Pete Williamson with Jason DuBois and Jesse Bridge for The PeaksMegan Kinder and Martin Phelan by the ‘Giant Murray Cod’ in Tocumwal during Bay’s Wish Ride Stage 2
As travel options have become more viable and restrictions have started to show signs of easing, ANZA Cycling members have been delighted to be able to take our cycling routes slightly further than Changi and back recently. Several of our members took part in the Metasprint Series Aquathlon and Duathlon and the OCBC Criterium events as well as the Jungle Cross Offroad Duathlon, both in Singapore, which produced terrific results.
Away from the island’s cycling routes, members headed down to Australia to meet with some ANZA ‘ex-islanders’ now based back in Oz to take on road and triathlon events. Haythem el-Ansary showed excellent form and came away with a 20 minute PB to finish Melbourne Ironman 70.3 in an incredibly fast 4h24m. Peter Williamson met up with Jason DuBois and Jesse Bridge who are now based in Victoria to tackle the gruelling ‘Peaks Challenge’, and Megan Kinder and Martin Phelan took on the ‘Bay’s Wish’ (Make a Wish) Charity Ride, cycling 600km and 4000m elevation over five days, also in Victoria.
Plans are afoot for ANZA Cycling club trips to Thailand and Malaysia, hopefully with more to follow as the year continues and restrictions change. Check the club’s Facebook page to discover more about these travel opportunities.
Starting young
At just age six, Elise Fontaine Tubb, took on her first ever race at the Singapore Criterium National Champs in February. We didn’t get a photo of Elise in racing action, but we do have a photo (left) of her with her mum, Christina Tubb, who also performed very strongly at the event. Speaking afterwards, Elise said, “The race was fun even if I didn’t win. I went over some bumps that felt funny. My partners fell but they were okay. After the race we had two ice creams and pizza. I would like to race again.” We look forward to seeing Elise and many other future cycling stars taking part in more events over the coming months.
Chris Rawlings, our Off-Road Director, shares what’s been happening on the dark side.
ANZA Off-Road cycling involves not only mountain biking but also gravel riding and cyclocross, all of which are going strong in Singapore. These disciplines have seen an explosion of participation in the last two years, since the start of the pandemic. I reminisce about the MTB rides I used to do around the Bukit Timah trails 18 years ago, when you may see one or two other riders! These days, the early bird certainly catches the worm for quiet trails, especially on the weekends.
The regular ANZA MTB rides on Thursdays at 5.45pm and Sundays at 7am meet at the corner of Bukit Timah and Rifle Range Road for a few laps of the Bukit Timah and Chestnut trails. The pace ranges from steady to fast depending on who attends, but it’s a no drop ride making sure that everyone returns safely for coffee or beers afterwards.
If you’re looking to race, look no further than the Cycosports Jungle Cross series, held at the Centaurs rugby ground in the ‘jungle pit’. The trails have been developed and crafted over many years to offer excellent smooth runs, drop offs and small jumps. The races include MTB, cyclocross and BMX, and range from elite to weekend warrior categories. Recently, two of our ANZA members placed first and second in the MTB category, which was a great achievement. If you want to get in some practice on the trails throughout the year, purchase a bike pass from Cycosports, which allows access at designated times every week.
For a change of scenery from the usual trails and a step back in time, head over to Pulau Ubin in the north west of Singapore. ANZA off-road groups often head there to ride the Ketam MTB trail which comprises blue, red and black diamond trails. There’s also a myriad of great gravel routes on Ubin, perfect for all abilities and families. You can take your own bike on the bum boats or hire one on the island. A great way to finish a ride is with a prata and kopi in the local restaurants or a beer at Little Island Brewery in Changi Village. The ANZA crew can often be found at one or both of these establishments post ride!
If you’re interested in trying off-road riding with ANZA Cycling, join one of the off-road introduction rides which run every few months throughout the year. They’re advertised on the ANZA Cycling Facebook page and usually last 2-3 hours in Bukit Timah or on Pulau Ubin. No matter what your ability, there is a ride for you. We hope to see you out there on the trails soon!
Australia’s tourism industry is on the road to recovery after a tough few years of Covid-19 and recent natural disasters. Prior to the pandemic, Australia welcomed almost half a million Singaporean tourists each year, making Singapore Australia’s sixth largest source market for tourism. In addition, more than 80 per cent of leisure travellers from Singapore are repeat visitors to Oz, with nearly three quarters visiting us more than twice. This familiarity is a huge strength and an opportunity to encourage repeat visitors from Singapore to explore new and less familiar Australian destinations.
When Australia’s international border reopened to Singaporean travellers last November, Tourism Australia launched its campaign “Yours to Explore” tailored to Singaporeans to remind them that our country is safe and open for business. Australia’s natural beauty and breathtaking landscapes have always been a major draw for international tourists, and as environmental awareness has grown, visitors are increasingly interested in the impact that travelling has on the planet. Combined with a greater conservation effort, this has led to the development of a vibrant eco-tourism sector across Australia, and a variety of exciting new eco-tourism options being available.
