cricket/.

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n ew m e m b e r s

NEW MEMBERS

we are delighted to welcome new members every month to the anza community.

Rosalie Aarten Kerrie Alexander James Alexander Patricia Ashman Andrew Ashman Mark Blackmore Jenni Boyce Peter Bradley Hena Bradley Annie Burke Darryl Burke Tanya Burrows Malin Butcher Jim Butcher Natasha Butterworth Greg Butterworth Melissa Buttigieg Mark Buttigieg Lisa-Jane Cagney Geraldine Capablanca Joseph Capablanca Tully Cashman Phuangthong Chaisri Lois Chan Katy Chessell Auspen Chia Adrienne Chisnall Peter Chisnall Sarah Coleman Joel Cook Charlotte Cooney David Crocker Kim Crocker Kate Crowley David Crowley Oliver CunninghamCreech Janus Dalsgaard Jheneffer Dalsgaard Amanda DaSilva

Nick Davison Takako Davison Anthony Day Frederic Devos Anshul Dhingra Shilpi Dhingra Mathilde Dujardin Gordon Durnan Richard Earl Leah Earl Gustaf Ericson Victoria Fagan Tony Fagan Richard Farmer Anna Farmer Sean Farquhar Lily Farquhar John Fetherstonhaugh Ros Fetherstonhaugh Helen Fitzgibbon Apipa Fletcher Michael Fletcher Matthew Flook Ebru Flook Toby Forrest Daniel Gerard Silvia Gerard Olivia Giangiulio Janet Giles Stephen Giles Tom Glasgow David Gledhill Karen Gledhill Jo Groarke Heidi Groensedt Lars Groensedt Zhang Haiping Mike Hamilton Yoon Heewon James Hennah

Clare Hennah Fred Hersch Camilla Hewitson Robert Hewitson Marcus Hildebrand Shaleen Hinduja Robert Hobson Anna Jackson Felicity Jaggar Taylor Johnson Annabelle Johnson Nicki Jones Wendy Jones Revathi Kandasamy Priti Kapur Bipan Kapur Melissa Khoury John Khoury Remco Kolder Kannan Krishnan Annemiek Kuijsten Kate Lawrey Batsheva Lazarus Alex Lee Martin Leeuwen Adam Lindstrom Ida Lindstrom Norman Lockhart Valerie Lockhart Guy Lovell Debbie Lovell Laura Mann Les Mansour Nina Mansour Michael Martella Ksenia Martella Craig Martin Rebecca Martin Dave Maslin Paul McNee

ANZA MONTHLY GIVEAWAY Congratulations to Wouter Rij Winner of this month’s $50 voucher from The Butcher.

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March 2018

Sarah McNee Ellie Mills Will Millsteed Fiona Moran Damien Moran Iain Morrison Sunny Morrison Sherly Morton Andrew Nation Lucy Nation Lars Nordenskiöld Nicholas O’Brien Josefin Oehman Ville Oehman Susannah Parsons Nicholas Paul Corina Paul Emmeline Payne Steffen Pedersen Chelsea Perell Shannon Perell Eilise Phan Sandy Pike Peter Pike Arthur Pineda Grace Pineda Demetra Polycarpou Steven Poon Allanah Powell Ian Powell Emmanuel Prochasson Omar Rafiq Barbara Raser-Tidey Wouter Rij Nathaniel Rowe Angela Rowe Devos Ryoko Urvashi Sahay Abhi Sawant Jyoti Sawant

Steven Schofield Bettina Schreiber Dean Schreiber Narelle Scritchley Greg Scritchley Dan Silva Julie Simon Eric Simon Ki Sin Louise Sjogren Daniel Sjogren Andrew Speck Marcelo Spitzkeit Budi Sutisna Daniela Sutor-Heibutzki Sarah-Jane Svensson Rebecca Sweetman Andrew Sweetman Han Tan Leah Thomas Corey Tidey Nicholas Tubb Anthony Vriens Evert Vrugt Kirstie Waring Elin Watkins Carl Waugh Monica Wijlen Tim Wilkins Kimberley Wilkins Anna Willett Emma Winterbourn Roslyn Wood Annemarie Woodsell Grace Yee Michele Yen Zhou Zhou Berend Zonneveld Boukje Zonneveld

New Members Premier Partners

THE CROONER

RockThis! Photography

AUSTRALIAN SINGER TONY DEE, WILL BE BELTING OUT TUNES FROM THE GREAT AMERICAN SONGBOOK AT THE INCREDIBLE TRUE COLOURS FESTIVAL, THE ASIA PACIFIC CELEBRATION OF ARTISTES WITH DISABILITIES. TRUE COLOURS FESTIVAL SINGAPORE INDOOR STADIUM & OCBC SQUARE 23 – 25 MAR

What are you most looking forward to at the True Colours Festival?

Performing with the other artists at the Festival, in numbers that show off our talents together.

SAVE THE DATES ANZA AGM Tue 13 Mar

What have you found has been your biggest challenge in pursuing a career in the music industry?

Probably my lack of self-belief, which is gradually being turned around – especially recently.

CHILL, CHAT, CONNECT Thu 15 Mar LADIES NIGHT Tue 20 Mar THRIVING IN SINGAPORE Wed 21 Mar NEW EVEN T!

HELPING YOU UNDERSTAND THE JOB MARKET Fri 23 Mar 10 anza

Why do you feel the ethos behind the Festival is so important?

We should celebrate our abilities and our perceived disabilities. Respect for the uniqueness of each person on this planet is of paramount importance. I am grateful to Very Special Arts Singapore (VSA) for this bold initiative in producing the Festival.

March 2018

What do you feel you personally got out of being involved with the We’re the Superhumans project?

I got a big boost in my confidence because I heard what I had recorded in the studio and it was really good! It was actually the first time I had ever heard myself recorded on anything better than a home stereo or phone.

Dream collaboration?

I like to sing the songs from what’s known as the Great American Songbook. They are swing tunes and love ballads sung by masters such as Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole. So, my dream collaboration would be with Tony Bennett. A “Tony and Tony” duet. A close second would be Michael Bublé.

Audrey Perera, Festival Director, True Colours Festival: True Colours Festival, produced by VSA, is a celebration of exceptional talent showcasing Tell us about your experience with more than 15 of the most gifted performing the Rio Paralympics [Tony was the voice of the We’re the Superhumans ad artistes with disabilities from Japan, China, the Philippines, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, for the RIO TV coverage in 2016].

Cambodia and Singapore, plus guests from Making the Rio Paralympics promo was a heap the UK and Canada. It’s a challenge to single of fun and I got to mix with some amazing out specific performances to catch as they’re people from around the world. I learned a lot all great talents. Besides the indoor concert, about film-making – more so than singing. We the outdoor True Colours Festival Village offers had such a professional crew with an awardwinning director. It was always going to be a hit. a host of free experiential activities for the public such as Dialogue in the Dark, Paralympic Sport Try-Outs, a festival of short films, live performances and much, much more.

W HAT ’S ON

14 MAR

14 – 18 MAR

18 MAR

Zepp@Bigbox Singapore!

Enjoy the pop tunes from this glossy award-winning girl band as they present their most successful album, the selftitled Fifth Harmony, to their Singapore audience. True fans, the Harmonizers, will have the date firmly locked in.

Singapore Indoor Stadium Disney on Ice Celebrates Everyone’s Story promises the ultimate Mickey and friends experience as all your favourite characters touch down in Singapore for a skating extravaganza.

Fort Canning Park Thumping music, diet-busting food stalls, giant Jenga and sack races, and enough face-paint, glitter and flower crowns to get the whole crew into the spirit, this is a top weekend in Singapore.

From $128

From $120

From $75

FIFTH HARMONY

DISNEY ON ICE…

GARDEN BEATS FESTIVAL

Brinkhoff Mögenberg

23 MAR

29 MAR – 8 APRIL

The Max Pavillion, Singapore Expo Admit it, gone are the days of Blunt crooning You’re Beautiful; now he’s the King of Twitter and producing music from his blissful oasis in Ibiza with his stunning lawyer wife. He takes a break from utopia to tour his fifth album, The Afterlove.

Esplanade Theatre Don’t miss the Singapore premiere of the National Theatre’s Olivier and Tony award-winning production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time. It’s a theatrical experience not to be missed.

From $98

From $48

JAMES BLUNT

THE CURIOUS INCIDENT…

31 MAR

ZAKIR KHAN Shine Auditorium One of the most-loved comedians of India is bringing his show, LOL Stars Feat Zakir Khan to Singapore with its look at the hilarious in the everyday. Grab a group of friends and giggle through the night.

From $48

Rony Alwin

BlueiProd

8 APR

12 APR

12 – 15 APR

Singapore Indoor Stadium Get your tickets for the outspoken pop star’s latest tour, Witness and be blown away by the more-is-more production.

Sing yourself hoarse to her old and new tunes, ‘cos, Baby, You’re a Fiiiiirework.

Singapore Indoor Stadium This Irish indie and rock band combine heart-breaking ballads and get-to-yourfeet anthems for what promises to be an awesome gig. Ideal for date night or an evening with mates.

One 15 Sentosa Cove While away an afternoon amongst the beautiful super yachts and pick which one you’d sail away on whilst listening to live music and trying the wares from the different food stalls.

From $128

From $98

From $50

KATY PERRY

THE SCRIPT

SINGAPORE YACHT SHOW

March 2018 anza

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AU ST R ALIAN HIGH C OM M IS SION

Australian High Commission Singapore 25 Napier Road Singapore, 258507 Tel 6836 4100 Fax 6737 54810

BUSY START TO 2018

It’s been a busy start to the year for the Australian High Commission, with a focus on Australian produce, products and talent.

The New Year has brought a number of high level visits from Australia. Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon. Christopher Pyne MP was in Singapore to promote Australia’s world-class defence capabilities for export and strengthen regional defence industry relationships. We were also pleased to welcome the Hon. Michael Keenan MP, Minister for Human Services and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Digital Transformation to Singapore at the end of January. During the visit, the Minister had the opportunity to explore Singapore’s approach to digital transformation and smart cities, as well as opportunities for bilateral collaboration.

During his visit, Minister Keenan met Singapore’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister-in-charge of Smart Nation, Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, as well as Minister for Communications and Information, Dr. Yaacob Ibrahim.

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

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On 25 January we hosted our annual Australia Day function which brought together hundreds of guests in celebration. Guests at the event enjoyed a culinary adventure through the best of Australian food and beverage in Singapore. Thank you to our Platinum sponsors Australian International School, BHP Billiton, Bluescope, Icon SOC, James Cook University Singapore, Lendlease, NAB, Qantas and Wolf Blass Wines; our Gold sponsors Visy and Westpac, and to our generous F&B sponsors.

We would also like to thank Minister for Health Gan Kim Yong, Members of Parliament Mr Seah Kian Peng, Dr Tan Wu Meng and Mr Vikram Nair, and Lieutenant General Perry Lim for joining us for the evening.

Continuing the theme of high quality Australian products was the launch of the Taste Australia campaign with an event for forty of Singapore’s leaders in the retail, restaurant and food services sectors. Guests had the opportunity to taste premium Australian produce prepared and served by extraordinary Australian talent, including Burnt Ends chef Jake Kellie who was recently named San Pellegrino Young Chef 2018 Southeast Asia.

In just a few weeks, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull will welcome the Leaders of the Member States of ASEAN and the SecretaryGeneral of ASEAN to the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit in Sydney.

The Special Summit will strengthen joint cooperation to regional security and prosperity, including by addressing shared security challenges and securing greater opportunities for business. Two important events will lead into the Summit, including a Counter Terrorism Summit and Business Summit.

As of 4 March, Qantas will have begun flying its daily A380 London service through Singapore as well as boosted capacity out of Melbourne. This is excellent news for the more than 400,000 Singaporeans who visit Australia each year, and the nearly one million Australians that visit Singapore for tourism.

IMAGES C-W: Taste Australia dinner, Burnt Ends Chef & recent winner of the San Pellegrino Young Chef Award, Jake Kellie / New Colombo Plan scholars with Mr Seah Kian Peng, Member of Parliament for Marine Parade GRC, who was a Colombo Plan Scholar, & High Commissioner, Mr Bruce Gosper.

ANZ A ACTION

January – February 2018 anza

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NEW ZEAL AND HIGH C OM M IS SION

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

SCIENCE, TECH & INNOVATION ON AGENDA

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

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Minister for Energy, Research, Science & Innovation Hon Dr Megan Woods was the first Minister from our new Government to visit Singapore in January. Here to speak as one of the opening panellists at the Asia-Pacific Energy Assembly, Dr Woods also took the opportunity to call on science and technology government officials and industry experts to discuss greater collaboration between New Zealand and Singapore under the Science, Technology and Innovation pillar of the Enhanced Partnership.

WELCOME, COUNSELLOR

New Counsellor (Economic) Mark Blackmore has recently arrived in Singapore. This is a new position established by the Treasury, initially focused on Singapore but taking in the broader region over time. Mark is accompanied by wife Jo and three children Joshua, Maggie May and James.

Mark comes to Singapore from the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet where he was on secondment from Treasury as the Prime Minister’s economic and finance adviser.

Earlier in his career he held roles providing advice on economic strategy, fiscal and monetary policy, economic forecasting, and as APEC Finance Deputy and Senior Official was involved with the G20 in Australia’s host year.

Mark and Jo are excited to be living in Singapore, and are looking forward to meeting the ANZA community over the coming few years.

KIWI HEADLINES FESTIVAL

This month you can catch Kiwi performing artist Rodney Bell in action from 23-25 March at True Colours Festival, Singapore’s first festival for artistes with disabilities. Rodney, who won the Arts Access Artistic Achievement Award last year for his outstanding career, was paralysed from the chest down in a motorbike accident in 1991.

This has not stopped him from pushing past barriers to play in the New Zealand wheelchair basketball team and becoming a renowned dancer. Tickets are available at truecolours.sg.

IMAGES: Hon Dr Megan Woods & Singapore Senior Minister of State Sim Ann / High Commissioner Jonathan Austin & Economic Counsellor Mark Blackmore / Rodney Bell by Nina Gastreich.

A NZ A AC TION

INSIGHT IN IC2 PREPHOUSE RAE MOLLER FOCUSES ON ONE OF ANZA ACTION’S SMALLER CHARITIES WHO WILL BENEFIT FROM APRIL’S HILARITY FOR CHARITY EVENT.

