ANZA Magazine March/April 2021

WHAT’S ON

TOURS

SPORTS

OUT & ABOUT

CHECK OUT

YOUR STORIES

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

THE AUSTRALIAN & NEW ZEAL AND ASSOCIATION

Island

March/April 2021

Sin g a p o re

Peek Inside a Resort-style Bungalow in Kembangan 10 Hidden Heartland Spots New Dining Destinations How to Get Your SG Driver’s License

MARCH/APRIL 2021

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CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR IGCSE CLASS OF 2020

IN

At AIS our Year 9 and 10 students study the IGCSE which is an International curriculum setting our students up for success. We are incredibly happy to announce that all grade area results increased year on year with the best IGCSE performance to date.

HI

Our students with 100% A* and A in 2020

IGCSE STUDENTS IN 2020

A*- A 44%

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR GRADUATING CLASS OF 2020

B E

At AIS our Year 11 and 12 students have the option to study the Higher School Certificate (HSC) or the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP).

Students work with our careers team to ensure a tailored tertiary pathway.

COMBINED YEAR 12 RESULTS 6%

27%

48%

73%

with an ATAR of

with an ATAR of

with an ATAR of

with an ATAR of

99+

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95+

90+

80+

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INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE DIPLOMA PROGRAMME

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6

OUTSTANDING RESULTS FOR A NON-SELECTIVE SCHOOL

HEST SCOR H I GATA R 9 9 . 5 5 E S

REDIBLE RESUL IN C ATAR 98.05 T S

S CO R E 4 3

ELYSE BARG

AARO HOISKO

JOEY SONG

CHUNYI SUN

SCORE OVER 40

SCORE 33.3 ATAR 88.6

SCORE 29.90

ANNABEL STEPHANIE LAI BRUNTON DANIEL PRINS

SKYE RADATT

RACHEAL MOONEY YIJIE SHEN

HIGH SCHOOL CERTIFICATE (HSC)

BEST EVER

HSC Results in AIS 27 year history

27% of ALL HSC students obtained a 90+ ATAR

89TH

In all HSC Schools Top 150 is the benchmark of a top school.

Globally focused, distinctly Australian

Congratulations to Chloe Liem, our AIS 2020 Dux who attained an ATAR of 97.50. cover gatefold OBC mock.indd 5

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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Celebrating 2020 2020 was a year like no other with students, teachers, families and friends stumbling through unforeseen circumstances. We didn’t know it was coming, but at AIS, we were prepared. The grit and tenacity of our teachers and students paid off. Our students achieved outstanding results across the board, and we couldn’t be prouder. In the secondary school specifically, we celebrated terrific academic results for IGSCE, HSC and our IB programs.

At AIS, our Australian and International Curriculum offer diverse pathways to our graduating students. However, we offer not just academic excellence and first choice universities, but also place a strong focus on a holistic education where we enable our students to become the best version of themselves. Our enviable education destination and multicultural environment is underpinned by our Australian values that truly make a difference. Everyday we live by the values of respect, opportunity and achievement.

At AIS we recognise and celebrate our students’ achievements, they have earned it.

‘These truly remarkable results are the combination of our student’s

Respect

dedication to their studies; their families support and the incredible work of our academic staff’

MR ANDRE CASSON Head of School cover gatefold OBC mock.indd 2

Australian Values Opportunity

Achievement

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E DI TOR’S NOTE

HELLO “Our groups have well and truly revved up for a fantastic year ahead, with so much happening that it’s hard to keep up.”

H

ow fast is this year going? It’s hard to believe we’re already into March and Easter is just around the corner.

Like most of you, I’ve come to the realisation that 2021 is likely to be another year of staying safe in Singapore and embracing all the wonderful things this country has to offer.

For the first time in many years, this ANZA issue isn’t themed.

We thought we’d offer a grab bag of what’s happening around the island – from a tour of the historic Orient Express train currently parked at Gardens by the Bay, to the latest Star Wars exhibition, an interview with street artist Yip Yew Chong, reviews of new dining destinations, tips on how to get a local driving license, and much more.

Our groups have well and truly revved up for a fantastic year ahead, with so much happening that it’s hard to keep up.

Cycling have come up with creative ways to raise money for RDA therapy horse Kodie, Nippers is back on the beach with lots of plans, Netball is gearing up for off-season training, and Soccer continues to go from strength-to-strength, with pocket rocket two-year-olds the newest group on the pitch!

Meanwhile, Mahjong is so popular it’s opened up a night session, Kill-o-Metres continues to explore every walking

track in town, Running is back at the Botanic Gardens and now the East Coast, our famous Ladies Nights have fired up in safe numbers, and we now have a Set Lunch group to explore Singapore’s exciting food scene. Our creative members are also going strong – writing, crafting, reading, sewing and knitting, and ANZA Tours have so many fabulous explorations on offer it was a squeeze to fit them all on the page this issue. Whew!

There’s an activity for everyone at ANZA, and if you want to start a group - let us know! Happy Easter for next month. Eat an unsensible amount of chocolate and keep in touch with us here at the magazine. We’re always looking for news and story ideas from our members.

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

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

www.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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CONTENTS 36

30

MARCH/APRIL 2021

60

58

FEATURES 14 HIDDEN HEARTLANDS

Explore Singapore’s heritage neighbourhoods and discover hidden delights with this heartland guide.

24 ORIENT EXPRESS TOUR

ANZA was lucky enough to board the grand luxury train, lovingly restored and presented in an evocative pop-up museum.

Pip Harry caught up with Singaporean street artist Yip Yew Chong during his first solo exhibition.

34 TIPS FOR DRIVING IN SINGAPORE

Trudy Nearhos offers her top tips for converting your license and getting behind the wheel in Singapore.

36 ISLAND ESCAPE

Take a peek into the beautiful home of interior designer Karin Rysgaard.

58 BEAT ALLERGIES IN SINGAPORE Dr Sundus Morgan from IMC offers advice on allergies and how to manage them.

60 SEEK SOPHIE

Meet the enterprising duo bringing meaningful local travel to Singapore.

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REGULARS 01 04 06 08 10 12 18 22 26 28 44

Editor’s Note President’s Message Post It Partner’s Page Australian High Commission New Zealand High Commission Out & About What’s On ANZA Tours ANZA Action The Style Affair

46 Ask the Expert 48 ANZA Click! Photography 50 Hotspots EAT 52 Hotspots DRINK 54 Tuckerbox 56 Tastebuds 62 Groups – Trailing Talent 64 ANZA Sports 70 New Members 72 10 Minutes With…

COVER PHOTOGRAPHY: RAFAEL DALMAU

30 STREET SCENES

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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March/April 2021

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PRESI DENT ’S MES S AG E

Welcome

W

elcome to the March/April edition…it’s hard to believe we’re almost rounding the corner to another Easter! We have many amazing memories of Easter long weekends away around the region, partying in our carefree days, then morphing into slower paced fun with the arrival of our little family.

While this year will be different, it is great to see the COVID-19 vaccine rollout progressing locally and around the globe, meaning we are inching closer and closer to some long-awaited holidays and visits to see family in our home country! In the meantime my family are heading down to our favourite beach restaurant, where our young kids recently remembered they actually don’t “hate” sand, to enjoy a sunset drink and meal.

March plays host to International Women’s Day, a rallying point to build support for women’s rights and participation in political and economic arenas. We have so many amazing volunteer women who drive our Association forward, who I would like to give a huge shout out and thanks to, including our administrators, coaches, committee members and subgroup leaders.

Our volunteer-led, community-based ethos helps to mould strong and independent women…every week I see my young girls’ confidence growing on the ANZA Soccer pitches and that is prevalent right across our awesome programs.

This month’s magazine features all the happenings among our sport and interest groups, some excellent eating and drinking hotspots to check out, and an inside look at the Orient Express Museum, which I now must get to!

Have a great month ahead with ANZA and keep smiling.

Adam Martin

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ANZA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

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

March/April 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

From all of us at ANZA, we wish our members and friends a Happy Easter on Sunday 4 April. Although this year looks a little different than previous Easter celebrations, it’s certainly much brighter and more hopeful than 2020!

Look out for Easter themed small scale events around the city – including egg-citing egg hunts, Easter buffets and brunches, and other fun-filled activities. Hop to it!

MEET A FEATURED PARTNER What makes Interactive Brokers a good fit for ANZA as a partner?

Kevin Tan, (CEO, Interactive Brokers Singapore) and I believe the demographics of the families of the ANZA Soccer players are in line with our clientele, who are active in the financial markets and know good value while appreciating sophisticated technology.

How are you involved with ANZA Soccer?

We proudly display our name and logo on ANZA Soccer kit and hope our support enables the league to continue to provide a great environment for sport in Singapore.

Why did you join the ANZA Soccer community?

As we launched our Singaporean office, we wanted to reach out to both the expat and local communities, as sport is a universal language that bonds different cultures. This message fits well with the global access we provide to the financial markets.

What’s your one tip for newcomers to Singapore?

Make an attempt at understanding Singlish, a lingo which is baffling in terms of both grammar and pronunciation. But if a foreigner is able to master it – Singaporeans will be most impressed, and you may make a few friends and have a laugh along the way. Also, get used to perpetual summer. It’s hot but a perfect climate for year-round soccer.

Where’s a special place you like to go in Singapore?

DAVID For good reason Singapore’s hawker centres recently FRIEDLAND picked up a UNESCO Heritage recognition. We took a vote Managing Director, Interactive Brokers and while there was plenty of disagreement, Thunder Tea Singapore Rice at Lau Pa Sat is our current staff favourite.

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CHOOSE TO CHALLENGE THIS IWD

International Women’s Day is on Monday, 8 March. The 2021 theme is ‘Choose to Challenge’. Strike a #ChooseToChallenge pose with your hand high and pledge your commitment to call out inequality, bias and stereotypes, and address all forms of gender inequity. internationalwomensday.com Meet up and support other women in Singapore at our regular small group ANZA Ladies’ Nights, which are held in various cool venues around Singapore. anza.org.sg/groups/ladies-night

DID YOU KNOW? Earth Day, observed on 22 April annually, was started in the USA in 1970 to highlight an appreciation of earth’s environment and climate. Public activities in many countries, including Singapore, now focus on the beauty of nature, including support for environmental protection. The theme this year is ‘Restore Our Earth’.

– 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

March/April 2021

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ANZ A PARTN ER S

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

GOLD PARTNERS

SILVER PARTNERS

Physiotherapy & Osteopathy

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AUSTR ALIAN HIG H C OM M IS SION

MEET THE NEW HC

Introducing Australia’s new High Commissioner to Singapore, the Hon WILL HODGMAN…

Ministry of Communications and Information, Singapore

“I

t’s a great honour to have been appointed the new Australian High Commissioner to Singapore.

At a time of significant uncertainty, Singapore remains one of Australia’s most valued and reliable partners anywhere in the world. Our cooperation is expansive and deep, and more important than ever; from developing world leading digital trade rules, to long-standing defence ties and working closely on combatting COVID-19. As members of the Australian and New Zealand community here, you also make an important contribution to this relationship. I look forward to meeting and working with you.

I arrived in Singapore in mid-January with my wife Nicky, our daughter Lily, and our Tasmanian Labrador Retriever, Maisie – who is acclimatising well! I’m very keen to learn more about Singapore and to immerse myself in its culture and heritage – we’ve already High Commissioner Hodgman and Mrs Nicky Hodgman with President Halimah at High Commissioner started with its delicious food.

Hodgman’s credentials presentation ceremony in February 2021.

It’s been a very tough 12 months for Australians all over the world, including Technology Solutions and the conclusion of our our expat community here in Singapore. COVID-19 Australia-Singapore Military Training Initiative border restrictions and other measures have made treaty. This year we will focus on implementing returning to Australia difficult. Our team here at these agreements, and advance new work in the High Commission and around the world are areas including digital standards, food and working hard to bring vulnerable Australians back health security, renewable energy and business home and assist those who need to travel at this engagement. time, but the environment remains challenging.

It’s wonderful to see such a large and vibrant We will continue to work with Singapore to open Australian expat community in Singapore, up travel as it is safe to do so. Prime Minister Scott numbering in the thousands. I thank ANZA for Morrison has said Singapore is an early priority their great work to build and serve the community Australian for Australia given both countries’ successful here for over 70 years. Particularly as COVID-19 High Commission management of COVID-19. At the moment, the took hold, it was remarkable to hear how the Singapore priority is on controlling the outbreak and rolling community came together to support one another. out the vaccines domestically, but I am hopeful We hope to soon see you at sporting events, book that Singaporeans, and travellers from Singapore, clubs, mahjong, walking groups or one of many 25 Napier Road will be among the very first visitors to Australia. other great things ANZA supports. I also look Singapore, 258507 Despite real challenges in 2020, we made forward to advancing the close friendship between great progress under the Australia-Singapore Australia and Singapore in the coming years.

Tel 6836 4100 Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. We saw the Fax 6737 5481 ratification of the Digital Economy Agreement and the signing of the MOU on Low Emissions

Will Hodgman

Will Hodgman commenced as Australia’s High Commissioner to Singapore in January 2021. Mr Hodgman was most recently the Inaugural Chair of the Australian Business Growth Fund. He served in the Parliament of Tasmania from 2002 until 2020, including as the State’s 45th Premier between 2014 and 2020. As Premier of Tasmania, Mr Hodgman initiated trade missions to the Indo-Pacific and Europe to promote economic, cultural and social links with Tasmania. He is married to Nicky and they have three children.

STAY CONNECTED Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/ AustraliaInSingapore LinkedIn: linkedin.com/ company/ahc-sg Twitter: @AusHCSG

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High Commissioner Will Hodgman’s first tweet. Follow him on Twitter at @AusHCSG

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D O E S YO U R R E L AT I O N S H I P CROSS BORDERS? Specialised expert advice is critical in resolving family and relationship law issues - particularly where they extend beyond Australia’s borders.

Lander & Rogers has the largest family and relationship law practice in Australia, assisting Aussie expats in all aspects of family law involving married and de facto couples.

For assistance navigating an international or cross-cultural family or relationship law matter, speak with one of our experienced family lawyers.