If you’re planning a visit to Oz, but also care about your environmental footprint, consider these travel destinations and activities that put sustainability front and foremost.
Sleep amongst Aussie wildlife in the eco-friendly Sky Pods near the Great Ocean Road in Victoria. Located in the breathtaking Otways, the pods have been dubbed “Luxury Off-Grid Eco-Accommodation” and each houses a fireplace and modern amenities, with a beautiful vantage point. It doesn’t hurt that Rainbow Falls, Cape Otway Lighthouse and Station Beach are all within walking distance, and both pods boast amazing water views.
Seafood Seduction Tour with Pennicott Wilderness Journeys in Tasmania (photo courtesy of Tourism Australia)
Guests can set sail with Pennicott Wilderness Journeys for their Seafood Seduction Tour in Tasmania. You’ll get the chance to shuck oysters straight from the sea and cheer on your guide as they dive for abalone and sea urchin. Back on board, enjoy a seafood feast with the fruits gathered that morning – expect rock lobster, abalone, sea urchin, mussels, oysters, sashimi, salmon and more.
Explore Uluru and Australia’s Red Centre on foot, with this new seven-day walk. Visit highlights including Ormiston Gorge and Standley Chasm along the trail, and don’t miss the opportunity to marvel at the spectacular views of Kings Canyon. After some gentle desert walking, witness the largest monolith in the world, the sacred site of Uluru. This tour perfectly encompasses the highlights of Central Australia.
Founders Janine Duffy and Roger Smith of Echidna Walkabout Tours host numerous multi-day wildlife tours. On their tour in the You Yangs near Melbourne, guests can participate in a conservation activity like planting koala-friendly trees which is key to regenerating koala habitat (regeneration of bush habitat in recent years has helped local koala populations double). Don’t miss the company’s newest tour, Island Birds & Whale Sharks, an eight-day expedition surveying animals overhead and underwater, off the coast of Exmouth in Western Australia’s Ningaloo region.
Ovolo Nishi’s impressive main entrance (Photo courtesy of Tourism Australia)
At Ovolo Nishi in Canberra, much of the furniture was made using reclaimed and recycled materials, including the striking salvaged oak bedheads. The hotel’s centre piece grand staircase was also crafted from salvaged timbers and offcuts of Nishi’s blackbutt façade. Their zero-waste approach is enhanced with cutting-edge technology, for example, the restaurant uses an environmentally friendly system employing air, water and microbiology to transform food waste into an environmentally safe liquid.
Lake House Daylesford Pool (Photo courtesy of Lake House)
At Lake House Dayelsford’s on-site restaurant, the produce is grown, picked and harvested from Dairy Flat Farm, the restaurant’s own 38-acre regenerative growing facility, located ten minutes down the road. There is a 100 per cent focus on quality and sustainably-grown food and the restaurant epitomises the positive impact a single business can have on an entire region.
Amy Gash, the resort’s custodian, and her family have reinvigorated the re-vegetation programmes on the island and set the resort on the path to operating wholly on renewable power. Over 15 years they’ve planted over 10,000 trees and native plants, leading to an incredible resurgence in bird life, particularly in migratory birds. The resort also utilises a holistic approach to sustainability, from water and power generation, to waste minimisation and disposal. It has been on a solar powered journey since 2007 and is now almost powered by 100 per cent renewables after the installation of 900 solar panels and 240 batteries, reducing around 500 tonnes of carbon emissions for the resort each year.
Sequoia Lodge in South Australia offers a complimentary on-site experience programme featuring dreamtime story tours, guided walks of the neighbouring Mount Lofty Botanic Garden, and the opportunity to meet artisan producers.
Capital Brewing Co (Photo courtesy of Tourism Australia)
Capital Brewing Company takes a simple but revolutionary approach to waste disposal. They send their waste hops and yeast to a nearby organic farm, where it’s used in the production of organic compost. They also send their waste grain to the same farm to be fed to organic beef cattle. This way, the brewery is diverting and re-using around ten tonnes of waste per week, producing 500 tonnes of compost per year. The brewery is powered by green energy generated from natural resources, with a centrifuge that recovers more beer per batch, one of the many water-saving initiatives. Capital Brewing Company also investigated alternatives to pallet shrink wrap, finding a plant-based material that behaves like plastic.
At Emirates One & Only Wolgan Valley, the first resort in the world to achieve internationally accredited carbon-neutral status, expert field guides lead activities for all ages – including wildlife monitoring and tree planting. Guests can join the daily Conservation Programme, which aims to assist the reserve in its bushfire recovery and ongoing restoration to natural bush. Guests can also help plant trees that are grown from the one million native seeds that other guests have collected over the last ten years.
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What’s your role at Odin Mortgage?
I lead the marketing team as well as focus on business development, sponsorships and community. We’re proud to be sponsors and members of many Australian associations, sporting teams, international schools and social groups across the globe, including ANZA. Another big part of my job involves running monthly webinars with fellow industry experts to ensure Aussie expats are kept up-to-date about buying property back home. Check out what’s coming up on our socials!