T

ucked away in a shopping centre in Boon Lay, iC2 Prephouse provides a wealth of resources and teaching for young people diagnosed with visual issues. If not addressed, some of these conditions could prevent them from either attending main stream schools or studying for exams, so ANZA Action is committed to helping in any way we can.

Whether the children go to iC2, or as is more often the case now, the teachers visit them, there are many ways that the young people can learn with the help of this worthwhile charity. For example, they are given the opportunity to gain some independence by reading volunteer-made books – which have a story line in braille and tactile illustrations made with the help of the recently donated scanner from ANZA’s Wandering Yogis. As they become more proficient, specialised computers aid with magnification or by using software to convert text to speech.

Volunteer-produced tools such as these make a real difference to the children suffering from visual impairment – and there are numerous ways you too can get involved.

•

JOIN ONE OF OUR TACTILE PRODUCTION WORKSHOPS Come along to iC2 and help make the books for young children to read. A simple book can be done in a morning, whilst a more complicated project could take 2-3 sessions.

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BE A MENTOR Go directly to the children’s homes, to read with them or help with their homework. We have been fortunate to have had a few ANZA members who have been involved in this aspect of iC2 life for some time now.

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EDIT NOTES AND MATERIALS Work on notes and info’ used with the JAWs (text-to-speech software) programme, which can easily be done from home.

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ATTEND HILARITY FOR CHARITY Register for this inaugural ANZA event on Wednesday 11 April at the Hard Rock Cafe and help raise funds for much-needed equipment. Check out the What’s On section of the ANZA website for details.

anzaaction in the community

GOOD NEWS! AN iC2 SUCCESS STORY

anzaaction

ANZA Action is the community affairs arm for ANZA, supporting in the community charities in Singapore.

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March 2018

Joshua is a 20-year-old university student just beginning his undergraduate studies at the SMU School of Information Systems. However, a few years ago and after rapid deterioration of his vision, Joshua was diagnosed with congenital glaucoma and lost his vision during his ‘O’ level year, forcing him into home-study using a scribe and reader for his exams.

Joshua and his parents knew this was not a permanent option hence they sought iC2’s advice. With the support of iC2 and Joshua’s high expectations, he is now a competent JAWs user and is able to independently and confidently access most of his study and leisure materials. iC2 still responds to requests for support from Joshua when he meets a challenge that he cannot independently resolve, whether it be inaccessible materials or new computer software. A classic example proving the good work of iC2.

CHECK OUT

TIONG BAHRU

This heritage area is perfect for a Sunday stroll in the city says Charley Larcombe.

With the perfect mix of gym classes to work off the excesses of the night before, and delicious cafes and bistros to tempt you with delicacies to put it all back on again, Tiong Bahru is your weekend sorted.

TIONG BAHRU RD

3.

2.

LIM LIAK ST

11.

4.

Tiong Bahru WET MARKET

6.

5.

7.

12.

1.

10.

8.

9.

Tiong Bahru Qi Tian Gong Temple

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C HE CK OUT

1.

Tiong Bahru Pau & Snack 237 Outram Rd., 169041 One of the well-known pau shops in Singapore, it still does not disappoint. You can call ahead (6222 7656) to order your selection of char siew pau, drive up 15 mins later and just call out from your car – as I saw one switched-on Singaporean do whilst I was chatting to the staff.

Everything is steamed in huge steamer baskets and then wrapped in paper for takeaway – perfect for a quick bite.

2.

F45 Training 261 Outram Rd., 169057

f45training.sg/tiongbahru/ F45 – the HIIT training regime that just keeps growing – isn’t a new phenomenon, so you’ve probably already given an All Stars class a try; and paid dearly for it the following day. But not only is this fantastic less-than-an-hour class perfect for fitting in your day – there’s currently an ANZA offer available for members (check our website for the details)! High five!

5.

One Olive 61 Seng Poh Ln., 01-01, 160061

oneolive.net This florist looks like a scene from Miss Havisham’s house in Great Expectations; plants tumbling everywhere, mosses creeping historically over surfaces, a cacophony of vials and vases teetering on shelves. The shop is as creative as the au natural bouquets (from $100) – and watch out for Sunday the cat, named after the day she was adopted.

6.

We Need a Hero 57 Eng Hoon St., 160057

weneedahero.sg This men’s grooming parlour is as cool as you can get – even the styling of the website is as slick as a wet shave. From haircuts and beard trims, to the, er… more intimate areas, this is a one-stophangout for the guys – and they have a host of products to choose from to perfect that pomade.

Bakalaki 3 Seng Poh Rd., 168891

bakalaki.com Named after the Greek word Bakaliko (μπακάλικο), the traditional neighbourhood store full of all the delicious Hellenic goods you can imagine, this restaurant is a great find for lunch or supper. Imagine you’re embarking on your own Cretan food odyssey with plates of dolmades, feta saganaki and keftedes.

4.

Tiong Bahru Food Market 30 Poh Seng Rd., 168898 Peruse the wet market and numerous flower stalls on the ground floor early doors on a Saturday; pop across the road to Whisk café for a recovery coffee and an opportunity to look at the market’s 50s-style architecture, and then amble back to grab a plate of char kway teow from the upstairs hawker stalls.

Maissone 38 Eng Hoon St., 169783

maissone.com What didn’t I love about this interiors and homewares store? From distinctive photography prints, to Moroccan poofs and Australian bed linens, I could have very easily pulled out the credit card and started spending. It was January though, and I was trying to be good, but this month, not so much…

10.

Upper Place 231 Outram Rd., 169040

facebook.com/pg/upperplace.wangz Found on the roof of the Wangz Hotel, this spot is a perfect place to wind down after a long week with a great view to check out when you’re just happy to sit ‘n’ watch in a conversation lull. It also has an eclectic European menu that won’t break the bank.

11.

7.

3.

9.

DGA Threads 01-82 Eng Hoon Rd., 160057

degiosart.com/ This tiny little gallery has beautiful objects d’ art, Buddhist sculptures and carefully curated pieces from its director originally from Puglia, via Tibet – Giuseppe De Giosa.

Pay particular attention to the textiles neatly hanging on a rail; Giuseppe sources original Japanese silks and has them reworked either into kimono by a local 70-year-old Auntie or into contemporary cropped jackets by a LASALLE professor.

8.

Merci Marcel 56 Eng Hoon St., 160056

facebook.com/mercimarcelsg Marcel says bon appeitit – and indeed you shall at the gorgeous café and bistro on Eng Hoon Street. I loved the red snapper ceviche ($24) but all the plates rushing out from the kitchen on a busy Tuesday lunchservice looked delicious. Take a moment to chat to the staff who are totally clued up on the wine and cheese you can buy to take a little slice of France home with you. Merci!

The Tiong Bahru Club 57 Eng Hoon St., 267208

facebook.com/thesingapuraclub Heritage style, easy service and a popular place that embodies the ethos that “it’s a members club for all”, this bistro and taproom is an easy sell. A particularly varied menu (Asian-influenced Devil’s Chicken Curry lines up with dum biryanis and okra fries) means if you can’t really decide on what you fancy that evening, this place prevents arguments. Everyone is happy.

12.

Curated Records 55 Tiong Bahru Rd., 160055

facebook.com/curatedrecords/ All the best things come in small packages – which is particularly true about this musical Aladdin’s cave of vinyl treasures on Tiong Bahru Road.

From mainstream Mariah to obscure indie, you can easily lose track of time sifting through the albums and reliving musical memories.

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The Kids Are Alright Vacations are supposed to be relaxing – unless you’re travelling with three children under five. Here are some hacks on helping your holiday be just that, a holiday.

Location-Finder

Safety First

Carry On

Although you may want to show your three-year-old the world, a backpacking trip may not be the best option just yet.

A resort or at least staying in one location will mean less time spent in transit and therefore less disruption-causing anxiety.

Remember those exciting cultural trips you used to have, ooh-ing and ah-ing over the wonders of the world? Well now you’ll become proficient in the World’s Best Playgrounds.

However, do plan your vacation where everyone can be happy – that means you too. Hence the resort idea – kids’ clubs and swim-up bars.

Couple of obvious things really but take a first aid box to rival any hospital; there will be bumps, scrapes and falls and you can’t be too sure of what you’ll have access to. Remember your Soov, Imodium, Deet, Tiger Balm, water purifying tablets, tea tree oil – it’s antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiviral; just put it under your nostrils before flying –, Benadryl for allergic reactions, charcoal tablets for iffy tummies and steristrips.

IMC actually have a travel kit all prepared for you.

If you have friends who have visited the same area, maybe they’ll have a doctor or clinic to recommend so it’s worth an ask.

Trust your instincts – healthcare may be different to what you’re used to so if you’re worried, keep pushing for referrals.

Also to bear in mind are car safety rules.

In Australia, a car seat is mandatory by law, but not all countries adhere to this.

Remember to book one when you’re getting your hire car, unless it’s really another item you wish to stuff into the overhead compartments on your flight.

First off, buy the Mary Poppins of bags. It needs to fit changes of clothes – for you and the babies – a huge stash of wetwipes; snacks and entertainment (more on these later); kids’ headphones with adaptors as often the airline ones do not fit; scarves and layers to keep warm – you know how plane temps can drop; bottles and formula – double-check with the airline but these liquids are usually fine to go through. When you’re finally seated, have sets of things at close range so you can deal with emergencies without constantly bobbing up and down to the overhead lockers.

Flight-Planner Life as an expat equals long haul, therefore you need to plan your flight times so that you, your child or the other passengers don’t have a melt-down.

Night flights are for good sleepers. You can exhaust them all day and then recreate the bed-time experience in-flight – e.g. changing into the pjs, brushing teeth, story-telling; the full works.

Day flights... good luck. Just keep them entertained!

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Carryin’-the-kids For those not yet walking, a baby ‘Bjorn’ carrier is a must. Having them strapped to your front leaves your arms free to cope with passport-ticket-holding-otherbabies’-hands whilst also being helpful on the actual flight too. If you don’t have the extra seat space, then you can easily have them on your lap with the front carrier. Also, call ahead to the airport to book a stroller so you can simply check yours in with your luggage.

The Beauty of Changi

Be the Entertainer

This airport has everything so all of that extra time you need for checking-in and getting sorted for your flight will be time easily spent. There’s the butterfly enclosure, a super slide and a movie theatre to name but a few. Get the kids active so they will be exhausted for the flight and ready to settle…hopefully.

A long-haul flight stretches endlessly before you; just how do you keep the kids quiet for 10+ hours? First off, try and limit the screen-time. It may seem like an easy option to let them get carried away with the endless movies and iPad games, but it’s going to leave them wired and not being able to rest. Instead, assist with their motor skills and concentration by packing the crayons and pads; buying the toy shop out of stickers and organising some activity books. Also, an option is to wrap a couple of tiny presents – there’s a twofold benefit as it’s another timewaster and they’re enjoying the thrill of something new… or that they haven’t used in a while. #recyclegifts

Feeding Time Your best bet here really is to plan ahead and have your healthy snacks sorted.

We’re talking veggie sticks – they take twice as long to chew so use up some time – rice crackers, dried fruits etc.

Obviously for ease, there are lots of takeaway snacks on offer at the airport and inflight, but you’re going to pay for that in the long-run when that sugar-rush hits.

To deal with ears popping on take-off and landing opt for sugar-free lollipops.

All-in-all though, remain calm. And remember this is a vacation; the excitement of a break-from-the-norm; the experience of travel; showing the kids something new; making memories.

Happy holidays.

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N EV E R L AN D

NEVERLAND Nikoi, the island hideaway where no-one need ever grow up says Charley Larcombe.

Courtesy of Nikoi Island & Sara Conneely

T

here is an island full of children’s chatter. Of stories and legends made up of wooden swords and imagination, with little WiFi and lots of fun to be had from making dens and dragon-hunting. It is a place of salty skin and sea-tangled hair, of sun-kissed cheeks aching from laughter where a Peter Pan-like character called Yogi calls out to a tribe of Villebrequin shortwearing Lost Boys who emerge from driftwood houses to follow him on adventures.

It is also a place of bespoke cocktails, freshly-caught seafood and guitar music played by moonlight. There are torch-lit paths winding through Jurassic-like jungle to hidden seats looking over the Riau Archipelago, where thirst is slaked by cold local beers and where lazy muscles are reduced to oily-suppleness in a tented spa with natural air conditioning. It is surrounded by an idle sea, gently lapping at the shores of white sand encouraging you to snorkel over underwater forests and spy, not mermaids, but gloriously-coloured rainbow fish. It’s where South China Sea pirates stored bounties or fishermen rested between long-

seating just waiting to be collapsed in with a good book or for morning coffee to prepare you for a day of adventures. There are sea otters that play on the lawns, slow-moving monitor lizards that languor in the shade and butterflies that follow you down your private path onto the sand. In touch with its eco-tenet, you won’t find energy-guzzling mini fridges or wasteful snacks – but everything is but a quick call away. Your only real touch of modern tech’ is the iPod dock, ideal for some easy-listening reggae flowing through your room.

For those who just want to wriggle their toes in the sand and only move from the sun lounger at meal times, the beautiful beach on the west coast or the secluded pool to the other side of the island are perfect spots. Yet for those who go a little stir crazy after 20 minutes of sun bathing, there is plenty on offer – even if the island is only 15 hectares in size.

How about an early morning knock about on the grass tennis courts where you can feel the dew beneath your feet? Or a prelunch game of croquet or boule? Maybe something a little more

“The activities like jetty jumping and marshmallow roasting over the beachfires are all overseen by the staff and leaves parents to unwind and listen to the ocean.” trawls or where water nymphs dropped anchor and enjoyed the shallows of the reefs. This is an island overflowing with daydreams and bed-time stories. This is Pulua Nikoi.

It isn’t a secret. If you’ve been in Singapore for any time at all, you would’ve heard talk of this little slither of paradise not even a flight away from the centre of Singapore. You and your family and friends can leap on the ferry at Tanah Merah late afternoon on a Friday and be on Nikoi by 8pm. Stay for a week if you can, but even just a weekend is enough to totally lose track of time and settle easily into island life. Nikoi is a conservation hub that extols the virtues of barefoot luxury, where every detail is conscious of the guests but also the impact on the environment.

Plus it’s an adventure playground for the smalls. It really ticks so many boxes.