Melbourne Sydney Brisbane

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1/02/2021 11:23:22 AM

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

TREE CHANGE

The New Zealand High Commission team took part in the NParks-coordinated One Million Trees initiative to kick off 2021.

(I AM THE RIVER, THE RIVER IS ME)

T

New Zealand High Commission Singapore One George Street, Level 21-04 Singapore 049145

he Māori concept of kaitiakitanga (guardianship) is built on the belief that the health of the people and the environment are intricately related. At the heart of it, kaitiakitanga is about having everyone play their role as “kaitiaki” (guardians) in caring for, protecting, and sustaining the environment.

This concept of guardianship, and care for our taonga (treasures) is a value that deeply resonates with the team at the High Commission, as well as with New Zealanders more generally.

To play our part as kaitiaki, the NZHC team took part in the NParks-coordinated One Million Trees initiative. As the name suggests, the aim is to plant more than a million trees in Singapore over the next decade. Our team’s safe-distanced hard work meant we were able to plant 83 trees before torrential rain unfortunately put an early end to our session. Even so, we are pleased our efforts have contributed to the 149,000 trees, representing 1689 different species, already planted across Singapore since the programme’s launch in April 2020.

As much as this initiative is about conservation, it is also about engaging with the wider community, so NParks is always looking for more volunteers to join in the tree-planting. If you're keen to learn more about how you can contribute, head to: nparks.gov. sg/treessg/one-million-trees-movement. The NParks team provided great guidance on how to plant and pitched in to help.

CONSULAR UPDATE: PRE-DEPARTURE COVID-19 TESTING REQUIREMENTS

Tel 6235 9966 Fax 6536 8180 nzhc.sin@mfat.govt.nz

All eligible passengers

STAY CONNECTED Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/ NewZealandinSingapore Register when travelling: safetravel.govt.nz

Children under the

New Zealand currently

for-arrivals-into-newzealand/ ​

(presently only NZ

age of two, and travellers

accepts results from the

citizens and PRs)

from Australia, Antarctica

following tests: PCR tests,

travelling to New Zealand

and most Pacific Island

from most countries –

are exempt from this

LAMP tests, or Antigen tests. approved testing locations in Singapore, For more information

including Singapore – are

pre-departure testing

on pre-departure

please head to: moh.

required to take a pre-

requirement. Please note

testing requirements

gov.sg/licensing-and-

departure test within 72

that travellers are required

for arrivals into NZ head

regulation/regulations-

hours before their flight,

to take a pre-departure

to: covid19.govt.nz/

guidelines-and-circulars/

and present a negative

test even if they have been

travel-and-the-border/

details/list-of-covid-19-

COVID-19 test result prior

vaccinated.

travel-to-new-zealand/

swab-providers

to boarding.

Find out more: mfat.govt.nz/singapore

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Tree planting for One Million Trees initiative

For a full list of

pre-departure-testingIf you have any further consular enquiries go to our Facebook page or drop us an email at: nzhc.sin@mfat.gov.nz

March/April 2021

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24 April & 8 May @10-11am Invent, design, and create with us at our virtual CIS STEAM Saturday workshops! Designed for family participation, you’ll enjoy a fun hands-on STEAM activity designed for all age groups.

Create a drawbot

Build a molecule model

Code a robot

Design a cardboard sculpture

Which STEAM activity will your family choose?

Register at www.cis.edu.sg/steamsaturdays

INVENT.

DESIGN.

CREATE.

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 to 7 June 2023

CHECK OUT

10 HIDDEN HEARTLAND SPOTS

JalanJalan.me supports COVID-impacted local SMEs by encouraging Singapore residents to explore heritage neighbourhoods on foot.

S

pearheaded by the people behind the #savefnbsg movement, and supported by Enterprise Singapore and Singapore Tourism Board, JalanJalan. me is a new community project, designed to support local businesses. The website spotlights hidden gems and small businesses in neighbourhoods that aren’t on the radar of most people, all handpicked by local residents themselves.

We asked the team to offer their top ten hidden heartland spots from east to west.

1 TOUCHWOOD 91 LORONG CHENCHARU, 769201 Opening hours: 9am-6pm Tue-Sat

groundupinitiative.org/craft 8878 9796 Turning into Lorong Chencharu we spot a large shed sitting behind a fence that’s lined with colourful bird houses, wooden robots, and a swing. Part of Ground-Up Initiative, a non-profit organisation that gives people space to discover their sense of purpose, TouchWood is a carpentry workshop with a difference: more than 90% of the wood used is recycled from industrial pallets. Visitors can commission furniture, or sign up for classes to learn all about woodworking.

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The space also hosts birthday parties, where kids can try their hand at making wooden boats and other fun projects.

2 SEMBAWANG HOT SPRING ALONG GAMBAS AVENUE Opening hours: 7am-7pm daily First discovered in 1908, Sembawang Hot Spring is the only geological feature of its kind in Singapore. Over the years, it was variously redeveloped as a water bottling plant, a recreational area for Japanese officers, and a tourist attraction. It underwent a $4.3 million revamp in 2018 and reopened last year as a rustic park, complete with a cafe and education zones. Amble down a beautiful path lined with fruit trees and flowering bushes, and you’ll reach a cascading pool to soak your tired feet in naturally heated 50°C water. Fancy a snack? Bring along some eggs and a bucket and let them cook under the tap at the new water collection point for around 10 minutes, and you’ll have your very own onsen tamago!

3 SHOP+ RED CROSS HOUSE 62 JALAN KHAIRUDDIN, 457524 Opening hours: 11am-4pm, Mon and Fri only

6664 0500 Looking for preloved goods? Head down to Shop+ at Red Cross House to browse quality second hand offerings.

There’s no haggling at this thrift shop, as proceeds go towards Singapore Red Cross humanitarian services, which include supporting vulnerable families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. Shop+ sells a range of pre-loved electronic goods, homewares, clothes, toys, baby items and luggage. Happy shopping!

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4 THE NAUGHTY CHEF 348 BEDOK ROAD, THE BEDOK MARKETPLACE, 469560 Opening hours: 12pm-2.30pm; 5.30pm-9.30pm Tue-Fri, 12pm-9.30pm Sat-Sun

thenaughtychefsg.com 6920 4996 If you’re looking for an Italian-inspired meal that won’t break the bank, The Naughty Chef, one of the star stalls at hip hawker

The Bedok Marketplace, is a mustvisit. The owners love all things Italian and their menu boasts baked Italian meatballs, Sicilian aglio e olio, vodka crab pasta, puttanesca, and a variety of excellent risottos, including a squid ink version, topped with baby octopus and pan-seared mussels. They also dish out handmade gourmet pizzas and classic Italian desserts.

5 BURNT CONES 105 CLEMENTI STREET 12, #01-02, 120105 burntcones.com

Opening hours: 9am-12am daily

9711 1097 The newest addition to the Sunset Way neighbourhood, Burnt Cones is a monochromatic, minimalist HDB shophouse space which serves scoops of gelato on waffles, in cones and cups, as well as specialty coffee. Order your waffle cone ‘regular, slightly burnt or burnt’ (ranging from golden tones to dark brown) and load up on unique flavours, including gelato churned with the smokey, pearshaped Italian cheese Scamorza, and the Fior di Latte with creamy mozzarella.

Burnt Cones also offers brunch options from 9am-1pm, with a Breakfast Burger, Salmon Scrambled Eggs, Buttermilk Waffles and lots of delicious add-ons.

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6 ATIPICO ATELIER 1 WEST COAST DRIVE, NEWEST, #01-82, 128020 Opening hours: 11am-5pm Mon-Sat

atipico.sg 8616 1968 The Atipico brand began as a private dining experience put on by former architect and structural engineer Matteo Pertoldi, who then turned his passion for good taste into an F&B venture. “Atipico is not a shop, nor is it a factory,” it explains on its glass shop windows, and when you step in, it’s easy to see what they mean. Most of the floor space in their NEWest unit is taken up by their kitchen, which is a hive of activity, with bakers working with dough, tempering chocolate, or decorating treats such as their pavlovas and berry tarts. Place your orders by 3pm the day before, on its website. Otherwise you’ll miss out on rustic Italian breads and baked treats.

8 W RICE WINE 11 CAVAN ROAD, #01-02, 209848

wricewine.com 8779 3480 Hidden in a tiny hole-in-the-wall space along Cavan Road is this discreet little microbrewery. But you won’t find trendy craft beers here; sitting in ceramic urns are some of the most delicious artisanal rice wines you can find on this island. While the packaging is beautifully modern and minimalist - think rose hued wine lees packed in silver-lidded glass jars and rice wine in frosted receptacles, reminiscent of Issey Miyake perfume bottles, the family business is steeped in history. The Ng family’s patriarch started brewing rice wine from home after emigrating to Singapore from China in the1930s. The fragrant brew was a hit with friends and family, and in 2019, the family decided to turn it into a commercial business. Since then, W Rice Wine has been used by enthusiastic home cooks and professional chefs alike. Not sure how to cook with rice wine? They have nifty recipe cards that are easy to follow, even for kitchen novices.

7 ANNA GEE HORIZON GARDENS, 499 ANG MO KIO AVENUE 2, 567905

annagee.net 6383 3228 *By appointment only The name of this tea shop is actually a play on three Chinese characters, similar in pronunciation to “energy”, and meaning “serenely and safely offering energy”. The guiding principle behind the brand is to elevate the simple pleasures of life through a good cuppa, and the tea leaves sold here all hail from some of the finest estates in China. The three varieties available include pu’erh, tieguanyin, and da hong pao. For something more experiential, book a session at the atelier with co-founder and tea master Ms Vivian Ng. She’s a delightful host and loves sharing her knowledge about brewing methods, tips around mindful living, and the stories behind the tea leaves.

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9 PETAIN ROAD SHOPHOUSES 445 AND 445B CLEMENTI AVENUE 3, 120445 The main Jalan Besar drag is a denselypacked district of some 230 shophouses,

but few of its side streets are as beautiful as Petain Road. Once a neighbourhood with a somewhat seedy reputation, the highlight these days are the 18 heritage shophouses built in the 1930s by British architect EV Miller for businessman Mohamed Bin Haji Omar. Snap a few

pictures for Instagram while you’re here. The Chinese Baroque style of adornment means that the external walls feature a more-is-more aesthetic of patterned mosaic tiles juxtaposed against tiles splashed with motifs of flowers and birds.

10 KEBUN BARU BIRDSINGING CLUB 159 ANG MO KIO AVENUE 5, 560159 Opening hours: 24hr daily but busiest 9.30am-12pm Sun & PH

8182 2943 For the most dramatic sight, come to Kebun Baru Birdsinging Club on a Sunday morning. Rows and rows of bird cages are hooked onto metal beams, neatly sorted by species, with even more cages strung up on colourful poles on the field beside it. The cacophony made by these feathered friends is something to experience. Many of the friendly uncles bring their beloved birds here to train for singing competitions, and while there are several bird-singing corners in Singapore, this is the biggest and best.

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F E AT U R E

OUT & ABOUT

ANZA TENNIS CLINIC

Our February Tennis Beginners’ Clinics, run by Coach Raf Dalmau, included two brand new groups and a third group from the originals who are almost ready to level up and join the ANZA Casual Tennis group. A smash success!

ANZA ART AND CRAFT

ANZA’s new Art and Craft group held their first workshop - two sessions on bag making with Viraj. The group worked with beautiful Kantha and Japanese fabrics to create handy tote bags. anza.org.sg/groups/art-and-craft

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RIR WALK

A group of ANZA walkers formed a special Round Island Route group to circumnavigate 150km around Singapore. The route took in parks, beaches, jungle, and hawker centre stops. Well done team RIR!

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ANZA SCOUTS!

The Joeys group had a fun play and exploration of Ang Mo Kio Park. Groups of Joeys, Cubs and Scouts also gathered at private homes to make CNY treats, including yummy pineapple tarts.

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MAHJONG

Our Mahjong groups are a hot ticket - with lots of newcomers keen to learn the tile game. We’ve added a new Monday evening session for those that can’t make mornings. anza.org.sg/groups/mahjong

NIGHT MAHJONG

KILL-O-METRES

The Kill-o-Metres group continues to grow in numbers, steps and fitness. Their varied weekly routes take in quiet neighbourhoods, coastal parks, nature reserves and some excellent cafes!

Register to join them at anza.org.sg/groups/walking

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WHAT’S ON

UNTIL 13 JUNE STAR WARS™ Identities: The Exhibition

ARTSCIENCE MUSEUM starwarsidentities.com, marinabaysands.com/museum.html ingapore is the final stop of the global tour of this exhibition, based on a galaxy far, far away. The exhibition presents nearly 200 original items from the extensive Lucas Museum of Narrative Art archive and explores the science of identity through the characters of Star Wars. Visitors will embark on a customised, interactive identity quest to gain new insights on the Star Wars characters, while discovering their own identities at the end. You could even find out the answer to the simple, profound question: what force shapes you?

“Through the exploration of the characters and worlds of Star Wars, this interactive exhibition connects us with themes that can resonate with our own sense of self, familial identity and shared experience. In Singapore, the exhibition will engage that connection…fantasy meets reality, with a dash of reflection and adventure,” said George Lucas, creator of Star Wars.

May the force be with you if you don’t pre-book online tickets to this popular exhibition. There are strict limits on venue capacity and timed entries.

The first slot is best to avoid wait times.

Visitors will have more time to visit the exhibition on Fridays and Saturdays as ArtScience Museum’s operating hours are extended till 9pm, with last admission at 8pm. Tickets start at $32 for adults and $24 concession. A family package (2 kids & 2 adults) is $90.

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Georgette Chen At Home in the World

UNTIL 14 MARCH Girls & Boys

THEATRE DRAMA CENTRE National Library Building, Level 3, 188064 pangdemonium.com After months of having its doors shuttered, local theatre company Pangdemonium returns with Girls & Boys, a one-woman play starring Nikki Muller and directed by Tracie Pang. It takes a no holds barred look at love, passion, marriage, career and parenthood. Tickets from $30, sistic.com.sg 22 anza

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NATIONAL GALLERY 1 St Andrew’s Rd, 178957 nationalgallery.sg/georgettechen Georgette Chen Li Ying was a Singaporean painter known for her Post-Impressionistic oil paintings at the turn of the 20thcentury, and she was a key figure in the development of modern art in Singapore.