What do you love about your job?
The people I meet from all walks of life. Whilst the brokers are busy assisting our clients, I’m working with all the communities and teams we’re integrated with. There are so many volunteers and passionate people that represent these groups, I’m in awe!
How can an expat tell if a broker is right for them?
Every expat has their own unique circumstances and requirements when it comes to obtaining finance. Foreign income presents many challenges that non-specialist brokers are not familiar with, nor do they encounter regularly. When selecting the right broker for you, consider who will best understand the complexities of expat lending – from loan structuring, tax residency considerations, maximising borrowing capacity and foreign income bank policies. A specialist expat broker will better understand your situation and ensure you get the best deal possible.
“When selecting the right broker, consider who will best understand the complexities of expat lending”
Tell us something about obtaining a mortgage that other brokers might not reveal?
If you own property outside Australia, such as Singapore, you can take a local mortgage out against your Singapore property to pay for your Australian property purchase. This is assuming rates/fees are noticeably lower relative to what you can get in Australia. You can also claim tax deductions on that non-Australian mortgage interest expense. Other brokers may not tell you this because there’s no financial incentive to do so.
What would you like ANZA readers to know about Odin Mortgage?
We do not charge any fees, we have access to 40+ lenders in Australia and can recommend better products than going directly to a bank, and unlike banks we look after you for the life of your loan. We do annual reviews, whereas banks typically switch you to higher rates after a couple of years.
What can expats expect from the service you provide at Odin Mortgage?
We’ll look after you from enquiry to settlement to ensure your lending experience is as smooth as possible. When you come to us, no stone will be left unturned to ensure you get the best possible deal and access to all the best options available.
How do you like to unwind away from the office?
I enjoy hiking Bukit Timah or binge watching a new series – anything from Grand Designs to Selling Sunset!
What would have been your alternative career plan?
I’ve renovated many properties in Australia and love the process of finding a property with potential, then seeing that potential realised. So I think I’d either be a real estate agent or a project manager, looking after other people’s builds and renovations.
Odin Mortgage is a leading Australian mortgage brokerage for Australian expats and overseas residents globally. Get in touch today for advice on how you can negotiate better home loan terms. odinmortgage.com / 3158 0138
It’s been a long time coming, but ANZA Netball finally got the chance to join a 4v4 league organised by Singapore Netball Academy (SGNA) in two divisions, Under 16 and Under 14. The SGNA League, which took place in early February, originally formed part of the ActiveSG pilot. Ten people were permitted per court, including umpires. However, towards the end of the league season, as sporting restrictions were eased in Singapore, more players were granted. The SGNA League was played as a round-robin tournament lasting seven weeks and was held each Sunday afternoon at Kallang Netball Centre.
The rules
The competition was played in a similar format to that of street netball, using just over half a netball court, but the positions were more clearly defined. Each team fielded a Centre, Goal Attack, Wing Attack, and Goal Shooter, with the Goal Shooter and the Goal Attack being the only ones allowed in the circle to both shoot and defend. After each turnover of possession, the players had to pass the ball back over halfway before going on the offensive. Each quarter played was 10 minutes in length, with limited breaks in between.
The play
Playing outdoors in Singapore always provides unexpected challenges, be it stormy torrential rain or blinding relentless heat, but the ANZA Netball girls didn’t falter in their enthusiasm to get back in action. Fitness was tested among all the clubs as the players hadn’t been physically challenged in such a format for a significant period and there were no substitutions allowed during the game. Win or lose, the exhausted players were all smiling at the end of the matches, happy to be rebuilding the team spirit and camaraderie that has eluded them over the past few years.
The teams
UNDER 16! ANZA entered three teams in the Under16 division: ANZA Storm, ANZA Power and ANZA Thunder. The opposition were primarily SGNA teams plus Tanjong Katong Secondary School (TKSS). All ANZA teams progressed through the rounds with some tight matches and close scores. Approaching the end of the season, all three ANZA teams were placed in the top half of the table, with ANZA Storm sitting at first with two matches left to play. “It’s been great to play a competition again in the SGNA League, and since it’s half court, everyone gets a shot. It’s awesome to be with my teammates – the best part of netball!” said Millie from ANZA Storm.
UNDER 14! Two ANZA teams competed in the U14s: ANZA Flash and ANZA Lightning. The competition consisted of several SGNA Teams as well as the Lions Netball Academy and TKSS. The ANZA Flash and Lightning teams had only played one or two seasons of competition prior to Covid causing interruption, so they were particularly keen to get out again. Both teams had some wins during the tournament with ANZA Lightning sitting top of the table with a few weeks remaining. Said Rosie from ANZA Lightning, “It’s so good to be playing competitive games. I missed it very much. Playing as a team again has been a lot of fun.”