The villas are built to be your home-away-from-home – and with only 15 on the island, you’re guaranteed privacy. They’re sprawling driftwood and ylang ylang houses with bunkbeds perfect for kids’ sleepovers and elegant first floor suites where parents can escape to king-sized beds and views over the beach. There are day beds and sundowner chairs and low slung

strenuous? There’s rock climbing on the island and jungle paths to explore on foot, but the staff can also organise mountain bike trails or kite-surfing on Bintan, only a 20-minute boat ride away.

I’m a water baby so I immediately grabbed the snorkel mask – they provide them for all ages and sizes – and swam straight from the beach where the reef is home to lots of Nemos and Dorys. The coral itself isn’t glorious but there’s plenty of fish to swim with and you don’t need to leave the shore too far behind to be amazed. I also dragged down one of the kayaks to skim across the waves and explore the island from the water, but there are boats too – from lasers for the kids, to catamarans that can be prepared for island hopping. For the divers in the group, daily trips can be booked, but you need to have your PADI qualifications as the team on the island don’t offer courses.

If all of that has been a little exhausting, book in for a massage.

There is an extensive treatment menu in the tented spa and you can peruse the list whilst sipping on ginger tea.

Wait, where are the kids? Don’t worry, whilst you’ve been enjoying yourself, your little ones have stepped into a truly magical world. The ‘kids club’ is little more than a haphazard

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“Nikoi is a place of childhood dreams.

Happy kids; happy parents.”

shack with no plastic toys, TV screens or iPads in sight. Instead there are rope swings, bows and arrows whittled from bamboo, a small football pitch with makeshift goal posts. Each day the staff, headed up by the famous Yogi, take the kids on nature trails and treasure hunts, pier jumping into the crystal clear waters, fishing with nothing but a piece of string tied to a thin wooden pole. It is all so pure and simple, so wholesome that it harks back to past childhoods. It all makes for twinges of nostalgia.

It’s worth noting that I visited with The Boyfriend; a weekend escape just for the two of us, away from it all. We had visited the adult-only sister island, Cempedak a couple of months before (you may’ve read it in the ANZA eco-issue last August) and so we had our expectations. Unsurprisingly, we absolutely adored the life and atmosphere that the children added to Nikoi. There was always lots of giggling and chatter, but you never felt like you were being disturbed or that it was killing any romantic moment – it was just fantastic to see sun-tanned children enjoying the island so much.

However, to get actual feedback on what it’s like to holiday on Nikoi with the clan, I turned to a friend. After all, maybe I was just looking at the rose-coloured ideal from my fortunate position where I wasn’t dealing with the spats and the moaning and nappies etc. of family-life.

“Nikoi doesn’t take the cookie-cutter approach with the children; everything just feels so authentic,” recalls Sara Conneely who has been to the island with her husband and two children, Tomas and Caitlin on a couple of occasions. “The kids have total freedom and you feel relaxed with this because the staff are so natural with them; they remember names and greet them like old friends. The children’s club may ‘only’ consist of four posts and a thatch roof, but it’s by far superior to other clubs that use technology to keep kids entertained. The activities like jetty jumping and marshmallow roasting over the beach fires are all overseen by the staff, which leaves parents free to unwind and just listen to the ocean. Its close location to Singapore is, obviously, a huge relief as there’s no travelling drama. Nikoi is a place of childhood dreams. Happy kids; happy parents.”

Sounds pretty ideal, huh?

“Dreams do come true, if only we wish hard enough”. So, close your eyes, keep wishing and spread a little of that dollar-sign pixie dust and hopefully there will be a week free to head there. Just one thing, JM Barrie was wrong about directions to Peter Pan’s Neverland – it’s not “…the second star from the right and straight on ‘til morning”. It’s a three-hour door-to-door trip from Singapore to an island perfect for children who never wish to grow up.

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OU T & AB OUT

THE GREAT AUSTRALIA DAY BBQ PROUDLY PRESENTED BY COMMONWEALTH BANK, NEARLY 4,000 MUMS, DADS, CHILDREN, VENDORS, FRIENDS AND ANZA SUPPORTERS DESCENDED ON THE OVAL AT THE AUSTRALIAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL TO CELEBRATE AUSTRALIA DAY IN SINGAPORE.

Don Northey

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he annual ANZA and AIS Great Australia Day BBQ welcomed nearly 4,000 people for an afternoon of great food, great games and great celebration. The event kicked off with a group of AIS students taking to the stage for a rendition of Advance Australia Fair followed by a cover of Australian singer-songwriter Vance Joy’s Riptide.

Australian Deputy High Commissioner Kate Duff and title sponsor Daniel Matthews of Commonwealth Bank were joined by ANZA’s President PJ Roberts in officially opening the 2018 edition of the event.

A hot afternoon saw kids instantly head to the numerous inflatable toys and games like AAM Advisory’s dunk tank, the slip ‘n’ slide manned by the Camp Asia team and Expat Dental’s dolphin flume. When they needed a little respite, there was free popcorn courtesy of logistics sponsor Allied Pickfords, Jamie’s Italian gelato and face-painting.

There were over 40 food, drink and lifestyle vendors so all tastes were catered for. To satisfy appetites there was everything from a mouthwatering BBQ by The Butcher, to oysters, plates of falafel and sweet churros. There was an unsurprisingly busy bar serving beer, wine and sparkling, and baristas churning out coffees. In the shopping village there were free mani-pedis by the Ten Feet Tall stand, and so many varied stalls – from organic vegetable boxes, to kids’ scooters; and everything in between.

There was also a fantastic turnout from the ANZA sports and interest groups, showing off what make them so unique to our community, demonstrating what’s on offer and enlisting new members.

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As the sun continued to beat down, many retreated to the relative cool of the marquee to listen to the band No Worries, or stop by the Commonwealth Bank stand who were handing out goodie bags of water bottles, baseball caps and money boxes – you’re never too young to start saving!

When the weather finally broke around 4pm and the heavens opened, it was in fact a welcome relief from the stifling heat. And of course, it didn’t dampen spirits as the families continued to play and the covered shopping area did a roaring trade.

A special thank you must go to the army of ANZA and AIS volunteers who worked tirelessly to create a memorable day. Manning their stations, keeping everyone safe, and doing so with a smile come rain or shine, we were so grateful. It was further proof P RO U D LY P R E S E N T E D B Y C O M M O N W E A L T H B A N K of what a fantastic community we share with our friends and family within ANZA. Who’s ready to celebrate ‘Straya Day all over again?

GREAT AUSTRALIA DAY 2018

DID YOU ENJOY THE DAY WITH THE FAMILY? ARE YOU A VENDOR OR STALL HOLDER? DO YOU WANT TO BE A PART OF GADBBQ 2019?

CHECK OUT THE LINK FOR INFO AND UPDATES: ANZA.ORG.SG/GADBBQ2019

BBQ

SUN 28 JANUARY 2-6PM AUSTRALIAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL, 1 LOR CHUAN, 556818

FOR THE FOODIES: From The Butcher BBQ and local noodles, to freshly shucked oysters and vegan falafels, there’s plenty to tempt the tastebuds!

FOR THE SHOP-AHOLICS: From arts ‘n’ crafts and children’s clothing, to micro scooters and active wear, there’s lots to sate your shopping appetite!

FOR THE FUN: Bouncy Castles, Backyard Sports, Dunk Tank Fun, Gigantic Inflatables and Face Painting by Makors Event’s Leonard.

Live band ‘No Worries’ will be playing the best of Aussie favourites.

Don’t forget to pack a towel for the Slip n Slides – and BYO picnic basket.

L I M I T E D C A R PA R K I N G. C L O S E S T M R T : L O R O N G C H U A N ( 5 M I N S WA L K )

PRESENTED BY

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GOLD SPONSOR

SILVER SPONSOR

BBQ SPONSOR

ORGANISED BY

GRE AT AU ST R AL IA DAY BB Q

Salud, Ladies!

R EG U LA EVEN R T

The first ANZA Ladies Night of 2018 welcomed both existing members and brand new Singapore expats.

An electric storm pouring down on Singapore didn’t keep 40 women away from the first ANZA Ladies Night of 2018! Braving the rain, dishevelled hair and difficulty in hailing cabs, a fantastic group of Singapore ladies joined the ANZA team to welcome in the New Year at SEAR on Raffles Place.

Sipping on glasses of $10 velvety red wine – which fitted the weather outside better than any summery cocktails – and opting for mouth-watering mini wagu beef platters, a whole host of brand new ANZA members enjoyed a great evening. We were particularly delighted to welcome many recent Singapore residents who had freshly touched down in Lion City. It’s one of the big reasons we’re here – helping you learn about your new home and being the friend to help you navigate your way through life as an expat.

We’re already looking forward to our March edition of ANZA Ladies Night at Empire Lounge on Tuesday 20. Register your place online at anza.org.sg/events.

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CASUAL C OFFEE

CASUAL COFFEE It’s Australia Day as I’m writing this. The rain has been pouring down all day, but that didn’t stop a group of ANZA members and friends coming along to this morning’s Casual Coffee – neither did we let it dampen our spirits. With so many new ladies joining us, there was lots to talk about – from catching up about our holidays and sharing details of the many ANZA events and activities to attend and get involved in, to discussing various helpful phone apps and where to find the most suitable apartment. Chatter was so amiable that most of us stayed on well past our usual finish

JOIN US AT THE COFFEE BEAN & TEA LEAF FOR OUR TWICE-MONTHLY CATCH-UPS! time, until some adjourned – to continue over lunch!

Chinese New Year will have been and gone by the time this reaches you so Gong Xi Fa Cai! And then it will be Easter just around the corner. Please note that there will only be one Casual Coffee morning this month on Wednesday 14 March.

Whether you’re a new ANZA member, or have been here a while and are looking to meet some new people, all are welcome to our Casual Coffee mornings.

JOIN US FOR COFFEE AND A CHAT! MARCH Wednesday 14

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf

#01-26 Orchard Central 181 Orchard Road from 10am onwards

Look for these ladies at the venue!

Sue Chamberlain 9390 6937

Sandra Poh 8189 5128

Collette Height 9181 3076

Naida Ginnane 8698 1026

Julie Johnson 9025 2430

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March 2018

gu e s T s P e ak e r

Phil Biggin

Head of S aleS en ablem en t, bt Global S er viceS aSia, middle eaSt, africa & turkey

P R O U D LY P R E S E N T E D B Y C O N N E C T B Y C R O S S B R I D G E

C h i l l. C h at

Connect Check out some of the newest places around town, meet likeminded people and unlock networking opportunities.

“Paradoxical Thinking”

MeMbers $25 non MeMbers $35 PriCe inCludes a $20 toKen Card to Be used on the evening.

thursday

15 March 6.30Pm – 8.30Pm V e n ue

OR GANISED BY

SE R I E S S PON S OR

V E N U E S PON S OR

PA R TNER OR G A N I SATIO N

75cl TasTing lab

E VENTS PA R TNER

#01-06, 8 Jalan Kilang Barat, 159351 Be ready to immerse in wines from over 20 wine regions from around the world in a tasting session.

To booK YoUr TicKeT VisiT anZa.org.sg

W N E tast Ng an evening of....

HOSTED BY – PETErSOnS WinES

LADIES NIGHT $10 S! INK DR

Thursday 22Nd MarCh 6.30pM – 8.30pM

$30 per person nOn mEmBErS $40 PEr PErSOn

gEt your tickEts from WWW.aNza.org.sg Price includes canapes, cheeses and cold cuts to accompany the selection of 6 wines that will be showcased

TUESDAY 20 MARCH 6.30 - 9.30pm EMPIRE LOUNGE, 50 Raffles Place Level 45, 048623

ANZA TOURS THERE IS SO MUCH TO SEE AND DO IN SINGAPORE SO COME AND EXPLORE WITH US. ANZA.ORG.SG/TOURS/

10 MAR

20 MAR

ART AT EMERALD

FOODIE DELIGHTS IN JOO CHIAT

24 MAR

CHARITY WALK

21 APR

BATTLEFIELD HISTORY

25 APR

ANZAC day DAWN CEREMONY

ART AT EMERALD This tour for the culturally-inclined leads participants to discover the story of Emerald Hill through art and performances in private spaces.

The cultural area, a former nutmeg plantation, is a perfect window into the colonial times of the Empire. Explore, collect and piece together your very

own story of Emerald Hill through the art and architecture you see from Chinese Baroque shophouses, to a mall from a bygone era. Join us for this opportunity to experience beauty and heritage outside of the conventional museum and gallery space.

DATE: TIME: MEET:

COST:

SAT 10 MAR 11AM – 1.30PM 10.50AM, CHATSWORTH INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL MEMBERS $30 NON-MEMBERS $40

DATE: TIME: MEET:

COST:

tue 20 mar 9.30AM – 1.30PM 9.20AM GEYLANG

SERAI MARKET MEMBERS $85 NON-MEMBERS $100

FOODIE DELIGHTS IN JOO CHIAT Explore Joo Chiat Road from a culinary perspective. This food tour of Geylang - a beautiful neighbourhood of restored shophouses and colourful architecture - introduces you to the culinary Nyonya culture where the Chinese wok meets Malay spices, as well as bustling markets, temples, and mosques. Stroll along winding lanes

with our guide - one of Singapore’s most enthusiastic foodies - who tells you about the multicultural makeup of the neighbourhood, which is a melting pot of religions and ethnicities.

Join us in tasting the best Peranakan dishes from authentic popiah and spicy laksa, to Nyonya dumplings made from glutinous rice and Malay cake.

F

CHAORRI

CHARITY WALK Discover Singapore’s most vibrant districts on this 8.7km charity walk and let your feet do the work whilst your tour cost is donated to the ANZA Charities. Start in Little India – once home to a racecourse, cattle herders and brick kilns – and explore the mix of Hindu and Chinese temples, mosques and churches. Then it’s on to Kampong

Glam where you can see the abundance of carpet and fabric shops on Arab Street before uncovering the delightful Haji Lane, one of Singapore’s hidden gems. We will then wind our way into the CBD via the iconic Singapore Flyer and past the architectural wonder of Marina Bay. Walk your way to helping a good cause.

