ANZA Magazine January/February 2020

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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

TH E AU ST RALI AN & N EW Z EALAN D ASSO C I A T I O N January/ February 2021

S i ngapore

BACKTOSCHOOL

Study tips for Teens School Shoes - Get the Right Fit Mindfulness & Mental Health Dress Up Day Guide Why Play is Essential

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021

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NUTURING AND ENGAGING YOUNG MINDS 2 MONTHS TO 6 YEARS The Early Learning Village is a purposebuilt environment that has been developed exclusively for our youngest learners, from Infant Care to Prep.

Founded on the universal truth that the environment nurtures the child, the Early Learning Village is a place which captures the imagination of each and every child, encouraging them to make new discoveries and lead their own learning journey.

DID YOU KNOW? Our classrooms feature their own outdoor playgrounds, with sandpits, water play or activity tables and sensory play equipment.

INQUIRY BASED APPROACH IGNITING CURIOSITY The Village operates within the inquirybased philosophy of Reggio Emilia and the IB Primary Years Program, and provides the ideal environment for bright, enquiring young minds to play and learn. Adjoining the main AIS campus, the children and staff at the Village enjoy their own special world, while also remaining connected to the wider school community. The transition between the Early Learning Village and the main school environment is made seamless through the sharing of common values and principles across the two campuses.

DID YOU KNOW? Our Learning Space has a Swimming Pool, Library and Inquiry Centre, Multi-purpose Gym, Dance Studio, Medical Centre and Parent CafĂŠ Our Child-sized Campus

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OUR SCHOOL WEEK IS AS INDIVIDUAL AS YOUR CHILD AND WORKS AROUND YOU Imagine a school day which is tailored to your needs, which allows you to organise your week in a way that suits both the needs of you and your child — the AIS Early Years program does just that.

DID YOU KNOW? The Early Years program at AIS includes weekly: Mandarin, SmartSteps, Music, Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics

Globally focused, distinctly Australian

SCAN ME

For a sneak peak of our ELV

AIS is part of the global Cognita family of schools www.cognitaschools.com Australian International School Pte Ltd is registered by the Committee for Private Education (CPE), part of SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG). CPE Registration Number 199204405H. Period of registration 6 July 2019 to 5 July 2023

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CONTACT

To find out more please contact our friendly Admissions Team on admissions@ais.com.sg or 6653 2958.

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A village to A village to raise a child? raise a child?

AIS Early Learning Village AIS Early Learning Village Have you visited the Early Learning Village located at the

Have you visited the Early Learning Village located at the Australian International School Singapore?

Australian School Singapore?

If not, now is theInternational time as enrolments are still open for the start of our academic year 18th January 2021.is Whether new to Singapore, new for to parenthood looking for ayear bespoke If not, now the timeyou’re as enrolments are still open the start ofor our academic 18th environment for your young one.

We are here to help…

January 2021. Whether you’re new to Singapore, new to parenthood or looking for a bespoke environment for your young one. We are here to help…

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E DI TOR’S NOTE

HELLO “Well, we made it. The unexpected challenge that was 2020 has slipped into the history books, and we are facing a bright new year. Fingers crossed the next 365 days will be less tumultuous than living through a once in a hundred-year global pandemic.”

I

t’s been gratifying to be part of the steady, systematic recovery efforts here in Singapore. Travel bubbles and vaccines are now a reality, and everyone on this little red dot is working hard to keep COVID-19 at bay, so borders can open to other nations.

Like you, I’ll continue to wait patiently (and sometimes not so patiently!), with my passport and wheely suitcase at the ready, for the chance to reunite with family back home in Australia. I’m looking forward to the day I can burn my extensive mask collection, not use a QR code 100 times a day, get lost in crowd, and kiss my friends hello. I’m hopeful 2021 will involve long hugs and joyful reunions, and maybe even visitors to the island.

If 2020 was about survival, let 2021 be about recovery.

Nobody wanted the year we’ve just had, but it’s sparked resilience and resourcefulness. Many of us have transformed our way of living and working, strengthened our personal relationships, and taken a closer look around our own backyard. We’ve taken time to be thankful and noted our good

fortune to live in such a safe and secure country.

In that vein, this magazine is all about new beginnings, renewal, and hope. There is always hope. Along with our back to school features, read about photographer Hayley Durack, who is donating 100% of the profits of her new book to Domestic Foreign Workers through the HOME organisation; Denise Tan, a tireless advocate for children’s literature in Singapore; Gaynor Reid who raised money for refugees through the simple act of walking; and our incredible volunteers at ANZA Soccer, who ran onto the field when we needed them the most.

There are positive and empowering stories everywhere you look in our ANZA community. What will yours be in 2021?

Pip Harry, Editor editor@anza.org.sg

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

ADVERTISING Deborah Gillies marketing@anza.org.sg

WEBSITE Geoff King web@anza.org.sg

THE ANZA TEAM AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND ASSOCIATION 261A Beach Road, Singapore 199541 Hours: Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm +65 6291 6301 www.anza.org.sg

ACCOUNTS Ellie Mills accounts@anza.org.sg MEMBERSHIP SERVICES Mandy Reinders-Hall info@anza.org.sg COMMUNICATIONS Trudy Nearhos comms@anza.org.sg

facebook.com/anzasingapore @anzasg @anzasingapore linkedin.com/groups/ANZA-Singapore

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DESIGN Christina Lim design@anza.org.sg

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BACK TO SCHOOL ISSUE 34 JA N UA RY / F E B RUA RY 2 0 2 1

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FEATURES 26 BACK TO SCHOOL TIPS FOR TEENS

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Scott Murphy, Wellbeing Coordinator – Secondary School at AIS offers tips for getting your teen ready for the school year.

32 SCHOOL DRESS UP GUIDE

Dress up days. Love them or loathe them, they’re part of the school year in Singapore. Trudy Nearhos offers tips for getting ahead of the game.

34 SUPER SCOOPS

We chat to Mia Kusen, the Australian-born founder of superfoods icecream store, Mrs. Plump’s.

36 NEW YEAR, NEW JOB

Looking for work? Katherine Chapman offers advice for tackling a tough job market in 2021.

40 WALK THIS WAY

Gaynor Reid walked hundreds of kilometres as a way to cope with the impact of COVID-19 on her industry and way of life.

42 BY DESIGN

Aussie Emma Maxwell is one of Asia’s top restaurant and bar interior designers. Find out more about her brilliant career.

REGULARS 01 Editor’s Note 04 President’s Message 06 Post It 08 Partner’s Page 10 Australian High Commission 12 New Zealand High Commission 14 Check Out – Cycling East Coast 16 Tours 18 Out & About 20 ANZA Action – Singapore Sisters 46 Ask the Expert

20 48 ANZA Click! Photography 50 Hotspots EAT 52 Hotspots DRINK 54 Tuckerbox 56 Tastebuds 58 Young Writers’ Comp 60 ANZA Groups - Mahjong 62 Chinese New Year Guide 64 ANZA Sports 74 New Members 76 10 Minutes With…

the fine print ANZA will not be liable for any consequential loss or damage occasioned by the failure of any advertisement to appear due to any cause whatsoever, nor does it accept any liability for error in any advertisement published or its failure to appear on a specific date. ANZA does not endorse or promote any product, service, or view offered through any advertisement, community service notice, or club or group activity that may appear in the magazine, nor does it accept responsibility for any specific advice or opinions offered by contributors or writers, and any subsequent reliance on such advice or opinions by its readers. ANZA magazine permit number: MCI (P) 073/10/2020

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January/February 2021

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FROM OUR STAGE TO THE WORLD STAGE.

Performed at Queen Elizabelt Hall, London

Dulwich College (Singapore) is an international school, for students aged 2 to 18, with a British independent school ethos, which draws upon 400 years of excellence, innovation, tradition and values. To learn more about the Dulwich Difference, and to book a private tour please visit singapore.dulwich.org or email admissions@dulwich-singapore.edu.sg Dulwich College (Singapore) CPE Registration Number: 201027137D. Period of Registration: 09 January 2020 to 08 January 2024. School Location: 71 Bukit Batok West Avenue 8, Singapore, 658966.

PRESI DENT ’S MES S AG E

ANZA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

A

very big welcome to 2021! I hope you all had an enjoyable, relaxing Christmas and found new corners of Singapore to explore over the tropical festive break.

I think it’s fair to say we’re all very excited to be launching into the new year, even more so given the one we’ve just had! With vaccines on the horizon, alluring thoughts begin to enter the mind - a return to our favoured holiday destination, a trip home to see family and friends, a night out in more than double date company, torching our last face masks and a return to full team play for our little sports stars.

As we kick off the new year, a new school year begins, and we’ve loaded up this issue with tips for starting off the school year on the right foot. Our kids are incredibly lucky to have such an amazing array of education options within Singapore and you’ll see several featured here. We also feature tips on finding a job. Singapore is such a small place and the old adage; “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know” certainly helps when looking for a role.

My wife started her banking career in Australia, however upon relocating to Singapore 12 years ago she moved into a recruitment business via a family friend contact. Several years later, while on a cricket tour chatting to one of the WAGS over a champagne she was approached to move into a HR role; before moving into her current role running regional HR systems for a MNC via an introduction from a girlfriend’s husband. Proofreading this message, she insisted I add that she’s incredibly good at what she does, but her network definitely helped open the doors!

As this is the first ANZA magazine of the year, I would like to express my thanks to all the contributors over the past year. We are very proud of our magazine and if you are interested in contributing please reach out to our Editor, who would be delighted to hear from you. I also know our sub groups are gearing up for another big year ahead, hopefully one where all of our groups can run. Again, a huge thanks to our army of volunteers that turn the ANZA wheels - it just wouldn’t be possible without you!

On a final note, the support of our loyal members, sponsors, staff and executive team over the past year has been amazing. Our soon to be 73-year history in Singapore is just incredible and is a testament to the great Association we all contribute to and are part of.

Onwards and upwards for a brighter 2021.

Happy Chinese New Year, Australia Day and Waitangi Day!

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President Adam Martin

Vice President Megan Kinder

Executive Secretary Mark Neo

Executive Treasurer Tristan Perry

Membership Secretary Philip Simmonds

Community Services Coordinator Louise Jones

Joint Sports Coordinator Marnie Watson

Joint Sports Coordinator Sommer Dunham

Committee Member Don Northey

Committee Member Zenaida Bharucha

Committee Member Sonia Heath

Committee Member Christo Fangupo

Committee Member Megan Scott

Committee Member Maria Taylor

CO-PATRONS His Excellency Bruce Gosper, High Commissioner for Australia | Her Excellency Jo Tyndall, High Commissioner for New Zealand ANZA AMBASSADOR PJ Roberts

January/February 2021

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POST I T

POST IT

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

HAPPY AUSTRALIA & WAITANGI DAYS! From all of us at ANZA, we wish all our Aussie members and friends a Happy Australia Day for Tuesday 26 January and all our Kiwi members and friends a Happy Waitangi Day on Saturday 6 February. Although this year we can’t gather in large numbers at the Australian International School, we can still celebrate our respective national days with lots of pride. Whip up some pavlova or a sausage sizzle, say G’Day to your mates on Zoom and wave your flags high!

MEET A FEATURED PARTNER What makes AIS a great choice for schooling in Singapore?

Our family have been expats for nearly 12 years, with just over four years here in Singapore. AIS was the natural choice for schooling for our children, as it offers the Australian curriculum within an international framework. We have all made lifelong friends and the teachers are adept at guiding our boys through the sometimes challenging experience of growing up!

What does ANZA mean to you?

I loved all the tours and the welcome that ANZA gave me when we first arrived in Singapore. I met some lovely people I would not have crossed paths with, if I wasn’t an ANZA member. My youngest son is a very keen soccer player and ANZA Soccer has given him an opportunity to expand his skills and socialise with lots of kids from other schools, he LOVES it! The extension of the school community through the sports and clubs that ANZA offers, enhances our Singapore experience. We at AIS are so lucky to have this support network.

Any tips for newcomers to Singapore?

Get out and try all that Singapore offers. We moved here from Indonesia and felt quite overwhelmed initially, but I’m so happy we got out and explored. There’s so much on offer in Singapore and there’s magical, hidden spaces around nearly every corner. Grab a walking trail book, a hat and a bottle of water and brave the heat!

Where’s your special Singapore place?

Our family loved our time living on Sentosa; there’s so much to see and do out there. Sunrise walks on the beach are This month we talked to ANNE LEUNG, an Australian International a magical start to the day.

School (AIS) parent

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DID YOU KNOW? Thaipusam is an annual Hindu festival, celebrated this year on Thursday, 28 January, honouring Lord Subramaniam for his bravery and virtue. Pre-Covid, devotees walked from a temple in Serangoon Road to Tank Road, either carrying kavadis (decorated arched structures) on their bodies with parts of their bodies pierced by skewers, or carrying milk-pots on their heads, as acts of penance and thankfulness.

– Raelene Tan

GOT SOMETHING TO SAY?

Email us at info@anza.org.sg or comment on our Facebook page facebook.com/anzasingapore

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

January/February 2021

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KINDERGARTEN

OPEN HOUSES TANJONG KATONG CAMPUS

15-17 February, 9-10am LAKESIDE CAMPUS

23-25 February, 9-10am

Activity zones

Numeracy

Literacy

STEAM

Nurturing children’s curiosity is at the heart of our inquiry and play based learning approach. If you’d like to know how this approach applies to concepts like literacy, math or STEAM, bring your child to our Kindergarten Open House and enjoy a fun and engaging morning of hands-on, teacher-led activities.

As an IB World School, CIS offers the PYP, MYP and IB DP. Canadian International School Pte. Ltd. CPE Registration No: 199002243H. Period of Registration: 8 June 2019 - 7 June 2023

Book your spot at www.cis.edu.sg/kg or call us at 6734 8088.

ANZ A PARTN ER S

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

GOLD PARTNERS

SILVER PARTNERS

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January/February 2021

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AUSTR ALIAN HIG H C OM M IS SION

LAMINGTONS FOR AUSTRALIA DAY The Australian High Commission is celebrating Australia Day in Singapore with Audra Morrice’s locally-inspired Pandan Lamingtons.

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e’re celebrating Australia Day a little differently this year and would love for you to join the fun. MasterChef Singapore judge and MasterChef Australia 2012 finalist, Audra Morrice, has created a lighterthan-air pandan flavoured lamington, bringing a delicious Singapore twist to this Australian icon.

Check out our Facebook page on 26 January to see Audra herself whip up a batch of these scrumptious treats, while talking about her personal journey. If you give Audra’s recipe a go, please take a photo and email it to us at Public-Affairs-SING@dfat.gov.au. We’d love to share your creations!

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

Audra Morrice

STAY CONNECTED

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/ company/ahc-sg Twitter: @AusHCSG

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Courtesy of Ms Morrice

Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/ AustraliaInSingapore

Pandan Lamingtons by Audra Morrice: “The name in itself says it all. Pandan, distinctively Singaporean. Lamington, wholeheartedly Australian.

In my view, this is the best of both worlds. I couldn’t have put two better words together to describe this delicious sweet that also portrays who I am.

Singapore was my birthplace and where I grew up.

Australia is where I’ve lived for the past 20 years.

I’ve had the immense fortune of being part of a family that lived and breathed food. Mum is Chinese of Hock Chiew descent, Dad is of South Indian descent, and Singapore – a melting pot of various cultures – all influenced my love of South East Asian cuisine. Reflecting back, it wasn’t just the flavours but also the cultural cooking practices and methodologies that have been ingrained in my mind. Now, a little older, and hopefully wiser, I’m reliving the experiences of my youth and appreciating what I remember in a much different way, adapting it to the way I cook.

Whilst my heritage is strongly rooted in Singapore, Australia has allowed me to expand my boundaries. In Australia, I discovered true farm-to-table, grass fed vs grain fed, pure flavours of luscious cream and so on. I also gained a muchdeserved appreciation for the people behind the produce and the challenges faced by many in the farming industry. Time in Australia has allowed me to truly experience and appreciate fresh produce.

The Pandan Lamington is a near perfect match. Soft, pillowy and moist, using a very retro chiffon cake adds another layer of deliciousness. Sandwiched and smothered on the outside with delicious coconut pandan cream, then encrusted with shredded coconut turns this AussieSingaporean sweet into a winner for me and hopefully for you too!”