ANZA Netball was thrilled to field teams in the SGNA League, and it was fantastic to see everyone performing so well and with such enthusiasm and skill. Recent news that vaccinated players aged nine and above can now play as ‘normal’ was most welcomed and we’re hopeful that further opportunities will arise for all age groups, particularly the younger players who’ve missed out on some key netball developmental opportunities.
Everyone at ANZA Netball looks forward to a brighter future and registration is now open for 3 Sept- 10 Dec to complete 2022 (13 weeks). Players should sign up in their year of birth as usual. There will be a 2 week break for October half term (22nd and 29th Oct).
Our new intake will be 2016 (players born 1 Jan- 31 Dec 2016). Sign up here
Aah, the Afternoon Tea: the tea-related ritual, introduced in Britain in the 1840s for Queen Victoria, who had a penchant for an endless flow of fine brew accompanied by a smorgasbord of delicate cakes, sweet pastries, scones with clotted cream and jam, and teeny ‘finger’ sandwiches (without crusts for extra poshness).
The event, which then evolved into a mini-banquet to banish hunger until dinner at 8pm, is today a bonafide meal in itself and a popular pastime for those who’ve got a few hours spare to relax with friends or family over some sugar-powered treats.
Singapore certainly isn’t short on offerings of afternoon tea, but none come quite like that of Mrs Kueh’s English Afternoon Tea, served up (in delicate bone china of course) at The Dempsey Project. For she takes this classic British tradition and adds a sprinkling of Singaporean culture to the foodie platter by imaginatively adding her homemade kueh cakes into the mix.
Local kueh cakes meet English traditions at The Dempsey Project
Bite-sized kueh
For the uninitiated, kueh is a soft, chewy and sticky little cake, mostly presented in eye-catching colours, and they’re a huge part of Singapore’s food culture and heritage.
“We wanted to make kueh more relevant to today’s consumer and make it appealing to people who want to learn more about Singapore culture,” says The Dempsey Project’s chef consultant Jeremy Nguee who collaborated with legendary local kueh maker, Mrs Kueh, on exactly what was required.
“Kueh has a very different texture to the delicacies offered in a traditional English afternoon tea. Its more chewy and hearty,” he continues. “In the early days, kuehs were meant to fill the gaps between mealtimes, which makes them the perfect addition to our afternoon tea at The Dempsey Project.”
Make like the 1840s and fit an afternoon tea into your day
Cream or jam?
Indeed, Mrs Kueh’s English Afternoon Tea includes a selection of freshly baked raisin scones, tangy lemon tart, orange tea cake and finger sandwiches – bite-sized fillings included chicken and gherkin, egg and cress, and cucumber and dill. All was washed down with a pot of Darjeeling, although champagne would have also paired perfectly (for a glass of Louis Roederer Champagne add a SGD$20 supplement).
Our selection of kueh came in the shape of pandan kueh salat, a Malaysian kueh made with pressed sticky rice, coconut egg custard and pandan; putri ayu which comprises steamed pandan cake topped with grated coconut; and kueh kosui, featuring steamed kueh and tapioca. Our favourite was the purple ondeh ondeh – mouthwatering balls of sweet potato with bursts of melted gula melaka inside.
A fine few hours were spent grazing while discussing important topics such as why do sandwiches taste better when someone makes them for you? And what to spread first on a scone: the cream or the jam? We still hadn’t confirmed this by the time we came to leave, but one thing we did agree on was that Mrs Kueh’s English Afternoon Tea is not to be missed.
Mrs Kueh’s English Afternoon Tea takes place Thursdays to Sundays, 3.30pm – 5.30pm and costs SGD$38pp.
Miles away from Blighty, but just down the road (well, kind of!) from us here in Singapore, is the school’s second campus, Marlborough College Malaysia — a genuine expansion, not a franchise, of Marlborough College Wiltshire. A British boarding and day school, the Preparatory School takes pupils from age three and the Senior School includes a Sixth Form to age 18, giving students the opportunity to experience a true British boarding education in one of six Houses.
Boasting outstanding academic results, international award-winning pastoral care, and a beautiful 90-acre purpose-built site, Marlborough College Malaysia is an excellent choice for your child to flourish both in the classroom and beyond. Oh, and did we mention the organic farm, water sports lake, gym and golf driving range?
Sweat out exam stress at the gym at Marlborough College Malaysia
Holistic education & excellence
Given the boarding school’s 175 years history of holistic education and academic excellence, pupils of Marlborough College Malaysia belong to a community steeped in the tradition where compassion, companionship and conversation are at the heart of its educational philosophy. The aim is to guide students towards academic success while maintaining their emotional and physical wellbeing. Pupils learn that theirs is a duty to continue to make the world a better place, and they’re given the skills to lead that mission with the lifelong support and friendship of the Old Marlburian network.
In today’s modern world, Marlborough College Malaysia is a boarding school which encourages students to see the world through the eyes of others and it is keen to teach young people about the international world in preparation for life in a global environment.In line with the British boarding school system, Senior School pupils sit International GCSEs followed by the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, which opens the doors to many of the world’s finest universities.