TY

DATE: TIME: MEET:

COST:

SAT 24 MAR 9 – 11.30AM 8.50AM FARRER PARK MRT, EXIT G MEMBERS $25 NON-MEMBERS $30

DATE: TIME: MEET:

COST:

SAT 21 APR 9AM – 1PM 8.50AM NEWTON FOOD CENTRE MEMBERS $55 NON-MEMBERS $65

DATE: TIME: MEET:

COST:

WED 25 APR 5.30 – 9.00AM 5.20AM NEWTON FOOD CENTRE MEMBERS $10 NON-MEMBERS $15

Battlefield History To commemorate ANZAC Day, learn more about the history of Singapore’s fall to the Japanese in World War II. Our first stop will be the Kranji War Memorial, where over 30,000 military personnel are honoured. We’ll then head to see the beach where the first Japanese landings took place, passing by the site of the Kranji Beach battle

where the Allied Forces scored the only victory over the invading Japanese.

To finish the tour we’ll visit the newly refurbished ‘Old Ford Factory’ and see the actual room where the British surrender was signed. This area in the northern part of Singapore is fascinating and quite unlike other parts of the island, so be sure to come along.

ANZAC Day Dawn Ceremony The Australian and New Zealand communities in Singapore will gather at the Kranji War Memorial Cemetery to commemorate the 103rd anniversary of the Gallipoli landings. This year we are providing buses to take the hassle out of parking: we’ll depart Newton Food Centre carpark at 5.30am sharp and

leave the Cemetery at approx. 8.15am, returning to Newton. The ANZAC Day Dawn Commemorative Service will be hosted by the Australian High Commission, in conjunction with the New Zealand High Commission. Take a moment to remember the fallen with all of us from ANZA Tours.

featured ANZA MEMBER BENEFITS MARCH HERE’S A SELECTION OF OUR BEST OFFERS AVAILABLE THIS MONTH – EXCLUSIVELY FOR ANZA MEMBERS.

Bawah Island Resort bawahisland.com

Lexis Hibiscus Port Dickson lexishibiscuspd.com

10% discount on direct website bookings on min. 3 nights’ stay.

10% discount best available website rates on direct bookings using code: ANZA10.

Montigo Resorts, Seminyak montigoresorts.com/seminyak

Imaj Private Villas imajproperties.com.au

20% off the bar for Deluxe Family Suite (2 Bedroom). 20% off F&B (excl. room service, alcohol & tobacco); 15% off Montigo Spa (excl. special package/ promotion) when booking direct.

Enjoy 10% discount on direct website bookings.

White Mansion Hotel in Phnom Penh hotelphnompenh-whitemansion.com Enjoy 10% discount with Hot Deal rate, online only.

Bali Dynasty Resort bdr.pphotels.com Book online & receive 10% discount.

ALILA HOTELS & RESORTS alilahotels.com 15% off best flexible rates on direct website bookings. Redeem with code: ANZA-2018

Park Hyatt Siem Reap siemreap.park.hyatt.com/en/hotel/home 10% discount on standard room rates.

Email reservations.repph@hyatt.com with code: ANZA Singapore 10.

Tugu Hotels tuguhotels.com Enjoy 10% discount on direct website bookings.

Jamahal Private Resort & Spa jamahal.net Enjoy 10% discount on website prices.

The Strand Hotel & Cruise hotelthestrand.com/promotions/ promotional-offers-2017.php 10% discount on direct website bookings on either hotel or cruise.

Redeem with code: ANZA10.

Shangri La, Singapore shangri-la.com/singapore 10% discount on best available rates online when booked directly with Shangri-La Singapore. Redeem with code: ANZA Member.

The Haven Resort Hotel, Ipoh thehavenresorts.com 10% off best available suite rates made direct with Haven Resort Hotel.

Telunas Private ISLAND telunasresorts.com Enjoy a complimentary cocktail during stay at the beautiful Telunas resort.

PRESENT YOUR ANZA MEMBERSHIP CARD – OR USE THE DISCOUNT CODE ONLINE – TO RECEIVE AN ARRAY OF DISCOUNTED PRODUCTS AND SERVICES. T o v i e w t h e f u l l l i s t o f A N Z A m e m b e r b e n e f i t s an d T & C s , v i s i t anza . o r g . s g

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SOU R GR APES

A Portuguese Marvel Rafael Dalmau explores current travel hotspot, Portugal, discovering a country of great food, spell-binding architecture and welcoming people.

Rafael Dalmau

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O

ver the years, I’ve peered through a miniscule window into the Portuguese culture or rather its presence around the world. As I’ve observed during my travels in Asia, the country’s influence is glimpsed in the architecture and culture of Sri Lanka, Penang, Malacca and, most of all, Macau. However, such brief experiences did not prepare me for the marvels I saw in the actual country, when I visited Portugal with my wife last June.

The first stop on our Portuguese tour was the beautiful city of Porto. A magnificent location, it is divided by the calm waters of the Duoro River, yet criss-crossed by colossal bridges connecting both sides.

The name Porto, of course, evokes the fortified wine that many of us have had at the end of a hearty meal. However, it is so much more than a wine producer; it’s one of the oldest cities in Europe (dating as far back as 300BC) and is the second largest after Lisbon. Its rich history includes an incarnation as an outpost of the Roman Empire and being declared an UNESCO World Heritage site. It’s a city filled with wonderful sights, food, culture, arts, and, above all, friendly people.

We roamed the city by foot; taking in the sights and marvelling at the imposing architecture including the Sao Benito train station where the lobby walls are covered by the famous Portuguese tile-work.

The city has many memorable landmarks and one in particular stands out for visitors: Livraria Lello. This beautiful building with

its heavy art nouveau and gothic influence was an inspiration for the library in the Harry Potter movies, thus attracts a multitude of fans and tourists. Be sure to go early to miss the crowds.

As self-confessed foodies, we were left delighted - the food was fantastic! We tried much of the local cuisine with a bias for all seafood including Portugal’s famous dry-cod fish dishes, although we skipped the locals’ favourite: tripe.

In the gastronomical sense, it seems that no visit to Porto is complete without trying the francesinha, the Portuguese take on the French croque monsieur. Be warned vegetarians; this isn’t the snack for you as the sandwich is filled with different meats and covered with a red, beer-based sauce (every restaurant claims to have its own recipe); a delicious and very filling treat.

We then moved onto the capital city, Lisbon. Instead of opting for a train ride, we chose to rent a car and drive along the stunning coastline, giving ourselves time to appreciate the scenery and stop and stare where we chose. We paused for lunch at a small cidade where we enjoyed a plate of freshly caught sardines and a glass of the local wine. We also dropped by the coastal town of Nazare, well-known for some of the biggest waves in the world and a paradise for monster-wave surfers, before driving onto our destination.

As we approached Lisbon, we caught a good view of Vasco da Gama Bridge, a truly impressive sight, before driving along the beautiful tree-lined Avenida da Liberdade, Lisbon’s main avenue.

After checking into our charming hotel, we set out along Rua March 2018 anza

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SOU R GR APES

THE CITY TRULY IS A VIBRANT CULTURAL COLLAGE THAT HAS TAKEN MANY CENTURIES TO FORGE… Augusta, a pedestrian-only street lined with dramatic black and white tiles. This took us to the remarkable Praca do Comercio or as it is commonly known, Terreiro do Paco – Palace Yard.

Prior to the devastating 1755 earthquake, the Royal Palace was situated in this location. Nothing seems small in this square, the buildings are large and painted in bright yellow, and the skies are deep blue under the scorching sun. After a long stroll along the boulevards, we arrived at the red brick walls of Campo Pequeno, the bullring and a popular monument in Lisbon (worth noting that under Portuguese law, the bull is never killed). The city truly is a vibrant cultural collage that has taken many centuries to forge – and the best way to fully appreciate the architecture and iconic sights of this amazing city is undoubtedly on foot.

However, when your shoes start to pinch, there is another option. We unapologetically, took the hop-on/hop-off bus to further our acquaintance with the city. It was definitely time well spent as it’s a vast city to cover. Bear in mind that there are plenty of hills, but luckily the elevador system helps you reach these upper parts. The system not only includes the famous yellow trams; but also the city lifts such as the Elevador Santa Justa, the most famous and not to be missed.

Like many a capital, Lisbon is made up of many, many areas.

However, Baixa and Rossio, Alfama, Chiado, Principe Real, Cais do Sodre, and Bairro Alto are amongst the most popular and where the main areas of interest are located. The latter changes dramatically from day to night. During the day, Bairro Alto is a shopping and somewhat bohemian district, but at night it transforms into a hotspot for nightlife teeming with restaurants, wine bars, and clubs.

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A short ride away from Lisbon’s old-part of town is the district of Belem, which offers some of the most amazing UNESCO World Heritage Sites in this part of the world. These include Mosteiro dos Jeronimos, an impressive monastery commissioned in the early 16th century and built in the Portuguese old-gothic style known as Manueline with magnificent serene interiors. There is also the Torre de Belem which was built as a fort overlooking the Tagus River; and the relatively new Padrão dos Descobrimentos which represents and celebrates the ‘Age of Discovery’.

In Belem (and next to Jeronimos) is a bakery known for its delicious flaky custard tarts called pasteis de Belem. These pastries have been made here since 1837 and are famous all over Portugal. While many cafes, bakeries and restaurants offer pasteis de nata; these are just not the same. This simple and tasty treat is worth the fare to get to Belem!

Lisbon is a city where a simple stroll turns into a history, architecture and gastronomical lesson; and a coffee stop can become an evening making new friends with the locals. I was amazed by the colours and diversity of this city. Whilst parts of it date back to Roman times, it has the energy and attitude of a young town. The people are warm and welcoming, but don’t let that relaxed countenance fool you; these are people ready to roll up their sleeves and work hard. There is a tremendous amount of pride in their daily work and their heritage that purveys throughout the streets. Despite spending only a short time in Portugal, I know that Lisbon in particular, is a place where we could retire and live wonderfully.

S OUL F UE L

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THE FO OT HI LLS OF HEAV EN

THE FOOTHILLS OF HEAVEN Photographer Tatyana Kildisheva and her husband spent 20-days trekking the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal.

She shares her experience with ANZA Magazine.

Tatyana Kildisheva

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T H E FO OT H I L L S OF HE AVE N

A

couple of years ago, my partner John and I embarked on a trek through Nepal. The 230km-long route we chose, is considered one of the best in the world, passing through villages, crossing rivers, climbing mountains – including the famous Annapurna range – and descending into picturesque valleys. It offers a wide variety of climates from the tropics at 700m, along the path’s highest point of Thorong La Pass, which touches the edge of the Tibetan plateau, to the subarctic at 5,000m.

Because of the new road construction, the trek can now be done in about 10 days with less walking and more driving, however, we opted to take the ancient trade route. Having applied for a 90-day visa, we realised that we had the greatest gift imagined – plenty of time in a phenomenal country. It meant we could spend an extra day or two taking in the villagers’ way of life, interacting with the locals, tasting native food, and generally observing our surroundings. We were able to slow down and really appreciate what was around us.

At the beginning of our trip, we attempted a shorter trek in the east of the country, in the Langtang Valley. It was there, at about 3,000m above sea level, that I realised how prone I was to altitude sickness. It came unexpectedly and I went down with terrible headaches, shortness of breath and nausea. Thankfully, that was the highest point that we had to reach on that trek – and it left me realising I needed to be better prepared, to walk slower, spend more time recovering before moving up again and to stock up on lots of pills to alleviate the symptoms.

The Annapurna Circuit begins at Besisahar, in a subtropical valley with terraced farming.

Trekkers share the muddy path curling upwards with villagers moving their yaks, goats and trade goods. Whilst we slowly traversed the trail, the temperature became colder with each 100m elevation and, at about 2,500m there was little vegetation, only rocks and mud.

We climbed to over 3,000m, reaching Pisang village and were greeted by lots of snow. None of the poorly constructed teahouses for trekkers provided any heating, but we considered ourselves lucky that there was a small stove for cooking where we could warm up a bit before going to sleep. At night, temperatures went down as low as minus 10 °C so we were super grateful for our comfy sleeping bags, although we were still shivering every night. I even slept with my camera batteries in my pockets to prevent them from discharging in the cold.

Unsurprisingly, Nepal is ethnically diverse and it shows on the smiling faces of the local people; the Mongolian, Tibetan, Chinese and Indian. They were very curious about us and the kids greeted trekkers with a traditional “namaste”, immediately followed by “chocolate?”.

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THE FO OT HI LLS OF HEAV EN

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Buddhism and Hinduism are widely practiced but the higher altitude settlements are predominantly Tibetan Buddhist with quite a few ancient monasteries. The most remarkable one for us was Kag Chode Thupten Samphel Ling Monastery in Kagbeni village, just a few years shy of its 600th anniversary. We were allowed inside for the 6am prayer and breakfast with the young monks, who mindfully ate their Tibetan bread and drank their tea.

The scenery changed day-by-day as we climbed higher and higher and the magnificent mountains seemed close enough to reach out and touch. Such sights made us realise just how small and insignificant we were compared to the enormity of the Annapurna range.

Half way through the trek we reached Manang where we spent two days, acclimatising. It was the last village with electricity and a bucket of warm water for showering and laundry – so take full advantage should you ever find yourself there.

The settlement was in fact quite big; there was a volunteer doctor from the US staying in the village and giving lectures on how to recognise and deal with altitude sickness; and a ‘movie theatre’ where we watched Brad Pitt’s Seven Years in Tibet with our backs to the mountains. We also took a training trek up to a Buddhist monastery, to touch prayer wheels in the bitter cold, before scurrying back down.

Within a couple of days though, it was time to move on and we reached Gunsung, a village of only five houses, half of them destroyed by an avalanche. We witnessed cooking on a stove with yak dung, the only fuel available, because there is no wood in the mountains and no one carries it so high up.

It had only been 10 days at high altitude but our bodies were slowly breaking down; it was painful to breathe, the skin on our faces and hands were cracking, and our ears were ringing. Our boots, backpacks, and clothes were looking rough from all the walking on mud, tripping in yak poo and scrambling over rocks.

Our last night before attacking the Thorong La Pass was spent at 4,450m in a lodge so cold that my water bottle froze overnight. We started slowly ascending on fresh snow at 5am and watched the stunning sunrise over the snow-capped mountains.

I glimpsed a few people walking the trail below us, and thought how tiny they looked compared to the colossal mountain giants around them. We had a quick photo at the summit with the 5,416m sign for proof as the strong wind and snow whipped around us, before we were ‘running’ down the other side of the mountain, trying to make it to the village below before night fell. This part of the trek is often the longest, with some people

taking 11 hours to finish – although thankfully we made it in much less time.