This first museum retrospective of the artist in more than 20 years, features her most significant works alongside newly discovered archival materials.

Get the kids acquainted with the artist at An Artist’s Tropical Landscape, which encourages children 6-12 to explore the fascinating world of tropical fruit, one of Chen’s prominent subject matters. Don’t miss the life-sized Rambutan Room for augmented reality kinetic games.

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anza Annual General Meeting 2021 All members are invited to attend the ANZA Annual General Meeting 2021 7pm Monday 22 March by Webinar Registration essential Learn about the ANZA community with reports from our sporting and interest groups, find out about our financial standing and participate in the election of our new Executive Committee.

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PIP HARRY boards The Orient Express for a trip back in time.

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Explore the original Orient Express Pullman carriage

Stunning glass carriage window

Photo: Lola Hakimian

nce Upon a Time on The Orient Express has chugged into the West Lawn of Gardens by the Bay, in a glamourous, historic exhibition. I was lucky enough to board the grand luxury train, lovingly restored and presented in an evocative pop-up museum and restaurant.

My first stop is to marvel at the historic locomotive engine that was shipped out from France during the height of COVID-19 in 2020, and now resides rather incongruously in the middle of tropical foliage and lush green lawn.

Staging the exhibition was no small feat and required a team of experts to ship the priceless artefacts here, safe and sound.

“Designing and staging a display like the Orient Express in Singapore meant collecting around 300 precious items and documents, having to restore some of them and adapt many of the furniture and displays to its former glory,” says curator Claude Mollard. “It involved shipping historic monuments – a locomotive built in France 158 years ago and a 1930s sleeper car, weighing close to 200 tonnes, it is undoubtedly one of the heaviest to be shipped across the world.”

The hot and humid Singapore climate provided a challenge in how to safely store, preserve and protect the artworks and displays. In typical efficient Singaporean fashion, a climate controlled 2000m2 exhibition space was purpose built and ready for the artefacts to go on display once they arrived.

Meeting my tour guide, we climb narrow, steep stairs into the first of two beautifully restored and decorated original carriages, that evoke all the romance and magic of a bygone era.

Interior of luggage carriage

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High tea on a train

As part of my trip back in time, I head to the dining carriage for afternoon High Tea. Although this carriage isn’t part of the original train, it’s still a loving replica of what it would’ve been like to dine on The Orient Express, with its impeccable silver service and classic furnishings. The culinary team here is led by double three Michelin-starred chef Yannick Alléno, and today I’m being looked after by Sébastien Lefort, formerly the Chief Executive of Yannick Alléno Group.

The carriage fills quickly, with small groups looking to capture the fun and frivolity of train dining. They’re not left disappointed; for $78++ Chef Lefort and his team put on an elaborate spread of delicate French treats.

Because I work for ANZA and am representing beef-loving Australians, Chef has prepared a special entrée of grade five Gunma Wagyu, served in delicate folds like a millefeuille, with a rich caper jus. It’s a fixture on the dinner menu and is beautifully presented, so tender and flavourful.

Moving to a sweeter note, we are served a golden profiterole with a scoop of vanilla bean ice-cream and drizzled in warm chocolate sauce. Then comes the main event – a generous three-tiered stand of sweet and savoury bites. My favourites are a mango and saffron tart, coffee flavoured liquorice pastry, and classic cucumber sandwiches, garnished with edible flowers. My dining partner is enamoured by the traditional English scones, Devonshire clotted cream, and strawberry jam. We linger for a while over TWG tea and chat about where we might go when travel restrictions lift…the modern world outside can wait a while.

The Orient Express was a luxury train service created in 1883

by Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits. It remains a lasting symbol of luxury travel and timeless refinement and has a rich, fascinating history.

Detailed displays in the carriages make it appear as if the likes of famous passengers like literary greats Graham Greene and Agatha Christie (the author of Murder on the Orient Express) have simply stepped away from their seats. Ashtrays, bottles of gin and champagne, cups of tea, coats thrown on hooks, half played games of cards and even a vintage typewriter make me wish this

stationary exhibit were actually pulling away from the station and sweeping me off to London, Paris, Venice, Istanbul, Aleppo, Damascus, Baghdad, Cairo, Luxor and Aswan...if only!

The background soundtrack of whistles and train noises help make it feel hyper realistic. Close your eyes and you can imagine passengers boarding the train all those years ago, embarking on an exciting journey to unknown, exotic corners of the world.

The rest of the exhibition takes place in a huge hall, where an incredible collection of objects and documents are presented, summarising the history of The Orient Express and its forwardthinking founder, Georges Nagelmakers. It’s easy to wile away an hour or so looking at old tourism posters, original menus, stunning crockery and cutlery, suitcases and huge leather trunks, stained glass windows, uniforms and furniture. You can even peek into a restored sleeping cabin, with its tiny washroom and compact bed. Oh, to have slept even a night on The Orient Express.

To book high tea, lunch, brunch and dinner go to orientexpressexhibition.com/booknow To book tickets to the exhibition go to sistic.com.sg/events/ orient2021. Prices start from $25 or $88 for a family bundle.

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ANZA TOURS MAR/APR 26

DATE: Tuesday 16 Mar TIME: 10am – 12pm MEET: 9.50am at Adam Park Residences COST: Members $40, nonmembers $50

Charming Tiong Bahru

The chic Art Deco housing estate of Tiong Bahru is a rich tapestry of people, stories, architecture and history. Meet local residents such as Alice Wang, the cobbler who conducts business from her street level apartment window, and taste Mrs Cheng’s award winning Gula Melaka Chiffon Cake. See unique pre and post war architecture, stroll along the narrow streets and view murals by Singaporean artist Yip Yew Chong. Our tour will end at the market with lunch at your own expense.

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Pulau Ubin Adventure

DATE: Wednesday 24 Mar TIME: 9.30am – 1.00pm MEET: 9.20am at the Changi Point Ferry Terminal, 51 Lor Bekukong, 499172 COST: Members $20, non-members $25

Travel across the seas to Pulau Ubin, glimpse kampong life and explore the unique nature and history of the island. The eastern end was once a retreat for expats and is now a marine sanctuary where you might spot hornbills, monkeys or wild boar. Ride along quiet bike tracks through the jungle, stopping at a spice garden, spectacular reservoir and historic temple, after which we will enjoy refreshments or lunch, at your own expense. Registration includes bumboat transfer and bike hire.

Sinners and Salvation Tour

The famous (sometimes infamous) Geylang district has the highest concentration of religious organisations in Singapore and is also the nation’s unofficial red-light area. Explore this colourful neighbourhood on foot and learn about taboos, laws and red-light activities alongside/as well as Singaporean ethnicities and their religions. Included in the tour price is local food tastings.

DATE: Friday 9 Apr TIME: 6.30pm – 9.30pm MEET: 6.15pm at Ground Level, Exit A Aljunied MRT, East West Line COST: Members $75, non-members $85 PLEASE NOTE: We are unable to cater for the following food requirements: Halal/Kosher, Vegetarian, Gluten-free and Shellfish. Participants are required to be 18 years old and above. Please wear comfortable walking shoes, cool clothing and bring your own 3.5mm earphones.

Local Designers Discovery tour

Back by popular demand! Meet three passionate Singapore designers as they share their journeys, inspirations, and influences. Ranging from beautiful to quirky, their products represent Singapore’s multicultural history in fun, colourful ways and make for unique gifts and keepsakes. With stops along the way for local treats and shopping, this tour is not to be missed.

DATE: Thursday 13 of Apr TIME: 11am – 2pm MEET: 10.50am Corner of Beach Road and Arab St (outside Fika restaurant) COST: Members $45, non-members $55 PLEASE NOTE: This tour includes walking and public transport, so please wear comfortable shoes, bring an umbrella, a bottle of water and your EZ Link card.

DATE: Wednesday 21 Apr TIME: 9.30am – 12.30pm MEET: 9.20am Raffles Place exit H COST: Members $40, non-members $50

Art and Architecture Around the Singapore River

Singapore’s CBD is home to public art installations and even an underground mosque.

Join our guide Sarah and discover artist Yang Ying Feng, bronze sculptures by Colombian artist Fernando Botero and renowned Spanish surrealist artist Salvador Dali’s “Homage to Newton”. Hear the story behind sculptures which are part of the “People of the River” series. Discover The Arts House and the Queen Victoria Theatre and Memorial Hall, built in 1903.

Baba House and Peranakan Lunch

Baba House is one of Singapore’s most treasured sites. Renowned as a superbly restored Peranakan heritage house, this private tour will take you on an experiential trip into a Peranakan Chinese family home of the early 20th century. The tour concludes with lunch at nearby Blue Ginger restaurant to experience delicious Peranakan cuisine. Lunch is included.

DATE: Tuesday 27 Apr TIME: 10am – 1pm MEET: Baba House, 157 Neil Road, 088883 at 9.50am COST: Members $45, nonmembers $55

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A N Z A AC T IO N

We’ve been following open water swimmer and ANZA member CALLUM EADE’S progress since he conquered the English Channel in 2019. A remarkable swim that raised $175,000 for children’s brain cancer research.

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ince then, he’s set his sights on raising a further $300,000 to support the advancement of lung cancer research in a triple crossing of the channel. “That means we start in England, swim to France, back to the UK, and then finally back to France,” says Callum. “The swim will be over 100km, and if I can complete it, I’ll set a world record as the oldest ever person to complete the triple crossing.”

Callum’s wife Sarah Eade is facing a health challenge as she supports Callum’s epic swim. “I am a cancer survivor myself. I was diagnosed with testicular cancer 10 years ago,” says Callum.

“Sadly, my wife Sarah was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer four months ago. We are in the midst of a treatment plan for her right now. A battle we are determined to win. She’s doing okay.

One day at a time.

Sarah, Charlie, Callum and Sophie Eade.

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We are incredibly thankful to be in Singapore. The level of expertise here is second to none.”

COVID-19 also presented Callum with a series of obstacles and set-backs in his swimming preparation. “Lock down was a nightmare,” says Callum. “That said, Singapore’s focus on managing the situation domestically has seen life resume to relative normality.”

Training for the swim is now a round-the-clock affair, with Callum spending many hours churning up and down the lanes.

“Training is practically a full time job! I swim 7 times a week over 6 days, with 3 dry-land gym sessions and a weekly sports massage. This equates to around 18-20 hours a week. I have recruited a key team that’s helping with my preparation. This includes swimming coaching from Marsden Swim School, as well as the brilliant team from UFIT. They provide diet, physiology and personal training.”

Plans to conquer seven iconic channel swims around the world were also sidelined during the pandemic. “COVID-19 has created obvious challenges, we were scheduled to be halfway through the Oceans 7 swims by now. Like so many things globally, that all went on hold, but the path to the triple is firmly on track and currently scheduled for October.”

Callum’s goals for this year are “first to ensure we continue to win the battle to keep Sarah healthy and second to that is to get to Dover in October. We also want to work to increase public awareness of the importance of early cancer detection. Lung cancer or cancer in general does not discriminate. My wife is a fit and healthy, non-smoking active woman, lung cancer doesn’t have any obvious symptoms until it has spread, please make sure you and your loved ones get regular health checks!”

Look out for Callum and Sarah with their son Charlie on the ANZA Soccer pitch. “Charlie is an ANZA Soccer fanatic,” says Callum. “He goes twice a week and if he had a say in it, he would be there every day!”

Charlie loves ANZA Soccer!

Sophie and Charlie Eade (and fish!)

Support Callum’s Cause:

“We would love your support. Please feel free to donate even the smallest amount to channelingacause.com. We are targeting $300k in the build up to the triple. Keep an eye out for many fundraising initiatives along the way… hopefully things will open up so we can have a large charity evening.”

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We caught up with Singaporean street artist Yip Yew Chong at his first solo exhibition.

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ip Yew Chong’s evocative street murals are part of Singapore’s urban landscape – beloved by locals and expats alike. They feature nostalgic domestic scenes from the past – an uncle pouring kopi, a grandmother making a quilt, haircuts at a barber shop.

You can spot the colourful artworks on walls from Chinatown to Tiong Bahru.

We caught up with the 52-year-old former finance director, turned fulltime artist, at Art Porters Gallery in Spottiswoode Park Rd, where he’s holding his first solo exhibition, showing nine triptych paintings and 15 sets of painted objects. Gallery owner Guillaume LevyLambert became friends with the artist when they were both local to the Everton neighborhood, and Yip was a weekend artist who would knock on homeowners’ doors to ask if he could paint on their houses.

Something, Somewhere, Somewhen retains the familiar brushstrokes and techniques from Yip’s murals, and the heartwarming vignettes of ordinary

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Singapore life – hawker dishes and local sweets, bird cages, stray cats, chickens, even an old Nokia mobile phone. “My murals feature many people, but for this first show I wanted to focus on objects and scenes,” says Yip. The title of the exhibition evokes a sense of nostalgia and memory.

“When people look at the objects in my paintings, I want them to think, where have they seen this object before?”

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explains Yip. “Maybe from a mural, which mural? And when did they visit? Perhaps they remember the object from their own childhood memories, or a story from their grandmother.”

Yip’s street murals have been repainted on canvas, but if you have an eagle eye, you can spot small differences – for example he added a hole to the canvas version of his grandmother’s quilt (from ‘My Chinatown Home’) because he remembers kicking a hole in the fabric as a child. It’s this sense of humour and authenticity that makes the artist’s work so appealing. His exhibition sold out in a flash, and Yip is in constant demand for corporate and private commissions.

“I was expecting it would be popular, but I didn’t expect the works would be sold so quickly,” he says. “People have seen my murals around Singapore, but this is my first time holding an exhibition for sale, so I was quietly surprised and happy.”

With a growing number of fans, Yip is humble about his work. “I’ve heard that people love my art, which makes me happy,” he says. “I try to make my art connectable and very identifiable. One look, and you know what it is. I also try to capture the local culture of the place,” he says. “When I paint overseas, it’s the same; whether I’m in Hong Kong or India, I paint familiar scenes, so that the local people can feel connected to the painting.”