If you are considering sending your son or daughter to Marlborough College Malaysia, here’s a snapshot of seven simple reasons why the offering of a strong academic curriculum alongside a nurturing environment (and did we mention the golfing range?!) will meet both you and your child’s educational expectations.
Lifelong membership to the Old Marlburian Network worldwide
Marlborough College Malaysia received the highest standard of accreditation by the Council of British International Schools (COBIS Beacon status); the College is an accredited member of the Boarding Schools’ Association (BSA), a member of the HMC (The Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference) and of the Federation of British International Schools in Asia (FOBISIA).
The sunset over Little’s balcony in Whampoa with a green wall and pond
Chances are your home is a little greener than it was a few years back. As the pandemic forced us all inside, many of us set about bringing the outside in. Maybe you stuck a succulent in your bathroom. Perhaps you popped a monstera on your balcony. You wouldn’t be alone: throughout Singapore’s local community there’s a host of houses where the foliage is positively blooming, and it has been for a while.
Today, the trend for nurturing nature in indoor spaces is at a high. Research has proven how beneficial being around greenery can be for mental wellbeing, and the pastime that was once associated with retirees is now a hardcore hobby for all ages.
Leon Tan’s bushy home hosts over 250 plants
Leon Tan (@philodenleon) is one ‘plant parent’who is hooked on horticulture in the home. The indoor gardener and tattoo artist first got into plants while living in Australia six years ago. “Friends bought me a succulent when I moved into my new apartment. That got me interested in understanding how to take care of plants and the rest is history,” he says.
Back in Singapore, Leon’s home boasts a whopping 250-350 plants. There are specific requirements for tending to each one, and he doesn’t take his responsibilities lightly. “I keep aroids, ferns, airplants, cacti, succulents and caudiciforms. The aroids need watering weekly and the cacti and succulents every 10-14 days. Along with checking for pests and general health, I spend a morning each week caring for them,” he says.
He believes his dedication pays off.“My green friends help to keep me grounded and calm,” he continues. “Their subtle movements towards the light allows me to understand them as more than just ornaments in a space, but as living creatures that live alongside me. That itself makes me feel more connected to nature and leads me to appreciate the little things in life.”
In addition to almost 100 plants, Sabrina has several terrariums at home
Feel at peace
Karen Lim understands Leon’s sentiments. Of the “maybe less than one hundred” plants she nurtures at her home (“a jungle!”) in Bras Basah, she confesses that the joy she feels when they respond to care with growth, or the unfurling of a new leaf, is indescribable. “Getting into the plant zone – watering, potting, solving pest issues – is meditative,” she says. “It slows you down. You can sit back, surrounded by them, and feel at peace.”
Karen (left) with business partner Ow Yang Peng at their plant store in Chinatown
Karen began growing herbs and edibles as a side hobby while living in a small HDB flat. Five years ago, she went from running a busy PR company to a full-time plant professional when she launched Little Big Garden (littlebiggarden.com, @littlebiggarden), a plant store and creative space in Chinatown. Together with her business partner, they started out by making friends in the plant community and buying ornamental plants like kokedama (‘ball of moss’) and potted miniature trees. They haven’t looked back.
Fragility of life
Someone else whose love of natural beauty has developed into a thriving business is Little Ong. The Creative Director at fFurious (ffurious.com) has been fascinated by the living world since he was a child growing up in Singapore in the 70s and 80s. “I used to enjoy longkang fishing,” he says. “Back then, when the city was less developed, drains and streams would be teeming with fish like guppies, mollies, barbs and even bettas.”
Six years ago, when his son Luca was two years-old, his interest was reignited. Keen for his son to keep pets and to learn about mortality and the fragility of life, they headed to a local fish farm. Little continues, “We came home with some mollies to put in a vase, and started to go to aquarium stores for Luca to net out fish from tanks. The vase grew into a small tank of plants and animals, and before long I had my first 2ft tank.”
He now owns 10 stunning aquascaped tanks at home and 20 in his design studio in Whampoa. “They are everywhere! We have aquajars, small tanks and a miniature pond with plants, fish, shrimp and snails on our desks. There’s a large aquajar on my record shelf and a giant wine glass with vampire crabs on the floor at one end,” he confesses.
The showstopper though, is the green wall and pond on the balcony. “I challenged myself to create an aquaponics system with water from a tank hydrating a green wall of plants. It took about four months, from building the wall rack to figuring how to get clear water to flow back into the tank.”
“We wanted our son to learn to care for others and keeping fish is a good way to practice nurturing” Little Ong
Little Ong, founder of Ikan Billy, was keen to introduce Luca to nature
As for Luca, he is the proud owner of a nano tank complete with two angelfishes, a shrimp jar with golden shrimps (which has just given birth to shrimplets), and a crabitat with vampire crabs. Father and son spend weekends maintaining his tanks together: Luca trims his plants, scrubs algae and siphons water, while Little helps with cleaning the filter and pouring back water.