As we descended over the next 10 days, the path led us through a whole host of villages with interesting traditions, inquisitive people, local architecture and temples and even a distillery making brandy from apples.

While the views of the Himalayas, the roof of the world, are so breath-taking that I have no words to describe them, seeing this scenery comes at a price. For an average person having grown up in the clean and sterile environment of modern city-living with everything within easy reach, trekking through Nepal is quite a lot to adjust to.

Surprisingly, there are no technical mountain climbs on this trek, so really anyone could do it; however, simply being physically fit doesn’t necessarily equal completing it. We saw plenty of fit people turning around because of high altitude sickness or stomach problems as food hygiene standards in Nepal are so low that almost everyone gets sick. A few times we heard the whirring of a helicopter overhead which always meant someone was being evacuated due to sickness.

So, a few practical notes before you try to trek: You need a lot of time and patience, strong and comfortable boots, lots of warm clothes, a thermal sleeping bag, good backpack, hiking sticks and take paperbacks or a Kindle for when you finish for the day but there is still plenty of light and nothing to do. Essentials also include: all possible medicine you think you would need, plasters for your blisters (you will have plenty), good face cream, altitude sickness prevention tablets and, most importantly, water purification tablets. Also, don’t be shy to hire porters if you’re not strong enough to carry all your gear. For many Nepalese, being a porter is the only income they can provide for their families.

My takeaway from the trip is that climbing mountains is not as exhausting as having no access to the amenities that I take for granted at home like my comfortable bed, running water, a flushing toilet, clean clothes and food that I can stomach. A diet of Nepalese dal bhat (rice and lentils) didn’t provide the best, much-needed nutrition to cope with the physical endurance of the trek. Sleeping on wooden planks with no bedding, no shower and no washed clothes for days was quite unsettling as was using outdoor squat toilets during very cold nights.

Regardless, I feel incredibly lucky for having had the opportunity to visit Nepal, to experience high altitude trekking for the first time in my life, to be surrounded by such stunning scenery and having found the strength to finish.

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A NZ A T R AV EL I SSUE

MY KIND OF CITY Lee Carsley tells a tale of two cities during her time in Chicago; a place that, despite a notorious crime rate, boasts bombastic architecture and unassuming people.

Lee Carsley

Last year, a mere 1.5million overseas

THE SKYLINE THAT GOD BUILT

tourists made it to Chicago, the

There are some spectacular buildings in Singapore – Marina Bay Sands, the Bishan Community Library, and the brutalist calculator building of the OCBC to name just a few.

But Chicago is the birthplace of the skyscraper. Those super-talls juxtaposed against the flatness of Lake Chicago certainly make you pause for breath.

From early Art Deco designs by Louise Sullivan and Holabird & Root, to the contemporary super-talls by Bruce Graham and Fazlur Rahman Khan, a tour of Chicago architecture is a reveal of global building design from the past 80 years. From the Chicago Board of Trade which sports a 30ft statue of Ceres (the Roman goddess of grain) on top, to the Willis Tower built originally for Sears & Roebuck (the company that did to mail order and retail shopping, what Amazon and Lazada had to do together to change online retail), there is something for any architecture buff or novice enthusiast (such as myself ).

Most noticeable about buildings in the Chicago main area is the complete lack of signage on them. With the exception of one – the Trump Tower. This building, designed by Adrian Smith (the man responsible for the world’s tallest tower, Dubai’s Burj Khalifa), is a condo hotel, and one of the few left standing in America that has kept its name since you-know-what.

Also worth a visit is the Apple store on the corner of North Michigan Avenue, overlooking the Chicago River. Inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright’s prairie architecture, it is the only Apple store in the world to deviate from the minimalist box formula.

third largest city in America; the cosmopolitan made famous by the likes of Abraham Lincoln and Barack Obama; the city of skyscrapers made lowly by tragic headlines of crime.

Having not long returned from a visit myself – and despite this pitted history – I’m writing to encourage you to give it a go! Next time you’re over in the land of Stars and Stripes, check out this melting pot of a city, which is anything but boring.

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The best way to see Chicago architecture is via a boat tour like those run by the Chicago Architecture Foundation, a not-for-profit that does amazing work bringing Chicago building design to life. Once you’ve got an idea of the landscape, I then recommend taking a walking tour Downtown (many are free, you only have to tip: freetoursbyfoot.com/chicago-tours/), or simply go on your own.

A TANGIBLE HISTORY LESSON The historical and present day calamity of the crime in this city is an unavoidable fact. It doesn’t help that Chicago lawlessness has been romanticised for decades. Think the musical of the same name, which traces the lives of two women jailed for murdering their husbands in the time of Prohibition, led astray by jazz; or big budget movies about gangsters like Kevin Costner’s The Untouchables or Johnny Depp in Public Enemies, which create romantic anti-stories of gang life, short though they may be.

Frank ‘The Enforcer’ Nitti, Louie ‘Two Gun’ Alterie, ‘Diamond Joe’ Esposito, Al Capone and John Dillinger. The names reek of brutality and booze. The city would prefer this history to just go away, but if you do want to find out more, you’ll need to go the City in Crisis Exhibit in the Chicago History Museum, where Al is wedged in between the Great Fire and the 1968 convention. Or just ask for a history lesson from some of the locals.

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Chicago is sadly the violent crime city capital of America; gangs are rife, and are now cross-generational. A pervasive ‘no-snitch’ code makes solving murders difficult. Many tourists often ask if it’s safe to walk around the city – and the answer is, it depends on where. But that is pretty much the same as for all major cities. As with any time you travel, be aware of your surroundings.

This is also the birthplace of US trade unionism, and where Abraham Lincoln got his first taste of Republican conventions, going on to become one of the most famous US presidents of all time (he would never move to Chicago though, as he believed he would die of consumption due to the weather). The Great Fire of 1871 – you’ll get the full story on any tour you take – laid the foundations for a grand rethinking of the structure of the city, which in turn effected change in global city planning and architecture. And lastly, it was home to the President that put this city on the map – Barack Obama.

It is a metropolis rich in history – both the good and bad – and that proves very interesting for a visit.

A SPORTING CHANCE Sport plays a major part in the culture of the city. From the hapless soccer side, the Chicago Fires, to the well-known baseball team, the Chicago Cubs, you can scarcely strike up a conversation with a Chicagoan without veering onto the topic of league tables.

I was in town during the World Series playoffs (baseball, for the uninitiated). These are akin to the preliminary finals of AFL; all screens in any bar have nothing else on them. Everyone has a seemingly well-informed opinion on which team will win and

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why. The Chicago Cubs had finally won the World Series in 2016, the first time since 1908, ending the longest losing run in US professional baseball history – it was time to see whether they could do it again.

If you visit during the playoff time of year, it’s a great opportunity to explore the many bars and restaurants that make up the Chicago scene. Ask someone about what’s happening on the screen and, poof, instant best friend. I ended up almost front row in Wrigley Stadium, watching a game between the LA Dodgers and the Chicago Cubs (they lost), with a ticket provided by a friendly scalper I met in a bar.

I stayed around Lincoln Park (picked purely because I wear a nail polish by OPI, called Lincoln Park after Dark, but also because it has low crime rates). It teemed with vibrant and eclectic food places. Bars with handcrafted beers and exotic cocktails.

Breakfast diners were sat next to health food spots selling acai bowls and kombucha. And everyone seemed to know everyone else. Sit down long enough and you will see the community of the area coalescing over a meal, then disbanding to their familial duties of walking the dog, taking the kids home to bed, heading over to their parents’ place.

There are museums to rival the Pompidou Centre in Paris, the MOMA in San Francisco, the Natural History Museum of New York. There are cool-cat jazz clubs and comedy venues which are better than those found in LA. Chef, Anthony Bourdain once said Chicago is “one of America’s last great ‘no bulls***’ zones. Pomposity, pretentiousness, putting on airs of any kind, douch-ery and lack of a sense of humour will not get you far in Chicago.” My kind of city. I suggest you visit to see if it’s yours too.

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Ina Hillier “This is titled ‘Fire Dancers at Puerto Galera, Philippines’. For a brief moment, these very active dancers paused just long enough, allowing for an almost full circle of fire to be captured. The picture was taken with a Nikon D800, with the technical info as follows: shutter 1/10 sec; F/4.5 and ISO 640!”

LIGHT IN MOTION This month the ANZA Click Photographers play with light to stunning Effect.

H

i everyone, this month, our guest curator is Uschi Gaida. Uschi was a new member to ANZA Click last year but has been a great contributor, taking interesting abstract photos of everyday themes. She has also been an enthusiastic member of the photowalks, which have been a lot of fun.

2018 kicked off nicely with a photowalk at the Skyville at Dawson HDB, which has an awesome viewing deck on the top level, with 360° vistas of Singapore.

The walk was well-attended and it was interesting to see everyone’s photos. Even though we all set-up in the same location

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for sunset, the photographs were all very different in terms of composition and processing. We all see things differently and images were captured on different devices, so it was great to see the interpretations after each event.

This month’s theme is Light in Motion and many brilliant photographs were shared. Uschi has selected works from Ina, Brendan, and Guy. Well done folks!

To see more of the great stuff being shared, please join the Facebook group by searching for @ANZAClick. Apart from the monthly themes, it is great to see

photos showcasing the variety of interests and techniques, and camera types that people are using. The group is also a great resource for all things photography related, whether you are just starting out, or have a few years’ experience.

For those that are interested in photography, whether it’s a point and shoot, camera phone, or something more advanced, we would love to see you join our photowalks and discussions. The only pre-requisite is enthusiasm. Please contact Guy at click@anza.org.sg for more info about ANZA Click and upcoming events.

ANZ A C L IC K ! PHOTO GR APHY

GUY KEATING “CineStill film is a modified version of Kodak’s motion picture film, Vision3 500T. Motion picture film usually has cooler tones, which is desired when filming people under artificial light, otherwise everything can look too yellow. CineStill is a lot of fun to shoot, and one of the characteristics is the halation you see around lights, like in this photo. This characteristic is due to the conversion process from motion picture film, to stills.

This photo was taken at the bus interchange at Jurong East. It’s a very busy place which has undergone a facelift in the past five years, thanks to the JEM and Westgate malls boasting a nice variety of outdoor bars and restaurants.”

Brendan Paget “A simple twist of the zoom ring, and the skyline of Singapore looks like it’s warping into Star Trek! This photo was taken at sunset – you can see the change from day to night – capturing the colourful lights of the buildings and street lighting.”

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TASTEBUDS

SO SATAY–FYING

BE INSPIRED BY EASY HAWKER FARE WITH DELICIOUS CHICKEN SKEWERS.

Satay Kai

ANZA Member Payal Thakurani and author of Curries for the Soul, shares her go-to recipe for an Asian street food staple.

Ingredients

Method

FOR SKEWERS 900g chicken breast; 1� wide strips 1.5 tsp ground cumin 2 tsp curry powder 1/2 cup condensed milk 1/2 tbsp white sugar, optional 1 tsp salt

1.

2.

Mix together cumin, curry powder,

1 tsp ground cumin

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3.

For the sauce, fry curry paste

white sugar, salt and condensed milk.

and coconut cream in a wok on

Pour over chicken strips, mix well and

a medium-high flame until oil

refrigerate for 2-3 hours before using.

separates. Add palm sugar, salt,

To cook satay, heat a tablespoon of

coconut milk, and stir gently until it

coconut oil in a large non-stick frying

comes to a boil.

pan and cook for 2-3 minutes on each FOR SAUCE 1 cup coconut cream 2 cups coconut milk 2 tbsp Thai massaman curry paste 1/4 tsp salt 2 tbsp brown sugar or palm sugar 1 tbsp lemon/lime juice 3/4 cup coarsely ground roasted peanuts

4.

5.

Pour in lemon juice, ground cumin

side until slightly charred and cooked

and ground peanuts, stir and cook on

through. Scrape the pan after each

medium flame for a few minutes until

batch and discard charred bits.

sauce thickens and oil surfaces. Serve

Satay can also be put on skewers

hot with grilled satay.

and grilled for 4-6 minutes. Brush them with coconut oil and turn occasionally until slightly charred and cooked through.

HOT SPOT S

HOTSPOTS Raelene Tan offers up ideal spots for Easter, whilst Charley Larcombe has a business lunch in the CBD. PAN PACIFIC SINGAPORE 7 Raffles Boulevard, Marina Sq., 039595 panpacific.com/Singapore

W

ith Easter almost here – a public holiday for Good Friday is on 30 March – it is now time to plan where to eat and what goodies to buy. Hot cross buns with their comforting spicy aroma, colourful Easter eggs and lusciously creamy cakes come to mind.

At Pacific Marketplace, level one, Pan Pacific Singapore, these classic goodies can be found alongside white chocolate animal eggs, various cheesecakes, cream cheese carrot cake and a variety of bread, including the ever popular sour grain loaf.

Customised cakes may also be ordered three working days in advance. At the butchery take-away counter, select your favourite sausages from recipes created by a German master butcher, artisanal ham or other cold cuts, with a good selection of international wines also available.

The highlight this month is the enticing Egg-Chanted Black Forest Entremet in the shape of an egg, bringing thoughts of a

GAIG 16 Stanley St., 068735 restaurantgaig.com

Y

ou really are spoilt for choice for where to lunch if you’re office is located in the CBD. Every type of cuisine is within walking distance or, at the click of an app, it can be delivered straight to your desk.

However, if you’re looking for a midday business spot with good food, good history and a good space for a productive chat with colleagues, check out Gaig, tucked away on a quieter street off Telok Ayer.

Easter Blackforest Entremet. Courtesy Pan Pacific Singapore

fresh green spring field complete with pretty flowers and delicate lady-birds by its unique presentation.

I have always found Pacific Marketplace a cosy spot to relax over a refreshing cup of tea or coffee with a sandwich or slice of cake, to while away time peoplewatching in the midst of the bustling Marina Square area.

On Easter Sunday, a Champagne brunch at Edge, level three, is bound

to please with traditional festive fare including seafood, lamb, spring vegetables and a spread of Easter-themed desserts complemented by free-flow of champagne. To add to the fun in this interactive restaurant with its live stations and open kitchens, entertainment for young diners features a customary Easter egg hunt as well as a jolly Easter bunny joining in the festive activities.