Although his days of painting on street corners might be dwindling, Yip says he enjoys the feeling of painting to a live audience. “It’s fun because when people pass by, they interact with me, give me feedback…it’s part and parcel of outdoor painting. Whereas in the studio, it’s just me.” On occasion, painting in the elements can present difficulties. “The challenges are mainly weather – when it gets extremely hot or it rains. You just have to live with it. I don’t cover my paintings, as I need natural light, so they are exposed to the elements.”

Married with two children, Yip’s family are enormously proud of his new career, but he isn’t expecting them to follow in his footsteps. “My children love different forms of art, not painting like this,” he says. “Some parents may feel their children should follow in their path, but I don’t. I expose them to what I do and tell them they are most welcome to join me.

So, two years ago, they were on school holidays and I invited them to join me in the painting of the murals. Which they did.”

Yip doesn’t hesitate when asked which of his pieces is his favourite. “The mural called ‘My Chinatown Home’ in Smith Street, Chinatown. That painting depicts

YIP YEW CHONG: SOMETHING SOMEWHERE SOMEWHEN Art Porters Gallery 64 Spottiswoode Park Rd Exhibition hours: 10:30 am - 7pm daily, Mondays by appointment only.

The exhibition runs until 14 March 2021.

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my old home in Chinatown, where I lived for 14 years during my childhood days.

I painted my grandmother, my siblings, and my mother.”

Making the switch from accounting to artist might seem like a no-brainer, but Yip says it was a difficult decision to give up working in finance in 2018 after 25 years in the industry. “I loved my accounting career, but I had to choose.

I wanted to make sure my life is balanced, and I explore and do different things.”

New directions are calling the artist, and he admits to being ready to spread his wings from mural painting. “I want to slow down on painting murals, as I’ve done so many already,” he says. “I’d like to try other forms of art, like paintings on canvasses and even filmmaking.

Filmmaking was my dream, many, many years ago. But right now I’m distracted by painting.” yipyc.com March/April 2021

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Introducing SWAGA Gym

SWAGA Gym will open its doors in mid-April 2021 at The Grandstand, Turf City. The new gymnastics facility will run exciting programmes for recreational, competitive, and elite gymnasts, including parkour classes, baby gym, holiday camps, and more.

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ith world class equipment and coaches, SWAGA Gym has programmes to suit anyone interested in recreational and competitive gymnastics. Embracing the ethos of fitness, fun and friendship, the gym aims to build a supportive community in Singapore and welcomes parents and caregivers to watch their children train, enjoy a coffee in the dedicated club house, and connect with other families. Siblings are also well taken care of, with a full play area at the centre to keep them entertained. “Our aim is to bring together a family of like-minded people,” says Marketing Manager Toni Lourens. “We encourage our members to stay for a while and enjoy the club atmosphere.”

Already attracting the attention of international athletes from Australia, France, and Myanmar, as well as local talent, SWAGA Gym looks set to be the ultimate gymnastics training facility in Singapore for expats and locals alike.

“The vision of our club is guided by the desire to offer a different approach to gymnastics in Singapore,” says Toni.

“It’s built on the concept of a French-style facility, where quality and excellence go hand in hand. SWAGA Gym also prides itself on inclusivity, team spirit, participation, and a strong sense of community.”

CONTACT

Opening its doors in mid-April, SWAGA Gym looks forward to welcoming gymnasts from all over the world. To express your interest in being a part of the latest gymnastics facility in Singapore please connect here: SWAGAGYM.COM

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GYMNAST@SWAGAGYM.COM

FACEBOOK.COM/SWAGA-GYM

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s daughter) is aiming Tayla Lourens (Toni’ a in the future. ali str Au t to represen

Programmes

Whether you’re looking to introduce your child to the sport of gymnastics, or they’re already an established gymnast, SWAGA Gym has a programme to suit. “SWAGA Gym’s programmes cater to those that wish to simply experience the joy of gymnastics, through to early competition, and high-performance level,” says Toni. “Our club mission is not only to equip athletes with technical gymnastic skills, but life skills of respect, discipline, positivity, perseverance, and excellence.”

BABY GYM:

Sarah ambitio has n represe s of nting France.

An opportunity for infants to discover gymnastics using safe, play park equipment. Gymnastics promotes motor skill development, reinforces balance and agility and is a great place for your bub to socialise and smile.

RECREATIONAL GYMNASTICS: Children can access world class equipment and learn body and mind control while enjoying and having fun practicing gymnastics.

COMPETITIVE GYMNASTICS: Ready to step up from recreational gymnastics?

SWAGA Gym offers talented gymnasts an opportunity to increase their skills and compete in school, national and even international competition.

HIGH LEVEL GYMNASTICS: The pinnacle of its programmes, SWAGA Gym’s high-level gymnastics programme is designed for athletes to train in a highperformance environment, with a view to international competitions and pathways for selection into national teams in their country of origin.

Location & Facility

SWAGA Gym is centrally located at The Grandstand, Turf City, 200 Turf Club Rd, 02-06, 287994.

Easily accessible via car or public transport, a free shuttle bus to the venue is also offered from the Botanic Gardens and Sixth Avenue MRT stations.

Boasting a massive 12,700 square feet of space, this stateof-the-art facility is fitted out with high quality GYMNOVA equipment - from the baby gym area, through to the apparatus for recreational, competitive, and high-performance athletes.

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The focus is to enable elite gymnasts to achieve their personal sporting goals.

PARKOUR: Roll, jump and tumble into the latest fitness craze for kids and teens – Parkour. Not only does parkour provide an excellent base for fitness but it builds stamina, balance and agility.

ADULT GYMNASTICS: Why should kids have all the fun? This adult gym program helps increase physical activity, fitness levels and selfconfidence.

CAMPS: Offered on a regular basis, holiday camps offer intensive sessions to boost skills and confidence.

WORKSHOPS: Workshops will be offered to coaches to increase their knowledge of new, high tech training tools.

Coaches

Aligned with the mission, vision, and values of SWAGA Gym, the coaching staff combines internationally qualified Olympic level coaches with local Singaporean coaching staff to enable gymnasts to reach their full potential. In addition to a robust coaching staff, a business administrative team will manage the day-to-day operations of the club, with all personnel having experience in sport marketing and development.

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With holidays taking a local focus this year, TRUDY NEARHOS and her family recently enjoyed renting a car for the school break to ‘drive the island’ and explore Singapore’s far-reaching corners. Before she hit the roads, Trudy converted her Aussie license to a Singapore driving license.

Here are her top tips for getting behind the wheel.

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hen our family arrived in Singapore, we were given some valuable advice; whether you plan on getting your own vehicle or not, it’s a good idea to convert your foreign driving license as soon as possible.

If you are staying in Singapore on an Employment Pass, Dependent Pass, Student Pass or Work Permit your foreign driving license will only allow you to drive in Singapore legally for the first 12 months of arriving into the country (not from the date your pass is issued). After this, you must have a Singapore driving license or you can’t legally drive here.

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Steps to convert to a Singapore driving license.

To convert your license, firstly you will need to have a current and valid license from your home country.

STEP 1: GATHER THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS.

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Original and a photocopy of your passport and NRIC Original and a photocopy of your valid foreign driving license One recent passport sized colour photograph A processing fee of $50 (payment

by CashCard and NETS only) If your foreign driving license is not in English, you must have one of these: International driving permit; or An official translation of your driving licence in English obtained from the

relevant Embassy, High Commission, or any Singapore registered translation companies. (Translation is not required for licenses issued by Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia.)

As I hold an Australian driving license, I was required to contact the relevant State Department of Transport in Australia to request a statement of my license details. This was emailed to me at a cost of AUD$25.40.

NOTE: If your foreign driving license does not have the first date of issue, you are required to obtain an extract of driving license record from the Licensing Authority.

STEP 2: BOOK YOUR BASIC THEORY TEST ONLINE (BTT) The BTT is a 50 question, multiple choice test you’ll need to sit in person at a testing centre at a cost of SGD$6.50. It’s a good idea to book your test at the

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Driving tips

Driving in Singapore is straightforward and the roads are well maintained and clearly signposted.

Drivers are generally courteous (there are hefty fines for speeding, drink driving and other traffic offenses) but do look out for the lack of indication from your fellow drivers and the motorbikes zipping in and out between traffic.

Changing lanes in heavy traffic can be a trial at times, so try to travel off-peak.

Rental cars

Thinking of getting a short-term rental car? It’s a simple process. We chose to rent through Avis, booking the car online and then popping over to River Valley to pick up and return the car, but there are many options available.

Would we do it again? One of the kids only just asked if we can hire a car again next school holidays, while the other one asked when we’re getting our own car. Tempting.

ComfortDelGro Driving Centre in Ubi, given its close proximity to the Traffic Police Headquarters, where you’ll need to go afterwards to get your license converted. You can book your BTT at cdc.com.sg/course-test-dates after creating an account with them.

To pass the BTT you need to be familiar with Singapore’s Highway Code and achieve a minimum of 45 correct answers out of 50 to pass. Brush up your knowledge with the Mighty Minds books, “The New Highway Code” and “The Basic Theory Driving Test, 480 Questions and Answers”. Pick up copies instore or online from Kinokuniya, or Carousell may have second hand copies. There are also online courses with the CDC and plenty of apps to help you study.

Note: there are no refunds for cancelled bookings of the Basic Theory Test once the booking has been confirmed.

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STEP 3: HEAD TO THE TRAFFIC POLICE HEADQUARTERS AND CONVERT YOUR LICENSE When you go to sit your BTT, be sure to take all your required documents along with you. Once you’ve passed the test, you’ll be issued a pass certificate and you can then head over to the Traffic Police Headquarters for the final step – picking up your license!

BEEN IN SINGAPORE LONGER THAN 12 MONTHS?

If you decide to convert your driving license but have been in Singapore longer than 12 months, your best course of action is to head out to the Traffic Police Headquarters in Ubi and chat with someone face-to-face to work out your next steps. Note that current restrictions require you to make an e-appointment before visiting some centres.

Contacts

BTT booking: cdc.com.sg/coursetest-dates Comfort Del Gro Driving Centre: cdc.com.sg 205 Ubi Ave 4, 408805 Traffic Police Test counter, 10 Ubi Avenue 3, 408865.

For conversion requirements, please check with the Traffic Police Headquarters at 6547 0000.

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We take a peek into the beautiful home of Australian business owner and interior designer KARIN RYSGAARD. WORDS

PIP HARRY | PHOTOS RAFAEL DALMAU

Who Lives Here

Karin Rysgaard and her 18-year-old daughter, Sophie; helper Sheron; ‘little old blind rescue dog’ Ginger and cat Athena.

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T

he unassuming front entry to Karin Rysgaard’s double storey terrace home gives no clues to the hidden treasure that lies inside. Located in the quiet Eastern suburb of Kembangan, Karin’s leafy front garden opens into a relaxed, island-inspired space, with tribal tones and enviable pieces collected from around the world. Beautiful, carefully selected homewares (many sourced from Island Living) offer contrasting textures and tones. Think hand-stitched fabrics, sustainable rattan, teak furniture, weaved baskets, polished copper, carved stone, and soothing shades of sea blue and green in the printed wallpaper, paint colours and artwork.

The Co Founder and Creative Director of Island Living and Founder and Head Designer of Cocoon Styling, Karin has a deep understanding of what makes a home work – from the flow of her open kitchen, to inviting, airy bedrooms, oversized timber dining tables, and the outdoor room of her enviable shaded terrace. It’s this area that encapsulates Karin’s style best– the raised plunge pool, cushion strewn day bed, and relaxed sitting area invites sundowners with friends and Sunday lunches.

Why did you choose this house?

We decided to move to the East Coast six years ago as my daughter was attending the nearby Overseas Family School.

I had several friends on the east, and they all loved living over this way so thought we’d give it a try. The result, we love it!

I can’t imagine not living on the east anymore, it has a real community feel.

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The home has had a pretty extensive renovation and we just love living here.

– KARIN RYSGAARD

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Where else have you lived?

Prior to this home, we lived in a fantastic large bungalow on 7000sqf of land in the Thomson Rd area. Being a keen gardener and qualified horticulturist, this was a wonderful property to get my hands dirty. As my original business here, Cocoon Styling, grew, I had limited time to give such a property the attention it deserved, so we decided to make the change to the east.

What changes have you made?

I took over the property in a very rundown state. I negotiated a good deal on the rent and a long lease. This gave me an opportunity to extensively renovate the home. I completely gutted and remodelled both bathrooms, and added a rented pool from Hayward Pools. We replaced all the interior ceilings, and opened a wall in the kitchen to allow flow through ventilation. As result we don’t require any air con in the ground floor kitchen, living and dining spaces.

We’ve also repainted, added gorgeous subtle palm printed wallpaper, and created full privacy around the pool and across the front of the house with palms and foliage.

What appeals to you about the neighbourhood?

The MRT is just down the road, which has been great for my daughter to get to and 40 anza

from school and visit friends.

Kembangan is an older area and very quiet, so being able to park right at my front door is a bonus.

Above: Spring Feeling, by Sandrine Capdouze. Below: Copper ballerina, Island Living

What are your favourite local haunts?

I love training at the F45 studio in nearby Siglap.

We also go to Baker & Cook in Opera Estate for delicious weekend breakfasts, and the new P.S Cafe on the East Coast has been a real treat.

I’m also really looking forward to Little Farms opening their new outlet in the east soon too. I never get tired of wandering around funky Joo Chiat, browsing new little boutiques, and seeing the old shophouses.

What is this home’s history?

It’s owned by a lovely elderly Singaporean gentleman who lives a few doors up the street. I believe it was built in the 1960’s and was the first landed property he purchased after selling his HBD. He told me he’s had very good luck living with his family in this home. Let’s hope his good luck rubs off on us!

What’s something unusual about your home?

The front of the house is completely covered with plants, creating privacy, and when people enter, they have no idea what’s inside. I often get comments like; “Wow this is so great, and so much more spacious than it looks from the front”.

That I used the inside driveway to add a plunge pool is also surprise for visitors.

What is your favourite space?

Hanging out the front on the daybed or cooking in our large open plan kitchen - we love to entertain, hosting lots of Sunday lunches and dinner parties.

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We replaced all the interior ceilings, and opened a wall in the kitchen to allow flow through ventilation.