January/February 2021

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INGREDIENTS PANDAN CHIFFON • • • • • •

• • • •

5 egg whites 4 egg yolks 1/3 cup (80ml) oil 1/2 cup (125ml) coconut milk 125g caster sugar 2 tbsp pandan extract (from blending 6 pandan leaves with 2 tbsp of water then squeezing through a muslin cloth) 1-2 drops pandan essence (optional for extra colour) 140g plain flour, sifted 11/2 teaspoons baking powder 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar

COCONUT PANDAN CREME PATISSERIE • • • • • •

400ml coconut milk 75g caster sugar 30g cornflour 4 egg yolks 3-4 pandan leaves, knotted 1 drop pandan essence (optional for colour) • 100ml thickened cream, whisked until soft peaks form

TOPPING: 1 cup unsweetened dried shredded coconut

METHOD Pandan Chiffon

1. Preheat oven to 180C degrees. Set aside a 23cm wide chiffon cake tin.

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2. Sift the flour and baking powder in a mixing bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk the egg yolks, oil, coconut milk, half the sugar and pandan extract, and essence (if using). Add the flour and whisk until smooth.

3. In an electric mixer with a whisk attachment, beat the egg whites and cream of tartar on medium high speed until foamy. While the mixer is whisking, slowly pour in the remaining sugar and whisk until thick and glossy. Be careful not to over whisk.

4. Add a third of the egg white mixture to the egg and flour batter and whisk until well combined. Gently fold in the remainder of the egg whites until just combined. Be light-handed but confident and be careful not to over mix or you will lose all the precious aeration.

5. Pour into the baking tin and bake for 40-45 minutes until cooked through.

Remove from the oven and invert immediately, allow to cool completely before removing the cake from the tin.

Coconut Pandan Creme Patisserie

1. Place the coconut milk and knotted pandan leaves in a small-medium saucepan and scald. Immediately remove from the heat and set aside.

2. In a separate mixing bowl, whisk

the sugar, cornflour, egg yolks and pandan essence, if using, until pale and creamy. Gradually whisk in all the hot coconut milk. Return the mixture back into the saucepan and stir over medium heat until the mixture thickens and the rawness of the cornflour disappears. Remove from the heat and pour into a glass bowl, line some cling film directly on top of the custard and refrigerate to cool.

4. Once the mixture is cool, stir it with a wooden spoon until smooth. If the mixture is lumpy, pass it through a sieve. In a separate bowl, whisk the thickened cream until soft peaks form. Fold the cream into the creme patisserie starting with a couple of tablespoons to loosen the mixture, followed by the rest. Refrigerate until ready to use.

5. To assemble, halve the cake, spread with the creme, portion to size.

Scatter the shredded coconut on a flat plate.

Then spread more creme around the cake and toss in the coconut. Serve immediately or keep chilled in the fridge until ready to serve.

January/February 2021

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Australian High Commission, Singapore

Pandan Lamingtons

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NEW ZEAL A N D HIG H C OM M IS SION

2020 IN PHOTOS

Here’s a snapshot of some of the New Zealand High Commission highlights from 2020

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020 was a massive challenge for every single one of us. It has tested us – as individuals, as communities and as humankind. Yet, even in these times (or perhaps because of them), we have found joy, connection and reasons to be grateful for our lives, and the people in them.

(From L –R) Chile Vice Minister for Trade Rodrigo Yanez, Singapore’s Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing and then New Zealand Minister for Trade and Export Growth, Hon David Parker at the substantial conclusion of negotiations for the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA)

HC Tyndall casting her vote for the recent NZ election HC Tyndall in a friendly “pav-off” with our Aussie neighbour, HC Bruce Gosper (we reckon we won that challenge handily, but graciously used Australian colours for our traditional kiwi decoration!)

Singapore’s Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing and High Commissioner Jo Tyndall inspecting produce sent from NZ to Singapore under the Singapore New Zealand Airfreight Project (SNAP) HC Tyndall putting her most glamorous foot forward for the virtual Chamber “Invisi-Ball”

NEW ZEALAND’S APEC YEAR

New Zealand High Commission Singapore One George Street, Level 21-04 Singapore 049145 Tel 6235 9966 Fax 6536 8180 nzhc.sin@mfat.govt.nz

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

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Defence Adviser Col. Grant Motley, Deputy High Commissioner Peter Kemp and Assistant Defence Adviser Tuijo Thompson having a delicious lunch at Hong Lim.

HAPPY WAITANGI DAY AND CHINESE NEW YEAR

Waitangi Day and Chinese New Year in 2021 are going to look remarkably different. Gone – for this year – are lolly scrambles at the Defence Adviser’s residence and riotous lo hei’s with our Chinese friends. Even so, the High Commission’s team is finding small and safe ways to celebrate. We hope you and your whānau (family) are able to do the same. Sending everyone our best wishes.

In December 2020, New Zealand kicked off its APEC host year with a pōwhiri in Wellington, where local iwi, Te Atiawa, and Government ministers welcomed representatives from 20 APEC economies. APEC 2021 will see more than 300 virtual meetings being convened from different centres across New Zealand. While travel is constrained, APEC will be an important platform through which New Zealand can maintain contact, collaborate and cooperate with our regional partners, particularly on COVID-19, trade issues and our collective work on building a more sustainable future for the Asia-Pacific region. The way we respond as a region to today’s challenges will be felt for generations to come, and it is this belief that forms the basis of New Zealand’s narrative: Join, Work, Grow. Together. Haumi ē, Hui ē, Tāiki ē.

Officials being welcomed by Te Atiawa.

January/February 2021

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1 CHANGI AIRPORT CONNECTOR & CHANGI JURASSIC MILE AIRPORT BLVD. TRAVEL TO JURASSIC MILE BY CYCLING VIA THE CHANGI COASTAL PARK CONNECTOR.

changiairport.com/en/discover/changiairport-connector/jurassic-mile Thanks to the Changi Airport Connector, cyclists and walkers can now tour the airport and Jewel Changi mall. This 3.5-km stretch is also home to the quirky Changi Jurassic Mile. Pedal past life-sized, colourful dinosaurs such as the fierce T-Rex, raptors and dino eggs! Fuel up at the breezy, cyclist friendly Hub & Spoke café which offers local dishes and brunch options.

2 MARINE COVE 1000 ECP, 449876 (CAR PARK C3 & C4) Marine Cove offers several good dining options for a cycling pit-stop, including a fancy McDonalds, Indian favourites at Biriyani House and authentic Peranakan cuisine at Babalicious. The highlight is the outdoor children’s adventure playground.

This 3,500 square metre kids fun zone has been closed of late for maintenance and COVID-19 restrictions, but here’s hoping the tape comes off soon.

3 SINGAPORE WAKE PARK 206A ECP, EAST COAST LAGOON, 449891 (CARPARK E1)

singaporewakepark.com This high action cable-ski park offers a chance to chain up your bike and try wakeboarding in a small, gentle lagoon.

SWP’s friendly instructors will take you from wobbly beginner to confident rider in a few sessions. There are three levels of cable – one full loop for the experienced riders and two straight-line runs for novice and intermediate riders. Experts can try jumps and features. Suitable for kids 6+.

4 PASSION WAVE @ EAST COAST 1390 ECP 468961

facebook.com/pa.passionwave Want to mix H20 with your bike ride? This low-key outlet is popular with windsurfers and stand up paddlers, boasting good facilities and affordable storage.

Windsurfing and SUP courses are held regularly over the weekends and they’ve been running a Paddle ‘N Klean initiative to clean up the waterways. Booking ahead is essential at OnePA.gov.sg.

5 XTREME SKATEPARK ECP, NEAR CARPARK F1

facebook.com/pages/East-Coast-XtremeSkatepark Got a budding skateboarder? Ride to Xtreme SkatePark for a session on the concrete waves. This is the place to hang for skater kids and teens who want to make new friends and brush up their riding skills on boards, skates and scooters.

Lessons take place here most mornings, so you may even pick up a coach. The park includes three main zones: a vertical bowl, combination bowl and street course. There are spectator areas and shelters.

6 EAST COAST LAGOON VILLAGE 1220 ECP, 468960 A haven for cyclists, this popular beachside hawker closed its doors for the past few months for a 1.5 million-dollar renovation and will re-open on 1 February with refreshed dining options and upgraded facilities. Expect the same buzzing atmosphere and delicious grilled satays, chicken wings and seafood.

7 EAST COAST COMMUNE 1000 EAST COAST PARKWAY #01-03 449876 eccommune.com New cafe, East Coast Commune is tucked away in the centrally located Marine Cove enclave. The western style café offers a sprawling tropical vibe, with indoor and outdoor areas. The menu features specialty coffees, cold pressed juices, a selection of sourdough sandwiches, granola and rice bowls, pasta and sourdough waffles. *Closed Tuesdays.

8 DOG RUN AND BIRD PERCH ECP, PARKLAND GREEN Have a fun day out with your pets in this animal friendly green space. Let your dogs off-leash safely in the Dog Run to explore freely and socialise with other pooches.

Showcase your trained birds at the Bird Perch.

9 KEBAB STATION 920 ECP, PARKLAND GREEN, #01-02, 449875

facebook.com/kebabstation.sg Delicious, authentic Turkish cuisine makes for the perfect energy boost for hungry bikers. Tuck into pide pizza, shish kebab, dips, salads and a range of Middle Eastern desserts. Quench your thirst with traditional sweet apple tea or strong Turkish coffee.

10 CYCLIST PARK This lovely family friendly Cyclist Park boasts two new cycling circuits targeted at learners and experienced cyclists, a nature play garden, as well as a 7-11, affordable Indian fare at KNS café, and more sophisticated dining at P.S Café. There’s also a bike store and hire.

No wheels? Rent a bicycle from GoCycling (gocycling.sg/Singapore) who have several East Coast Park outlets and one at Changi Airport.

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ANZA TOURS JAN/FEB 16

DATE: Thursday 4 Feb TIME: 10am – 12pm MEET: 9.50am Little India MRT Exit A, Buffalo Road Exit COST: Member $55, nonmember $65

Singapore Wet Market Tour

The key to tasty home cooking throughout Asia is the use of fresh quality ingredients. Join your guide, Vida David for a visit to the Tekka wet market in Little India. This tour is a wonderful way to familiarise yourself with the variety of fruits, Asian vegetables and herbs. The tour will also include poultry, fish and seafood, a visit to the tofu and fresh noodle stalls, as well as exploring dried herbs, spices and teas. You will also learn how to choose the right Indian and Malaysian spices for your curries.

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Chinese New Year

DATE: Saturday 6 February TIME: 3pm – 6pm MEET: 2.50pm at the pergola in front of Block 3 and behind the bus stop, corner of Neil Rd and Everton Rd. Nearest MRT: Outram Park COST: Member $40, nonmember $50

Chinatown is always fascinating, but the area really comes alive during Chinese New Year celebrations. Our guide Charlotte will explain the customs and traditions of this lunar celebration. Discover Chinatown’s history, visit a bakery that makes traditional Chinese cakes, meet sellers of incense and paper money, visit a Clan House and a Kuan Yin Temple. Glimpse beautiful decorations and elaborate lanterns. The tour ends at the Chinatown Complex with an optional meal at the famous Smith Street Noodle Shop (at own expense). Wear comfortable shoes and bring an umbrella.

Secrets of Holland Village

DATE: Wednesday 24 February TIME: 10am – 12pm MEET: 9.50am, Holland Village MRT exit A COST: Member $30, non-member $40

Walking and Sketching in Telok Ayer

Malaysian Cooking Class

Have you always wanted to create your favourite Malaysian dishes at home? Join tour guide and cook Vida David as she shows you how to create delicious Malay classics, from flavoursome Chicken Curry, accompanying Gado Gado salad and finishing with sweet coconut pancakes. You will leave with fantastic recipes, inspired to make these dishes again.

DATE: Thursday 18 Feb TIME: 10am – 12.45pm MEET: 9.50am Adam Park Residences COST: Member $70, nonmember $80

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Did you know that Holland Village has nothing to do with the country of Holland? This vibrant neighbourhood was named in honour of architect Hugh Holland. From a plantation in the 1870s to a bustling military village in the 1930s, HV has become a trendy hood with charming shops and lively eateries. Our walking tour begins at Chip Bee Gardens, visiting Singapore’s last Hakka graveyard, the Yin Fo Fui Kun Cemetery nestled in the middle of a residential estate and several specialty shops, some dating back to the 1940s. End the tour enjoying local food (at own expense).

DATE: Saturday 27 February 2021 TIME: 10am – 12pm MEET: 9.50am Telok Ayer MRT Exit A COST: Member $40, non-member $50

Join artist Xavier and tour guide Adam as we visit the colourful streets of Telok Ayer and the temple of Thian Hock Kheng.

Learn about the history of the area, discover the hidden well of Chinatown and the location of the first Anglo Chinese School.

Along the way, we will stop for sketching lessons and practice.

Come away with a beautiful handmade souvenir of the morning. This tour is designed for beginner sketchers and children are very welcome. We will conclude with lunch at the Telok Ayer market (at own expense).

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F E AT U R E

OUT & ABOUT

ANZA CYCLING

ANZA Cycling’s ‘Let’s Get Social’ initiative has brought newbies and long term members together to enjoy a generous dining discount. The smiles say it all!

CASUAL COFFEE

The Casual Coffee crew are still taste testing the best beans and brews around Singapore with regular catch-ups in groups of eight. Join this relaxed, social group for tips and advice on living in Singapore. anza.org.sg/groups/casual-coffee

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January/February 2021

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KILL-O-METRES

ANZA’s intrepid walking group took a trip to the Botanic Gardens in December to see the gorgeous natural Christmas trees, alongside urban heritage ambles and jungle treks. You know who to turn to after silly season excess! anza.org.sg/groups/walking

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January/February 2021

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A N Z A AC T IO N

Meet the Aussie photographer shining a light on the incredible work of Singapore’s Foreign Domestic Workers.

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ingapore Sisters – Celebrating the Lives of Foreign Domestic Workers in Singapore by Hayley Durack is a photographic celebration of the role of Domestic Foreign Workers in Singapore. 100% of the profits go to HOME (home.org.sg) – an organisation which supports, empowers and upholds the rights of migrant workers in Singapore.

Through documenting the lives of 32 helpers, these beautiful photographs recognise the hundreds of thousands of FDW’s who leave their home country to seek work as helpers in Singapore.

These women become an integral part of families – often having left their own children, to nurture and care for ours. We talk to Hayley about the project and the images she captured.

Above: Hayley and her helper, Edith.

What made you want to capture the lives of FDW’s?

When I first moved to Singapore, I couldn’t imagine how a ‘helper’ could move in and work with a family. We took the leap of faith and hired beautiful Edith to join ours. I became more curious and intrigued by how her life worked alongside ours.

She had a complex life of her own back in the Philippines. I also started to realise how much we have in common: we share a similar drive for giving love and wanting to be loved, we’re both mums and have had three children each, we are exactly the same age, we work to support our lifestyle, we both love a giggle and are happiest on an outdoor adventure.

talented women - not feel sorry for them. I want them to be acknowledged for the wonderful contributions they have made to our lives.

At the same time, helpers are quite vulnerable?

What do you admire about helpers?

Helpers are incredibly vulnerable. Their experience relies entirely on the family they live with. Each time they move to a new family they are making a huge leap of faith – much bigger than ours. I want people to be amazed by these brave and

They deeply connect with our children, they cook, clean, walk dogs, buy groceries, greet and care for our guests, help with gardens, wash endless amounts of laundry, assist with homework, help calm a tantrum (both children and adults) and

“There are some 250,000 Foreign Domestic Workers in Singapore. They all share a common purpose: to provide for their families back home, create opportunity and educate their children in the hope for a better future.”

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Buy the Book!

Singapore Sisters is available for $65 a copy at hayleydurack.com/singaporesisters or gogetfunding.com/singaporesisters-photography-book. There’s a limited print run, so get in quick!

the list goes on. Helpers take multi-tasking to a whole new level; they learn and even predict our needs and make ‘magic’ happen in a calm and polite manner. They are truly talented, trustworthy and skilled in the art of ‘helping’.

EACH YEAR H.O.M.E HAS ASSISTED: 700 Domestic Workers in distress by providing housing and food at the H.O.M.E shelter.

1,600 Domestic Workers graduate from H.O.M.E Academy.

Over 2,000 Migrant workers with legal aid, counselling and skills training.

How did the book come about?

The images in this book are predominantly taken from shoots where I was commissioned to photograph a family. What always struck me about these women was their natural kindness. They would be there in the shadows, supporting their employer, wrangling unpredictable toddlers and overactive pets whilst quietly going about their daily role in the background of a photo shoot. During the shoot, either I asked, or a member of the family asked if their helper could be in some photos too. Their smiles! They would beam with pride, smiling from ear to ear to be asked to join in a photo.

Over the years, I have built up an archive of images of these beautiful ladies. It was time to put them into a book to pay tribute and reveal some of their stories: the sacrifices in leaving their home county, their dedication to hands-on domestic work and the love they bring to our children and family lives - helping Singapore to function as the economic success story it has become.