Raelene Tan

This Catalan restaurant has an impressive back story; its older sister in Barcelona has been in the Gaig family since 1869 and it earned its first Michelin Star in ’93. Luckily for us, celebrated Chef Carles Gaig has curated a delicious menu of tapas and traditional Catalan dishes for this Singapore ‘outpost’ which is managed by his daughter Nuria Gibert. Rest assured you’re tasting the real flavours of Barca.

Everything is made ‘in-house’ in the kitchen or imported directly from Spain to perfectly recreate the original dishes and to ensure an authentic experience.

Must tries include the traditional cannelloni, a 150-year-old recipe of roasted meat, wrapped in homemade pasta and bathed in truffle sauce; and the

squid ink seafood fideuà which is similar to paella but with vermicelli noodles to give a nod to the region. A dish for the ravenous is the oven-roasted suckling pig for melt-in-your-mouth goodness, whilst a selection of the tapas plates – the croquettes are the winners – would be ideal for sustenance whilst brain storming with your team.

Do take a moment to talk to Nuria who is charming and knowledgeable but also fascinating in her stories for each dish; not only do your tastebuds get the flavours of Spain, but your transported there too by her accounts of the history of her family and the original Taberna d’en Gaig.

Charley Larcombe

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SOU R GR APES

FINDING SOMETHING SPECIAL THIS MONTH ROBERT REES SINGS THE PRAISES OF A DELICIOUS RED TO ADD TO YOUR CELLAR.

O

Robert Rees runs Sales and Marketing for www.wineexchangeasia.com.

Originally South African, he lived in Sydney for a decade before moving to Singapore.

(Views expressed do not reflect the views of the company).

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March 2018

ne of the best surprises to be had in Piedmonte is discovering labels from the best producers that are not their most famous ones.

Examples such as Angelo Gaja`s Langhe Chardonnay which brings tears to my ears every time somebody else orders it. Or the likes of Pecchenino’s Dolgi Dolcetto or Elio Altare`s Langhe Nebbiolo. When these lesser labels come from the best producers, that all important fine imprint and flourish of skill, shines through even the most humbly priced wines. Simply put – the producers have too much to lose by putting something out that is substandard to the brand. So it’s this sector that sometimes makes for clever buying – and this is what brings me to today’s blue-eyed-boy of a buy...

Pelissero Barbera d`Alba Piani 2014 comes off the back of a stunning 2013 vintage, which was kissed by Piedmonte angels. After something so delicious, I was steeling myself for a less impressive new release. However, we saw the 2014 at Vinitaly in Verona and I can safely it passed the test with flying colours. Tasting in Vinitaly is something akin to a Black Ops Call of Duty, where one dons fighting gear and an attitude to match. It’s the only way to survive covering about 500 wines in four days. So when a wine stands out in this milieu, there really is a story to tell.

Despite the rigours of battle back in Verona, the Pelissero Barbera d`Alba Piani 2014 stood out as fruit forward, kind of circular in the mid palate and a little short. Suffering from all three of these characteristics myself, it presented no challenge to the buying process as the wine is modestly priced, and after five

successive years of making the grade, it’s a major seller in its own right.

My notes for the 2013 were that it was more about sweet and soft fruit than tannic structure. It’s these characteristics that probably explain why the 2013 was such a mammoth commercial success.

A second tasting back in the glass bubble when the 2014 sat next to the 2012 and 2013 was when I was sure that we were onto a good thing. The 2014 was confident but held its waters in a more dignified style. Once I got over my internal tantrum about why life in Piedmonte is so very much nicer than anywhere I care to think of, and my disbelief at how winemaker Giorgio Pelissero possibly managed to get through an enormous plate of pasta amatriciana without even creasing his spotlessly white shirt, my notes from that day seemed clear that 2014 was a major step-up.

This past week was my third run at the wine. It sat next to a bunch of other Italian reds at about $6 more expensive than the rest of the line-up. I believe you would have to look far and wide to find a stronger justification for pushing the boat just a little further out than usual.

The black fruit weaves seamlessly amongst sweet tobacco leaf, white pepper corns and what I can only tag as what coal should taste like if it tasted how it looks.

Weird I know, but its glossy depths and silky form fits the bill. The tannic form is all grown up; it allows the fruit to sing to the rafters but also assures the drinker that this wine is no casual jaunt in the school bus. It’s radiantly impressive; with a bend of both whimsy and gravitas that deserves serious acclaim.

HELPING YOU UNDERSTAND THE JOB MARKET IN SINGAPORE PART 1 OF 3

FRIDAY 23 MARcH 10.30AM - 12.30PM

NAVIGATING ThE jOB mARKET IN LION CITY

AAM Advisory 138 Market Street, #06-01 capitaGreen, 048946

GUEST SPEAKER KAThERINE ChApmAN CSLB ASIA

organiser

MEMBERS: $20

venue sponsor

NON MEMBERS: $35

partner

TO BOOK YOUR TICKET VISIT ANZA.ORG.SG

whisky & watches ThURsDAy 26 ApRil 7.00pm-9.30pm BReiTling BoUTiqUe

390 oRchARD RoAD, #01-03/04 pAlAis RenAissAnce, 238871

Take flight with Breitling at its boutique and experience the world of aviation. ANZA members will also be able to preview the exclusive boutique editions.

Complementing the evening is a special whisky masterclass, run

TickeTs $50

by world-class spirits aficionado Lewis J Mitchell. Experience flavours from the fresh and delicate Lowlands, spicy Highlands, fruity Speyside and peaty Islay whiskies as we journey through Scotland.

Welcome aboard!

To B ook yoU R T i cke T v i si T w w w. A n zA. oRg.sg

TU CKERB OX

ASEAN HIGHLIGHTS WITH A SPECIAL ASEAN SUMMIT SCHEDULED THIS MONTH, RAELENE TAN LOOKS AT THE NATIONS’ DELICIOUS FOODIE MUST-TRIES.

F

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

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March 2018

ormed in 1967, ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) is made up of10 countries. With a population of approx. 630 million people, the common aim is to ‘have a stable environment with economic development and a respected global voice’.

The chairmanship is helmed by Singapore in 2018, but it is the city of Sydney which will host a historic ASEAN Australia Special Summit this month.

Our ASEAN neighbours have much to offer visitors through sightseeing - but I’m fascinated by their menus.

The capital of oil-and-gas-rich Sultanate Negara Brunei Darussalam (‘abode of peace’) is Bandar Seri Begawan where the royal palace and nearby rainforests are top attractions. The must-try though, is the national dish: ambuyat, a thick, sticky sago mixture accompanied by a sour fruit dip.

The Kingdom of Cambodia, with capital Phnom Penh, is famous for Angkor Wat, but dishes such as curried amok fish steamed in banana leaf cups with spices and herbs and thirsts quenched with local Angkor beer are worth writing on the postcards back home.

The world’s largest archipelago, Indonesia, with its capital Jakarta, is home to diverse cultures. Try nasi goreng (fried rice), rendang (dry curry), satay or gado-gado (lightly cooked vegetable salad, hard-boiled egg, potato, tofu and rice served with peanut sauce), with acclaimed Indonesian coffee.

Vientiane, capital of Lao People’s

Democratic Republic, on the banks of Mekong River, is known for its many Buddhist temples. But try the national dish, larb, a minced meat salad flavoured with fish sauce, lime and herbs accompanied by glutinous rice and raw vegetables. For dessert, enjoy kuay namuan (bananas cooked in coconut milk).

Malaysia boasts13 states offering tropical islands, hillside towns and its capital, Kuala Lumpur. Don’t leave without trying authentic dishes like nasi tumpeng (rice in banana leaf with omelette, meat floss, curried chicken or prawn) and ketupat (compressed rice-cake).

Known for its gemstones, the Republic of the Union of Myanmar (‘land of pagodas’), has mohinga (rice-noodles in curried fish soup) whilst fresh fruit and sugarcane juice are readily available.

Predominantly Catholic, the Philippines, is well-known for adobo (meat or fish stewed in vinegar, garlic and pepper) and leche flan (crème caramel), as well as San Miguel beer.

Here in Singapore we enjoy chilli crab and chicken rice, plus the iconic Singapore Sling.

The ‘Land of smiles’ Thailand, is known for exotic silk, as well as pad thai (fried spicy rice-noodles). Intricately carved tropical fruit and iced milky tea fare well after spicy tastes.

With its UNESCO World Heritage sites, Vietnam offers beef soup with noodles (pho) as its national dish. Caramel custard and local coffee are routinely enjoyed.

ASEAN’s motto, “One vision, one identity, one community”. But lots of different cuisine!

anza

Thriving in Singapore

Tips to living in the Lion City Whether you’re new to Singapore or a long-term resident, find out more about life on the Little Red Dot.

9.30am-11.30am Wednesday 21 march Expat KitchEn, 9 noRRiS RoaD, #02-01, SingapoRE, 208252

Book your place WWW.anza.org.sg

NEW MEMBERS PREMIER PARTNERS

NEW MEMBERS SILVER PARTNERS

VENUE PARTNER

ORGANISED BY

anza Annual General Meeting 2018 All members are invited to attend the ANZA Annual General Meeting on Tuesday 13 March, 6.30pm for a 7pm start, at the New Zealand High Commissioner’s Residence – followed by a cocktail reception.

JOIN US TO HEAR HOW OUR SPORTS AND INTEREST GROUPS PERFORMED IN 2017 AND THE EXCITING PLANS WE HAVE FOR THE YEAR AHEAD.

register at anza.org.sg

anza

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARDS

2018

Volunteers are ANZA’s most valuable asset, and we would like to thank them for their generous effort, time, talent and energy.

2017 WINNERS

At our volunteer appreciation evening in May we will present the Volunteer of the Year Awards 2018, and we need your help: Please tell us who you would like to recognise by completing the online VOYA nomination form by Friday 4 May.

Organised by

S OUL F UE L

TRAVEL FOR WELLBEING BOOK A HOLIDAY THAT HEALS YOU THIS MONTH ENCOURAGES KIM FORRESTER.

T

here is no doubt that living in Singapore brings with it an amazing range of benefits. Not least of these is the fact that – with direct flights to nearly 130 destinations – living here offers amazing opportunities to travel. But, as any seasoned expat knows, life on the Little Red Dot can also be emotionally and psychologically stressful; the busy-ness, noise, crowds and isolation from all that is most familiar can be tough on our wellbeing in subtle, and not so subtle, ways.

In order to truly thrive in Singapore, it is imperative that you acknowledge and nurture your mind, body and soul. And travel can be the perfect opportunity to do so! So, while making the effort to travel the region, I encourage you to integrate holistic health into your plans. This is especially important if you are struggling with stress, depression, claustrophobia, chronic loneliness or other challenging effects of expat life.

There are three ways, in particular, you can incorporate greater wellbeing into your desire to travel. These are:

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

CONNECTING BACK TO NATURE: It’s hard to overstate the incredible effect that nature has on our emotional health and overall wellbeing. Scientists have discovered that being in natural spaces improves a multitude of physical and cognitive processes, including lowering stress hormones, increasing brain function and slowing our heart rate. We are natural beings and, quite simply, getting back into nature heals us. Bear this in mind when booking your travel destinations. Look regularly for destinations that offer the

vital elements Singapore lacks: natural spaces, big skies and open horizons.

GOING WHERE THERE’S NOTHING TO DO: Our modern world is based on the concept of constant doing. We are often so used to being busy, that we are unaware of the impact this is having on our wellbeing.

Many of us find it hard to slow down, but the truth is there is a desperate need for us to do “nothing” on occasion. Instead of looking for travel destinations where you are always on the go, try travelling to locations that offer (or even force) you to slow the heck down! If you have trouble slowing down, nudge yourself gently into the slower pace of life. Give yourself something to do that is not stressful – like completing a book, learning to surf, or taking a cycling tour.

TRAVELLING WITH UPLIFTING COMPANIONS: As important as a travel destination can be, it’s equally as vital to be discerning about who you travel with. Science has shown that happiness is contagious; hanging around happy people will actually increase your sense of joy and wellbeing. In addition, laughter has been proven to lower stress, boost the immune system and increase a sense of wellbeing. Laughter really is medicine.

In contrast, being surrounded by people who are pessimistic, unhappy or nasty has a measurable, detrimental effect on your mental and physical health. For a truly healing holiday, choose your companions wisely. Travel with friends and family who leave you feeling uplifted, inspired and good about life.

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WA NDERI NG YO GI

BELIEVE YOU CAN LEE CARSLEY ADMITS TO BEING THAT FRIEND WITH THE INSPIRATIONAL SAYINGS – BUT ARE THEY REALLY THAT MOTIVATING?

S

een any inspirational sayings today? If you’re on any social media, you’ll know exactly what I mean. Did one of your Facebook friends share some ‘carpe diem’style quote designed to add a bit of get-upand-go to your Tuesday morning? That’s me, I’m that friend and I love an inspirational saying. Here’s your yearly dose from me right now: “If you are irritated by every rub, how will you be polished?” Rumi “If your compassion does not include yourself, then it is incomplete.” Buddha “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” Aesop

Lee Carsley is an executive coach and leadership expertturned-yoga instructor, who currently runs ANZA’s yoga classes each week.

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They’re goodies, right? Some of these sayings are from genuinely smart people, like this one from Dr. Seuss: “Why fit in when you were born to STAND OUT?” You’d expect nothing less from Dr. Seuss. He’s a doctor, after all. Or how about this from Einstein?

“A person who never made a mistake, never tried anything new.” You can’t argue with that. Who’s smarter than Einstein? And I love a good productive quote too: “Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle.” Damn right, Abraham Lincoln (at least that’s who it’s attributed to). I say this one to myself when I should be writing but instead I’m wasting time reading inspirational sayings on social media.

You’ve almost certainly heard them all before. Maybe your eyes are rolling, about to skip the page, or reaching for that cup of coffee – but bear with me. Ultimately, they all deliver the same basic message which is:

“You are great; you can do it; you are unique, wonderful, etcetera, etcetera.”

I don’t have a problem with that missive, do you? This can only be a good thing, right?

Ok, maybe I have a teeny problem. Because whilst most people’s eyes glaze over at another “You’ve Got This” affirmation, I’m taking notes. I read every single one, giving them thoughtful consideration and even changing my daily activities based on what I read as I pick up the mobile that morning.

Maybe I’m addicted. But on the whole, I think a little social media pick-me-up is a nice thing to put out there.