– KARIN RYSGAARD

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What are your most prized pieces?

The first real piece of art I bought myself a few years ago is a stunning oil on canvas called ‘Spring Feeling’, by an artist and friend Sandrine Capdouze. Sandrine was a client several years ago; Cocoon Styling renovated her property and we got to know each other quite well. When Sandine held her first exhibition I saw the piece and fell in love with it immediately.

The other piece I love is a sculpture I found on a buying trip in Indonesia when sourcing for Island Living. This gorgeous solid copper Ballerina is just stunning. We only get a couple in at a time into Island Living but they always sell out fast.

What is your personal decorating style?

My personal style changes all the time, but right now it’s quite sleek and simple, with elements from nature and layering of textures in neutral tones. I’m also going through a bit of a tribal faze and adding touches of black here and there within the home.

I’m a very tidy person, so each piece is carefully selected, with a place in mind.

I try very hard not to over clutter and often put things away in storage while I try something different. Owning a furniture and homewares store certainly has its advantages, but it’s also very tempting to keep buying more things.

What’s most important to you in a home?

That my daughter feels comfortable. I think I have achieved this, as over the years I’ve hosted many large parties with a house full of teenagers. Also, as we love to entertain, making everyone feel special when they visit us is my top priority.

Where did you get the bulk of your furniture?

Island Living of course! I also have several large cabinets that are second hand and I’ve painted and repainted over the years.

I’m a huge believer in upcycling where you can; older homes often lack storage, so these rescued pieces are a real help in the storage department.

What is your work/home life balance?

When you own a business there is always something to do. I have been through stages over the years where burn out has been an issue but I’m making better 42 anza

Havana Bed, Teak & Rattan, Island Living

decisions in managing this. I’m certainly not complaining however, as there are so many small businesses struggling currently and having a business that is expanding and growing at the rate Island Living is, is certainly a blessing indeed.

How did Island Living get started?

she had a friend and neighbour, Denise Vrontos, who had imported a small selection of products from Indonesia and was looking to sell them. She thought my clients might be interested.

Denise sent me some images and we started chatting. I was in the middle of some large projects, so taking on anything new late in the year was not my top priority, but I had this strong feeling that somehow, I needed to connect with her. Over the next couple of months, we continued to chat on the phone, brainstorming ideas as to how we could team up, using her great skills from years of PR management and my design knowledge to bring together a range of products for Singapore.

We finally met in person in January 2019 and Island Living was born. We cannot believe how far we have come and grown in two short years.

In November 2018 I got a text unexpectedly from a client I had worked with a few years before. She mentioned

islandliving.sg cocoonstyling.com

What brought you to Singapore?

I came to Singapore 15 years ago with my daughters’ father’s job, we decided to go our separate ways very amicably after the first year here. He has since moved away from Singapore. I then saw a gap in the market for expat renters needing help with styling their properties and making their stay in Singapore feel more like home. This business grew as I connected with a local contractor, and we have worked together for 10 years on many clients.

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

MEET: Most Thursdays at 10am, in the ANZA office.

Once a month head out to explore all the amazing crafty things Singapore has to offer.

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T H E ST Y L E A F FA I R

Designing a Cosy Cottage in New Zealand

Stylist JULIET HARPER offers tips for applying simple but effective design principles to your own home to make it warm and inviting.

W

hen styling a ski lodge in New Zealand last year, I applied key design principles to make the home cosy, warm and inviting. You can use them to make your own home look its best - even in tropical Singapore!

ANCHOR POINT

The anchor point in a room is essentially the focal point. Placement of furniture is paramount here. Consider a large, charcoal sofa, placed centrally in a spacious room; a fireplace with an oversized mantle; a colourful, abstract piece of art in a light room; or a substantial rug that binds smaller furniture items together. In this alpine space, I added a wood panelling feature wall in the absence of a dramatic fireplace and anchored the living space with a large area rug in natural wool.

VISUAL WEIGHT

Aim to achieve a good balance between heavy and light when beginning a new design scheme. In our ski lodge I used bold, dark colours, but kept the overall look warm, with dark wood, wool rugs, and rich velvet. In contrast, in a ‘summer house’, you would focus on white fabrics, cooler colours and natural materials, such as raw wood. A lighter design makes the space feel airy and uncluttered.

FIT TO SCALE

A good basic rule of thumb is to make sure the furniture fits the size of the room. Don’t use huge couches in a small space, or a petite dining table in a large room! Scale is very important. When you’re arranging objects, think of mixing it up. For example, a collection of jars of varying heights and shape adds visual interest. Or instead of one long

lounge, add two deep sofa chairs equal in size.

ADDING TEXTURE

Contrasting textures and colours adds so much to a living space. Here, I used a black sheepskin rug, large tan leather chairs, adjacent to a deep, beige linen sofa, a selection of rattan and seagrass baskets, pale grey cashmere throws,

terracotta pots beside charcoal and white jars and a selection of scatter cushions in contrasting patterns. A vase full of deconstructed wild flowers, tussock and mountain grasses ties to the natural environment and white bed linen adds contrast. I also introduced different surfaces with timber floors, laminate cupboards, and slate tiles.

Finally, juxtaposing something old and something new is also a brilliant design trick! For example, Vitra DCW chairs and an old timber kitchen farmhouse table.

A great way to figure out your project is to do a mood board.

Fill a tray with items like stones, peppercorns, fabric samples or other items and see what looks and feels right. Then replace each object with furniture items and accessories that have caught your eye in magazines.

Afterwards, create a Pinterest board sticking to that scheme.

Juliet Harper is the owner of The Style Affair, offering interior design and styling services the-styleaffair.com

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LADIES NIGHT ANZA organises monthly girls-only get togethers in tables of 8, on various dates, at different hotspots around Singapore. It’s a fantastic way to widen your social circle, meet newcomers to Singapore and have a laugh. We try to find buzzy new venues and great deals on drinks and food. It’s always a fun night out!

For more information and to register visit anza.org.sg/groups/ladies-night/

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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 setting up a family trust back home.

I am considering setting up a family trust in Australia.

What are the benefits and what other options do I have in Australia?

T

his is a complex area and I always recommend a personal consultation, however, the following is a high-level commentary on family trusts, together with discussion on other structures which could be considered.

AUSTRALIAN DISCRETIONARY FAMILY TRUST

This is a very popular structure and used mostly for income distribution amongst the family to benefit from family members on lower marginal tax rates, as well as asset succession purposes.

The trustee determines the residency of the trust and generally they are used to hold personal investments, like shares and managed funds. This also extends to Australian property (but consideration must be given to additional taxes such as land tax, stamp duty and The Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) rules and fees).

AUSTRALIAN PROPERTY IS EXPENSIVE AND DIFFICULT TO RESTRUCTURE

Australian property is always taxable in Australia, regardless of your tax residency, and most restructuring results in a capital gains tax event, local stamp duty, and

ramifications with your home loan if you have financed the property. Accordingly, it is usually only before you acquire the property that you may consider owning it in an entity (trust, company or superfund) versus individually (jointly or individually). Capital gains tax concessions also need to be considered, such as the principal place of residence exemption (and whether you may jeopardise this), and the 50% capital gains tax discount.

AUSTRALIAN COMPANIES

An Australian company is always a resident of Australia for tax purposes.

They provide access to the corporate tax rate (30% for passive investments, and 26% for business income) with the ability to pay a non-resident shareholder (i.e an expat), a dividend without any top up tax to the shareholder. Once in Australia however, you must pay top up tax on the dividend received if your marginal tax rate is more than the company tax rate.

AUSTRALIAN SUPERANNUATION AND CPF You cannot set up a Self-Managed Superannuation Fund (SMSF) when you are living offshore, due to the strict residency requirements, however you can

still make contributions to your existing industry or commercial fund, subject to your annual limits. Once you are back in Australia, you can then set up a SMSF and roll over your existing balance into it. Note: Superannuation is always taxable up until the fund is converted into pension phase with annual earnings taxed at 15% and capital gains at 10%, together with strict access rules limiting access to age 60 and retired or 65. Those with CPF could also be in for a shock with a potential change in ATO sentiment if CPF is brought into Australia. This could result on 100% of the earnings being taxed upon access in Australia.

FOREIGN LIFE ASSURANCE POLICY

This structure is popular for holding investments such as managed funds or directly held shares, as it provides tax deferral in the first 10 years if you are a tax resident of Australia, and tax-free access post 10 years. This is subject to the 125% contribution rule, meaning you cannot put more than 125% of the previous contributions within the year after. Some providers have also achieved an ATO product ruling which provides great comfort to the account holder.

Tristan is an Australian tax agent and expatriate tax advisor based in Singapore. If you would like to learn more on this topic, Tristan regularly presents educational webinars to further outline the best ways to protect your assets through tax management. Find out more at selectinvestors.sg

Contact Tristan on tristan.perry@selectinvestorsaustralia.sg or +65 9108 6398.

The levels and bases of taxation, and relief from taxation, can change at any time. The value of any tax relief depends on individual circumstances.

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ANZA RUNNING GROUP

Start the week off on the right foot with the ANZA Running Group – now at two locations!

Botanic Gardens: Monday evenings, 7pm East Coast: Tuesday evenings, 7pm You don’t need to be an ultra-marathon runner to join this friendly running group – the pace and distance varies and is suitable for both experienced runners and keen newcomers. Our new East Coast group often mixes it up with some Boot camp activities. It’s a great way to get fit, meet people and set yourself a running challenge!

For more information and to register visit anza.org.sg/sport/running

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 NEW MONDAY EVENING SESSIONS!

ANZ A C LIC K! PHOTO G R A PHY

CHINESE NEW YEAR

“The ANZA Click! group met on the corner of Temple and Trengganu streets in late January to capture the theme of Chinese New Year,” says new coordinator NANCY PADDISON. “With so much colour and activity, the photographers quickly went to work, snapping the vibrance of CNY. There were two groups of eight, walking through Chinatown, enjoying the atmosphere and taking beautiful photos.”

BUDDHA TOOTH RELIC TEMPLE “This photo captures the colour and decorations on the temple eaves.”

KAREN GREEN

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TEMPLE WORKERS “I took this photo of temple workers decorating the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple in preparation for the new year, in the harsh late morning sun.”

QUETT LAI

THE YEAR OF THE OX “The cheerful Ox! This shot was taken on Temple Street, Chinatown.”

MELANIE ROW

HANGING UMBRELLAS “This shot is taken looking up at the umbrellas hanging from the covered walkway, outside a traditional shophouse.”

NANCY PADDISON LOVE TAKING PHOTOS? Join ANZA Click! Photography and learn from a community of like-minded snappers. This social and friendly group is great for beginners, amateur enthusiasts, and anyone with an interest in photography. anza.org.sg/groups/click-photography

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HO T SP O T S

EAT

PIP HARRY tries exquisite Argentinian restaurant FIRE and Japanese-Peruvian influenced sumiyaki bar and grill FLNT at 1-ATICO, Ion Orchard; while KERRY LOW visits JOMO, a bar, kitchen and bottle shop concept in Holland Village.

T

wo years in the making, 1-ATICO is home to three distinct dining experiences; Flnt, Fire and bar-cafe ATICO Lounge. Sprawled across three sleek zones, (the space was formerly occupied by Luke Mangan’s Salt Grill & Sky Bar), each venue offers sweeping views over Singapore’s skyline, creative cocktails, and inventive menus.

• FLNT

We start our tasting at the fun, bustling Flnt, which serves fusion dishes inspired by the flavours of ‘Nikkei’ culture in Peru. Our table is wowed by a cocktail that arrives in a plume of dry ice smoke in delicate Japanese pottery. The refreshing Mizuame ($25) blends cognac, Kyoho grape sake, blood orange liqueur, cherry blossom syrup and fresh citrus. It’s accompanied by Sakura Kakiage ($15), crispy shards of cherry blossom shrimp, onion, butternut squash, beetroot and teriyaki sauce.

This is followed up by Ceviche Nikkei ($25), a salad of delicate white fish with citrus notes, crunchy roasted hazelnuts, shallots, tomatoes, avocado and white corn. A single Foie Gras Taco ($12 per piece) teams succulent grilled foie gras, with tangy yogurt, fish roe, and kaffir lime. Highlighting the culinary skills of talented Head Chef Lamley Chua, the Gindara Misoyaki ($28) is a perfectly grilled piece of miso cod, served with aji verde (tangy Peruvian green sauce).

We finish with another cocktail (why not?) the Nuevo Casa ($23) - kumquat, pisco, yuzu sake, cherry blossom syrup, orange tea, and tonic water.

Fire

• FIRE

While it’s unusual to review two restaurants in a single evening, all our party has to do is take a flight of stairs to the elegant dining room of Fire, led by well-known Australian Chef and Group Culinary Director Christopher Millar. While the Argentinian and Australian influenced wine

Ceviche Nikkei

Flnt

Flan Adriana Dulce De Leche

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Salt Baked Rainbow Trout

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Charred sourdough with wagyu dripping mate smoked uni butter

Rescoldo Mud Crab and Scallop with Garlic and Parsley crumb

list is impressive, we start with the South American style Federico’s Legacy cocktail ($20) – a savoury mix of cynar, fernet branca, antica formula, orange bitters, fresh lemon juice, and kosher salt.

Fire showcases Argentine wood-fired cooking techniques in a showstopping array of dishes, which feature the finest cuts of prime meats, fresh seafood and vegetable-based dishes.

We start with tastes of the ocean - Mud Crab ‘Rescoldo’ ($36), cooked under almond wood embers, with Hokkaido scallop, sweet clementine slices and

charred fennel; and grilled Patagonian Red Prawns ‘Parrilla’ ($28). Salt-Baked Whole Rainbow Trout ($52 for 400g, $70 for 600g) is the softest, sweetest fish I’ve ever tasted, lightly scented with fennel seed, parsley and lemon zest.

Vegetarians are well catered for with the Plato de Verduras ($36) – a sizable vegetable platter that rivals the meat dishes with a cornucopia of pickled heirloom carrots, potatoes, purple asparagus, wood-fired white corn, Palermo peppers and smoked salt. Slices of tender ‘Devesa’ Argentinian Grain-Fed OP Rib ($210) provide the perfect pairing.