What role did HOME play in this project?

I approached them and simply told them I wanted to create a book and I wanted 100% of the profits to go to them. I’ve wanted to do this project for years and had to just make a start.

HOME were pretty thrilled!

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What stories of sacrifice and strength did the women share with you?

Leaving their children, partners and hometowns in the search for work and a more secure future for their children; it has to be the hardest sacrifice a mother can make. They miss holding and touching their kids – who they sometimes don’t see for years at a time. Often these women are the major breadwinner for their family, with many pressures from all members of the family relying on their finances. hayleydurack.com

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SP O N S O R E D F E AT U R E

Helping their students visualise and achieve their career potential, Dulwich College (Singapore) has introduced Ignite! - a new exceptional performance development programme.

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e’ve all been asked the question; “what do you want to be when you grow up?”

Now, with so many career options at our fingertips and a rapidly changing job landscape, this question is becoming harder to answer.

Dulwich College (Singapore) is on a mission to help students visualise their personal pathway so that they can confidently pursue the career path of their choice. The College complements the pursuit of academic excellence with groundbreaking programmes in music, performing arts and sport. In 2021 they will launch Ignite! - a new exceptional performance development programme supporting students who are committed to a career in these areas, to see the world of possibilities within their reach.

SPORT

Dulwich College (Singapore) is known for its sporting prowess and achieving success in local and regional inter-school competitions.

Students can take part in many sports at Dulwich, including football, rugby, touch rugby, netball, basketball, athletics, tennis, badminton, swimming, gymnastics,

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cricket and hockey.

For student athletes competing at the highest standards, they can underpin their passion with a focus on academic study in relevant areas. In Senior School, students can elect to study physical education as a GCSE option (Years 9 to 11) and sports & exercise science at IB level (Years 12 to 13). Their long-established Student Athlete Support Programme (SASP) has provided the foundations for Ignite!, which shapes ambition into real goals through physical development, lifestyle management, technical and tactical progression, and cognitive support.

On the physical side, they have devised a framework for efficient performance. The physical and emotional wellbeing of their student athletes is closely monitored to ensure they ignite rather than burn-out.

This is maintained by goal setting, mental visualisation, positive mental imagery and the ability to think clearly under pressure – all hallmarks of top-performing athletes.

By introducing these pillars early on, student athletes internalise these lessons which are crucial to staying motivated and determined to be the best at what they do.

Ignite! provides a framework for students to attain exceptional performance in all areas of their lives. We nurture students to attain the very highest standards they can achieve in sport and their academic studies, whilst providing pathways to elite performance in their chosen field.

- KEVIN SHAW, DIRECTOR OF SPORT

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PERFORMING ARTS

Passion for performing arts is no different, each and every student is encouraged to take to the stage, whether that’s participating in festivals such as the International School Theatre Association (ISTA) Festival or the Dulwich College International Shakespeare Festival, treading the boards in the school production or performing in dance shows, House drama and performing arts showcases.

With a magnificent performing arts theatre, two black box studios and a dance studio, students are in an environment which mirrors the experience of performing on Broadway or London’s West End. This taste of what could be instils confidence and belief in aspiring performers, creators, directors, designers and choreographers.

Ignite! fosters belief in students who are particularly committed to this path.

It offers students the opportunity to take on larger and more challenging roles in smaller cast performances, to participate in specialised workshops not in the curriculum such as make-up artistry, master classes in audition technique and support in creating a performing arts portfolio. This goes handin-hand with our existing relationships with Evolve Arts, who deliver our LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art) examinations, Auckland Dance, the Royal Shakespeare Company and ISTA, which gives our students the opportunity to work with professionals from all areas of the performing arts industry. Students will have a dedicated mentor from the faculty to nurture them in their pursuits and help them identify their choice of career.

Students no longer have to grapple with the question of who they want to be when they grow up because through Ignite!

Dulwich College (Singapore) supports students in discovering who they want to be now. “Ignite! lights the fire of inspiration for our most high performing students and provides a pathway for their future success,” says Assistant Head of College, Jacob Martin.

MUSIC

The College’s music programme is an integral part of the curriculum from early years, (DUCKS, ages 2-7) right through to Senior School; students are encouraged to express themselves by singing, dancing and listening to music. In Junior School, every student is given an instrument so that they can pursue their passion on their own terms and in their own time. In Senior School, students have the opportunity to learn a range of rock band skills, including playing guitar, bass and drums, song writing and music production.

In these final years of school, some students are spending considerable extra time, outside of their school programmes, practising music.

In preparation for a career in music, students work alongside music staff in the production of events, leading ensembles, sectionals, conducting and developing their musical talent and performance skills. By the time they finish school, Ignite! ensures that students have built up a network of contacts in the music industry by participating in workshops and talks by music professionals. They leave with a comprehensive music performance portfolio, having developed excellence in more than one instrument, if they wish to do so, and having had exposure to the wider world of music through concerts, trips, tours and talks. As they embark on their desired career path, they can be confident that they are empowered to be future leaders in this competitive industry.

Students will have access to working with directors, actors, producers and designers in the performing arts industry, creating a network of contacts to help them in their chosen pathways.

- KATRINA HEGARTY, DIRECTOR OF PERFORMING ARTS

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SP O N S O R E D F E AT U R E

Discover more about Green School New Zealand in Taranaki, a haven for futurefocused living and education in a beautiful natural setting.

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t’s a place for the brave, the bold and the timid.

The doers, the makers, the dreamers and the old school academics. Surrounded by a vista of hills, the rolling Õãkura river and under the watchful eye of Mt Taranaki, Green School New Zealand is a thrilling haven for creativity and future-focused living and education.

Although open just a term before COVID-19 struck, the school for years 1-13 has continued to thrive alongside New Zealand’s response to the pandemic. Its mission to “create a community of learners making our world sustainable” has never been more important.

Founded in February 2020 by Taranaki couple Michael and Rachel Perrett, Green School New Zealand is the second school to open as part of the Green School International network - the first being Green School Bali, founded by John and Cynthia Hardy, in 2008.

The learning programme at Green School is nature-based, exam-free, and adopts a competency-based approach in place of any and all high-stakes testing. Its bespoke, 21st Century curriculum and diploma aims to inspire and create future changemakers through its communityintegrated, entrepreneurial approach. It’s a philosophy that is attracting inquiries from all over the world, not only from learners and their families, but educators wanting to teach at the school. It has also garnered support from individuals such as Dr Jane Goodall and UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon.

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Green School New Zealand CEO, Chris Edwards, says the school faces the world’s challenges head on, with learning stemming from authentic engagement with real world problems that arise from the United Nations Sustainability Goals. “With our bespoke curriculum and diploma, we look to inspire joy and purpose in our young people through deep, rich learning, all of which is seen through the three lenses of sustainability, wellbeing and systems thinking. We truly believe that what we offer is a unique and profoundly relevant experience, in an inspirational setting.”

That setting is Taranaki, New Zealand, where students can surf and snowboard in a single day, thanks to the magnificent natural features on the region’s doorstep. It’s a community rich in arts, sports, culture and innovation, which has been lapped up by those families who have already moved their lives to join the Green School New Zealand community.

Despite borders currently being closed, the school is accepting enrolments and is excited to be receiving many inquiries from expats looking to return to New Zealand. “It really is our good fortune to be based in New Zealand where the land is beautiful, the land is pure, and the land is free,” says Edwards. “In these strange times, it is our little haven where we are able to thrive with purpose.”

For more information, head to greenschool.nz

We look to inspire joy and purpose in our young people through deep, rich learning, all of which is seen through the three lenses of sustainability, wellbeing and systems thinking.

- CHRIS EDWARDS

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JOIN

THE ANZA SPORTS COMMUNITY IN 2021!

Build skills and fitness, have fun and make lots of new mates.

anza.org.sg

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15/12/2020 1:27:14 PM

SCOTT MURPHY, Wellbeing Coordinator – Secondary School at the Australian International School (AIS) offers his top tips for getting your teenager ready for the school year.

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eturning to school in a “normal” year after several weeks of fun and relaxation is never easy. Returning after a pandemic is completely uncharted and kids are not the only ones who are feeling the stress. After such immense change and uncertainty in 2020, the academic school year for 2021 offers further hope and greater stability. Getting back into a routine after the break brings a welcome relief to many families. Here are some tips to assist students and families as they transition back into school life post-Christmas.

Be organised

The more organised you are, the easier your back to school transition will be. Take the time to plan your morning routine in advance. This will also alleviate further stress on the family and enable you to smoothly ease back into a school routine.

Complete a dry run to mitigate any hiccups. This also helps determine what time you need to get up, what to prepare for a nutritious breakfast and what time you need to be out the door to arrive at school on time.

QUICK TIP: Another helpful hint is to lay out your uniform well in advance!'

Sleep

Over the Christmas break, teens aren’t always on a scheduled sleep routine, which is completely understandable. But getting adequate rest is essential for a healthy and productive school year.

A lack of sleep can lead to emotional and mental health problems and impacts on functioning physically, socially and academically.

According to the National Institutes of Health, the average teenager should get nine or more hours of sleep every night.

QUICK TIP: Formulate healthy sleeping patterns by having your teen go to bed earlier and wake up earlier at least a week in advance of school starting.

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Eating well

As teenagers grow and develop, it’s normal for them to feel hungrier and eat more. During puberty, their bodies are going through immense change. A balanced diet gives them extra energy and nutrients to support this growth and development. Eating three regular meals a day with some snacks will help your teen meet their nutrition needs. Skipping meals means they will miss out on essential vitamins, minerals and carbohydrates, which can leave them feeling sluggish and finding it hard to concentrate.

QUICK TIP: In a busy world, it’s more important than ever that we act as positive food role models by making healthy choices and enjoying balanced meals together as a family.

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Get involved - Co Curricular Activities Parents want their children to grow into resilient, confident and well-adjusted adults. Involving your children in a wide variety of activities outside of the classroom such as team sports, music, drama, outdoor education and community service-based programs enables them to experience success and to build upon these specific character strengths. It also provides greater opportunities to develop broader positive relationships, learn what works and what doesn’t work, and all with the common goal of completing something as a team.

These experiences are priceless.

QUICK TIP: Encourage your teen to try a new CCA this year that will help them develop self confidence and practise teamwork.

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Setting up a designated study spot Setting up a space at home to complete schoolwork is pivotal.

This should be a space that is conducive to work, so ensure distractions are removed. No phones! Ensure that your child has a clear routine, focus and family expectations in regard to homework, being mindful that there should also be specific downtime and physical activity.

Homework is the bane of many parents’ existence but having clear guidelines that are jointly agreed upon, showing an interest and providing positive affirmation, will go a long way in creating the healthy habits of effective study.

QUICK TIP: If you find your child is having difficulty with their homework, make an appointment to see their teacher sooner rather than later.

Parent involvement

Parents and families play an important role in supporting their child’s education.

Research has shown that when schools and families work together, children do better, stay in school longer, are more engaged with their schoolwork, go to school more regularly, and have better behavior and social skills. One of the most effective and simplest ways to support your child in achieving academic wellbeing is to engage with their curriculum and know what they're learning and experiencing at school.

By understanding your child’s strengths and areas for growth, you're better equipped to provide proactive support, which can help in managing stress before school starts again. Once school begins, talk to your child about what they've been learning and connect with their teachers - this provides a platform that models and values education. Good communication also fosters positive and constructive relationships with your child’s school and opportunities at home to further support their social, emotional, and academic development. ais.com.sg January/February 2021

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SP O N S O R E D F E AT U R E

A day in the life of a preschooler at SAS Hannah Connors, Early Learning Center teacher at Singapore American School (SAS), takes us through a day in the shoes of an energetic, curious preschooler.

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hether it is watching kites soar in the wide blue sky, or building imaginary worlds with blocks, time and time again parents talk about how the Early Learning Center at Singapore American School is a home away from home for their little ones. In the Early Learning Center we believe children are curious, creative, and highly capable. Relationships drive our learning and together we coconstruct understanding about ourselves, our community, and the wider world.

Children and adults are active researchers, and our participation in the learning process positively impacts our lives and the lives of those around us. Together, we create an environment of possibilities that fosters meaningful inquiry, strong connections and rich understandings. Welcome to the wonderful world of preschool at Singapore American School.

ARRIVAL

“We unpack our bags and say good morning and hello to our friends.” - Sara.

As the buses arrive, preschool children are warmly greeted by their friends and teaching adults. Some children wait eagerly at the door to welcome friends, others explore learning invitations set up in the environment. There’s always something new to discover: a recycled space rocket, a rainbow beaming from a light projector, a family of snails.

MOVE AND GROOVE

“I practice my moves!” - Felix This daily movement class allows children to learn to move safely and imaginatively, developing basic skills and confidence through rhythmic activities and dramatic enactment, music and dance, developmentally appropriate games and guided discovery. The goal of physical literacy and building a love for physical activity is paramount.

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OUTDOOR LEARNING

“We like the slide and the bikes and we like playing there.” - Sasha.

The outdoor learning environment welcomes ‘big body’ movement and collaboration. Children work together to build castles, ride bikes, cross the wobbly bridge, scale the climbing wall, dig for treasure in the sandpit, and swing across the monkey bars.

CONNECTION TIME

“Everybody comes to connection time.” - Loki Thirty-two children, two teachers and two instructional assistants come together to connect and plan the day.

Preschoolers participate fully in their learning journey. Children and adults share stories, photos, videos, or artefacts from the previous day and discuss and plan the next steps in their project work.

In the Preschool Learning Community 1 (PLC 1), children are making plans to launch their rocket to the moon with messages, while in Preschool Learning Community 2 (PLC 2) the group is designing a rain robot to catch and reuse rainwater.

SNACK TIME

“We sit by our friends for a snack.” - Bekah.

Snack time is shared outdoors by all the members in the learning community.

Children share stories from home, talk about the learning ahead, or ask questions about the world around them.

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EXPLORING TIME

“We are making a rain robot! - Cheo The environment in preschool is rich with possibilities. During exploring time, the children and teaching adults explore their interests and delve into project work. In PLC 1, children write their names to post in a parcel to the moon, while in PLC 2, they trial pulley systems to transport water to the top of their rain robot. Some children change into swimwear and head outside.

In the courtyard children investigate water, paint on the giant tiled wall with rollers and brushes, engage in a clay workshop, build obstacle courses, or erupt baking soda volcanoes in the sandpit. Inside, children paint, move objects along a conveyor belt, retell stories with puppets, make observational drawings, create messages which are passed to friends, climb the loft, build with wooden blocks, design models, and snuggle on the sofa with their favourite book. The environment is set up to encourage independence, and they readily access a wide range of materials to bring their ideas to life.

STORY TIME

“We relax. We sit down. I bring in a book.” - Xavi.

The children cool down with water and meet for a story. The preschoolers often ask for their favourite books, The Gruffalo, and Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! or bring a special book from home to share with their friends.

LUNCH

“We eat together. I like to sit with my friends.” - Raaghav At lunchtime children choose to picnic on the large colourful mat or sit with friends at tables. Children talk about their day, their food from all around the world, and their families.

REFLECTION TIME

“We listen to our friends and teachers.” - Sasha.

Time is taken to reflect on the group’s learning each day. As they grow comfortable with one another the preschool children speak confidently about their learning, sharing their thoughts and wonderings. They also bring their own questions and ideas for the following day’s learning.

LIBRARY ON WEDNESDAYS

“You get some books to take home.” Liam.

CHINESE

“I sing song with some of the food names. We speak Chinese” - Ziyi.

The library is a source of much joy each week, as the children share a story and borrow their very own books to take home.

Each day children learn Chinese through songs, stories and practical experiences. This is an opportunity to develop their spoken language skills and engage in cultural competency.

GOODBYES

“We say goodbye and we walk to the bus.” - Grant.

The children and teaching adults say goodbye and thank each other for another wonderful day of learning together. All the preschoolers head home, eager to return the following day to see what new discoveries await.

VIRTUAL CAMPUS TOUR Come along for an exciting glimpse into the happiest place on the little red dot! Our admissions office is hosting virtual events for our early years program on 28 January 2-3pm and 9 March, 9-10am.

Find out more about the school’s unique, curious, and capable learners, participate in an insightful panel discussion with principals and teachers, and learn more about the

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application process for preschool (three years), pre-kindergarten (four years), and kindergarten (five years).

There are limited spots available so head to sas.edu.sg/admissions/tours/early-years to sign up. Details on the early years program at Singapore American School can be found at sas.edu.sg/academics/elc

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SP O N S O R E D F E AT U R E

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he school bell is about to ring for the new academic year! If you missed your chance to stock up on school and sports shoes without your annual trip home over Christmas, don’t worry - book a fitting at Ten Feet Tall in Holland Village.