“My wife and I wanted our son to learn to care for others, and keeping fish is a good way for Luca to practice the art of nurturing,” Little explains. “Having his own tank instils responsibility which he practices by feeding his fish daily.”
Little’s desire to pass on his knowledge prompted him to launch his own aquascaping company, Ikan Billy (ikanbilly.com, @ikan_billy). “After working up the balcony I ran out of space so I started experimenting with creating balanced aquatic ecosystems in small jars. It was extremely difficult to get right, and I wanted to share this,” he says.
Three years on, his aquajar workshop is super-popular. “They’re the perfect entry-point into aquariums as they don’t take up much space,” Little continues, adding that “aquajars are also beautiful in the home or on your desk at work.”
The workshop is an introduction into crafting a jar and gives an in-depth knowledge into bio-chemistry and maintenance. New classes include sessions on creating mini-ponds, crabitats, and parent and child aquajars.
Nature does its magic
Like Luca, Sabrina Tang (@tanksforthemmrs) is another nature lover who started young. “My first aquarium purchase was in primary school,” admits the Retail Assistant at East Ocean Aquatic. “I’d be one of the few kids at recess catching bugs and drain fishing.” She divulges that today she owns ”just shy of a hundred plants all over the place” at her tiny studio apartment in Marine Parade. “I have succulents in a high-tech setup in my bedroom and about four terrariums.” Her variegated banana plant, lovingly named Sundae, lives with her parents.
Jasie’s rainforest themed tank showcases her love of nature
In Clementi, Jasie Cheng (@JClifeisbeautiful) has five aquascape tanks, three nano tanks that have been transformed into open terrariums (emersed plants only, no underwater component), and three closed terrariums throughout her dining and living space.
Plants and terrariums bring balance and harmony to Jasie’s home in Clementi
What started three years ago as “a simple tank with some guppies and plants I picked up from a local fish store” has escalated. Stepping into the Company Manager’s home is like entering another landscape entirely. Jasie says of her rainforest jungle styled scape; “I like the rainforest theme as it brings together my love for plants and nature with keeping fish. The balance and harmony is aesthetically pleasing and emotionally engaging. It’s where nature does its magic, and where my coral red and purple pencil fish love swimming amongst the overgrowth.”
Patience & commitment
Despite the serenity projected, everyone highlights that their private plant worlds take serious commitment. All have researched meticulously, formed connections within local gardening communities, watched hours of tutorials, and self-taught through trial and error.
In the beginning for Jasie, the process from initial scape inspiration to final layout plan – including hardware and hardscape setup, tank cycling, planting and adding fish, and the first pruning session – took three months. “It seemed like an eternity. Patience is a highly desirable trait for this hobby!” she laughs.
“It takes a village!” Sabrina adds, disclosing that she completes “two or three hours of daily maintenance.“
“Plants allow me to appreciate the little things in life” Leon Tan
Little agrees, confessing that his tanks involve intense thought. “I first respond to the space of the vessel before I decide on the type and shape of wood, rocks, plants and animals to include. I think about the size, texture, colour and experience I’m aiming to achieve. I’m constantly absorbing what I see and do, be it a landscape painting or scenes from films or places I’ve visited. I store up all my memories to use as ideas.”
For Karen, her hobby is always with her. “Along with tending to plants at Little Big Garden, I bring sick plants to my house to look after,” she says. “My husband says that keeping plants is just a fad for many people, especially propelled by our inability to travel throughout Covid. But I believe that once you start on a plant journey and experience all of the rewards, you won’t stop. Nature is amazing and I continue to be wowed every time I discover something new.”
All parents want what is best for their children. This is not necessarily the latest tech device or coolest toy, but equipping them with the foundation to be happy, fulfilled, resilient, kind, safe and successful in life.
Teaching children about financial literacy and money is a fundamental lesson that every child should learn. It’s about helping people make well-informed choices and encouraging financially responsible behaviour. There is plenty of evidence that proves that people who are financially literate are more likely to succeed in life.
Research shows that many of our financial habits are set by just seven years old*. But how many schools offer a comprehensive financial education curriculum at this age? Financial education needs to be a practical application in our daily lives, rather than just understanding theories. It’s far more powerful to learn through life lessons than a textbook.
Being a parent to three boys, I’ve overheard many conversations between my kids and their friends and felt shocked at how often the topic of money comes up – and not always in a positive way.
My son recently came home in tears as he was called ‘poor’ because we didn’t fly business class on a recent holiday to Sydney. This called for a family discussion about money. I started off by explaining how privileged we are to have a roof over our head, food on our table, and the fact that we had just travelled to Australia at all. We enjoyed quality time with cousins and grandparents, long days on the beach and at the park, and ice cream every day. We spoke about values and what’s really important to us as a family: flying business class is not on our priority list. But how do you ensure positive financial beliefs are ingrained at a young age? Here are some useful tips and strategies:
Create opportunities
Everyone values money more when earned than received. This can be through doing chores around the house or via a reward system for completing certain tasks or achieving milestones. Nothing beats some healthy competition to earn extra points and bonuses. My son even once asked for a ‘salary increase’.