Desserts are special here – don’t miss the Flan ‘Adriana’ ($24), a rich Dulce De Leche tart, or the layered Choco Torta ($22) with Gianduja sorbet and hazelnut.

VERDICT: This rooftop stunner is inventive, exciting and perfect for a special occasion or treat night out.

N

ew F&B hotspot, JOMO, has opened its doors in Holland Village. Tucked away in a quiet enclave at the end of Lorong Mambong, this hip new neighbourhood bar and restaurant includes a fabulously private alfresco space and offers affordable dining with great prices on wines and spirits. The first floor features a full retail wine shop with 250 wines and spirits, including 50 wines starting at $50++ per bottle.

The uncomplicated menu offers a great selection of family favourites, including aged Aussie Angus burgers, pork ribs, gourmet hot dogs, and homemade pies, all from master butchers Sidecar Handcrafted.

We started with some bar bites; the signature JOMO Crispy Pork Belly Bites ($8), and delicious homemade Sausage Rolls with buttery flaky pastry (6 for $10), accompanied by a cold pint of JOMO’s own super-dry, low-carb lager (Pint $8, $6 at Happy Hour). For mains we selected the JOMO Beer Battered Fish & Chips with tartare sauce ($16), perfectly crispy light batter and deliciously fresh fish, served with thick cut chips; the Thai Basil, Lime, and Sweet Chilli Chicken Burger ($14), declared by this diner as the best chicken burger, ever; and the Shredded Lamb Burger ($16), tender roast lamb with crispy lettuce in a super fresh bun. All burgers are served with slaw and JOMO’s signature Chicken Salt Fries (if you don’t know ask an Aussie!). A must have condiment is JOMO’s secret recipe Bourbon BBQ sauce.

To finish we shared the JOMO New York Cheese-Cake and the Chocolate Truffle Cake, both served with homemade ice-cream.

If you’re dining in a group, check out the JOMO x Sidecar Sharing Platter, at $88 it’s an absolute bargain – a half rack of ribs, 6 Sidecar Sausages, 250gm Angus Striploin, Cajun Chicken Thigh, JOMO Coleslaw, and a hearty serving of Chicken Salt Fries. Another unique offering from JOMO is the Family Sunday BBQ with orders taken dim-sum style and served at tables for sharing. There’s an option to add on free-flow Aperol Spritz, draft beer and selected wines for $42.

VERDICT: A great neighbourhood vibe; laid back family dining, with affordable food and drinks, and friendly, attentive staff. Bookings recommended.

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DRINK

Transport yourself back to 1925 Paris with ATLAS’S inventive and delicious new cocktail menu, La Grande Nation.

Vendome Spritz

A.M.’s Alliance

The Musician

Order up!

Arriving at ATLAS to taste test their hotly anticipated new cocktail menu, Le Grande Nation, inspired by the arts décoratifs movement in early 20th century Paris, one gets the distinct feeling this will be a cut above your usual drinks list.

Ascending to the private lounge overlooking the vast, grandiose main room, I’m asked to take out my headphones and listen along as a debonair (fictional) journalist named Cecil Beaumont takes me on a journey through Art Deco Paris in the 1920’s, as he completes an assignment on the art, architecture, jewellery and design of the time.

Each cocktail we taste, matches with an audio recording of Cecil’s adventures – a fun and immersive way to experience this exceptional bar, which is a trip back to a more refined, genteel era.

In the opening chapter, à la Réception, inspired by master glassmaker René Jules Lalique, we sip the Vendôme Spritz ($23) made with Japanese gin, triple citrus cordial, dry vermouth, grapefruit and rosemary tonic. It’s a refreshing, citrusy drink, with a herbal scent.

Style Moderne features the talented graphic artist A.M. Cassandre, which invites us to try the A.M.’s Alliance ($27), blended with Oloroso sherry, Italian bitter, and a chilli tincture. It’s a refined ruby drink, with a smoky, spicy kick. Best for those who like savoury cocktails.

In the Ouvert Toute La Nuit chapter The Musician ($24) is served in honour of the sensual, provocative paintings of Tamara de Lempicka.

It’s a heady concoction of cognac, coconut cream, mint, cacao, and chocolate bitters, with subtle mint chocolate notes.

Each chapter features a non-alcoholic drink, my favourite being the highly sippable Key in Hand ($16) a tangy, savoury sip, with spiced non-alcohol spirit, sour plum, and tomato water alkali.

What’s to Eat?

The modern European menu at ATLAS almost rivals the extensive drinks list. To accompany our drinks, we tuck into a selection of moreish small bites, including delicately flavoured Oyster’s Mignonette with a squeeze of lemon ($38), a cheesy, rich mini Croque Monsieur with ‘fancy’ Spanish cheese and pickled shallots ($18), a spicy toasted Chorizo Sandwich, with pickled capsicum, rocket, and gherkin mayo ($24) and a Fried Cauliflower dish with paprika aioli and pickles ($18).

Don’t miss:

ATLAS is one of the world’s leading gin destinations, so you simply can’t leave here without ordering a G&T. Choose from more than 1300 gins from all corners of the globe, including modern craft gins, Australian gins, and classic, aged London dry gins. atlasbar.sg

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ATLAS recently won World’s Best Cocktail Menu in Tales of the Cocktails Spirited Awards, 2020.

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Tennis Refresher Clinics Been out of the game for a while and want to refresh your tennis skills? ANZA Tennis has introduced a four-week refresher series designed to get you back in the game. The ultimate goal is to get you comfortable playing a casual game of tennis with friends.

REFRESHER CLINIC: Meets Wednesday COST: Four-week program, $100

For more information and to register email: info@anza.org.sg

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

T UCKERB OX

OF BOUNTIFUL BREAD

RAELENE TAN looks at all the wonderful array of breads from different cultures available in Singapore.

B

read. The staff of life. Different varieties in Singapore allow us to expand our tastebuds for this popular daily staple. Here is an A-Z for your eating pleasure.

thin discs may be eaten as a snack or accompany meals.

BANH MI (Vietnamese for ‘bread’) is enjoyed as a baguette-style sandwich, especially with a traditional minced pork, pate, and salad filling.

North Indian CHAPATI is soft, thin, flat, unleavened wholemeal bread cooked on a griddle, served with curries.

My brother Ken’s DAMPER (unleavened bush bread), cooked in ashes in a firepit at his Adelaide back garden, when buttered and eaten warm with a cuppa, is a winner.

A split, hot, buttered ENGLISH MUFFIN is filling and chewy.

FRENCH TOAST served warm with maple syrup and hints of cinnamon, makes a special treat.

Originally from Tianjin, northern China, GOUBULI, a famous steamed pork bun, has 18 handcrafted pleats as its signature presentation.

From a batter of rice flour, yeast and coconut milk, South Indian HOPPERS, round with crisp edges, cooked over hot embers, are served with curry.

A popular South Indian breakfast, IDLI made from ground lentils and rice, steamed in individual molds, are accompanied by classic coconut chutney.

JAM, including local favourite kaya, are staples on bread and toast.

Photo: courtesy Lauren Tan

APPALAM from India, these crisp, flat,

KAYA (Malay for ‘rich’) TOAST is a Singapore breakfast staple. Kaya is spread on charcoal-grilled bread, accompanied by soft-boiled eggs and coffee. The egg and coconut jam gets its green colour from aromatic pandan leaves.

One of the oldest known flat breads, LAVASH from Armenia, may be eaten as a snack or wrap.

Chinese MANTOU, steamed (white colour) or fried (golden) soft buns, complement chilli crab, absorbing the delicious gravy.

NAAN, leavened white bread cooked in a tandoor oven, is from Punjab, North India.

I use naan as wraps.

OLIVE BREAD, rustic and crusty, is redolent with earthy flavours.

A popular South Indian breakfast, PURI, deep-fried wholemeal bread, puffed up and crispy, is eaten with curry gravy.

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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Join the QUEUE for fresh bread at Singapore’s many bakeries!

There are several types of ROTI; Roti paratha, flaky wholemeal bread cooked on a griddle, is an Indian Muslim favourite. The cook’s showmanship flipping and stretching the dough is an added attraction.

Baked, flaky, sesame flat bread, SHAU BING, is eaten as a snack.

THOSAI, a large thin pancake made from ground lentils and rice, is accompanied by coconut chutney.

Crisp and chewy, it’s served rolled or folded.

Made from black lentils, URAD APPALAM, deep-fried, small, round and crunchy, may be eaten as a snack or with meals.

Deep-fried VADAI, made from fermented lentils, resembles a doughnut in shape.

WRAPS abound, whether Eastern or Western styles. Try popiah and pita bread.

XIALONGBAO, more of a dumpling than bread, is extremely popular for its robust broth filling.

YU CHAR KWAY, a deep-fried Chinese cruller, may be eaten alone, sliced in rice porridge or dipped in coffee for an early morning start.

ZOPF, a Swiss/German leavened, white, braided loaf.

Try the tastes and textures of these breads to enliven the repertoire of your daily staple.

March/April 2021

18/2/21 10:13 AM

Contact us today!

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).

ANZA has a brand new website!

Take a look at anza.org.sg

• TOURS • SPORTS • ACTIVITIES • NEWS • FOOD + DRINK • JOBS • LIFE IN SG

TA ST E BU D S

SPICY ROAST PUMPKIN WITH FETA PAYAL THAKURANI serves up a plant-based dish that’s great as a side dish, salad or healthy lunch.

(Serves 3-4) INGREDIENTS

1kg sweet, ripe pumpkin - cut into wedges 1 cup spring onion, cut into match sticks 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar 1 tablespoon maple syrup 1 garlic bulb, whole 1/2 teaspoon sea-salt 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 3 sprigs fresh thyme plus 1/2 teaspoon chilli flakes (or a good sprinkling of Peri Peri seasoning) 1/2 cup crumbled feta 3 tablespoons toasted pine nuts, for garnish 1 medium roasted beetroot, sliced into smaller wedges Toasted sourdough, to serve

METHOD

1. Preheat your oven to 200˚C. Cover beetroot in tin foil and roast for about 60-90 minutes until cooked through.

Set aside to cool, then refrigerate.

Once chilled, peel and slice into smaller wedges.

2. Preheat the oven to 200°C or 180°C fan. Arrange the pumpkin wedges in a large, shallow baking dish. Break the garlic bulb into cloves (unpeeled), and place in between the pumpkin.

3. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, 1 tablespoon maple syrup, 2 tablespoons olive oil - rub liquids into pumpkin using your fingers. Sprinkle Peri Peri seasoning all over pumpkin (or thyme leaves + chilli flakes). Roast

for 20-25 minutes, or until slightly tender.

4. In the meantime, add a tablespoon of balsamic, extra virgin olive oil, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper to the spring onion. Add the seasoned spring onion to the tray of pumpkin and roast for another 15 minutes.

5. Once the pumpkin cooks through and has lightly caramelised, transfer everything on to a serving platter.

6. Add chopped roast beets to the serving platter, sprinkle with feta, a drizzle of olive oil and some toasted pine nuts. Serve warm with thick slices of toasted sourdough.

Roast pumpkin, beet, garlic, feta, spring onion and peri peri seasoning - transformed into this beautiful, plant-based dish! Spread on a piece of crispy sourdough - heaven on toast!

Long term expat Payal Thakurani is an author, chef, cooking instructor and founder of Commune Kitchen cooking school in Downtown Gallery. She hosts affordable hands-on cookery classes to promote healthy, wholesome cooking using locally available produce and sustainably sourced meats.

For cooking class updates, free recipes, or to order Payal’s cookbook, visit communekitchen.com Facebook: facebook.com/communekitchensg | Instagram: @communekitchensg

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March/April 2021

16/2/2021 6:02:03 PM

Join this creative group to learn new art and craft skills, such as silk painting, bookbinding, candle making, beading or batik. Activities are designed with beginners in mind, and each month a new craft activity will be introduced, with single or double lessons to teach you the basics. Join the ANZA Art and Craft Group to find a new passion, make a bunch of new friends, and create keepsakes from your time in Singapore!

Find out more and register at anza.org.sg/groups/artandcraft

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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18/2/2021 11:29:36 AM

Allergies can be more than a daily irritant. Long term allergic reactions can lead to sinus infections, temporary hearing loss and even sleep disturbances.

DR SUNDUS MORGAN from IMC gives us the low down on allergies and how to manage them.

Why do I have allergies in Singapore but not in my home country? Is this a thing?

Yes, it is a thing! Allergies occur when your immune system overreacts to substances that exist in your environment either indoors or outdoors. These substances are known as allergens. As each environment has different allergens, you may have allergic symptoms in one environment but not another. Living in a humid climate causes allergens such as dust mites and mould to thrive.

In addition, you may find that certain pollens unique to Singapore will cause allergic symptoms. The reverse is of 58 anza

course also true. I have many patients who are symptom-free in Singapore but will experience a flare-up of their allergies on return to their home country.

Could it be something outdoors?

Yes, absolutely. Any substance that you inhale can potentially be an allergen. The most common are pollen from trees, grass and weeds that are airbourne at different times of the year.

What if I don’t know what I’m allergic too?

Getting a test is simple and can identify what’s causing your allergy. It’s best

Could it be something inside my house? Air con? Dust mites? Mould?

It depends on the allergens present in your home. Dust mites are one of the most common causes of allergies and can be found even in the cleanest of homes! Air con units can harbour mould, as can walls, ceilings and home furnishings.

Cockroaches can cause allergies, as can animal dander.

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to discuss your symptoms with your doctor, who can advise whether or not your symptoms are due to an allergy or another condition.

How do I find out exactly what is triggering my allergy?

Living in a humid environment causes allergens such as dust mites and mould to thrive.

- DR SUNDUS MORGAN

Individual allergens can be tested for with a skin prick or blood test. A skin prick test involves a diluted allergen being pricked or scratched into the skin surface. The advantage is that the results can be seen almost immediately.

A blood test requires one blood draw and can be done while a patient is taking an antihistamine, (antihistamines need to be stopped before a skin prick test as they interfere with the results). There is a slight delay in receiving the result.

Can I get rid of my allergy forever?

A long-term but lengthy therapy is desensitisation with immunotherapy.

This exposes the patient to small doses of the substance they are allergic to.