Feet First

Shopping for school shoes in Singapore?

Ten Feet Tall have your children’s feet covered.

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Expat mum duo Sam Shorten and Nicola Bradley founded Ten Feet Tall four years ago when they struggled to find quality school shoes for their children in Singapore. Until then, taking children for their annual school shoe fitting (a rite of passage for many growing up in Australia or Europe) was an impossible task, with only a handful of shops selling a limited choice of school shoes and a lack of measurement expertise. Expats were left with no choice but to take an extra suitcase back home for summer holidays to stock up, or go through the trials of ordering shoes online (with the inevitable returns!).

Nicola and Sam set out with a mission to transform the school shoe market, bringing a proper measuring and fitting service to Singapore, along with a wide selection of high-quality school shoes for children aged three to18 years. They opened their fitting studio in Holland Village Shopping Centre in July 2016 and have partnered with most of the big international schools in Singapore to run pop-up shops at orientation events and

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Standing for Something Special

school fairs. Since then they have met well over 6000 families and measured over 15,000 feet!

During busy periods, Ten Feet Tall now offers a COVID-safe fitting service by appointment. “In order to meet social distancing guidelines, we now run an appointment service during back to school seasons in January and August, so customers just need to jump onto our website and book a fitting first,” explains Sam.

Hand-Picked for Tropical Toes Nicola and Sam carefully select a fabulous range of shoes from the top three European school shoe manufacturers – Start-rite, Ricosta and Petasil - choosing styles which are lightweight and attractive, yet durable for life in the tropics.

To cater for customers from the Australian International School (AIS), they now stock one of Australia’s favourite school shoe brands - Ascent (described as sports shoes in disguise!). They have a huge delivery of new styles arriving in time for this year’s back to school in January.

Ten Feet Tall’s shoes range from a dainty EU24 (UK 7) to a man-sized EU49 (UK 13), with half sizes and a range of widths from narrow to wide, ensuring every child can find the perfect pair. They have over 30 styles in total, including a selection of orthotic-friendly styles for children who need specialist insoles in their shoes.

On Your Marks...

With the aim of making life easier for busy parents to kit out their active children in one place, Ten Feet Tall offers ASICS kid’s trainers and ASICS football boots and Netburners.

They are now the biggest retailer of ASICS kid’s shoes in Singapore.

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Team TFT Passionate about accurately measuring and fitting shoes to protect growing feet, Nicola and Sam recruited the ex-CEO of Clarks in Australia to train their initial team of ten staff.

They also appointed Helen Crawford and her business partner Rob Ashton from The Osteopathy and Podiatry Centre in Singapore to be their consulting podiatrists. They not only run free mini podiatry appointments in their Holland Village shop but have also helped develop the three-day training programme all Ten Feet Tall team members undergo before they can start fitting feet.

From the very first moment they launched Ten Feet Tall, Nicola and Sam established the Shoe Bank and asked customers to bring their old school shoes back when they came to buy new ones.

Last year they partnered with US notfor-profit Soles 4 Souls, so they now collect any adult and children’s shoes in good condition. They host bi-annual ‘Kick Off Your Shoes’ events with schools and clubs in Singapore. To date, they have collected over 20,000 pairs and sent them to people who really need them all over the world.

Covid measures have meant Ten Feet Tall have been unable to accept donations in store this year but collections have started up again at international schools and various locations in Singapore. For more details of how and where you can donate, visit their website tenfeettallshoes.com “January is always a busy time for us as we gear up for AIS and SJII back to school,” says Nicola. “We also to refit children at the British schools who have already grown out of their school shoes and trainers since the start of term in August. Book a slot early and we will help make sure your children have the perfect shoes for every extraordinary day at school.”

Ten Feet Tall From Top to Toe The ‘Shoe Ladies’ (as they have become known) have also branched out to offer a fantastic range of high-quality school uniforms, including day wear, sports wear and accessories. So, they now offer schools and parents a full complement of high-quality uniforms from top to toe.

They have been appointed by St Joseph’s Institution International Elementary School and Brighton College Singapore as their school uniform provider and are hoping more schools will follow in their footsteps.

Samantha (left) and Nicola (right)

FITTING STUDIO: #02-16 Holland Road Shopping Centre, 211 Holland Avenue, 278967 (above Cold Storage on the first floor).

OPENING HOURS: Mon - Sat, 11am - 6pm (Sunday 10 and 17 Jan 2021 for back to school) tenfeettallshoes.com hello@tenfeettallshoes.com TEL: +65 6493 7244 / 9012 5585.

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KIDS DRESS UP DAY GUIDE FOR 2021 Dress up days. Love them or loathe them, they’re part of the school year in Singapore. TRUDY NEARHOS offers tips for getting ahead of the game.

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n the eve of Deepavali I found myself sweating and stressing in the children’s clothing section of Mustafas, clutching the outfits I’d purchased the day before. They were rejected by my children for incorrect sizes and ‘itchiness’. As I rummaged through the racks for replacements with other frantic parents, I vowed to never again leave dress up day preparations until the last moment.

This year, I’m committed to not embarrassing myself or my children with last minute costumes and ill-fitting purchases.

Whether you have a well organised dress-up cupboard, or are a last minute improviser like me, here’s a list of all the annual dress up days for advance planning and preparation.

CHINESE NEW YEAR

12 DRESS CODE: Traditional FEB Chinese dress

Chinese New Year falls on 12-17 February but kids are often invited to dress up before the break. The cheongsam or qipao is the traditional dress for girls, with a festive hair accessory to complete the look. A mandarin collar shirt or Chinese PJ’s are solid choices for boys. Red is a lovely colour choice, as it denotes good luck. Head to Chinatown or Holland Village Shopping Centre for a wide selection of outfits. Online shoppers should order well in advance from lazada.sg and shopee.sg.

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AUSTRALIA DAY

26 DRESS CODE: Australian JAN For AIS, the first dress up day of the year is

Australia Day. Get your green and golds at the ready, tie some wine corks to a wide brimmed hat and dust off your Aussie flags. An easy win is a Wallabies or similar sporting T-shirt and a Kangaroo or Koala stuffed toy. If your kids attend an international school with other country ties, check you have a national dress-up for them to don.

SINGAPORE’S NATIONAL DAY

9 DRESS CODE: Red & white AUG Singapore’s National Day has been held since 1966

to celebrate independence from Malaysia. Many schools are on summer break around this time, but plenty of kids dress up to attend the fireworks and celebrations. Red and white clothes are your go to. Look out for stores selling National Day t-shirts - Giordano or Uniqlo usually stock a good selection.

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HALLOWEEN

31 DRESS CODE: OCT Spooky (but

not too scary!)

The Halloween movement is strong in Singapore and many schools now invite the kids to dress up. In addition to the usual online stores there are some well stocked party stores in Singapore.

Last year I found a few last-minute items (surprise, surprise) in a cluster of party shops behind Bugis + at 116 Middle Road. Spotlight (spotlightstores.com/sg) is also well stocked with Halloween costumes and wigs – just make sure you shop early.

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DEEPAVALI / DIWALI DRESS CODE: Indian Ethnic Wear

The Indian / Hindu Festival of Lights is another beautiful celebration in Singapore. Head down to Little India’s Tekka Centre, Mustafas, or Nalli on Buffalo Lane to choose from a large selection of kids’ outfits. A Dhoti Kurta is popular for boys, while girls can wear a Lehenga. Complete the look with bangles and hair accessories.

CHRISTMAS Some schools invite dress ups for Christmas, especially at the annual end of year party. You know what to do…. have your Santa hat, reindeer ears and tinsel at the ready!

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MIXED DATES

CHECK WITH YOUR SCHOOL

BOOK WEEK DRESS CODE: Your child’s favourite book character often tied into the annual Book Week theme.

Book Week needs extra prep time. Firstly, helping the kids understand the difference between a movie character and a book character...why is that so hard? Then choosing between going as Harry or Hermione (sorry Ron…) or an obscure literary character whom they love but no one else will recognise. DIY is possible for the craftier among us, but costumeworld.sg has a handy book week category. And no, Star Wars was not originally a book.

MIXED DATES

CHECK WITH YOUR SCHOOL

SILLY DAYS CRAZY HAIR DAY

If you don’t have a set of temporary hair colours and chalks in your bathroom cupboard, I strongly recommend stocking up. Hair spray, hair pins, novelty headbands, pipecleaner and colourful ribbons will also come in handy.

SILLY SOCK/ HAT DAY

Go shopping for silly socks and a wacky hat in January (that’s now… off you go!) and put them away until you need them.

Finally, lean on your community for dress up days.

Join your school WhatsApp groups and be a part of your condo community chats if you have them.

There is nothing more lovely (or environmentally friendly) than helping a neighbour or mate out by sending over a traditional outfit, or some fake blood when they need it. Good luck and may the force be with you!

UNITED NATIONS / CULTURAL DIVERSITY DAY DRESS CODE: Your child’s culture

This heart-warming dress up day celebrates your child’s cultural heritage – which in an international school can include over 100 different nationalities!

The bonus is you generally won’t have to change outfits every year. Just buy them a size or two larger and tick that dress up box for a good long while.

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MIA KUSEN is the Australian-born founder of healthy icecream store Mrs. Plump’s. A passionate foodie, Mia worked in finance before she stumbled on the concept when her twin boys, Matthew and Bennett, were ill and would only eat cold, soothing ice cream. Her first delicious creation was chocolate and kale, and the rest is history!

Where are you from?

Sydney, Australia. I’ve been in Singapore for ten years. I live here with my husband Andrew and twin sons Matthew and Bennett (7).

How did you get the idea for Mrs. Plump’s My twins, who were three years old at the time, were down with Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD). With painful mouth blisters they were unable to eat anything but ice cream for an entire week. I was desperately trying to find a healthier ice cream, something preferably supplemented with nutrition to make up for the meals they had lost.

After searching various

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supermarkets, I couldn’t find a thing.

Most, if not all, of the commercial ice creams contained liquid sugars and highly processed ingredients. There was nothing that contained any added nutrition.

Having made home-made ice creams before, I decided to make my own healthier ice cream for my boys. I used dates to sweeten and added some kale to a chocolate ice cream base. This was the birth of our Chocolate Kale ice cream, our signature flavour.

What does the name mean?

The name Mrs. Plump’s is after me, someone who has struggled with her weight, a motherly figure who loves to feed others. I was hoping that if the brand did take off then I would not have to diet ever again, for branding purposes of course!

What was your work background previously?

Prior to starting up Mrs. Plump’s I was working at Cisco Systems as a Chartered Accountant and had a regional role in finance. I had spent almost two decades in

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Taste Mrs.Plumps!

Order online on mrsplumps.com or visit the shop in the imPAct Building on 20 Upper Pickering St, #01-01 S058284. Opening hours Monday to Friday, 12.30pm – 6.30pm.

Interested in what new flavours they’re conjuring up? Follow them on @mrs.plumps on Instagram and facebook

How hard was it to start a small business?

It was really difficult to start a business so vastly different to what I had been doing before. I had never worked in F&B so opening an ice cream shop for the very first time was challenging and a bit of a shock to the system.

What were some of the stumbling blocks?

Having never worked in F&B, it took a while for me to map out each operational process and to work out the best way to do things.

Sadly, I encountered a couple of instances of fraud which I would not wish upon anyone else. I had prepaid for thousands of dollars of equipment that was never received, the supplier subsequently closed shop on me. I was also a victim of cybercrime, whereby someone had hacked into Mrs. Plump’s social media account and used linked payment accounts for fraudulent advertisements. Thankfully, after many sleepless nights, corporate battles and police involvement, the money was returned. Definitely not what I had envisioned with my dream of opening up an ice cream shop!

What do you offer with your healthy ice creams?

We offer low-carb, keto, vegan ice creams, vegan superfood popsicles and at the other end of the spectrum, a range that is not as healthy but more so indulgent called the CheatDay range. Our superfood range flavours include – Chocolate Kale, Banana Dates, Vanilla Chia and Strawberry Yoghurt.

How do you make them taste so good?

I truly believe that the quality of the ingredients used is vital to making any ice cream taste good. In addition, at Mrs. Plump’s every recipe is tested, re-tested and re-tested again until it’s perfect.

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You wouldn’t believe it but our most unusual flavour is also our most successful flavour – Chocolate Kale!

What has been the response from customers?

The response has been extremely positive.

Starting out with the superfood range, over the past year we added the vegan, keto and CheatDay ranges in response to customers who wanted something more.

What new flavours do you have planned?

Last year’s Deepavali flavours, including Gulab Jamun & Vanilla Cream and Rose & Pista Praline were a hit with the Indian community in Singapore. We would love to continue to showcase flavours from all around the world and create ice cream flavours never seen in Singapore before.

How did COVID-19 impact your business?

Like most in the F&B industry, we were hit hard and had to close for four months.

With most of our revenue generated from events, every single event for an entire year was cancelled. Our shop, located in the CBD, had very little traffic considering most office staff were working from home. We had to adapt by starting an online ordering platform and doing home deliveries.

Advice for anyone starting a small business in Singapore?

Obtain professional advice on the legalities of starting up, budget appropriately and network with other like-minded entrepreneurs.

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Photos: My Food Lens (ice cream shots) and Airbear Photography (Mia with the twins)

this field, having started out my career at PricewaterhouseCoopers in Sydney.

Most successful flavour? Most unusual flavour?

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TIPS FOR FINDING WORK IN THE NEW YEAR

KATHERINE CHAPMAN, Managing Director – CSLB Asia offers tips for tackling the job market in 2021, from brushing up your resume, to mastering LinkedIn and networking.

What are some of the current challenges job seekers face in Singapore?

COVID-19 has created a very challenging work environment globally, and Singapore’s domestic economy has been impacted.

However, although 2020 was a turbulent year, many people took time to re-evaluate where they are at in life and start on new and exciting paths in this new world.

What are your tips for getting noticed?

Networking, networking, networking. Be at the forefront of business owners’ minds when hiring gets back in full swing.

How can job seekers make the most of LinkedIn? In Asia, LinkedIn is considered the most powerful tool when seeking a new role.

Headhunters actively use it to recruit for talent, and it pays to update your profile 36 anza

regularly. I recommend attending online courses in mastering the platform, and engaging an expert to makeover your profile.

How important are networking events?

Attend as many events as you possibly can – either in person or digitally. If you’re new to Singapore and unsure about attending an event on your own, treat the event as your new date night and drag your partner along!

The ANZA events are a good opportunity to network, along with the various Chamber of Commerce events, such as AusCham and BritCham.

Is it a good idea to contact an employment agency?

Reach out to some of the employment agencies in Singapore and meet for a coffee with recruiters. It’s a great way to get an update on the employment market and current growth industries.

What are your tips for setting up a small business in Singapore?

Do your research on the product, service, and market.

Have a short business plan and a budget. There are restrictions on the types of business entities that can be registered and be mindful that hiring local talent to support your business in 2021 is a must.

What’s your advice for DP holders?

There are tighter restrictions on EP approvals. Consider mentioning the option of a Letter Of Consent (LOC) to work for your employer, as this may be a better option for a potential employer, after considering local talent.

What are some thriving industries here?

Healthcare, information technology, education, and industries where you can assist with a transfer

of skill and knowledge to Singaporeans.

What can you do to be job ready in other ways?

Blogging and contributing to local and expat publications in your field of expertise will lift your profile.

Looking for work? Head to ANZA’s Jobs Board at anza.org.sg/jobs for the latest job listings in Singapore.

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Find your perfect job match this year on the ANZA jobs board!

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b r a

se c h

Access new roles in Singapore Search for freelance, part time, full time, temp and intern opportunities Stay in the loop with constantly refreshed job listings

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SP O N S O R E D F E AT U R E

The Singapore campus of James Cook University (JCU) offers cutting-edge education and research opportunities in psychological science, along with robust mental health services.

As the harrowing “new normal” of COVID-19 continues, these efforts are needed to support mental health care.

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he importance of mental health awareness and care has often received insufficient attention. As the COVID-19 pandemic – along with other challenges and uncertainties – swept the world in 2020, it reminded us that mental health is just as crucial as physical health. Going into 2021, COVID-19 is still hanging over our lives, as are the protective measures and various anxieties that come with it. Amid hopes for a better year, there’s never been a better time to invest in mental health – for both ourselves and for others.

The next generation of mental health experts

JCU is well known for its strength in the social sciences, particularly in psychology. For people who are passionate about learning and understanding more about the field of mental health, pursuing JCU’s Bachelor of Psychological Science will provide deeper insights into the subject matter. What’s more, this course of study will equip

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students with a unique set of skills to analyse and understand human behaviour and relationships. Leveraging the knowledge and skills gained from this course is critical for aspiring mental health professionals to assess, diagnose, prevent and treat mental healthrelated problems and conditions.

