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Follow the ANZA group leaders!


Scouts: Christopher “Toph” Brown

Background: My daughter was a member of ANZA Scouts troop when two of the three founding leaders left Singapore ten years ago. It was a natural step to come forward and assist.
Why you love it: The immediate feedback from the kids – you see straight away if they’re challenged and enjoying themselves.
Favourite memory: Hiking with our older Venturers Scouts in the Endau Rompin National Park in Malaysia, taking a cool dip in a waterfall and coming across elephant tracks.
The best part: Being a group leader is a great way to contribute to our community and model inclusivity. Seeing what all of the ANZA groups are up to is a constant inspiration.

Social Tennis: Louise White

Background: I’ve been playing social tennis with ANZA since 2015 and coordinating the group on and off during this time. We’re fortunate to have players willing to take the lead when required.
What got you here: I joined Social Tennis as a way to meet people with a common interest for a weekly hit. The group fast became more than that, with lots of laughter and support both on and off the court. As a group we like to say “We are not playing for sheep stations” which reminds us to keep the game friendly!
Why you love it: The sense of belonging when you live overseas is important. The expat life should not be a lonely experience; long term, short term, whatever your gig, I’m always open for a chat.

Soccer: Cara D’Avanzo

Background: My three boys were all on ANZA Soccer teams. I started volunteering around 12 years ago, first as Age Group Coordinator and then as Communications Coordinator in 2014.
What you love: Seeing the kids having a ball on the pitches and making friends with other committed Soccer parents through the committee.
Favourite memory: Taking my middle son Aran’s comp team to SEA Cup 2015 in Bangkok and coaching them to their age group’s inaugural gold medal. It’s been wonderful to witness my boys learning valuable lessons on and off the pitch through their ANZA Soccer experiences.

Cycling: Melanie Speet

Background: I love helping to build communities. ANZA Cycling is a welcoming and non-judgmental group and I wanted to give back to that community.
Why you love it: The amazing people, whether it’s the other volunteers, or the community we serve. As an expat, it’s nice to meet great people and forge deeper connections in this country that we call home.
Favourite memory: Finding a group of women with similar mindsets who have become great friends.

Netball: Georgina Yeoh

Background: I’ve been an age group leader at ANZA Netball since 2015. My daughter and her friends enjoyed netball and I got involved because I could see how much hard work went into making each week and season successful.
Favourite memories: The big events we’ve hosted such as the ANZA Carnival and Accelerator Tournament, as well as the annual trip to Perth. I also love Presentation Day where the contribution of all the players and volunteers is acknowledged each year.
What ANZA means to you: It connects me to a community that I may not have otherwise been a part of.

Singapore Nippers: David Howard

What got you here: I signed my daughter Maya up for ANZA Nippers in 2017. She loved it, and as I’m an ex-lifesaver, I was drawn in to helping out.
Why you love it: Surf lifesaving has always been about providing a service for the community. It means educating our young ones with the skills to enjoy the ocean and one day to potentially save a life, including their own if need be.
What ANZA means to you: Sunday mornings beachside, what could be better? (Apart from a bit of surf at Sentosa!).

9 Hole Golf: Sarah Crane

Background: I’ve had the honour of looking after ANZA 9 Hole Golf since 2019, with the help of Rose, Mel, Pip, Carm, Ali and many others.
Why you love it: Being bit of a golf nutter, this suits me well! I enjoy encouraging new golfers and keeping more experienced players in the game.
Favourite memories: I’m proud of securing weekly tee times at Mandai for all our members during Covid. Week in, week out we played, distancing and adapting to the rules, but at least we saw each other.
The best part: I have just loved being in this wonderful group and helping us grow.

Writing Group: Julie Kenny

What got you here: I was a ride captain at ANZA Cycling for many years. I’ve just started hosting the ANZA Writing Group, but they are both activities I enjoy, and doing them with like-minded people is even better.
Why you love it: Volunteering can be extremely rewarding. Having lived in Singapore for over 25 years, I’ve been so fortunate to have met many people.
What ANZA means to you: Volunteer organisations only stay operational when those who benefit from the club take on the mantle of responsibility. Being a group leader means I get to pay forward the support I’ve received.

 

75 years of community for Tanglin Trust School

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The new Tanglin Centenary Building

Happy 75th Birthday, ANZA! You’re old! We can relate because Tanglin Trust School is even older. Tanglin was founded in 1925 in the grounds of the Tanglin Club with just five students. Today, Tanglin is the oldest British international school in Southeast Asia with over 2,800 students in its campus on Portsdown road. For 75 years, Tanglin and ANZA have been partnering to offer expatriates a warm, welcoming, fun community.

Take netball, for example. Netball is one of the most popular sports at Tanglin Trust School. Called the Tanglin Lions, the netball team is also one of the most established, and successful sports teams at Tanglin. There is a tradition that girls leaving the school pass down their uniform to new girls, thereby creating a sense of heritage, legacy, and team spirit. It seems to have worked. Over the past decade, the Tanglin Lions (12+, 14+, 16+ and 19+) have won 18 netball championships in Singapore.