Place value on experiences
For birthdays and special occasions, I don’t give gifts and instead let my children choose experiences that we can enjoy together as family. Giving another plastic toy is soon forgotten, but my sons often talk about the experiences we shared and they always look forward and feel excited when planning their next birthday adventure.
Encourage a saving habit
Children love watching their savings jar grow. The simple act of counting the coins and seeing the jar fill up is truly satisfying. Saving helps children to set goals and plan for things that they may want to purchase in the future. Learning to save isn’t just an essential money habit, it teaches discipline and delayed gratification, too.
Give children a budget
Giving children a budget helps them to make choices and decisions, and also prepares them for the real world. I recently gave my kids a budget to buy their friend a birthday present. They had so much fun running around the toy shop working out the price of items. Should they buy three smaller gifts or one large gift? They spoke about what their friend would really appreciate and when they had change left over, they bought a birthday card. It was a long but productive morning.
Educating your children about personal finance is a lifelong lesson. If you consistently put in the effort and communicate a clear message about money, you will instill good habits that will serve your children well. That’s what I call a good investment!
The ‘St. James’s Place Partnership’ and the titles ‘Partner’ and ‘Partner Practice’ are marketing terms used to describe St. James’s Place representatives. Members of the St. James’s Place Partnership in Singapore represent St. James’s Place (Singapore) Private Limited, which is part of the St. James’s Place Wealth Management Group, and it is regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore and is a member of the Investment Management Association of Singapore and Association of Financial Advisers (Singapore). Company Registration No. 200406398R. Capital Markets Services Licence No. CMS100851. St. James’s Place Wealth Management Group Ltd Registered Office: St. James’s Place House, 1 Tetbury Road, Cirencester, Gloucestershire,GL7 1FP, United Kingdom. Registered in England Number 02627518.
*Source: Dr David Whitebread & Dr Sue Bingham (2013) Habit Formation and Learning in Young Children
The health benefits of being in nature have long been documented. Numerous studies confirm that exposure to the great outdoors can contribute to less stress, reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety, and a boost in immunity.
While it may not match the epic levels of the likes of Milford Sound or Daintree Rainforest, Singapore gives some seriously good wild landscapes and urban green environments, fully living up to its reputation as a ‘Garden City’. It also goes one step further by not only offering a plethora of parks, but also providing specially designed therapeutic gardens within them.
“The Therapeutic Gardens in Singapore are designed to meet the physical, psychological and social needs of park users, incorporating design principles derived from scientific evidence,” say the National Parks Board (NParks) who, in collaboration with the National University Health System, conducted research to investigate the benefits of therapeutic horticulture.
By 2030, NParks hope to establish 30 therapeutic gardens across the island. Indeed, in February 2022 alone, two new gardens opened in Bedok Reservoir Park and Pasir Ris Park, with two more slated to open in Sembawang Park and West Coast Park later this year.
But where can you find the others? Read on to find out (no appointment and therapist fees required!).
Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park
The therapeutic garden at Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park is designed to encourage ‘purposeful wandering’ and interaction with nature. This specially designed space has been created to guide your walk while engaging your senses with its multitude of plants divided into four zones: Fragrance zone, Biodiversity zone, Colours and Textures zone and Edibles and Medicinal zone – our personal favourite featuring many herbs and spices. Ang Mo Kio Ave 1, opposite Block 223
Bedok Reservoir Park
While you may head to Bedok Reservoir Park to dragon boat, kayak or wakeboard, there’s also the opportunity to get your zen on at the 1,650sqm therapeutic garden. Built over a former sand quarry, an interactive rock garden is one of its features incorporating added stones and boulders that aim to instil mindfulness through rock balancing therapy. There’s a pavilion offering peaceful views of Bedok reservoir (perfect for a meditation session) and a sheltered space for group activities away from the sun when restrictions allow. Bedok Reservoir Park, Carpark B
Pasir Ris Park
This gorgeous garden in Pasir Ris Park is located just 67 metres from the sea, so comes with unique views. In the distance you can spot some of Singapore’s “kelongs” – platforms built mainly from wood out on the water. A short bridge connects the main entrance pathway to the activity pavilion and deck. There’s also a swale. Other design elements include wooden benches made from recycled wood, a labyrinth lawn, and different planting zones. Pasir Ris Park, Carpark E
Choa Chu Kang Park
The 900sqm oasis inside of Choa Chu Kang Park greets visitors with the sound of running water for instant calm. There’s a specific selection of plant species in the garden’s four zones including those that are fragrant, edible or medicinal, coloured or textured, plus a zone that attracts birds and butterflies. If you want to keep your therapy sesh private, there are some secluded benches where you can snatch some alone-time. Choa Chu Kang Drive, next to the Community-In-Bloom Garden and Allotment Garden
Tiong Bahru Park