Of course, graduates are not simply limited to careers in psychology. In fact, gaining a deeper understanding of psychology paves the way to think more analytically and be familiar with scientific research methods. These techniques can be applicable to a wide range of careers – including business and market research, education, administration, and management. Regardless of the chosen career path, it is more important to be able to use these skills to meaningfully connect with the people around us, allowing them to feel supported and helping to make a positive difference in their lives.

For those who are looking to become registered as practicing psychologists, one of the ways to do so is to complete JCU’s Master

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of Psychology (Clinical) program. This postgraduate program focuses on both advanced academic and practical education – providing opportunities for hands-on experiences and training in state-of-theart facilities including JCU’s on-campus Psychology Clinic. Students in the program also undergo Clinical Psychology Placements, which allow them to apply their newly acquired knowledge and skills by working with clients in a range of university and community settings across tropical, rural and remote environments.

In fact, gaining a deeper understanding of psychology paves the way to think more analytically and be familiar with scientific research methods.

Providing necessary support for mental health

The on-campus Psychology Clinic also offers psychological assistance to both the campus community and the public.

Confidential psychological assessment and/or psychotherapy is offered in a private and comfortable environment, at minimal cost, for a wide range of emotional, behavioural and cognitive challenges.

This allows anyone facing emotional difficulties to reliably seek help on campus.

Creating an environment of trust – in which all members of a university campus community feel enabled to speak out about mental health issues and to seek support as and when appropriate – is a significant priority at JCU. Potential and current students may find it comforting to know that, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Counselling and Wellbeing Office of the Singapore campus made a concentrated effort to boost mental health services for students last year. These include private one-on-one counselling sessions for students to improve communication, interpersonal skills and management of emotions. Through these sessions, students can learn to build the skills and resilience to manage a variety of issues – including stress, lack of motivation, or loss and grief. Collaborative Wellness Workshops were also held online, allowing students to discover skills related to building positive study habits, improving self-care, and more.

In addition to these efforts, research plays an important role in addressing the complexities of mental health and the ways in which individuals develop strategies to cope with intense and overwhelming emotions. JCU boasts research expertise in health and wellbeing, with emphasis on pertinent social issues – such as suicide behaviours, stress and coping, and racism – that can stem from or lead to mental health problems.

Some of the University’s projects include exploring novel approaches to facilitate treatments for clinical conditions across the lifespan and investigating the effects of trauma on mental and physical wellbeing.

The University also works with peers from throughout the region, allowing JCU to share its vast knowledge and experience in health and psychology.

Ultimately, we need to combat the stigma surrounding mental health by being more open in our communication about it. Through our day-to-day conversations and interactions, if we demonstrate a willingness to share our own experiences of mental health problems and to not shy away from asking others about how they are feeling and what difficulties they are facing, we can help to give a voice to those who struggle to reach out for help.

jcu.edu.sg/courses-and-study/courses/psychology

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Surviving COVID-19 One Step at a Time ANZA member and ACCOR communications executive GAYNOR REID hit the streets of Singapore and walked hundreds of kilometres as a way to cope with the impact of COVID-19 on her industry and way of life. She shares her walking diary and photos.

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airy floss clouds slide across the sky, their reflection echoed in the glassy surface of Marina Bay. As the sun climbs over the Gardens, the sky turns a vivid vermillion, appearing to ooze like lava on the surface of the water. A lone photographer stands on Jubilee Bridge, snapping the scene. We’re the only people out this morning, on day 13 of COVID-19 lockdown.

I pause to soak in the serenity, relishing a rare moment of silence in a location normally heaving with people. I’ve been walking in the early mornings since Singapore’s Circuit Breaker started and glorious sunrises like this are my reward.

Having lived in Singapore for almost eight years, Covid gave me the chance to explore my adopted home in a way I never would have otherwise.

I work in travel, so my sightseeing is usually done in Paris, Phuket, London, and Laos. But as the four walls of our condo started to shrink, I felt the need to get out. Previously I had been put off by Singapore’s steamy weather, but in fact it’s the perfect city for walking…if you do it early or late in the day.

Day 29

I find myself crying in front of artist Yip Yew Chong’s

My Chinatown Home mural, having just called home to speak with my father who is unwell.

Alzheimer’s is stealing him away from me day by day and I used to travel to Sydney almost monthly to see him. I miss my family like a limb and the nostalgia and homeliness of Yip’s art makes me heartsick. This mural captures his childhood in vibrant colour: his mother cooking, siblings playing board games and grandmother lovingly sewing a blanket. So begins a love affair with Yip’s art that has seen me traipsing across the island to find more of his magnificent murals. When lockdown ends, I reach out to him to tell him how his paintings inspire me, and we meet. We are now planning an exhibition of his works at Sofitel Singapore City Centre in 2021.

My dream is that Singapore will open to the world by then and others can discover the joy his paintings evoke.

Day 22

of Circuit Breaker and I head for the heritage neighborhood of Joo Chiat,

whose colourful Peranakan houses and street art satisfy my need for distraction. It’s a long walk from Robertson Quay, along Hill St, past Bugis, the Arab Quarter and Kallang. After snapping ornate candy coloured houses on Koon Seng Rd, I make my way to East Coast Road. The temperature has climbed to 32 degrees by 10.30am, sweat slides down my back and I start to feel clammy. Overcome, I faint and fall to the ground.

When I come to, the streets are empty, apart from some construction workers at a nearby site. After calling a Grab, I vow to never again walk in the intense heat wearing a mask.

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The Crowded House classic, Better

Day 41

Be Home Soon slips into my Spotify,

flooring me near Tanjong Pagar. I’m not someone who cries easily, but these walks allow me to wallow in emotion without my daughter or husband seeing.

Sometimes it’s a song, a memory, or the realisation that I won’t make it home for Christmas. But some days I skip with joy or sing along to my music, and scatter hellos about me to strangers like confetti.

Singaporeans can be shy and seem taken aback by my greetings, but gradually I recognise familiar faces and they greet me heartily.

Days 74-175

Singapore is a city of celebrations and brings new

discoveries almost daily. As I walk, I discover a melting pot of cultures and religions; Buddhist temples cheek by jowl with Catholic cathedrals, monks walking alongside patrician nuns, Christmas trees sparkling next to Deepavali decorations. The city’s tiny size and global influence means I can pretend I’m in India, the Middle East, Europe or China in one walk, travelling virtually while borders are shut.

Day 176

A friend asks if I will help her create a charity walk, to raise money for a refugee centre. I’m thrilled to give purpose to

my ambling and carefully trace a 20 kilometre route around the city. Dressed in 80s neon gear, we walk and talk for four hours and enjoy it so much we now meet monthly for different treks.

This is what walking does. It inspires the imagination, forges friendships, and makes the world a little smaller. Friends constantly reach out to compliment the photos I post, telling me they’ve never seen this side of Singapore. I’m asked to be an ambassador for a Singapore Tourism Board campaign to uncover the secrets of the city. I download the Pacer app to trace my routes and buy a Fitbit to track my steps.

Day 73

The last day in lockdown and I dive

into the nooks and crannies of Gardens by the Bay, discovering lily pads as

From my original five kilometres, I now regularly do 20. As someone who used to say I would only run for three reasons: a fire, a shoe sale or last drinks at the bar, I have even started running a little. Just don’t expect me to take on a marathon, as I wouldn’t be able to stop to take photos!

big as trampolines, moss-filled ponds with emerging water buffalo, towering Supertrees entwined by ferns, children riding dragonflies, a baby floating against the cityscape and colossal steel birds whose wings reflect the sunlight. The gardens are a treasure trove of wonders and I worry that in Phase 2 I’ll no longer have them to myself.

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of Design EMMA MAXWELL is one of Asia’s top restaurant and bar interior designers.

Though she originally hails from the town of Shepparton in country Victoria, Emma’s design projects have taken her from Mauritius to Madagascar.

She talks to ANZA about her incredible career.

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n 12,000 Francs.

Where are you from originally?

Makan at Padma Hotel Bali.

I was born in Melbourne and brought up in Shepparton in country Victoria. I loved growing up in the country. We lived on a few acres and I rode and competed in agricultural shows on Thoroughbreds and Australian Stock horses. It was always about making and doing things. I learnt how to cook from my grandmother who was a proud Hay CWA member. Needless to say, I have rather good scone and roast lamb making skills!

What brought you to Singapore?

I was living in Sydney and my client Song Zu asked me to come up for a few months to design their studios in Singapore. I was going through a change in my personal circumstances, so decided to stick around in Singapore a little longer. I had no idea a “little longer” would be over a decade later. I’ve now lived here for 13 years.

What’s your design background?

I studied sculpture at RMIT in Melbourne.

When I graduated the harsh reality of getting a job loomed. So, I became an advertising creative for a few years. It seemed like a fun option and a good idea at the time. It took me from Melbourne to London and then Sydney. I liked it, but I didn’t love it. I’ve got to love what I do, the days are just too long otherwise.

It was Song Zu who offered me my

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I do bring a wry sense of Australian humour into meeting rooms and sites.

It breaks the ice, disarms people, and brings out a degree of relaxed honesty.

All integral to making good work happen.

As we say in the studio: “Design is a conversation.”

What have been your greatest design challenges?

Bamboo buildings that change dimension as they are being built; sand storms; typhoons; armed guards watching me while I presented to a client in Madagascar; floods; a site visit where I was taken into what I was sure was a decommissioned underground nuclear bunker in Beijing; collapsing roofs; haunted islands; unstable foundations; walking in 52 degree dry heat for days in Egypt somewhere near Sudan on the Red Sea to see a hotel project that spanned over a 10km site. As a well-trained country Australian girl and knowing that the outback will kill you and your car Club Five at Park Royal.

first interiors project designing their studios in Sydney. This project went on to be published in magazines and win awards. But most importantly, I’d found something I was truly passionate about: a craft that had so many questions that I felt I needed to obsessively answer. To answer them all is going to take me a lifetime.

You also worked on the Cempedak resort in Indonesia?

Tell us about your work in hospitality design?

The project involved redesigning the ground floor of the hotel, which includes the restaurant Ginger, a bar called Club Five and the hotel lobby.

Ginger is a narrative on native botanicals, the bar is about turn-of-thecentury memory, and the lobby is my vision of contemporary tropical living in Singapore. I love living here, and I relish opportunities to tell Singapore stories.

I’ve been designing restaurants and bars in hotels for the last 14 years now.

It’s challenging, complex, incredibly rewarding, and rather addictive.

What are some of the bars and restaurants have you designed?

I’ve designed projects in some of the most wonderful places. From Beijing to Shanghai, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Mauritius and, of course, in Singapore.

12,000 francs restaurant in Hong Kong was one of my favourite projects.

Designed for an Australian chef, it won best International project at the Australian Interior Design Awards a few years ago. Australians, no matter where we are, tend to gravitate towards each other and, most importantly, we support each other.

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Yes, that was a wonderful project.

Everything was natural and had to be sourced and made locally. I did the public spaces, and the wonderfully talented designer Janet McGlennon did the rooms.

Tell us about your project with PARKROYAL on Beach Road?

Australians, no matter where we are, tend to gravitate towards each other and, most importantly, we support each other.

What is your design aesthetic?

I love to tell stories. I approach design as a writer would approach writing a play: First Act, Second Act, etc. It’s always bespoke, crafted, layered and transformative.

Do you bring a bit of Australia to your designs?

Always! Never forget where you come from. Australians have a very strong sense of honesty and empathy with the way we design. I’m very proud of that.

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will probably break down, I took a hat, sunscreen, water, and rehydration salts!

That’s why I love what I do so much. Sleep with one eye open. I welcome design challenges; it keeps me sharp!

What changes to design do you predict after COVID-19?

Being together is going to be more important after 2020. There will still be a desire for luxury, but it’s going to become more laid back and encourage more leisurely and vocal experiences, rather than quiet hushed tones associated with traditional luxury. Stiff, formal white tablecloths will make way for more relaxed, down-to-earth dining experiences.

Did the pandemic change the way you work?

Yes. Interior design is a very tactile and face-to-face practice and I also travel a lot for projects. Good things have still happened despite the challenges though.

Mind you I can’t wait for Zoom Ginger at Park Royal. to be locked in room 101. It’s like being trapped in a digital seance all day.

What are you looking forward to in the new year?

Leaving the island! Going home to visit my friends and family in Australia. I miss the sounds and smells of the bush.

Outside of design, what are your passions?

Food, wine, film, travel, art, music, and architecture. Place me in a Renaissance-period palazzo in Italy and hand me a Negroni with Sonic Youth playing really loud: that’s my happy place! I try to travel as often as possible. Bologna is my favourite town to spend time in. And poodles. Black ones.

Favourite interior space in Singapore?

The Jewel at Changi. Because, just wow. How lucky are we to have that? emmamaxwelldesign.com instagram @ emmamaxwelldesign

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SP O N S O R E D C O N T E N T

TRISTAN PERRY, Head of Tax, Australia at Select Investors Australia, answers a reader question about top financial tips for living in Singapore.

I am Australian and new to Singapore…what are some top tax and financial tips I should be aware of?

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MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR TIME IN SINGAPORE: Singapore may have a low tax rate but do not be tricked by this, as it is one of the most expensive cities in the world to live in. Set a sensible budget, including savings, holidays and entertainment and stick to it.

CHANGES IN CAPITAL GAINS TAX: You may not be entitled to a principal place of residence exemption on the sale of your family home if you sell it while you live offshore.

Know the facts before you decide to sell property and get the right advice.

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF TAX CONCESSIONS ON INVESTING OFFSHORE: Singapore has no tax on dividend payments or Capital Gains Tax (CGT). There are also ways to structure your offshore investment to be CGT free when you return to Australia if you hold them for 10 years with no tax during accumulation, in comparison to the top marginal rate of tax at 49% in Australia.

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FAMILY PROTECTION: It is important your insurance still covers you during your time abroad. Singapore is one of the most competitive insurance markets in the world, offering cost effective and international personal insurance products.

KNOW THE RESIDENCY RULES AND SEEK THE RIGHT ADVICE: The Australian Tax Office (ATO) have complex and sometimes ambiguous tax residency rules. It’s important to understand your residency position and seek advice if you decide to live cross border to your family, as this could quickly undo any savings you are gaining from the low tax rates in Singapore. A good example of this is deeming sale of your shares on exit of Australia.

CONTINUE TO BUILD YOUR SAVINGS: Remember that you generally don’t receive any superannuation contributions during your time as an expat so it is important to continue

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to save for your retirement, children’s education or future property purchase while offshore.

THINK BEFORE YOU PAY OFF YOUR DEDUCTIBLE DEBT: The ATO considers a repayment of your loan a permanent event, and even though a loan may be secured to a property, redrawing the loan could re-classify it and remove the ability to deduct interest payments in the future.

MULTIJURISDICTIONAL WILLS: Consider an international will to assist in a faster and streamlined probate process. Furthermore, a temporary guardianship can help avoid your children being placed into the care of the state should the unthinkable occur.

It’s important to seek the right advice and make the most of your time here in Singapore, as it is a wonderful place to live and work. Ensure that you have no regrets and leave in better financial shape than you arrived.

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Please contact Tristan for an obligation free discussion of your Australian taxation and planning needs on tristan.perry@ selectinvestorsaustralia.sg The levels and bases of taxation, and relief from taxation can change at any time. The value of any tax relief depends on individuals’ circumstances. You are advised to seek independent tax advice from suitably qualified professionals before making any decision as to the tax implications of any investment.

Select Investors, partner practice of St. James’s Place (Singapore) presents a series of events and briefings during the course of the year, giving an insight into various aspects of wealth management, tax and succession planning. The educational presentations are accessible to watch at selectinvestorsevents.com 46 anza

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ANZ A C LIC K! PHOTO G R A PHY

COLOUR CODE

“Sometimes a splash of colour can catch the eye and brighten a grey day,” says ANZA Click! coordinator HEIDI HUTCHISON. “This month our ANZA clickers shared some of those colourful moments.”

GRAFFITI BOXES TARA SIMS “I love the juxtaposition of the grungy graffiti crates, contrasting so vibrantly with the opulence and extravagance of Orchard Road. There’s also the underlying message of creative recycling in this unusual Christmas Tree at Orchard Gateway.”

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COLOURED SHUTTERS HEIDI HUTCHISON “2020 threw up lots of challenges, and it was small moments appreciating the beauty around me that made me smile. Spying these coloured shutters against a vibrant blue sky was one such occasion.”

ANTS KATE TAYLOR “Vibrant colour can be found in macro photography. I shot these busy ants at Kranji Marshes.”