The dose given is too small to provoke

What are the treatments for allergies?

Getting rid of dust mites

Aside from regular cleaning, there are several ways you can reduce the dust mite burden in your home.

1 Use dust mite free covers for your pillow, duvet and mattress.

2 Remove carpets and rugs from bedrooms and try to reduce soft furnishings, such as decorative pillows, and wash these frequently.

3 Install blinds rather than curtains.

4 High temperature professional steaming of carpets and curtains can kill dust mites.

5 Using a dehumidifier will reduce humidity in your home environment, minimise the dust mites load and prevent mould build up.

6 Using a HEPA filter can trap airborne allergens, such as dust mites as well as animal dander and mould spores.

7 For children, try to keep soft toys to a minimum.

If this is unavoidable – then from time to time place them in the freezer, in a bag, for 24 hours followed by a wash at 60°C to kill the dust mites. an allergic reaction, but large enough to teach your immune system not to overreact. Immunotherapy can be administered by injection or sublingually, where drops, spray or a tablet is placed under your tongue. Treatment can take between 3 - 5 years.

Immunotherapy is often reserved

Avoidance of identified allergens is the mainstay of treatment, but this is not always possible. Here are some other treatment options: Non-drowsy antihistamines can be taken on a long-term basis. These can be in the form of eye drops for allergic conjunctivitis or a tablet for allergic symptoms.

Intranasal saline washes can relieve mild symptoms.

Nasal sprays containing steroids help reduce inflammation in the nose and can be used daily or intermittently for seasonal allergies.

A nasal spray containing both an antihistamine and steroid is now available and more convenient for some patients.

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for more severe allergies, such as anaphylaxis to a bee sting, or severe allergic rhinitis to pollen, dust mites or animals. Treatments are supervised by specialist clinics and though they may not ‘cure’ the allergy, they can reduce the severity of the symptoms. imc-healthcare.com Dr Sundus HussainMorgan is a UK trained GP at IMC’s Katong Branch.

As a ‘third culture kid’ herself, she understands the positive experience as well as challenges that face the expat community.

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T R AV E L

Lina and Jacinta.

Meet the enterprising young duo bringing meaningful local travel to Singapore and beyond.

S

eek Sophie was started by Jacinta Lim and Lina Gedvilaite – friends who believe that travel can change the world for the better. Their travel platform brings small local tourism operators online, with a focus on meaningful, off-the-beaten path experiences. We talked to the dynamic pair about life in tourism post Covid.

Where are you both from?

Jacinta is from Singapore, Lina was born in Lithuania and moved to the US when she was nine. Before Seek Sophie, Jacinta was a corporate lawyer, then she joined MicroEnsure, a start-up in the UK with a social mission to help insure the world’s poor. Jacinta has travelled to over 60 countries and lived for 14 years in London before moving back to Singapore.

Lina previously worked in finance in Ukraine and London. Her experience 60 anza

moving to a new country as a child drives her to help others who are building up their lives from few resources, as her parents did. Lina has travelled to over 40 countries and lived in the UK, US, Ukraine and Lithuania before moving to Singapore to do an MBA.

Tell us about your friendship?

We met at INSEAD business school while we were doing our MBA almost four years ago. We had both worked in social enterprises in Nairobi, Kenya – what are the chances? We also discovered we are both avid travellers.

Why did you decide to start Seek Sophie?

We used to chat about our travel experiences, and often wondered why it was so difficult to travel to the less touristed places that we loved.

Our best travel experiences have been with local guides. Like the Bedouins in Jordan who made us chicken cooked in the desert soil in caves overlooking Petra, or Guma in Uganda who took us to his mum’s house for a homecooked feast in her garden. But these amazing guides were mainly offline, and we only found them through serendipity or word of mouth. They were desperate to be found by travellers, but didn’t know how to get online. We started Seek Sophie to connect travellers to amazing local guides offering off-the-beaten-path experiences, and to help these guides grow their businesses.

What does Seek Sophie offer?

We offer travel experiences that we want to do ourselves, and that benefit the local communities and the environment. Our hashtag is #TravelThatMakesLifeBetter.

Most of our travel experiences tend to be more offbeat and adventurous.

In Singapore it’s going to World War II bunkers or visiting a bee farm that’s also a secret speakeasy rooftop bar. Even experiences like kayaking have a twist – like being coupled with a visit to an abandoned ammunition dump island.

The difference between us and other travel platforms is that we don’t list any experiences that we don’t personally love.

We try the experiences out and only list small local businesses. Many give back to their local communities - through ocean

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Jacinta in Rwanda with wild mountain gorillas.

Ethiopia Lalibela.

Jacinta’s solo trip to Uganda.

Trying out a tour in Jordan.

For us, travel is not about escape but about learning more about ourselves and the world we live in.

Sourcing Trips in Wilpattu, Sri Lanka.

clean-ups, planting trees, and using biofuels. For every dollar spent on Seek Sophie, we also offset a pound of carbon emissions.

What’s the story behind the name? Who is Sophie?

Sophie means wisdom in Greek. For us, travel is not about escape but about learning more about ourselves and the world we live in.

How hard hit were you by COVID-19?

Overnight after March 13 2020 (it’s etched in our memories!), orders dropped to zero, and all our upcoming orders were cancelled. We’re proud that we were able to waive all cancellation policies and offer 100% of our customers their money back. It was a really tough time for travellers and we wanted to do what we could to help.

It was also the biggest test of our mission to help small local businesses.

Many had already paid for the logistics for cancelled trips. In order to ensure the local businesses weren’t out of pocket, we dug into our savings to pay for the cost of cancellations. Thankfully, many of the small local businesses were able to keep their staff on during the worst months of the pandemic.

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We knew that travellers wouldn’t be able to travel internationally for a while, so we widened our product range significantly to include experiences that travellers could do near them – such as hidden nature weekend getaways for our clients in Malaysia and Vietnam, and short day experiences in Singapore.

When borders open, where will you go first?

Wherever the rules allow! In an ideal world, we would spend two weeks in Tambora-Moyo Island-Komodo-Sumba.

Our route is all planned out. In the meantime, we’ve been trying out our Singapore experiences ourselves, and it’s given us a new appreciation of how many incredibly creative, innovative local guides there are here.

We used to think that Singapore didn’t have many outdoor or adventurous experiences but crawling through WW2 bunkers and kayaking to local kelongs has definitely changed our minds. We hope that these tours will help others see Singapore with new eyes too.

We think we know what Singapore has to offer, and we’ve stopped seeing how magical she really is. Keep an open mind and open heart, and speak to strangers, as you would when you’re travelling – you’ll find Singapore is full of surprises! seeksophie.com

Seek Sophie’s team in Singapore trying out experiences.

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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.

SOCCER / LIONS

CLICK! PHOTOGRAPHY

STITCHES

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.

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.

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

TENNIS / CASUAL

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

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.

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

Wed 8 - 10pm.

SEA FISHING

INVESTORS INTEREST GROUP

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

KNIT FOR LOVE INTEREST GROUPS ANZA SCOUTS

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.

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

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.

GOLF / LADIES

ANZA ACTION

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!

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.

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

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

GOLF / 9 HOLE

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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LADIES NIGHT

MAHJONG

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.

ART AND CRAFT GROUP Join this group and learn new craft skills, such as silk painting, bookbinding, candle making, sewing a bag, card creation, beading or batik. Activities are designed with beginners in mind, and each month a new craft activity will be introduced.

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

WANT TO SIGN UP FOR AN ANZA SPORT OR GROUP?

GO TO

ANZA.ORG.SG

CASUAL COFFEE Mini Casual Coffee Catch Ups are being held on various days and locations around the island. Go to anza.org.sg/groups/casual-coffee to join in.

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

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M EET THE GROUPS

ANZA Trailing Talent The ANZA Trailing Talent group is for trailing spouses looking for social and networking opportunities. Organiser KODIE HULTGREN tells us more about the newly formed group.

WHAT IS ANZA TRAILING TALENT ALL ABOUT? In many circumstances, when a foreigner arrives to work in Singapore they are joined by their partner. Many of these ‘trailing partners’ often have to quit their jobs back home, foregoing their own careers in support of their partners professional aspirations. At times, these trailing partners are faced with many challenges in reestablishing their careers in Singapore and may lack a sense of self -fulfilment.

ANZA Trailing Talent is a group for members who are currently residing in Singapore who are experiencing this exact situation. The group is a place where you can ask questions, share ideas, exchange information, attend social events and create new friendships with other members going through the same challenging times.

WHAT DOES TRAILING TALENT OFFER NEW AND EXISTING ANZA MEMBERS? The aim of this group is to provide trailing talent with tools and resources when looking for their next career opportunity within the Singaporean job market.

Most of all, it’s a support network to help make members feel included within the community, while making their time here in Singapore a positive and fun experience.

WHY IS THIS GROUP NEEDED IN SINGAPORE? Since COVID-19 the barriers to employment have increased for expats wanting to work in Singapore. Getting a job before the pandemic was difficult, but now it’s even harder! The feeling of isolation also isn’t nice, so hopefully this

Most of all, it’s a support network to help make members feel included within the community, while making their time here in Singapore a positive and fun experience.

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group will help members take control of the situation and create opportunities for themselves.

DESCRIBE THE TRAILING TALENT COMMUNITY? We’re an inclusive community open to all ANZA members. We welcome anyone, regardless of whether you are seeking support, aiming to establish your own business, looking for a professional or friendship network or searching for employment. There is no criteria.

WHAT PLANS DO YOU HAVE FOR THE GROUP IN 2021?

There’s lots planned for 2021. From guest speakers to social gatherings. Stay posted for the exciting things to come.

HOW CAN MEMBERS GET INVOLVED? Head to the ANZA Trailing Talent Facebook page at facebook.com/groups/ ANZA Trailing Talent, answer a few questions and you will be welcomed into the group with open arms.

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C YC L I N G

HORSING AROUND FOR KODIE!

ANZA Cycling has been hard at work raising money for Riding for the Disabled Association Singapore Therapy pony Kodie in all sorts of creative ways. President MEGAN KINDER reports…

T

he last weekend in January saw around 100 ANZA Cyclists pedal off on a quest to discover all things horsey in Singapore, as part of a fundraising drive for RDA therapy pony, Kodie. Most teams donned the club’s charity jersey, commissioned specially for the event, which featured images of Kodie, alongside our stalwarts the kangaroo, kiwi and merlion. A proportion of the funds raised by the sale of these jerseys will go directly to the care and upkeep of Kodie.

In scavenger hunt style, teams worked out their routes, based on ride locations indicated in clues given in the week preceding. Each team was tasked with posting a photo from the correct locations dotted around the island. Racecourse history buffs had a slight edge on the location clues, with teams required to visit three sites that have at one time or another been home to Singapore’s horseracing i.e. Farrer Park, Turf City, and the current Singapore Turf Club home at Kranji.

With another designated photo stop at the RDA stables, several teams went the extra furlong by tracking down the horse at the heart of the challenge, Kodie, to appear in their photos. On offer was dinner at ANZA Cycling sponsor The Mason’s Table, for the team that contributed the ‘best’ photo, which led to some very entertaining entries! Huge thanks to everyone who bought the charity jersey and participated in the event which, all up, allowed ANZA Cycling to raise $5,720 to contribute to the Kodie fund.

On behalf of the AWT3 team No Horse Run bô bé cháu, Oliver Lewis commented, “We left the training plan at home and got behind the treasure hunt to support Kodie. We visited all the sites but our competitive spirit was really focussed on the photo competition. The horsing around included dress ups, questionable acts with a hippo and commandeering a real horse! We are proud to make a $500 team donation to the RDA. Thanks ANZA Cycling for organising!”

Team Captain, Maree Aitken of Maythehorsebewithyou also shared, “We had a ‘horsome’ time on the Kodie Treasure Hunt. The horse theme was fully embraced and horse puns continued throughout our ride as we got photos at most of the locations, including a photo with Kodie!”

Lydia Dugand of The Mane Event chimed in with, “So much fun! I never thought I’d be galloping like a horse or hopping like a kangaroo around Singapore, but there you go!”

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Lily Low with her trophy for Club Spirit - Contribution & Commitment

2020 Club Awards – Recognition and Commendations

Ordinarily at the end of each calendar year, the club gathers to celebrate the achievements of members who have either cycled their way onto the podium - or helped their team members get there. Without any 2020 racing calendar to speak of, let alone a designated Club Championship, the committee decided this year to commend Yuri Arikawa being presented her trophy for Club Spirit several members on their Performance & Dedication, by Chris Rawlings tremendous “Club Spirit”.

The first commendation was for our “Hood Heroes”, who rose to the challenge during CB by clocking the greatest distance within the smallest neighbourhood radius. Congratulations to Hish Scarff, Dobromiła Anna Bryant and Chas Pope for taking to this challenge with gusto and demonstrating that it was still very possible to have great fun on the bike while adhering to CB restrictions. One of the wonderful outcomes from a challenging year, was the huge rise in popularity of cycling. As a club, we received immense interest from newcomers looking to join our groups. We appreciate the experienced members who stepped up to help out as Ride Captains on Club Induction Rides, including Brendon Hawley, Julie Kenny, Nicolette Tan, Stephanie Lim, Jesse Bridge, Pete Williamson, Rachel Dubois, Sally Cashman and Julia Erakovic, who alongside committee members took on the massive task of shepherding some 100+ newcomers throughout the year.

Continuing with the theme of upholding Club Spirit, we honoured Yuri Arikawa and Lily Low with awards for their dedication, performance and commitment throughout the year. Yuri and Lily have brought great enthusiasm to all rides they’ve joined, motivating many others to join and improve along the way. Congratulations all!

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SOCCER

THE PARENT-PLAYER CONNECTION

On the pitch, it’s ANZA Soccer’s dedicated coaches, team parents and organisers who make sure the kids have a great time each Saturday, rain or shine. We asked them why they volunteer - here’s what they said.

Jono Smith Coach, 2015 (G5) group This year has been my first foray into organised sport with my son, Will. I wasn’t sure what to expect. It’s been a real privilege seeing the kids improve rapidly over the last six months, both with their soccer skills and general level of confidence. Their enthusiasm for playing, working as a team and having fun during the sessions makes it very motivating and rewarding for the coaches. The kids turn up ready to play and support their team, come rain or shine... particularly, come rain!