Away from Tiong Bahru’s hipster cafes and boutiques, the garden here is small but perfectly formed with a Fragrance zone, Biodiversity zone, Edibles and Medicinal zone and Colours and Textures zone. A foot reflexology path swirls around, providing care foryour soul and your soles, and there’s a cute allotment with elevated planters. Meanwhile, this park is famous for its fun tilting train playground which you may want to take the kids to beforehand. Tiong Bahru Road, along Lower Delta Road and opposite Jalan Bukit Ho Swee
HortPark
Launched in May 2016, this was Singapore’s first therapeutic garden. Nestled in HortPark, it has a restorative zone and a complementary activities zone so it’s great for children. Offering ample shade from the unforgiving heat, this restful escape comes with wind chimes, water features and an intensive landscape of fascinating and familiar plants to awaken the senses. 33 Hyderabad Road (off of Alexandra Road)
Jurong Lake Gardens
The therapeutic space at Jurong Lake Gardens launched last year and consists of two sections – one for adults and another for children. Alongside a Fragrance zone, Edibles zone, Plant Zoo and even a stone chess table, there are features specially curated for children with autism and ADHD. Featuring elements that encourage smell, touch, sound and sight, you’ll find musical play instruments, a crawling trellis, and a labyrinth with glow in the dark pathways and animals and insect floor imprints. Choa Chu Kang Drive, next to the Kranji Expressway
Punggol Waterway Park
If you’re a fan of cycling around Punggol Waterway, stop off to reboot your energy at the therapeutic garden. Soak up the elevated vista of the waterway from one of the seats or relax on the viewing deck. There’s also a Wellness Zone filled with specially curated fragrant and brightly-coloured native plants and flowers. Punggol Waterway Park, Carpark A
Telok Blangah Hill Park
Situated close to the hill forest at Telok Blangah Hill Park, this 620sqm pocket of chill oozes tranquility. The Edibles Zone comprises plants such as basil, laksa leaf and Okinawan spinach in raised planters. Special frames are used to train coffee, starfruit and lime trees to grow on a two-dimensional, flat surface. Pitch up at one of the benches set around a spacious 40-metre viewing deck for calming views and the reassuring feeling that all is good in the world. Telok Blangah Green off Henderson Road, next to Carpark 1
Statistic sources: Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand, Nature.com
Images courtesy of National Parks Board
Singapore ANZA Nippers has been part of Sentosa for many years now. Although the ocean at Palawan beach appears calm and easy going, the weekly sessions provide the kids with far more than just a paddle about. Nippers members range from five to 13 and each age group builds on different skill sets as they grow. While we’re lucky that the water is peaceful here, it can be far more dangerous in Australia and beyond, therefore it’s important to help prepare our Nippers for larger waves and aquatic challenges that they may encounter in the future. Read on for the skills that being by-the-sea brings.
1 Seawater confidence
Understanding the ocean is a big part of what we instil in our members. Before entering the water, we learn about sea creatures – which ones are dangerous and which ones are our friends. We look at the waves and learn about rips and water patterns. We also teach lifesaving skills such as spotting a person in distress or waving for help when needed.
2 Swimming & water safety
Fun competitions and sea games encourage children to be stronger and more assured swimmers. They learn how to navigate in salty water while staying within a safe eyesight distance.
3 Top techniques
The most enjoyed activity at Nippers is board time. We introduce surfing, standing, and paddling on boards at a young age so children feel comfortable and familiar with the equipment. This way kids learn core strength and balancing skills, along with the proper board technique. Boards also allow members to explore deeper waters safely with an Age Manager supervising the scene at all times.
4 Healthy competition
Beach sprinting, relays and other sand games are not only a way to stay active and fit; participating in games on the sand teaches children healthy competition and sportsmanship. Sand games are also designed to strengthen coordination and speed.
5 Life, unplugged
What’s one thing that’s difficult to do while you’re on Sentosa with ANZA Nippers? Look at your phone! No-one of any age wants sandy devices or to struggle looking at a screen. Being by the ocean is one place where children can totally disconnect from tech and fully immerse themselves in nature and freedom. Indeed, adults may well learn a lot from joining up themselves …
“Turning up at Sentosa every Sunday brings joy to both me and my kids. They look forward to meeting their friends. The community we have is amazing as parents pitch in to help out behind the scenes to make this work. It truly is a labour of love from everyone” Age Manager ‘Jaq’ who volunteers for the Under 8’s
Starting young
Starting young
For a change of scenery from the usual trails and a step back in time, head over to Pulau Ubin in the north west of Singapore. ANZA off-road groups often head there to ride the Ketam MTB trail which comprises blue, red and black diamond trails. There’s also a myriad of great gravel routes on Ubin, perfect for all abilities and families. You can take your own bike on the bum boats or hire one on the island. A great way to finish a ride is with a prata and kopi in the local restaurants or a beer at Little Island Brewery in Changi Village. The ANZA crew can often be found at one or both of these establishments post ride!
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It’s been a long time coming, but 
The rules
The play
Great places for pots, by Sabrina Tang
Contact Batya at 
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HortPark