ANZA is looking for a photography enthusiast to be the new volunteer coordinator of our passionate ANZA Click! group. If you’re interested then we would love to hear from you via email at info@anza.org.sg

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January/February 2021

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HO T SP O T S

EAT

RAELENE TAN visits three-star Michelin restaurant Odette in the National Gallery Singapore and PIP HARRY floats on the clouds at Skai.

ODETTE

1 St. Andrew’s Road, #01-04 National Gallery Singapore, 178957 odetterestaurant.com

W

hen a special occasion requires a grand meal (with a reservation made at least one month in advance), consider the three-star Michelin restaurant Odette in the National Gallery Singapore.

With such a prestigious accolade, expect to be pampered in the serene ambience where a warm welcome awaits.

Chef-owner Julien Royer’s modern French menu, using international and local premium seasonal ingredients, is presented to diners as they eagerly anticipate what is to come in the four or six courses for lunch or eight courses for dinner.

Promenade A Singapour is a visually delightful bouquet of herbs and pickled tomatoes, dressed with piquant shio kombu, using over 20 colourful local ingredients foraged and farmed from our little red dot – from spring leaves, to winged bean, lady’s finger, jicama, cucumber, baby beet, blue pea, as well as locally foraged green oxalis, cat’s whiskers, basil flower, and ginger flower and tarragon flower grown by chef de cuisine Adam Wan. Other dishes include charred avocado, pepper encrusted tender pigeon or refreshing yuzu tart.

The predominantly French wine list is a veritable compendium of tastes.

Restorative herbal infusions are freshly prepared and presented at the table, according to the diner’s choice. Each infusion is designed to calm, soothe and rejuvenate, featuring a blend of locally farmed, biodynamically-grown herbs such as kaffir lime leaves, lemongrass and bergamot mint.

Each exquisitely presented course is carefully explained to diners by hospitable staff who are au fait with the produce, cooking methods and background of each item, making everything even more personable and enjoyable.

Such attention to detail ensures a memorable experience.

VERDICT: Named after the chef’s grandmother, Odette is a tribute to cooking with passion.

SKAI

Swissotel The Stamford 2 Stamford Rd, 178882 skai.sg

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KAI is a sleek, approachable fine diner, located on the 70th floor of Swissôtel The Stamford. With some of the finest city skyline views in Singapore, excellent service, and a produce-driven grill menu from Executive Chef Paul Hallett, it is a very pleasant location to wile away a few hours over a relaxed lunch with friends.

We start with a few glasses of Veuve Clicquot and opt for the well-priced set menu ($42 for two courses, $52 for three).

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For entree I select the Cured Salmon with Pomelo, Cucumber, Avocado and Jalapeno.

It’s a refreshing, light and tangy start to the meal. Other options include Smoked Duck, Irish Oysters, Courgette Soup and Foie Gras.

For main, I can’t go past the Australian Black Angus Steak with Endive Salad and Red Wine Sauce (+$20) and sides of Asparagus and Hand Cut Chips. To finish, we share the saucy Caramelised Banana with Coffee Puff and Yogurt Ice Cream and the palette cleansing Exotic Trifle with Coconut, Mango Compote and Lemongrass Sorbet.

VERDICT: Impressive service, killer views and a lovely meal make this easy-going restaurant a must visit.

January/February 2021

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DRINK

There’s an alcohol-free movement brewing, with local bars now offering zero alcohol alternatives and Singapore’s first dedicated alcohol-free bottle shop, Free Spirit open for business.

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he brainchild of Aussie female entrepreneurs Emma Pike (The Fishwives) and Rebecca Forwood (Farmer’s Market) Free Spirit caters to customers seeking a range of beers, wines and spirits tailor that taste great but won’t leave them with a hangover. We talked to Emma about the venture.

Why did you set up Free Spirit?

One, it was virtually impossible to find a good range of alternatives to alcohol. And two, we wanted to challenge and change the alcohol-free (AF) space to make AF beverages readily available for the non-drinker. In addition to our online bottle shop, we are also targeting restaurants, bars, clubs and pubs to add AF options to their lists. There are menu options for vegetarians, vegans and coeliacs, so there needs to also be options for non-drinkers or anyone who wants to take a night off!

What are you offering?

A curated selection of tried and tested AF beer, wine, champagne and spirits that’s not offered anywhere else in Singapore. We have partnered with some really interesting new artisan companies in the AF space and are bringing their products to Singapore for the first time.

How’s it going so far?

There is a growing rumble in the AF space in Singapore and I feel we have only just scratched the surface. We were overwhelmed with the

immediate support we received upon launching the business. There are so many people looking for an alternative option to alcohol and disheartened by what is available (or rather what isn’t). I think it’s a mixture between over consumption of alcohol during COVID-19 and an increased number of people taking their health more seriously.

Who is Free Spirit for?

It’s perfect for those who are entertaining and need an AF option for guests who aren’t drinking, and for those who are pregnant, dieting, people who are following the usual ‘alcohol free months’ such as Feb Fast, Dry July, Sober October, and those who want to mix it up and have alcohol-free weekdays but still drink on the weekends.

ALT’D Bushmans G&T

“One of our favourite AF cocktails is using ALT’D spirits and it’s so simple - literally a spin-off of the traditional G&T. The recipe was created by cocktail barman in Australia especially for ALT’D. You just need great tonic water and some fresh garnish, such as cucumber, mint and rosemary. You could also add an optional cucumber tincture by infusing cucumber peels, lavender and mint in a vegetable glycerine.”

Ingredients: 50ml ALT’D Green Grocer spirit 200ml good quality tonic water such as Capi or Fevertree Rosemary or thyme sprig Lemons Cucumber tincture (totally optional but very yummy!) - infuse cucumber peel, lavender and mint in a vegetable glycerine or corn syrup.

Method: 1. Get a nice solid rock glass and run the garnish around the rim 2. Fill the glass with ice and add ALT’D Green Grocer AF spirit 3. Add 200ml tonic water 4. Garnish with cucumber, mint and rosemary 5. Add a couple of drops of that cucumber tincture goodness! freespirit.com.sg

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January/February 2021

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Join ANZA Tennis

The ANZA Casual Tennis group get together each Friday from 9am to 11am to have a fun hit. Complete beginners and players of all abilities are welcome.

Join us for a coffee and chat afterwards.

More information anza.org.sg/sports/tennis

WE ARE BACK AND READY FOR A BIG CATCH UP! We have launched mini Casual Coffee Catch Ups so you can gather in smaller groups of eight for a cuppa and a chat. These are held on various days and locations around the island. Whether you are new to Singapore, new to ANZA or a long term expat, Casual Coffee mornings are a fantastic way to meet new people, pick up advice and tips for living your best expat life in Singapore and find out more about what ANZA offers its members.

anza.org.sg/groups/ casual-coffee

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15/12/2020 2:01:51 PM

T UCKERB OX

RAELENE TAN investigates the traditional tipples of the Lunar New Year.

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he Lunar New Year of the Ox will be joyfully welcomed on Friday, 12 February. Enter into the celebratory mood at festive gatherings by toasting with traditional Chinese rice or sorghum wine.

CHINESE TIPPLES The Chinese word for wine, jiu, applies to all alcoholic drinks – wine, liquor and spirits. Therefore, be specific when placing an order. Chinese rice and sorghum wines date back to 2,000BC. They vary in colour from clear to pale yellow to dark brown.

Some are sweet and rich, while others are very strong. Shaoxing jiu and bai jiu are well-known types.

SHAOXING JIU Shaoxing jiu is made with water from Jing Lake, Shaoxing city, in China’s eastern Zhejiang Province. The main ingredients are glutinous rice, wheat, a little barley and yeast. The wine is aged in earthenware jars for at least one year before being sold, though many are matured for more than five years. Some of the most famous brands are Hong Zhuangyuan (Red Scholar) which is dry and well-balanced; sweet, aromatic Zhu Ye Qing (Bamboo Green); and fragrant

Huadiao (Carved Flower). The latter is often used in cooking to enhance flavours, as I can happily verify.

BAI JIU Bai jiu is one of the most well-known sorghum (cereal grain) types. Ingredients are numerous, always containing starch and sugar, such as sorghum, barley, corn, millet and potatoes. Bai jiu is made throughout China. In the north, glutenfree sorghum is used and in the south, glutinous sorghum. In general, bai jiu is fragrant, with a complex taste, and reputed to aid good health.

MAOTAI Maotai is one of the many bai jiu types, named after the town of Maotai, County of Renhua, in the mountainous and landlocked south-west Guizhou Province.

Traditional brewing and long aging give this very popular spirit its distinctive bouquet. Maotai is comparable to French brandy, with alcoholic strength stronger than pure vodka.

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

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SERVING Chinese rice wine is best enjoyed warm, by standing the wine container in a pot of hot water before serving. Once opened, the wine should be consumed within a week. My preferred choice is aromatic Nu’er Hong (Daughter Red) for its dry, spicy, yet sweet nuances and long aftertaste. Sorghum spirits are customarily served at room temperature.

ETIQUETTE When eating Chinese food, normally only one type of jiu is served during the meal.

Jiu is traditionally drunk from a small porcelain cup held in the right hand, with the thumb and index finger on opposite sides of the rim, the small finger on the base of the cup. To lift the cup with both hands is courteous, the left hand simply supporting the underneath of the cup.

It is polite to top up others’ cups before attending to your own.

“YAM SENG!” For general toasting during a meal, the cup is held in both hands, up high, to the long drawn-out shouts of, “Yam Seng!”

(Cantonese, “drink for success”).

Happy Lunar New Year! Gong Xi Fa Cai! Excerpts from “Chinese Etiquette - A Matter of Course” by Raelene Tan, Landmark Books.

January/February 2021

8/12/2020 10:54:38 AM

Scholarship Awards for IB Diploma Cohort

2021-2023

Outstanding Opportunity for Select Students

Successful partial scholarship recipients will receive up to 50% reduction of the Year 12 and Year 13 tuition fees.

Application details can be found at https://bit.ly/ibdpscholarship2021

www.dovercourt.edu.sg . +65 6775 7664 . admissions@dovercourt.edu.sg

Dover Court International School (Pte) Ltd is registered with the Committee for Private Education. CPE Registration No: 197100313E Registration Period: 05/07/2019 to 04/07/2023. The Committee for Private Education (CPE) is part of SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG).

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TA ST E BU D S

Crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside, these croquettes from the team at BAKER & COOK are an ultra-satisfying snack. It’s well worth searching out Spanish Iberian ham and Manchego cheese to take these croquettes to the next level.

Makes 22 croquettes INGREDIENTS Vegetable oil, as needed for deep-frying.

CROQUETTES

500ml milk 1/2tsp fine salt 75g butter 110g Iberian ham 80g plain flour 40g Manchego cheese, grated 2 sheets gelatine, soaked in iced water

COATING

120g plain flour 3 eggs, lightly beaten 120g panko breadcrumbs

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GARLIC AIOLI

2 eggs 10 cloves garlic, peeled 750ml canola or olive oil Salt, to taste

METHOD

1. Place the milk and salt in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil.

Remove from heat and set aside.

2. Melt the butter in a small pan over medium heat. Add the ham and heat gently until the fat in the ham is melted. Add the flour and cook, stirring, for 3–5 minutes.

3. Add the warm milk in three additions, stirring constantly with a whisk for about 10 minutes to form a strong dough.

4. Add the cheese and gelatine sheets and mix thoroughly. Remove from heat and set aside until dough is cool enough to handle.

5. Portion the dough into 30g balls, then shape into croquettes.

6. Place the flour, eggs and panko into separate shallow dishes, then coat the croquettes with flour, followed by egg and panko in this order.

Refrigerate until ready to fry.

7. Heat sufficient oil for deep-frying in a pan over medium heat. Lower a few croquettes into the hot oil and deep-fry for 2-3 minutes until golden. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain well. Repeat to cook the remaining croquettes.

Prepare the garlic aioli.

1. Place the eggs and garlic into a blender and process. Gradually add the oil while blending until the mixture is emulsified, thick and creamy. Season to taste with salt.

2. Serve the croquettes warm with garlic aioli on the side.

Reprinted with permission from COOK: Food to Share ($40), available through bakerandcook.biz/collections/cookbooks

IBERIAN HAM AND MANCHEGO CROQUETTES

15/12/2020 2:03:36 PM

ANZA MEMBER OFFER:

$20 exclusive discount for ANZA Members Enjoy a $20 discount on your first order when you purchase online using the code ANZA at the checkout (minimum spend of $80 and free delivery for orders above $180).

thecellar.sg/anza

NETWORKING • COMMUNITY • SUPPORT • FRIENDSHIP • JOIN •GLOBAL • JOB SEEKERS • MEE • ADVICE • CAREERS • EXPATS • ACTIVITIES • WHAT’S ON • EVENTS• CCULTURE U LT U R E• CONNECT • NETWO • COMMUNITY • SUPPORT • FRIENDSHIP • JOIN • GLOBAL • JOB SEEKERS • MEET • ADVICE • CAREERS • ACTIVITIES • WHAT’S ON • EVENTS • CULTURE • C O N N E C T • NETWORKING • COMMUNITY • SUP • FRIENDSHIP • JOIN • GLOBAL • JOB SEEKERS • MEET • ADVICE • C A R E E R S • EXPATS • ACTIVITIES • ON • EVENTS • CULTURE • CONNECT • NETWORKING • COMMUNITY • S U P P O R T • FRIENDSHIP • JOIN L • JOB SEEKERS • MEET • ADVICE • CAREERS • E X P A T S • ACTIVITIES • WHAT’S ON • EVENTS• CU • CONNECT • NETWORKING • COMMUNITY • SUPPORT • JO J OBB SSEE E EKER K E RSS • GLOBAL • J O B S E E K E R S ADVICE • CAREERS • EXPATS • ACTIVITIES • WHAT’S ON • E V E N T S • CULTURE • CONNECT • NETWOR • COMMUNITY • SUPPORT • FRIENDSHIP • JOIN •G G L O B A L • JOB SEEKERS • MEET • ADVICE • CAREERS • EXPATS • ACTIVITIES • W W HH AA T ’ S O N • EVENTS • CULTURE • CONNECT • NETWOR OMMUNITY • SUPPORT • FRIENDSHIP • JOIN • GLOBAL • JOB SEEKERS • M M EE EE TT • ADVICE • CAREERS • ACTIVITIES • WHAT’S ON • EVENTS• CULTURE • CONNECT • N E T W O R K I N G • COMMUNITY • SUPPO NDSHIP • JOIN • GLOBAL • JOB SEEKERS • MEET • A D V I C E • CAREERS • EXPATS • ACTIVITIES • WHAT VENTS • CULTURE • CONNECT • NETWORKING • COMMUNITY • SUPPORT • F R I E N D S H I P • JOIN •GLO SEEKERS • MEET • ADVICE • CAREERS • EXPATS • A C T I V I T I E S • WHAT’S ON • EVENTS • CULTURE • C NETWORKING • COMMUNITY • SUPPORT •COMMUNITY FRIENDSHIP • JOIN • GLOBAL • JOB SEEKERS • MEET• ADVI ERS • EXPATS • ACTIVITIES • WHAT’S ON • EVENTS• CULTURE • CONNECT • NETWORKING • COMMUNI ORT • FRIENDSHIP • JOIN • GLOBAL • JOB SEEKERS • MEET • ADVICE • CAREERS • EXPATS • ACTIVITIES ON • EVENTS • CULTURE • CONNECT • NETWORKING • COMMUNITY • SUPPORT • FRIENDSHIP • JOIN •G OB SEEKERS • MEET • ADVICE • CAREERS • EXPATS • ACTIVITIES • WHAT’S ON • EVENTS • CULTURE • C

ANZA TRAILING TALENT

ANZA has set up a Trailing Talent Facebook group for trailing spouses looking for social and networking opportunities. facebook.com/groups/ANZATrailingTalent

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T H E W R I T E SP I R I T

INTRODUCING THE ANZA YOUNG WRITERS’ COMPETITION 2021 Calling all young scribes! Would you like to see your words in print? Send your story submission to the ANZA Young Writers’ Competition and you could win book vouchers and a cash prize!

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o you love writing and creating cool characters and fun stories? Be sure to enter the ANZA Young Writers’ Competition!

All styles and genres are accepted, whether you like penning short tales, creating graphic novels, or crafting silly poetry, we welcome all your literary creations.

Entries must be no longer than 700 words and the only requirements are that Singapore must be mentioned at least once, and it’s your original work.

There are three age groups: 6-9, 10-14 and 15-18. The competition is open now and runs until Sunday 28 February, 2021. Entries must be emailed as a word document with your name, address and age to kristenhobby@gmail.com Entries will be judged by the ANZA Writing Group and winners will be notified by Wednesday 31 March, 2021. There are some wonderful prizes on offer.