However, I have to confess not all #inspirational tags do it for me. Like this one from Rumi: “Respond to every call that excites your spirit.” That’s a little scary. In a literal sense, does this mean I have to answer my phone and be excited every time it rings? I doubt my spirit would be excited about a call from the bank manager. I’m not sure I don’t want to do a bit of call screening; to decide whether that opportunity is for me. Unless it’s Channing Tatum calling. In which case, I’m definitely motivated.

We often do affirmations in my yoga classes – one of my all-time favourite sayings is by Thich Nhat Hanh: “Smile, breath and go slowly.” Most of the yogis with the ANZA group will hear this at least once a week in my class guiding. It is obvious, but hardly ever practiced, yet now most of them smile, slow down and remember to breath!

Suffice to say, not all messages will resonate with you; one man’s karmic lightning is another man’s sceptical thunder – but try and find the ones that do and thus be inspired.

MA D AB OUT FASHION

WEAR WHAT YOU LOVE BECK DAHL OFFERS TIPS ON KEEPING YOUR CLOTHES IN MINT CONDITION WHILST DOING YOUR BIT FOR THE ENVIRONMENT.

T

Beck Dahl is a stylist and fashion lover living with her family here in Singapore.

Get in touch at dahldesignstyle@gmail.com.

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he year has started off with a whole lot of zing and zest - I’m excited. We, as a family are not the ‘newbies’ this year and rather than have the stress of settling into new schools, a new apartment, a new country and a new climate, we can truly sink our teeth into life in Singapore. I’ve even started to tick off the To Do List for 2018: school uniforms mended (tick), caffeine habit kicked (tick), watch less Netflix (not quite!)…how has your year started?

As ever, I’m also using the first few months of the year to look at ways I can do better – especially with fashion.

I’ve recently received a fantastic, informative journal, FANZINE, which is bursting with information put together by fashionrevolution.org. It’s a group of people who have joined forces to make a difference – they want truth and transparency within the fashion industry.

Their aim is to show everyone from designers to consumers, governments to clothing manufacturers not only what is wrong with the industry, but also educating us on how to be better – better consumers, better manufacturers, better producers.

The topics are varied and offer advice on a number of things: how to mend

or darn; textile recycling; info’ on varied material lifecycles (did you know Lycra can take between 20-200 years to degrade?!); even tips for deciphering the low quality garment from the well-made. If I read something that is of interest I’ll be sure to incorporate it in future columns, but today I’m going to remind you how best to care for the garments you LOVE! Rule number one: if you don’t love it, don’t buy it! What is the point of having something hanging in your closet you don’t actually use? Unless it has sentimental value – to be honest if it was your Mum’s, Dad’s or Grandparent’s, it will more than likely last the distance – then evict from your drawers.

Rule number one, b: curate your wardrobe – whilst you’re deciding what you love and don’t love, get organised.

If you don’t love it, and the piece doesn’t work with the rest of your wardrobe, it’s time to bag it up for some charities. [N.B: Organisations such as the ANZA Actionsupported Dress to Impress are always looking for donations. Head to anza.org. sg/anzaaction for more details].

Rule number two: look after your clothing. Not only will taking special care of your favourite silk shirt mean longevity in your wardrobe, it’s also a good way of doing your bit for the environment. Less purchases or satisfying that shopping urge with cheap fashion hits, means lessening your impact on the fashion industry, so look after what you already have. Here are a few tips to keep your items in tip-top condition, whilst keeping an eye on being green: • • • •

•

•

Wash at 30 degrees or less Avoid dry cleaning Avoid tumble drying Treat delicates gently - hand wash or hand wash cycle!

Try washing in a mesh bag to protect the fibres Use Eco-friendly detergent

Protecting your favourite clothes and reducing your energy and waste – dont’ you just love that?

SOCCER

ANZA’S GIRL POWER ANZA’S GIRLS’ TEAMS RETURNED TO SINGAPORE AS CUP AND PLATE WINNERS AFTER SWEEPING THE BOARD AT THE INTERNATIONAL GIRLS FOOTBALL FESTIVAL 2018 IN BANGKOK.

ANZA Soccer runs programs for kids aged 3 to 18-years-old. soccer@anza.org.sg

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NZA was delighted to report on the super success story of the three girls’ teams that flew to Bangkok for the annual International Girls Football Festival back in January. With a 52-team-strong line-up from all over Asia and ranging in age groups from Under-8s through to Under-16s, this Festival is one of the largest of its kind in the region.

Despite the magnitude of such a tournament, the all-girls teams from the ANZA soccer program out-performed many of their competitors, from both Singapore and further afield. Incredibly, everyone on the Under-10, Under-12 and Under-14 teams – 28 talented ANZA Matilda players – returned home with silverware. Two Cup Final wins, a Plate Final victory and a couple of special mentions for Most Valuable Player awards made this an absolute triumph for the Matildas, their parents, the tireless volunteers and coaches of ANZA. We couldn’t be more proud!

Here’s a quick breakdown of how the teams performed: UNDER-10S The youngest group to travel to Thailand played an outstanding tournament, performing consistently through to the Cup Final. There they faced fellow Singapore-based unbeaten team JSSL – and duly triumphed over them 1-0 with a great goal from Alina Lutz who also saved a penalty shot from the opposition thus securing the game. Unsurprisingly Alina was awarded MVP of the entire Under-10s age group. “It was an amazing weekend and we had so much fun,” commented Alina. “We started to bond and made a strong, confident team.”

“I really loved how the older teams supported us on the sidelines,” said her teammate, Annabelle Aspmair. “They cheered for us and gave us advice on how to improve our game.”

UNDER-12S This side battled through the group stages, only losing against the group winners. In the Quarter Final, they

overcame the as-yet unbeaten Thai winners of the other group, Rom Klao 3:0 to propel themselves to the Semis. There they faced fellow group team BSS, and forced the match into extra time after a tie of 1-all. In a 3v3, the Matildas showed superb composure and execution to close the game out on the way to the final.

They claimed a 1-0 victory against the winners of their group, Ball FC to take the Cup – as well as the knowledge that they had beaten every single team within their league at some point throughout the tournament.

Cup Winner Lena Aspmair: “It was so amazing to travel to a different country and to meet players from all over South East Asia. We had the chance to play against very strong teams from the region and win the cup!” Her mum, Stefanie was equally glowing about how the girls played: “From a parent’s perspective, it was a nail-biting competition. I aged about ten years in two days, but it was worth every grey hair. All the girls are of such a kind and caring nature, yet showed they are real fighters on the pitch and have amazing stamina and will-power.

It was an unforgettable experience for players and parents alike. We went as teammates and parents, and left as friends.”

UNDER-14S The eldest contingent on the trip faced off against a tough group of competitive girls – which just shows how far the sport has come. In three games, they pushed them into over-time, eventually making the Plate Final. Kana Kojima secured the winning goal for the Matildas – and was also awarded the MVP for her age group.

A group of nearly 60 – players, siblings, parents, volunteers and coaches – grabbed flights and stayed together at a hotel in Bangkok for this football Festival weekend. From days of choc-o-bloc games, to a relaxed Saturday evening spent enjoying a team dinner, it was an excellent and successful tournament.

“We really had a blast,” said Alp Altun, the

“ [It was] also a great chance to meet and connect with the other parents – as a newbie to Singapore this was awesome and thanks everyone for the warm welcome and inclusion.”

ANZA Matildas Program Coordinator. “There was a real feeling of community – which is something that is so important for us to create both whilst we are abroad winning international tournaments and at home during our Singapore campaign sessions.”

“This was my first ever soccer tournament with my daughter, Saxon and we both just loved the whole experience,” remarked one of the soccer mums, Victoria Bethlehem. “Seeing the team come together both on and off the field was such a delight for me as a parent. The girls did an incredible job at applying themselves against the other teams... winning the Cup was the ‘cherry on the top’ and I am so grateful to have been there with my daughter and her teammates to see them experience this. [It was] also a great chance to meet and connect with the other parents – as a newbie to Singapore this was awesome and thanks to everyone for the warm welcome and inclusion.

“Well done and thanks also to Alp, Romed and Christina for the excellent organisation of this group trip and to Eric and Glenn for the great coaching of our team. We will definitely be partaking in next year’s event!”

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Alp continued: “It is amazing and awe-inspiring to see what a group of ambitious, disciplined and committed girls can achieve by sheer determination and spirit. Our job is to build programmes and training systems that support their ambitions and commitment to fulfil their potential. I truly believe that a program built on these values cannot do anything but succeed.

I am proud and happy to be able to contribute with many other devoted parents and coaches to building the foundation for this wonderful success story to continue. Building teams with a desire to perform at their best, having fun while they are doing it and seeing them grow as wonderful persons and athletes gives me the greatest satisfaction.”

Interested in being a part of this success story?

Go to anza.org.sg/sports/soccer/girls-programme for further information on how your girls can join the ANZA Matildas soccer teams.

NETBALL

LISTEN TO THE TEACHER SIMONE JACKSON SITS DOWN WITH ANZA NETBALL PROFESSIONAL COACH, JOCELYN TAN.

WHEN DID YOU BECOME INVOLVED WITH NETBALL? I started out as a player in JC then came into coaching 13 years ago – I’ve loved every moment since. It is a beautiful sport that teaches and empowers girls/ women with values and skills that can be transferred into their lives.

WHY DID YOU BECOME A COACH? Possibly because I like telling people what to do… but then, really it’s something that has taught me so much. It’s so addictive; I don’t think I’ll ever stop.

What do you need to do to qualify as a coach?

1) Passion for people. 2) Professional certifications. 3) A willingness to learn and grow. 4) A good eye and a balanced mind.

Where else do you coach netball?

Local Schools, National Age Groups 17/19s, NSL, my club – Zenith and a sports academy called Sports Values that I have set up.

ANZA Netball offers coaching and competition for girls aged six and upwards. For more info, email netball@anza.org.sg.

What quick tips can improve a player?

BUILD STRONG BASICS. Stacey, West Coast Fever’s Coach told me quite often the things they do seem simple but she believes if you can do that simple thing better than your opponent, you win. I totally agree. As you learn more advanced skills, you need those basics to support the finer executions.

Are there other sports that you recommend to helping improve in netball?

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I think playing multiple sports is great for the holistic development of the player, especially at a young age. Different sports develop different areas of the athlete physically and mentally. I attended a workshop conducted by a coach that teaches athletic movements to youth teams in one of the top European football clubs and he mashes different sports/ activities into their training sessions. It is fun, engaging and develops the creativity of players, making them great problemsolvers when they eventually specialise.

What sort of coach do you think you are?

My philosophy is I love my players. I love netball. Then, I love to win. I think you can pretty much know from there.

What do you most enjoy about the game?

I really like that netball, being a predominantly female sport, is used to help empower girls and women all over the world to be strong, healthy and valued.

I enjoyed moments that push me and my teams (playing or coaching) to the limits.

Also, the comraderies forged in the process which will stick for life.

What is PARTICULARLY special about ANZA Netball?

I like that it has a player-orientated, caring and supportive environment. It comes through every session whether it’s volunteer coaches dedicating their time in helping the girls get better, or the parents supporting their children and teams with frozen oranges and watermelons.

ANZ A SPORT S

AFL

AIMING HIGH IN 2018 ANZA WOMBAT’S COMMITTEE PRESIDENT, DION SHAW LOOKS FORWARD TO A SEASON OF HARD WORK ON AND OFF THE FIELD.

“N

ew Year, New Me” is generally the rallying cry shouted by many during the first quarter of the year – and the ANZA Wombats are no different! After crashing out of last year’s championships without a win, 2018 is shaping up to be a massive one both on and off the field.

Starting off the year in style, we held our AGM at our long-standing sponsor bar, Hero’s where we hatched out plans for the forthcoming season and elected this year’s committee. We are proud to announce a host of new faces and returning members from 2017 are staying on board for a mix of new ideas and experience. I am honoured to take on the role of President and look forward to working with the rest of the committee: Treasurer: Mark Macdonald Social/Communications: Richard Coney Sponsorship: Tate Barnes Master’s: Mark Sinclair

The ANZA Singapore Wombats invite adults of all experience levels with an interest in Aussie Rules football to get involved.

For more info: info@singaporewombats.com

Myself and the rest of the Wombats would like to take this opportunity to thank the 2017 committee for everything they did last year. Many thanks go to Aga Manhao, Steve O’Connor, Kyle Austin and Anukorn Choulo for all their hard work and efforts. Running the club is no

easy feat and these guys did a great job.

In addition to the newly elected committee, we can announce that Ed Clarke will be returning as head coach for the 2018 season, and will be assisted by a few other players in making up a coaching group. Tim Cuthbert will again be taking the reins for our Mighty Magoos coaching at the championships.

Excitingly this year marks a quarter of a century since the formation of the Singapore Wombats and we will be celebrating in style. Whilst most tours or social events haven’t been announced as of yet, we can confirm that the 25th Anniversary Celebrations will be held on the weekend of the 30 June. A game will be played against the Malaysian Warriors during the day to be followed by an Anniversary Ball later that night. More info to come on this great event, but it’s definitely one to put in the calendar and clear the schedule for.

Training will begin on Saturday 31 March at Centaur’s Rugby Pitch, Turf City.

If you are looking to join the Wombats, you can contact us through our Facebook page or email at info@singaporewombats.com.

We look forward to a great year ahead and will be out with more information shortly. #25yearsstrong

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CYCLING

AND THE WINNERS ARE… MEGAN KINDER REFLECTS ON THE ANNUAL ANZA CYCLING AWARDS.

O

ver 100 ANZA Cycling members and their families attended the 2017 awards event, celebrating a record number of 53 nominees across the various categories. Not only do the awards cover the different event disciplines, but it also recognises those members who exemplify the values of both the sport and the ANZA group. Congratulations to all those who have helped make ANZA Cycling a great sporting club!

MTB CYCLIST OF THE YEAR Female Winners: Hilke Rode & Liesbeth Kanis Hilke was placed in the top 20 in the women’s cat at Cape-to-Cape, WA; whilst Liesbeth showed true determination by taking the yellow jersey and winning the Vietnam MTB women’s category.

Interested in coming out for a ride? ANZA Cycling runs a Newcomers’ Ride on the first Saturday of each month. cycling@anza.org.sg

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Male Winner: Marcin Szot Marcin has been a committed and regular rider of the ANZA MTB weekly rides and always keen to hit the trails with other members of the club or on his own.

Throughout 2017, Marcin raced in Poland, Australia, Singapore and Malaysia, in races ranging from one-day to multi-day events.