Adam Martin ANZA President and Coach, 2015 (G5) group This year represented our entry into kids’ sport, and I had no idea what to expect turning up to coach a bunch of small children with no prior exposure or experience - I was probably a little nervous to be honest! Without a doubt, it has been an awesome experience all round. I love the community and camaraderie of the volunteer-based programme; seeing our little team bond, learn, and progress together in their good and bad moments. Saturday mornings have definitely turned into daddydaughter bonding, which has been priceless. I love it!

Playing Rain or Shine!

Jan-Hein Chrisstoffels Assistant Coach, 2016 (G4) group With two children in ANZA Soccer, Emi (6) and Jari (4), I put up my hand to volunteer as assistant coach with the four-year-olds. It’s great to see this bunch of kids running around early in the morning on Saturdays in the beautiful surroundings of The Cage at Turf City. We love that instead of ANZA, our little Jari keeps saying “AJAX”!

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Cara Mayega Junior Matildas Co-Coordinator It’s been a crazy induction into the world of ANZA for me! As a single mum, I wasn’t sure I would even have time to do Saturday soccer. Thanks to COVID-19 I’m no longer travelling for work, so I brought my daughter Zoe along for a trial. I ended up being asked to be a team parent of five girls, which soon grew to 20! My four-year-old son is a Little Lion, and I’ve now stepped up to help organise the Junior Matildas. I can certainly speak to the benefits of being part of the ANZA community, and how important it has been for my daughter to see me get involved.

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Juliet Harper U14 Team Parent My husband Ryan and I are never sure who gets more enjoyment out of ANZA Soccer, the kids or the adults; as much as they enjoy playing, we equally enjoy watching, cheering them on, and participating too. I recall hearing that when your children are training, you should try to be active too. What better way than to get involved with their teams? Over the years we have seen the boys grow, develop and keep fit. But more importantly, they’ve had fun and forged bonds with their teammates.

Likewise, we have met many wonderful parents and shared great team moments with other ANZA families!

Melanie Zammit Age Group Coordinator, 2015s (G5) When I was growing up, my Dad volunteered for every sport, activity and school committee that my siblings and I were involved with, whether he had a personal interest with that activity or not. By doing so, he role-modelled to me how good it can feel as a kid to have your parents involved in what you do. I loved my activities more, and I had a pride and sense of ownership in my sport and extracurricular events. It motivated me and I felt part of a community. I volunteer because I hope to give my children that very same experience and feeling in their lives.

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Rob Hunt U17 Coach When we came to Singapore from the UK, our son Bradley played in one of the well-known “commercial” football enterprises. We are so pleased that we moved to ANZA Soccer seven years ago! It is a key part of our weekend to relax after a hard week at school and work.

The whole family has made wonderful friends through the ANZA community. ANZA Soccer is run from within, with so much time and effort devoted by the parent volunteers, all for the benefit of our kids. I am pleased to play a very small part as one of the U17 coaches this season, in what are very unusual circumstances.

We all look forward to the day when we can return to normal with the exciting League and ANZA Cup in proper 11 V 11 competition!

Simon Edwards Coach, 2014s (G6) I have two children, Jake (6) and Phoebe (12) playing with ANZA Soccer, and I’ve been coaching for the last four years. Seeing the young kids listening, learning, and enjoying their football and putting into practice what you’re teaching them is so rewarding. ANZA Soccer provides a fantastic structure for us to introduce kids to the game. It gives beginners an opportunity to come along and have fun, while enabling those kids with more experience to learn more and be introduced to healthy competition.

March/April 2021

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N E T BA L L

HOLIDAY CAMPS

ANZA Netball offered fun-filled and high energy camps over the recent holidays.

With most residents in Singapore unable to travel, parents and children alike were more than happy to schedule some physical activity into their holiday period.

MICHELLE ADAMSON reports.

Experienced coaches

Camps were led by qualified and experienced coaches who delivered a specialised programme, designed to suit each age group. A mixture of activities were included to enhance the players spatial awareness, fundamental movements and ball skills. The younger girls were kept smiling with a wide variety of games, involving noodles, hoops and soft balls, while the older girls focused on netball technique, match play scenarios, fitness and conditioning.

Special guests

ANZA Netball was lucky to have some very special guests attend the camp sessions across both weeks. Several players from the Singapore National team visited, including Alexandra, Yi Jie, Miki, Rachel and Shuyi. The ANZA Netball players loved the opportunity to sit down with these elite players and ask them questions about their experiences training and playing netball for Singapore. The girls had many questions but were particularly interested in finding out about their training schedule and who their role models were, (ex-New Zealand players mostly!).

Other special guests included Lindsay Filiata, Netball Head Coach at the Singapore Sports School, and Gerry Ng, also from the Singapore Sports School.

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These coaches led the ANZA players through some intense sessions, including speed drills, changing direction and shadowing. It was fantastic for the ANZA Netball girls to be exposed to small group coaching from the many special guest coaches who attended the camps.

Players finished the sessions each day beaming but exhausted, many with a bunch of new friends as well. What a great way to keep fit and entertained

during the holidays!

In other news, many of our players were thrilled to be back training at Tanglin Trust School courts from Jan 30, after an extended period playing in various locations around the island. The 20202021 season finishes up on 20 March, however our popular Off-Season Training will be back from 17 April to 12 June 2021. For more information go to anza.org.sg/sports/netball

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NIPPERS

BACK WITH A BIG SPLASH! ANZA Nippers is returning to Palawan Beach! RINKA PEREZ reports on what the committee have been busy working on over the extended break.

T

he 2020 ANZA Nippers season was cut short only a couple of weeks into its programme, due to Circuit Breaker restrictions. The Nippers Committee were determined to not let this challenge get in the way of their spirit and drive. With lots of collaboration and tenacity, the team quickly adapted to changes and planned to return to Palawan beach with a big splash in 2021!

This month, the Nippers crew will be back at the beach doing what they love, in a modified format. Rinka Perez reports on some of the behind-the-scenes projects that the Nippers committee have been working on over the break …

Bronze Medallion To maintain Nippers’ water safety ratio of 5:1 children to Bronze Medallion holders, nine bronzies met at Palawan Beach in December 2020 and completed their proficiency test. This test is done annually to maintain Nippers' Bronze Medallion qualifications and is usually done with help from the Avalon Beach Surf Lifesaving Club, who fly into Singapore from Australia. Due to travel restrictions last year, this wasn’t possible, but in coordination with Avalon Beach SLSC our bronzies were still able to complete their proficiency and extend certification for another year. Go team!

Going Green In 2020, Nippers made a commitment to be more sustainable and environmentally conscious. To keep this promise, Nippers has been working with Java Eco Project (jepsg.com) to repurpose and upcycle previous season’s rash tops, swim caps and flags into fun beach accessories for

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members to purchase. Java Eco Project is a Social Enterprise that works on sustainability projects to support the education of trash-picker children in Indonesia. 2019 uniforms have already been transformed into a trendy pouch … more details to come soon!

In addition to this upcycling initiative, the 2020 uniforms that barely touched the seawater last year, will be reused for 2021 season. This eco-friendly initiative has saved over 30kgs and approximately 200 pieces of clothing from ending up as landfill waste.

Nippers New Fashion Label Nippers will be launching a new 2021 range of beach wear and swim accessories for fashionistas to buy!

Working with a boutique

designer in Australia, Nippers will soon be offering its very own exclusive range, with branded designs and highquality yielding fabrics that are perfect for the beach. Stay tuned for more information.

ANZA Singapore Nippers is a not-forprofit volunteer group where children from 5-13 years of age participate in fun activities at Palawan Beach to learn essential ocean and swimming skills.

• Stay up to date with ANZA Nippers news by following our Instagram @sgnippers • We are also on Facebook @SingaporeNippers • And at anza.org.sg/sports/nippers • For more information on upcycling and CSR opportunities, contact Rinka Perez at Java Eco Project jepsg.com IG @java_eco_project_sg March/April 2021

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N EW M E M B E R S

NEW MEMBERS

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

Katrina Moffat Thomas Moffat Marcelo Duarte Monteiro Daniela Baldasso Monteiro Andrew Smith Nidia Knight Brian Knight Anastasia Konise Anna Rebkowski Aleksander Rebkowski Ben Crilly Alexa George Thomas Webb Xiaojia Lee Toni Williams Marcus Arundel Francois Joubert Charon Joubert John Dwyer Josie Dwyer Susanne Keller Rene Keller Kelly Mahood Anna Pearson Andrea Guit Richard Guit Nathalie Moalic Jennifer Gray Lorraine Hadley 70 anza

Michael Hadley Susan Chin James Chin Katharina Gilzmer Lutz Ackermann Vijay Nechikattil Kermeez Kiash Roger Kammer Timothy Pitrelli Monica Pitrelli Andy Perkins Anna Marie Ullmann Andrew Just Casey Wakely Michael G. Rider Heidi M. Rider Daniel Stokes Lauren Kermond Adrian Fisher Christie Clare O’Doherty James O’DohertyJennings Samuel Lie Jarrod Biti Kristine Biti Nuala Thomason Brett Thomas Eileen Chao Fabio Vernillo Carolina Crivelaro Avrucik Vernillo

Damien Ler Melissa Lim Blake McKeown Lik Wai Kho Carmen Martine Kelly Anthony Kelly Karen Gyllenhammer Erik Gyllenhammer Donna Kitsos Brad Griffiths Lisa van der Berg Neal van der Berg Abby Byrne Elliott Byrne Alexandre Freile Lijun Tan Freile Zoe Stevenson Richard Stevenson Michelle Joycelyn Stuart Remphrey Susanne Remphrey R Bruce A Burnett Liliana Troxler Bethan Sellick Andrew Mckimmie Kim Mckimmie Nicole Godresse Glen Godresse Lisa Thanh Shawn Koh Michael Lambert

Tanya Rudenko Denise Scrase Abbie Stavroff Andrea Iotti Poonaam Bai Tjitske Klasen Laurens Klasen Ashleigh Garside Charles E. Houssa Carine Houssa Lydia Dugand Alex Dugand Simone Bergholcs Anna Kennedy Shaughan Kennedy Tanya Fitzgerald David Fitzgerald Susan Tucker Sam Jackson Will Millsteed Haarit Mehta Neha Mehta Ray Dias Laura Dias Bennett Andrew Francis Meena Bennett Emily Hamilton Alexander Ostrowski Emma Wade Kathryn Wright Tim Wright

March/April 2021

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Debra Kearl Minnock Julie Smith Drew Seaman Rachael Corthorn Benjamin Birks Ellis San Thit Oo Sean Gan Pee Yong Ross Dilkes Reena Mavjee Jane Iyer Sunder Iyer Barbora Pazderova Ananda Pierre Motte dit Falisse Christabel Chng Stephen Bruce Nicola Bruce Andrew Coppens Tammy Coppens Luca Ronsisvalle Vanessa Ronsisvalle Tim Sharp Erik Just Olsen Anita Nergaard Rowena Michaels

Susan Williams Isaac Williams Emma Veale Scott Veale Ben Milton Denise Milton Carlos Palacios Chelsea Radford Nicola Melton-Miller Stuart Miller Anna Lewin Chris Lewin Sean Campbell Elizabeth Brown Simon Mercer Lina Mercer Katharine Elisabeth Wright Sinderpal Singh Norkurshah Nurman Ioannis Kourakis Nicky Hodgman Alison Swift Nick Swift Heiko Leidorf

ANZA MONTHLY GIVEAWAY

Congratulations to Anna Kennedy Winner of this month’s $50 voucher from The Fishwives.

NEW MEMBERS PREMIER PARTNER

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18/2/2021 11:08:10 AM

10 MI NUTES W ITH

10 MINUTES WITH...

MAKOTO IWABUCHI

Ranked among Japan’s top three sake experts, Makoto Iwabuchi initially trained as a French wine sommelier, before making the switch to specialise in Japanese alcohols, particularly the fermented rice drink, sake.

Currently he’s working as Master Sake Sommelier at Sushi Kou. He spoke to ANZA about mastering the art of sake.

Where are you from?

I’m from Toyama prefecture, on Japan’s main island, Honshu. In 2011, I received an invitation from a wine coach to work in Singapore. I also wanted to challenge myself to work overseas, so I took up the offer. Currently I work as a sommelier at Sushi Kou, where I strive to complement the skill of Sushi Kou’s chefs through my wine and sake menu.

What training did you do to become a certified Master Sommelier?

It requires daily reading and lots of experience; I try to create as much study time and tasting opportunities as possible to prepare myself.

What’s your background in fine dining?

I’ve been a sommelier at many fine dining establishments over the past 15 years, such as Ritz-Carlton Osaka, LISTA GIORGIO PINCHIORRI, Ki-sho (Singapore), Gaggan (Bangkok, Thailand). I’ve served many famous and influential people, 72 anza

including Jack Ma (Alibaba), English performer Ed Sheeran and Japanese rock band ONE OK ROCK. What is your knowledge of sake?

I decided that I wanted to be a great Sake sommelier, and I believe if you want to get a qualification, you must put in the effort and time to study. An overwhelming amount is required! My certificates include SA and SSI’s Sake sommelier, but for most people it’s better to start by enjoying sake. Once you have a passion for it, you naturally gain knowledge of the different types and how they taste.

What’s the best way to enjoy sake?

Drink with friends! Japanese food also goes very well with sake.

How do you choose a good sake?

At Sushi Kou, we curate our sake by ensuring that the sake maker we buy from is reputable and has a strong track record. All our sake boasts a high standard that complements the exquisite Japanese sushi omakase dining experience by Chef Sakuta and has proven to be popular with our customers.

What are your favourite Japanese drinks?

Japanese whiskey and sake, of course!

What’s your favourite bar in Singapore?

Jigger and Pony in Tanjong Pagar and Manhattan at the Regent Hotel.

Sushi Kou is a newly opened eight-seater omakase restaurant located in the Holiday Inn, Orchard. The restaurant serves Edomae (Tokyostyle) sushi. Its Chef, Yoshio Sakuta formerly helmed two-Michelin-starred Shoukouwa. sushikou-sg.com

March/April 2021

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