First Prize for each age group is a $30 cash prize + a $30 book voucher from Closetful of Books (closetfulofbooks.com). Winners will have their entry published in the May/June ANZA magazine.

Runners up in each category will receive a book signed by author Pip Harry (also the ANZA Ed!) and have their submission featured on the ANZA website.

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WRITING TIPS FROM THE EXPERTS!

To offer some help along the way, keep an eye out for an digital interview with Kristen Hobby and Pip Harry on the ANZA website.

Pip is the successful author of young adult and children’s novels, including the CBCA Book of the Year The Little Wave. Pip shares about her experience as a writer and offers some tips for young authors.

Here are some other tips to get to you started:

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Be a bookworm and read as many books from your chosen genre (i.e humour, thriller, mystery, action adventure, historical, graphic novel) as you can.

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Most good stories begin with a tiny seed of an idea; a memory, a person, a problem, tension, fear, conflict... something that grows in your mind. This idea may (and probably will!) change along the way, just start writing and see where it takes you.

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Write your first draft to simply get the basics of the story on paper, without worrying about spelling, grammar, or cliches.

Read your story out loud. This is a great way to ‘hear’ your story and spot anything that needs changing.

When you feel like your story is nearly finished, ask a trusted friend or family member to read it and provide feedback.

Do a final check for spelling and grammar and submit your entry. Press send!

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Keep editing your story, ensuring every word is needed and adds to the story.

Don’t be afraid to cut out words and unnecessary details.

January/February 2021

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Play Mahjong with ANZA

ANZA Mahjong meets up on various days and locations around the island. It’s a great way to make friends and learn this fun, brain boosting Chinese tile game.

From beginners and beyond, all levels are welcome!

anza.org.sg/groups/mahjong

ANZA Kill-O-Metres

walk

Discover Singapore on foot with ANZA Kill-o-Metres.

Walking groups depart from all over Singapore for both day and evening walks.

anza.org.sg/sports/walking

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ANZ A GROU P S

SPORTS GROUPS AFL Adult men and women 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 - 16, with a focus on fun, fitness and skills.

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

TENNIS / CASUAL Social tennis at the Fairmont Hotel, Fridays 9 - 11am. Beginner sessions on Wednesdays, 11.30 - 12.30pm.

Afterwards, take time out for coffee and a chat.

TENNIS / EXPERIENCED

CRICKET Three teams play in the Singapore Cricket Association. Training is at Singapore Cricket Club nets from 7pm on Monday evenings and the indoor nets at The Cage, Turf City.

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

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

GOLF / LADIES The ladies meet every Wednesday at courses in Singapore.

NETBALL / KIDS Accelerate your netball with ANZA Netball. Classes and competitive opportunities are available to players aged 6 - 16, Saturday and Sunday mornings at various locations.

NIPPERS Children aged 5 - 14 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 Soccer programmes for children aged 3 - 18, focusing on fair play and community. Saturday mornings and Thursday evenings at The Cage Sports Park Turf City.

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SOCCER / LIONS

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

Wed 8 - 10pm.

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

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

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

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.

Let us know you’re interested at anza.org.sg/groups/mahjong

anza.org.sg/groups/casual-coffee to join in.

STITCHES

CLICK! PHOTOGRAPHY

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

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.

SEA FISHING

INVESTORS INTEREST GROUP This money-minded group meets monthly to connect and discuss investments and important financial matters for expats.

KILL-O-METRES Join ANZA’s walking group to get moving around some of Singapore’s great nature reserves and interesting neighbourhoods. Check the website for times and locations.

KNIT FOR LOVE Come along and knit beanies for Singapore Cancer Society chemotherapy patients. New knitters welcome. The group meets on the third Friday of the month in the ANZA office.

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!

MAHJONG Join small group Mahjong sessions on various days and locations around the island.

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

SECRET MEN’S BUSINESS Lunch and lager every third Wednesday of the month. The lads also play golf in Singapore each Thursday.

TRAILING TALENT The ANZA Trailing Talent Facebook group is for trailing spouses looking for social and networking opportunities. Find support from like-minded people facing similar challenges of isolation and looking for work in a challenging environment.

WRITERS’ GROUP This group of new writers and published authors meets monthly online to read and discuss their work. ** Due to phase three restrictions all ANZA groups are meeting in max8 groups at various dates and locations around the island.

Please register ahead at anza.org.sg. Drop ins to ANZA groups are not possible.

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

CASUAL COFFEE Mini Casual Coffee Catch Ups are being held on various days and locations around the island. Go to

WANT TO SIGN UP FOR AN ANZA SPORT OR GROUP?

GO TO

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

January/February 2021

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16/12/20 1:21 PM

M EET THE GROUPS

ANZA Mahjong

The ANZA Mahjong group hosts several sessions each week for both beginners and experienced players. While originally an Asian game, ANZA plays a Western version.

We talk to organiser SUE CHAMBERLAIN about the popular group.

WHAT DOES ANZA MAHJONG OFFER BOTH NEW AND EXISTING MEMBERS? ANZA Mahjong is open to all ANZA members and offers the opportunity to learn this game of skill and chance, meet new people, chat and have some fun… with a bit of mental stimulation thrown in for good measure.

DESCRIBE THE ANZA MAHJONG COMMUNITY? Like many other ANZA groups, ANZA Mahjong players include adults of all ages, backgrounds and walks of life.

WHAT IS SO APPEALING AND FUN ABOUT THE GAME? In its simplest form, if you can make ‘three of a kind’, you can play mahjong. As you play more, the layers of the game reveal themselves. It’s up to you to choose whether to play a simple or advanced game, and others on the same table can play at their own level too.

WHAT FRIENDSHIPS HAVE YOU SEEN DEVELOP THROUGH MAHJONG? As a meeting ground from such varied backgrounds, we see people with a growing and shared love of the game develop longstanding friendships. Many players, on returning to their home countries, have kept in touch through continuing to play mahjong.

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DO YOU TEACH BEGINNERS? We offer play for all levels of experience.

If you’ve never played mahjong before, we can get you up and playing a basic hand on day one.

WHERE DO YOU PLAY? During COVID-19 Phase 2 restrictions we’ve been playing in small groups (up to 5 people) on various weekdays in both the ANZA office and individual members’ homes. We play several games and sessions run for 2½ - 3 hours.

HOW MUCH SOCIALISING DO YOU DO WHILE PLAYING? It depends on the group and skill level.

There can be a lot of concentration when initially learning and plenty of chatter and laughter once you’re more comfortable with the game.

HOW HAS THE MAHJONG GROUP ADAPTED TO COVID-19 CHALLENGES? As well as playing in smaller individual groups, we’ve been brilliantly supported by the ANZA office team. They’ve provided a venue for play, and helped us follow the lead of other ANZA interest groups in utilising WhatsApp to post and host games, dates and venues where members can add themselves to a hosted game.

WHAT’S THE GROUP LOOKING FORWARD TO IN 2021?

We’re definitely looking forward to getting the whole group back together on a regular basis. The smaller groups have kept the games and group alive, but the atmosphere of having anywhere from 4 to 8 tables, each with 3-4 players clattering and chatting away all at once, is something to be experienced.

If you’re interested in playing, register at anza.org.sg/groups/mahjong January/February 2021

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15/12/2020 2:11:24 PM

Chinese New Year (CNY) in 2021 ushers in the year of the Metal Ox, but how much do you know about this celebration? Chinese New Year is the penultimate celebration of spring and is celebrated in many countries in Asia who have a Chinese ethnicity or diaspora. ANZA member JULIE KENNY looks at the traditions and themes for this joyous time of year.

HOW LONG ARE FESTIVITIES & WHAT DO THEY INVOLVE? Chinese New Year runs over a 16-day period that changes each year, based on the moon and seasons. In 2021 it runs from 12-26 February. Important dates within that period include CNY Eve on the 11th and a lantern festival on the 26th.

In years gone by, CNY celebrations involved a trip to Chinatown for pineapple tarts and love letters; a great opportunity to take photos and enjoy the noise and the spectacle of lion dances and lanterns. The crowds and food are part of the experience and one I always recommend to those who are newly arrived in Singapore.

With social distancing likely to continue for many months to come, our experience in 2021 will be different but still festive and fun. Decorate your home with pussy willow, twisty bamboo, red paper lanterns and mandarin trees in pots. Invite small groups of friends and family to enjoy traditional snacks and a meal.

Everything that’s done during CNY is to usher in good fortune and happiness and ward off evil spirts and past misfortunes.

The central themes are: A fresh start for all A time of renewal An opportunity to throw out the old and bring in the new.

A time to connect with family and friends.

Ensuring good luck and prosperity in the coming year.

Colours and symbolism are important to bring in good luck, so if you celebrate with friends, always go with red, yellow or orange colours. Avoid anything associated with a funeral, such as the colour white and cut flowers.

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January/February 2021

15/12/2020 2:12:36 PM

WHAT ARE THE TRADITIONAL FOOD & DINING CUSTOMS? There are many localised traditions so you will find CNY foods and customs vary. Countries like Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan have modified their celebrations based on their own food availabilities and ethnic mixes. Hence love letters, (symbolising love and affection), which are of Nonya influence are given here in Singapore.

Lo hei/yu sheng with work colleagues and families is a traditional event. It’s one of the few times you are obliged to make a mess on the table. The higher the salad toss, the greater the prosperity. “Lo Hei” in Cantonese literally translates to “tossing up good fortune” and the delicious salad usually consists of strips of raw fish, mixed with shredded vegetables and a variety of sauces and condiments. Pineapple tarts are also sold by the truckload during CNY and given as gifts when visiting. The sweet flaky cookies symbolise coming of fortune.

Oranges/mandarins are also gifted as they sound like the word ‘gifting money’. The colour is also seen as symbolic. They are typically given in pairs or baskets. Pomelos are also given for good luck and family unity.

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WHY NEW CLOTHES? On the first day of CNY new clothes are worn to family celebrations. This is to symbolise a new year, a new you and is an opportunity to put your best face forward. It’s also seen as sign of respect to those you are visiting.

WHY ARE RED PACKETS GIVEN? Red packets are traditionally gifted because red symbolises luck, wealth and happiness. When gifting red packets there are several things to keep in mind.

Always use new notes – for this reason getting new notes in the lead up to CNY is nigh on impossible. You can expect to see long queues at the bank as everyone gets their crisp new notes for their red packets.

Pass the packet with two hands and do the same when receiving. Like with business cards, be mindful of how you treat the packet as this will be noted by the giver.

Even numbers are preferred - even better if the amount adds up to eight. Never gift an amount ending in four - it’s considered bad luck as four sounds like death in Chinese.

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Red packets are typically gifted to children and single adults. They are generally distributed in order of seniority.

When receiving red packets, you say thank you but do not open the packet until later.

To open in front of the giver is considered rude.

If you want to avoid giving cash, you might like to use the Red Packet feature on WeChat. It allows you to send your cash via the app. It will then send your receiver a pretty red packet to alert them to the transaction.

FIRECRACKERS AND LION DANCES Firecrackers are used to scare off evil spirits and to invite ancestors to join the celebrations.

The smoke and noise are a way of clearing the air of evil spirits whilst providing a path for the ancestors to return.

Lion dances are a super noisy and fun part of the CNY traditions. They are used to ward off malevolent spirits and usher in good luck. For this reason, you will find lion dances happening at your schools, offices and condos.

“Lo Hei”

in Cantonese literally translates to “tossing up good fortune”

SPRING CLEANING

CNY is seen as a time of renewal and revitalisation. To maximise this people will go through their houses and throw out anything old, broken or no longer needed. They also take time to clean, so that they are ready to start the new year with everything in order. This is generally started up to three weeks before CNY Eve.

8/12/2020 11:38:21 AM

NIPPERS

FAREWELL NORTH FAMILY! THE NORTH’S are leaving Singapore after three years with ANZA Singapore Nippers, but they’re taking away many fond memories and surf lifesaving skills. Rinka Perez reports.

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hen the Sue-Ellen and Andrew North arrived in Singapore with their children three years ago, they were eager to join the ANZA Singapore Nippers program. Their daughters Izzy (13), Elysia (11), Olivia (9) jumped into the family car with Scooby the dog, to join in the weekly activities on the beach.

Sue-Ellen and Andrew have lived abroad from Australia for 18 years, taking them to Shanghai, Jakarta and Bahrain in the Middle East. They moved to Singapore to be closer to family in Australia and enrolled their children into the Australian International School (AIS) as part of their grand plan to “Australianise” their children. Like many expat children, their kids were born in Australia, however have never lived there! Joining ANZA Singapore Nippers was integral to their Aussie true-blue dinkum plan. The North family recently left Singapore to move back to Australia, however their girls can’t wait to join a local surf club as soon as possible.

Scooby the family dog was an enthusiastic Nipper’s participant. His favourite team activity was beach dodge ball however he was eventually banned from the game because of his stealing tactics, running away with the ball during the match!

We had a chance to interview their eldest daughter Izzy before they left Singapore about what the club meant to her.

What was your favourite Nippers activity?

Ocean swimming. I also really enjoyed learning boarding and ocean rescue techniques.

What will you remember from Nippers?

What I will remember most of all about my time with Nippers is having so much fun with friends on Sunday mornings, while learning lifesaving skills and getting a bit of a workout.

Will you continue Nippers in Australia?

I’m looking forward to joining a local Nippers club when I get back to Australia but haven’t decided which club yet.

What do you look forward to the most about moving back to Australia?

It will be great to experience four seasons after living in the Middle East and tropics all my life, but I am not that fond of cold weather!

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ANZA Singapore Nippers is a notfor-profit volunteer group where children from 5-13 years of age participate in fun activities at Palawan Beach to learn essential ocean and lifesaving skills. This sports group has been a part of ANZA for over five years, helping many families to partake in community spirit events and learn beach safety and conservation.

Stay up to date with ANZA Singapore Nippers news at anza.org.sg/ sports/nippers or by following their Instagram at @sgnippers and Facebook at facebook.com/ SingaporeNippers

January/February 2021

8/12/2020 10:49:13 AM

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9/12/20 5:25 PM

C YC L I N G

ANZA CYCLING RECAP ANZA Cycling rolls into the New Year with lots of new members, dining initiatives and groups heading off road into the mud! President MEGAN KINDER reports…

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NZA Cycling members continue to clock up kays all over the island, with carefully organised Max8 groups rolling out most days of the week. They cover the regular routes; Mandai/Kranji, Changi/Bartley, Seletar or West Coast Loops to Sentosa Repeats and the Chix’s Chicken Run. Groups are organised through our Facebook page, facebook.com/groups/ANZACycling, where members have a chance to advertise and sign up to groups that start and finish in unique locations, to ensure compliance with safe-distancing requirements.

With the enormous uptake of cycling in 2020, ANZA Cycling has been inundated with enquiries from new joiners! For anyone who was lucky enough to get their hands on a bike during the CB and beyond, the next obvious step was to look at joining an organised group. ANZA Cycling’s Committee Members and Ride Captains have been scrambling to deal with newcomers, who are required to join an Induction Ride before being granted access to the wider membership and associated rides. We’re happy to report that by organising a record number of Induction Rides, over different days and weekends, in addition to the typical first Saturday of each month, we’ve been able to whittle down the backlog of newcomers.

For anyone still keen to attend an Induction Ride, these are organised through a google signup sheet via our Facebook group. For more information, please contact membership@ anzacycling.com

Abbey, Mia and Ollie

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Post-ride Coffee & ANZA’s Next Generation

We’ve launched a new initiative to re-introduce social ties, with members able to claim their Max8 Club Brekky or Club Drinks (twice per person, per month) of up to $75 per group, or $100 with the inclusion of a new member. This has been incredibly well received, with loads of groups maxing out their Max8 entitlement and new members being in hot demand to join meet-ups!

It’s been fantastic to see more of our younger members taking to the roads, and discovering a love for the bike, alongside their parents. Hot on the wheels of friend Abbey Lewis, who has been touring the island with her father, Oliver, 12-year-old Mia Piestrzynski has been cycling with her Dad, Bart. Bart also proudly represents St James’s Place Wealth Management as a Club sponsor; we think it’s fantastic he’s personally immersed in the club activities and is now getting his daughter involved as well. We hope to see more of our young members out there in the coming months! “I love cycling with Dad because I can share his passion,” says Mia. “I like having my own ANZA kit, I enjoy the breakfast burger and being able to hang out with my friend Abbey”.

Proud dad Bart agreed that ANZA Cycling was great for family time and bonding. “Two big ticks – spending time with my daughter and being able to do it while riding our bikes! I can’t wait until we can do this in larger groups. I’m relatively new to Singapore and there’s no better way to meet like-minded people than cycling with ANZA.”