Road Cyclist of the Year Female Winner: Andrea Ferschl Andrea’s 2017 results included: 1st in GC, QOM in GC; 1st in ITT; 3rd in Stage 2 and 1st in Stage 3 in Tour de Phuket; 1st Tour de Barelang; 1st OCBC TTT; and 2nd in the 2017 OCBC Cycle series (despite missing the last few races). Her results also helped ANZA Cycling claim fifth place in the team category.

Male Winners: Frank Raynaerts & Steven Wong Frank’s results; 3rd in Stage 2 of the Tour de Phuket; 2nd in cat for Tour de Bintan; 3rd in Tour De Barelang (6 Bridges); 1st in cat Nongsa Challenge; and 7th in the 2017 OCBC Cycle race series.

Steven was 1st in Nongsa; 2nd in the 2017 OCBC Cycle series; podium in multiple Crit races and was also named Singapore’s Mens’ Veteran National Road Champion 2017.

Triathlete of the Year Female Winner: Rachel DuBois Rachel had an amazing year not only cycling with ANZA but in competing in the following events; Cairns Ironman (her 1st), Cebu 70.3 – Age Group 8th place; and Langkawi 70.3 – Team 1st place.

ANZ A SPORT S

Male Winner: Jason DuBois Jason competed in; OCBC TTT Sport Masters Duo (awarded 1st with Dan Fay); Cairns Ironman, Cebu 70.3 – Age Group 10th place; Langkawi 70.3 – Age Group 2nd place; Phuket 70.3 and then finished off the year with an excellent run in the Standard Chartered Marathon.

Most Improved Cyclist of the Year Female Winner: Lisa Archbold Lisa has seen great improvements on her endurance and speed on the bike. 2017 saw Lisa enter her first race, The OCBC TTT in which she, along with her team, finished 3rd. She has also taken on some longer rides with an ANZA trip over to Bintan and numerous RTI’s throughout the year as well as appearing as a regular on the WC+, FFF and Kranji weekly rides.

Male Winner: Chris Bloch Chris’ speed, power and endurance all significantly improved throughout 2017

and he really made an effort to get into every aspect of the club and the sport. He competed in Duathlons, rode the Tour de Barelang and is a regular on weekday and weekend rides as well as putting in great appearances at all the social functions!

Outstanding Contribution Winners: Lizzie Hodges & Mike Koreneff Lizzie’s tireless efforts to open up the world of cycling and racing to more women are both admirable and inspiring.

Leading by example, Lizzie is always the first to sign up for rides and events and gently persuade those around her to also give it a go. As capable as she is of racing off and gaining glory, she’s also incredibly attuned to imparting skills and encouraging those new to the sport and has been a frequent volunteer for the newcomer’s Induction Ride as well as a great conduit between the club, the SCF and local race organisers.

Mike was incredibly active throughout 2017, championing local cycling events, organising club trips and volunteering to run skills workshops, in addition to racing his way to success in many events across

the region. His phenomenal enthusiasm, encouragement and support for those who are new to the sport have made him a truly outstanding club contributor.

Club Member of the Year Winner: Chris Hammond Chris truly embodies the spirit of the club, having been an incredibly active member since joining.

He is a regular attendee of the weekly rides, covering both the morning road routes and the night-time MTB trails.

Whenever he can, he joins the bunch for the all-important post-ride coffee! He’s traveled on club trips, attended social drinks nights and club brekkies and competed in triathlon, MTB events and road events both locally and throughout the region. To top it off, he’s a “good all-round bloke” making him the kind of fellow everyone wants to ride with!

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ATHLETICS

ATHLETIC BENEFITS LUCY JAMES TALKS US THROUGH THE NUMEROUS BENEFITS OF ANZA ATHLETICS TO YOUR KIDS.

I

ANZA Athletics caters to kids aged 5 to 14-years-old, with a focus on fun, fitness and skills.

Yio Chu Kang Stadium. athletics@anza.org.sg

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t’s no secret that sports help children build confidence, develop focus, and teach them about emotional control.

They also learn essential life skills, such as hard work, patience, persistence, and how to respond positively to setbacks and failure. At ANZA Athletics we strive to do all this in a safe, fun and supportive environment.

As children from many schools take part in ANZA Athletics, new friendships are also formed throughout the season.

Athletics give kids the opportunity to develop personally, socially and physically through participation in a variety of activities.

In addition to improving a child’s physical ability, another key aim of ANZA Athletics is to help them cultivate a sense of sportsmanship by supporting one another in their efforts. Positive

reinforcement from peers is beneficial for both sides.

At the weekly athletics meets, children get to learn the skills of track running, hurdles, discus, shot put, long jump, triple jump and high jump. They are exposed to all of these events during a six-week rotating program - learning these skills and building on them over successive weeks and seasons.

The 2017/2018 ANZA Athletics season runs until 23 March. Registration for the 2018/2019 season will open in May - don’t miss out and register early!

Please log on to anza.org.sg and click through to the athletics tab to find out more. There is always plenty of room for more wonderful volunteers to join the Committee, so if you are keen, please get in touch at athletics@anza.org.sg.

ANZA

CAREER CENTRE Our online portal shows job vacancies listed by employers looking for talented individuals suitable for a wide range of industries and professions; from part-time flexi to full-time contracts.

ANZA MEMBERS CAN UPLOAD RESUMES & CREATE PROFILES

PART-TIME PROFESSIONAL CORPORATE

a nz a. org. sg

A NZ A GROUPS

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

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

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

on participation and family fun.

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

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

BOARD RIDERS

tennis / casual

Plan your next ‘surfari’ with the ANZA Board Riders. Surfing enthusiasts get together to plan surf trips to the region’s beautiful beaches.

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

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

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

tennis / experienced Mens, ladies and mixed doubles for players with reasonable skills.

Wed 8-10pm, limited to 20 players.

YOGA ANZA Yogis practice Hatha and Yin Yoga in the Singapore Botanical Gardens and on the East Coast

INTEREST GROUPS

GOLF / 9 HOLE Aimed at beginners, those seeking a handicap and those with a handicap over 25.

golf / ladies The ladies meet every Thursday in Singapore and Malaysia.

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

NIPPERS Children from 4 to14-years-old can learn beach and ocean awareness through fun activities, and connect with the great outdoors – meeting on Sunday mornings.

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

soccer / kids Running programmes for children aged 3 to 18-years-old, focusing

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ANZA scouts The only Australian scouts group outside Australia. Fun activities for children. The ANZA Scouts meet Saturdays at AIS from 2-4pm.

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

CLICK PHOTOGRAPHY

NEEDLECRAFT

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.

Cross-stitch, tapestry, long stitch, knitting, embroidery, smocking and more. Bring your work-in-progress or come along to get started. Social needlecraft on Thursday mornings.

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

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

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

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

quilting Quilters of all levels are welcome to learn, mentor and sew.

secret men’s business Lunch and lager every third Wednesday of the month. Just turn up at The Penny Black, Boat Quay at 12.30pm. The lads also play golf in Singapore each Thursday.

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

wine club Robert Rees holds regular wine tasting evenings with industry experts. A fun and social event with great wines.

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

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

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

WANT TO SIGN UP FOR AN ANZA SPORT OR GROUP? GO TO

ANZA.ORG.SG

C L ASSI F I E DS

to p lace an ad, call 6223 7992 or Email marketing@anza.org.sg

CLASSIFIEDS offer your services here LEARN BOWEN THERAPY

bowentherapy.com.sg Bowen Therapy, originally from Australia, is a gentle yet effective form of bodywork.

Precise moves made over muscles and fascia stimulate healing in the body and conditions like neck, shoulder, back and knee pain, headaches, fibromyalgia, and stress and anxiety may be greatly reduced.

Please contact Tat on 96702175 if interested in studying Bowen or if you’d like to book a treatment for yourself!

ASIAN COOKING CLASSES WITH VIDA

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

CULINARY Wet Market Tours & Indian Spice Shops

For newcomers and anybody else, these tours are full of information about all the produce you see in the markets including seafood, vegetables, fruit, herbs and spices. Visit the Indian grocery shops and learn to buy quality spices there and lots of tips. Call 64682764 or email vidadavid@ singnet.com.sg.

FIRST AID & CPR CERTIFICATION COURSES

sassisafety.com American certification recognised internationally. Learn care for choking, breathing, cardiac emergencies, how to use an AED and basic first aid for all ages. Monthly courses available or set up a course for your group. See website for dates and details. Email office@ sassisafety.com or call 64668598 for more information.

Struggling with Mathematics?

Tutor with over 30 years relevant experience available for 1-on-1 or small group coaching for all your mathematics needs at all levels to Grade/Year 12.

Proven track record with students from various international schools in Singapore since 2006. For further enquiries, contact Andrew on HP 92994822 or email mathsolution4me@gmail.com

Club Membership Sales & Buying Services

matrixxmanagement.com Phone: +65 85878575 At Matrixx Management Pte Ltd we are 100% in the sport & club business.

We connect buyers and sellers locally & internationally. Departing or arriving in Singapore? We can assist you with professional services selling or acquiring a club membership. Contact us today for a ‘no obligation’ quote & information on our services.

Australian Tax Return

smats.net diana@smats.net Need to lodge your Australian Tax Return?

If you are an expat or collect rental from Australian property, you must lodge an annual return. Let us do it for you here in Singapore. For Australasian taxation services, call 62933858 or email.

Australian Property Finance

smats.net helen@smats.net Find out who has the best loan to suit your circumstances. Specialist Mortgage can independently assess all your options and give you an unbiased and objective assessment, all at no cost and no obligations. Call 62934148 or email.

teaching experience and is an exhibiting artist in Singapore and internationally.

ANZA Members enjoy $10 off - use the discount code “LoveANZA”. Email Naida on naida@naidaginnane.com.

snack & shape

admin@snackandshape.com +65 84179769 Snack and Shape offers a range of protein and superfood bars delivered to your door including: • The Australian Superfood Co. – Raw Bars containing superfood blends that offer nutritional benefits • Rawfusion Bar – Satisfying protein hit made from organic ingredients and only using plant sources of protein. Vegan approved • Aussie Bodies Mini Lo Carb Protein Bars – Portion controlled 30g snack size with around 100 calories, 9g protein and 2g carbs make this the perfect afternoon or mid-morning snack.

Or…. Opt for a Combination Box!

ACCOUNTING HELP FOR SMB’S-SINGAPORE

SMBer’s. Are you in need of help with your Singapore accounting software, GST, income tax, accounts preparation, annual returns, financial procedures & projects or business advice? Specialising in Xero, QuickBooks, Reckon & MYOB software, and accounting/govt. requirements for small/medium business & personal needs.

I can also help with financial issues back in OZ from being in Singapore. Call Don on 98505521 or email smallbusfinsol.don@ gmail.com

Smartphone & DSLR Photography Workshops

naidaginnane.com/upcoming-workshops/ Learn how to improve your photography with sessions for all levels from beginners to advanced. Workshops are friendly and fun with all participants achieving immediate results. Naida Ginnane has 35 years

March 2018

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10 MI NUT ES WI TH

10 MINUTES WITH...

Avid traveller and Chill, Chat, Connect speaker Phil Biggin shares his globe-trotting stories.

Where have you just come back from?

I recently returned from a trip to the UK, where my wife [Helena, ANZA’s Events Manager] and I spent Christmas and the New Year, in the wind, rain and snow – it was magical. We stayed at an Elizabethan converted fire station on the Isle of Wight during Christmas itself with my family – it flew by too quickly but it was a great get together and catch up – fond memories.

Strangest meal?

I once had to eat goats’ eyes at a banquet in Ethiopia – long story, but not a happy ending.

How much do you travel?

I travel extensively for work, from the UK and Europe, to the Middle East and Africa, Australia and all over Asia. I am sure everyone who travels for business will agree, it’s not necessarily the air travel itself that’s exhausting, it’s all the waiting around and dead-time in airport lounges and driving to and from your workplace.

That said, I would miss it, so I do try and manage my time as effectively as possible so I can enjoy it.

WHERE most lived up to the hype?

Vegas every time! I’ve been there so often but every time, it just gets more and more crazy – I love it!

What’s the first thing you pack when going on a business trip?

My skipping rope. It’s small and yet keeps off the pounds – the key here though is the motivation to actually use it.

Tell us about a ‘great little place’: Some great local rum bars in the Caribbean; Irish long bars in New York; a great early morning bar off the main square in Copenhagen. But, the standouts for me are the old-fashioned English pubs in the middle of the country. We found another one recently, in the back of beyond in Cornwall, called the Royal Inn, Milton Abbott – the landlord was very welcoming and had all the usual stories from behind the bar.

Best place you’ve ever stayed?

That’s a tough one. Rio was amazing; as was Koh Samui for our first Christmas after moving to Singapore; but I think I am going to have to say Rock, a small village in Cornwall, England.

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Best app?

We always download the local apps – they’re actually written by locals so they have some insider info. The Lonely Planet guides are pretty awesome too.

Which places do expats need to visit before leaving Singapore?

As mentioned, Koh Samui is enchanting – just a genuine place to travel, meet the locals and immerse in the culture. Try Hong Kong; what a mixture of cultures and food options.

Where do you go to relax?

Beach, beach and then the beach! Boat, beer and a book – what else do you need? This infuriates my wife though as she always wants to be on the go – so, a compromise is often reached; if not, it’s off exploring I go.

What’s your best frequent flyer tip?

It’s a little philosophical I know, but try and cope with the downsides of work travel by telling yourself, one day it’ll all be over and you’ll miss those trips. Be grateful for the opportunity. Also – use the points and enjoy them.

Describe your biggest travel adventure: I’ve had so many, from my very first travelling days with work flying out of RAF Brize Norton, a military airfield in the UK, to criss-crossing this amazing planet. However, travelling is not just about where you are going to, it’s about who you’re with or meeting when you get there – so, I think that my biggest travel adventure lays ahead of me.

Phil Biggin, Head of Sales Enablement BT Global Services Asia, Middle East, Africa & Turkey will be the guest speaker discussing Paradoxical Thinking at ANZA’s Chill, Chat, Connect on Thursday 15 March. Book tickets at anza.org.sg!

10 MI NUT ES WI TH

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January – February 2018

Sin g a p o re

March 2018

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

THE AUSTRALIAN & NEW ZEALAND ASSOCIATION

MARCH 2018