January/February 2021

15/12/2020 2:42:24 PM

Cycosports Jungle Cross series

In an amazing feat of organisation during these difficult pandemic times, race event organisers Cycosports have gone above and beyond to bring off-road bike racing to Singapore in a well thought-out, SG-gov approved format. Entrants are seeded prior to race day, and set off on a time trial basis, split into MTB and CX categories and various age groups. The Jungle Cross events ensure all safe distancing guidelines are closely adhered to, while still allowing for top level competition. Well done to everyone who participated in these ‘Jungle Cross’ events. Very wet and muddy conditions made the November course extra challenging, but we still saw superb performances, particularly from the following ANZA and AW riders: Pierre-Alain Scherwey 1st CX, Louise Donaldson 3rd MTB, Janus KD 4th MTB, Phil Routley 4th MTB, Steve Bijok 4th CX, Bill Paterson 6th MTB, Dave Nicholls 6th MTB, Asanka Rodrigo 6th MTB, Nick Richmond 8th MTB and Will Price 12th MTB.

Off-Road Intros

Chris Rawlings, our intrepid Off-Road Director has been luring people to the ‘dark side’ by organising a series of mountain bike (MTB) and Cyclo-cross (CX) introduction rides. Under the auspices of ‘exploring what lies beyond the tarmac and smooth roads’, and promises of ‘discovering Singapore’s natural wonders’, Chris, and some of the more experienced off-road club members, have been busy shepherding groups through the jungles of Bukit Timah and Chestnut, and the trails of Pulau Ubin.

The aim of these rides is to introduce less experienced off-road riders to the trails in a safe and fun environment.

Two leaders take three new riders on a ride, based on their experience and ability level, ranging from beginner to intermediate and advanced. The rides last around two hours and finish with coffee and breakfast.

Interested in joining an off-road introduction ride? You’ll need a mountain or gravel bike in good working condition, a spare tube, hydration, and a sense of adventure. The sign-up sheets are posted on our Facebook page via Google doc. A huge thank you to our ride leaders; Chris Rawlings, Jorgan Nailer, Dave Nichols, Grant Richie, Steve Bijok, Philippe Mouret, Pete Williamson, Mark Jurisic and Will Price!

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What they said: “Thank you so much guys for the ride. Such a brilliant day out!! Huge fun!”

- YURI ARIKAWA

“Great fun! I will start mixing in some MTB rides from now on.”

- JACOB EGEBE ANDERSON

“Fantastic intro to ANZA off-road. Thoroughly enjoyed myself with a great bunch of guys. Can’t wait for the next ride.”

- DUNCAN MACBETH

“Pulau Ubin was a great day out, and hats off to our guides for looking after us when they could've gone twice as fast and probably would have preferred to be on more challenging trails.”

- GRAEME YORK

“Thank you for this great initiative! I had so much fun and really enjoyed meeting everyone.”

- TAKETOKI ISOBE

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15/12/2020 2:42:31 PM

SOCCER

Volunteers Step Up! ANZA Soccer’s volunteers have come through to help the programme thrive during a difficult year. Here are some stories from our dedicated committee members about why they decided to volunteer and what they enjoy about being on the team!

GAVIN INGRAM, OUTGOING G8 (2012) AND U11 AGE GROUP COORDINATOR (AGC) “We became part of ANZA Soccer when my son Harry joined the U7s.

From the start we were warmly welcomed, and after three sessions I volunteered as an assistant coach.

I don’t have a sporting bone in my body, but it was wonderful to spend Saturdays with my two sons, meeting other parents and kids. After four years, I became an AGC, a wonderful way to play an active role in the broader organisation. ANZA Soccer has been a great way to spend my Saturday mornings over the past six years. We’ve made lots of friends and have thoroughly enjoyed being part of the ANZA Soccer family.”

OLI RALPH, U11 AGC “We joined ANZA in 2013 so our two boys could play with ANZA Soccer. I’ve been an active participant ever since, as a team parent and then a safety volunteer during these unusual times. In the current climate, with my usual work trips on hold, I felt I could step up and give back to ANZA and the wider community. With former AGC Gavin Ingram’s subtle persuasion, here I am as the new U11 AGC! Gavin has certainly left big shoes to fill, but I hope to be a valued member of the committee.”

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January/February 2021

8/12/2020 4:02:40 PM

LUC MONGEON, COMMITTEE SECRETARY

“My boys started playing at ANZA when they were seven and eight, and over ten years I’ve volunteered as team parent, coach, international tournament organiser, and committee member. Why? Because my kids love ANZA Soccer! Every weekend they have loads of fun with their friends at the pitches, and then talk about it until the next Saturday, when they’d start the whole cycle again. I’ve loved being more connected with my boys, and our family has had a great time and shared fantastic memories with the rest of the ANZA community of players, parents and coaches.”

MARK SAYER, MATILDAS COORDINATOR AND COMMITTEE TREASURER I’m fortunate to be the coordinator for the Matildas, ANZA Soccer’s girls programme, as well as the Committee Treasurer. To be a part of 130 girls playing the sport for fun, friendship, or competition is very rewarding. The girls support each other and have fun, while pushing themselves to develop as individuals and teams. Seeing our older Matildas making a guard of honour for the youngsters is just one example of why it’s worth the effort to ensure ANZA Soccer’s programmes proceed smoothly each week!”

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RICHARD HOWARD, PITCH COORDINATOR “Over five years with ANZA Soccer, it’s been fantastic to watch so many kids have fun, make new friends, master new skills, and discover the joy of being part of a team. After coaching both Darcie’s and Sam’s teams for several years, I started thinking about how I could help off the pitch. Kevin Hynds can smell a potential volunteer at a thousand paces, and I was soon the new Pitch Coordinator! I’m looking forward to helping ANZA Soccer continue to grow, introducing as many kids as possible to a lifelong love of sport in a fun and supportive environment.”

January/February 2021

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SOCCER

MICHELLE WHEELER, OUTGOING B13 COMPETITION TEAM COORDINATOR “I was talked into volunteering over a few drinks by Janine Furlong, who suggested we co-AGC the U10s to lighten the load. Six years later, I’m so glad I said yes! I have loved being a part of a wonderful and supportive committee, as well as the close-knit ANZA Soccer community. Our family has enjoyed the opportunities, memories, and lifelong friendships we have gained. We all feel at home at The Cage, and we will miss ANZA Soccer very much. I’m very thankful for the part it has played in making our time here in Singapore so enjoyable.”

SAM JONES, G8 (2012) AGC “When we moved house a couple of years ago, our new neighbours’ boy played with ANZA and seemed much more inspired than our kids were at our former club! Then, one by one, various friends’ children moved over to ANZA, so we let our kids have a trial at the start of the season.

Straightaway, we signed them up, and we couldn’t be happier. The kids are making great friends in the G8s and Matildas. We wish we’d made the move earlier! We like that ANZA Soccer seeks input and assistance from the parent community; what better way to get involved with the kids after a long week of work!”

MIKE DEMCHY, U17 AGC “Being part of ANZA Soccer and volunteering, first as a coach and now as an AGC and committee member, allows me to spend valuable bonding time with my children. While eight years ago, my boys had to drag me out of bed on Saturdays, now I pull two wonderful teenagers out of bed! The week’s stresses fade away when we get in the car, and it’s my time with my sons. Win or lose, after the match it’s generally smiles all around. I would not miss this experience with my family for anything. Thank you ANZA Soccer for helping facilitate this opportunity!”

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January/February 2021

8/12/2020 4:02:48 PM

Stock up your home supplies Exclusive ANZA Member Offer

Purchase cases of Hahn SuperDry at $85, James Boag’s Premium at $95 or Magners Irish Cider – Pear, Berry or Original at $105 with free delivery for 3 or more cases.

TO ORDER, LOGIN TO YOUR ANZA ACCOUNT

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e golf

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Not an ANZA member? Join now at anza.org.sg

Improve your swing in 2021!

Looking to kickstart your golf game and meet friendly female players? Join this relaxed group at a beautiful green course on Tuesday mornings. Other activities include group lessons and social events. Suitable for beginners and those seeking a handicap.

VENUE: Mandai Executive Golf Course Upper Seletar Reservoir, Mandai Rd Track 7, 779384 anza.org.sg/sports/golf-9-hole-ladies

Ads JanFeb21.indd 71

10/12/20 3:17 PM

N E T BA L L

NEW YEAR NETBALL After successful school holiday camps over the Christmas period, the ANZA NETBALL girls are ready and raring to take on 2021! Meet one of the many enthusiastic young players who make our program so great…

MEET CAMILLA

Camilla Gunnery is seven years old and into her second season of ANZA Netball.

This season, her age group has been playing at the Hollandse Club. Camilla has made the most of the reduced numbers and small group format and has been able to make friends and bond with girls from other schools. This is what Camilla has to say about ANZA Netball...

What do you like about ANZA Netball?

It’s fun and we play games.

What fun warm-up games do you like?

I like running and the birdie game.

Why do you think netball is good for you?

It’s good for you because it makes you healthy.

What does your coach say to you?

Great work Millie!

Why have you chosen netball?

Because my mum told me it was fun.

Can you name a netball rule?

No touching other people. (The girls learn a new rule every week and have recently been learning about the “contact” rule!)

Would you tell your friends to try netball?

Yes, because it’s fun and healthy for you!

Thanks Camilla for answering our questions. If you are interested in having fun like Camilla and joining ANZA Netball for the remainder of the season, there are limited spaces available in some age groups. You can register online at anza.org.sg/sports/netball

Keep up to date with ANZA Netball by following us on Facebook and Instagram!

We are refreshing our social media accounts to help keep our netballing community connected, informed and engaged, on and off the court.

Follow us on Instagram @anzanetballsingapore and Facebook facebook. com/anzanetballsingapore for all the latest official information (camps, season dates, cancellations etc) and to see all the fun our players, coaches and volunteers have each week!

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January/February 2021

8/12/2020 10:43:55 AM

We Speak The International Language Of Dance Tanglin Arts Studio provides a welcoming place for expat and locally raised dance students to make wonderful friends and grow their passion for music and movement. Working closely with dancers from around the globe, we understand the unique challenges expat students face and aim to help them thrive in our shared environment.

Tanglin Arts Studio Hollandse Club, 22 Camden Park Singapore 299814 phone 81236770 info@tanglinartsstudio.com www.tanglinartsstudio.com

Ads JanFeb21.indd 73

11/12/20 10:25 AM

N EW M E M B E R S

NEW MEMBERS

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

Benn Kirkham Kate Kirkham Jan-Hein Chrisstoffels Isabelle de Stexhe - de Lovinfosse Frederic de Stexhe Richard Taylor Laurent Herviou Sophie Carreau Asanka Rodrigo Kate Kardachi Natasha Peart Roseanne Luca Alex Gold Justin Wood Ginny Wood Gina McAvoy Roger McAvoy Noryaton Sahdan Sharon Lim Chris Blumfield Jennifer Blumfield Shane Capron Colby Capron Phillip Cahill Eleanor Cahill Tim Armstrong Nikki Armstrong Nick Jacobs 74 anza

Sherine Jacobs Saurabh Gupta Jason Popiolek Caitlin Kelly Simone Taylor Brad Coyne Tem Nobleza Caroline Nobleza Heidi Healy Timothy Schmid Jennie Schmid Kimberly Ann Psaltis Claudio Casarotti Monica Fitzpatrick Andrew Fitzpatrick Michael Kong Leisa Ridges Lian Zhang Zeyu Wang Nor Lizawati Binti Tumin Chetan Khanna Inderpreet Khanna Luke Woolley Sandra Laton Tracy Blair Brendon Breen Tom Meredith Richard Sae Won Pang Jihyun Park

Jeanette Andersen Todd Andersen Sharon Procter Matthew Procter Sanjiv Shah Rebecca Holman Doug Terry Jessy Wong-Terry Abby Sun Samuel Song Frederikke Tetzlaff Jan Mariboe Nielsen Sanil Khatri Daljit Kaur Tor Henrik Hauge Peter Moore Alce Patricia Lynette Mantle Andrew Mantle Charlie van Eeden Janne van Eeden Siti Aisha Ibrahim Betty Kovacs Alistair Grice Alice Reilly James Reilly Michael Peter Kemp Harris Joan Collar

Anuj Kar Phee Eng Choon Janie Arriola Gerard Marcellino Martin Rebelo Tim Hutchins Nikki Hutchins Lisa Carrigan Ria Hoban Connor Hoban Carolyn Dubois Charles Dubois Colin Craig Laurence Jassogne Piet van Asten Manuela Pfeifer Anastacio Joao Anastacio Charlotte Wright Jake Sauer Jennifer Sauer Mark Jones Inga Kerstin Oestlund Angela Sahel Jean Jacques Sahel Pieter Goudriaan Liesbeth Goudriaan Amanda Joan Lees Anton Poder Matthew Campbell

January/February 2021

DPS NewMembers JanFeb21.indd 74

9/12/20 12:10 PM

Lauren Myers-Cavanagh Shane Pinto Ingrid Dlima Ross Jay Sabberton Susana Gonzalez Reginald Peacock Natasha Peacock Jody Smith Jarrod Blewitt Daniela Pinaud Renato Bortolon Bjoern Jochmann Agnes Jochmann Jason Wilson Leah Spies Pip O’Connor Stu O’Connor Quettfenn Lai

Fransiska Darjanto Zoe Davis Carys Mckane Ulrica Liss Anders Liss Robert Chambers Pamela Jack Rob Phillips Calum Scott Sigrid Kroon Shehara Viswanathan Melanie Speet Mark Andrew Copley Gerard McCarthy Tina Ferguson Marcus Montana Svetlana Nesmashin Kristina Kronborg

ANZA MONTHLY GIVEAWAY

Congratulations to Isabelle de Stexhe - de Lovinfosse Winner of this month’s $50 voucher from The Fishwives.

NEW MEMBERS PREMIER PARTNER

Advertise With ANZA! Connect your business with a targeted expat community in Singapore Contact us now to discuss tailored advertising campaigns on our website, e-newsletter and print platforms marketing@anza.org.sg

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January/February 2021

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9/12/20 12:11 PM

10 MI NUTES W ITH

10 MINUTES WITH...

DENISE TAN DENISE TAN opened Closetful of Books, a roaming bookstore that specialises in children’s literature in 2014 with her partner Kelvin Ng. Denise talks to ANZA about her passion for supporting children to develop as readers and the magic of a wonderful kids’ book.

What is your background in children’s literature?

I worked part-time for Byde Book at Serene Centre more than 10 years ago.

That’s where I first discovered how wonderful picture books are. After graduating from Ngee Ann Polytechnic with a Mass Communication diploma, I asked/begged for a job with specialist children’s bookseller Bookaburra Books.

Why did you set up Closetful of Books?

It was Christmas Eve in 2014. We did it because we knew Bookaburra Books was going to close. We were unable to afford a loan to buy Bookaburra but I couldn’t let all the amazing work that Cheryle did with book fairs and children’s literature disappear. So, we began our own rendition.

What does Closetful of Books offer?

The main part of our business is book fairs in schools. We curate fairs specially for each school and we are usually on campus over a few days. It’s like bringing a bookstore to the school! This is also my favourite part of the job because we get to meet nearly every kid in the school, and I get to chat with them about what they enjoy reading.

You also recommend books online?

We have an online store with a curated selection of titles and a chat function that allows for parents or buyers to ask me for recommendations. I also love replying to emails or texts asking for bookish suggestions!

Why are you so passionate about children’s literacy and reading?

Children’s literature tells the truth so 76 anza

Denise’s 3 tips for kids to write a fantastic short story

clearly and beautifully. It transports the readers, and it is usually written with such heart. Working with children, watching how they develop as readers (and global citizens) is truly magical.

Tell us about your school outreach programs and fairs?

We organise author visits to schools which is always super fun! We like to make sure the visits add to the school’s curriculum while still being fun for the kids.

How hard were you hit by COVID-19?

It’s not been fun. All our book fairs were cancelled and I’m not sure when we might be able to bring our books to schools again. As book fairs form the bulk of our business, having to do without

1. Read plenty!

2. Write constantly!

3. Tell your story bravely!

them is slightly painful. Selling online is just not the same and it’s slow-going at the moment. For 2021, we hope to get back into book fairs - whatever form they may come in.

What are your career dreams?

One day, we aim to start a not-for-profit literacy centre that celebrates children’s literature. I hope for it to be a place where creators can gather and where we can support growing readers. I have lots of fluffy plans for that and I don’t want to jinx them by writing them down!

Where can we find you online? closetfulofbooks.com

January/February 2021

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