From left: Tanglin Lions netball team in the Berrick Sports Hall. ANZA netball match on the playing field in 2005

Netball is also one of the most popular sports at ANZA. ANZA Netball started in 1991 and since 1996, practices and matches have been played at Tanglin Trust School. They’ve played there for so long in fact, that the ANZA girls have had a close-up view to the incredible changes and developments to the school. Matches first were played outside on the playing field in the centre of the campus. While good for spectators, it made for some hot and humid matches. The Berrick building was built in 2008 and since then, ANZA Netball has been played inside in the beautiful Berrick sports hall. This year, the school opened the new Tanglin Centenary Building which expanded sports facilities even further. Maybe one day the ANZA girls will get to train in the new Athletic Development Gym. Rumour has it that it contains the same training equipment that was used in the Tokyo Olympics.

From left: Head of Junior PE and ANZA member, Chris Rawlings. Since 1996, practices and matches have been played at Tanglin Trust School

ANZA activities are not just for kids. Adult members have also been extremely engaged over the years through Tanglin. Chris Rawlings is someone many ANZA members will know. He’s been a member of ANZA Cycling for the past 15 years. Until last year he served as the Off Road Director of the cycling committee. His day job? Chris is the head of physical education in the Junior School at Tanglin. “I love the club ethos of supporting a wide range of ability and diversity of cyclists. Members come from all over the world and ride in groups from a leisurely pace to race pace. Saturday mornings is club day ride. This has been a special weekly event for me, catching up with friends, getting out on the open road and meeting new members. Of course, it’s also all about the coffee post ride!”

From children to adults, cycling to netball, one thing is common – the passion for community that both Tanglin and ANZA share. Here’s to another 75 years of community partnership!

Tanglin Trust School
 95 Portsdown Road, 139299
 www.tts.edu.sg

Hotspots: Ms. Maria & Mr. Singh

Ms. Maria & Mr. Singh, an offshoot restaurant by acclaimed Chef Gaggan Anand, ranked #33 on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants, promises an alluring proposition with a remarkable degustation menu at an incredible price point. Ms Maria & Mr Singh menu features a mix of Chef Gaggan’s innovative creations and signature dishes; the tasting menus start at just $48 for a five-course lunch and $78 for an eight-course dinner with other version available and the menus are expected to get an update every quarter.

There is a whimsy concept behind Ms. Maria & Mr. Singh menu revolving around a love affair between Ms. Maria, a Mexican girl, and Mr. Singh, an Indian boy. And despite the vast geographical distance between their homelands, both cultures share an unwavering passion for food, resulting in a delightful fusion of flavours and spices that goes beyond expectations.

Now, a bit of background about myself — I was raised in Mexico City, born into a family of talented cooks, which naturally ingrained authentic Mexican cuisine in my soul. Adding to the excitement of this dining experience was the company of an Indian friend who shares an equal passion for his native cuisine. In essence, there was no place to hide for Chef Gaggan’s menu!

Love at first bite

The menu unfolds with quirky names that beautifully depict different phases of this enchanting love story. Our multi-geographical gastronomic journey commenced with “Love at First Bite,” a compilation of appetisers that set the bar high.

First on the platter was “Papdi Chaat,” Chef Gaggan’s unique take on the traditional Indian street snack, featuring spherified yogurt infused with chaat masala and yogurt. Next up was “Guacamole Ikura,” where the classic avocado dip was elevated with a generous serving of ikura, complemented by blue corn tortilla and papadam on the side. Then, we savoured the delightful “Golgappa Uni,” a deep-fried, airy golgappa pillow filled with Hokkaido white corn puree and topped with Uni.

Last but not least was “Ceviche Ms Maria & Mr Singh.” Unlike the traditional cold ceviche, this creation was inspired by Gaggan’s renowned dish, “Cold Curry Scallops.” The dish combined cured diced Hamachi, prawns, and octopus, immersed in its own Leche de Tigre mix, garnished with prawn fritters, cucumber, and Chipotle leches. To complement was a shot of tequila-based green verdita cocktail.

Continuing our culinary adventure, the next stage, “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing,” delighted us with the scrumptious “Scallop Tostada.” Staying true to tradition, it featured a fried tortilla adorned with sweet raw scallops, guacamole, romesco, and a delightful Mexican salsa of dried peppers, nuts, and oil.

Following that was “Mole Madre and Pipian with Seasonal Root Vegetables.” The Mexican classic, Mole Madre, based on the traditional Mole Negro, retained its authentic flavours and textures. I have to say, the Mole Madre was a 100% success, but the Mole Verde Pipian came short of the Mexican mark. However, it was not a failed dish; in fact, my dinner friend raved about the Pipian. When he questioned me, I explained that we would not serve these two versions in the same plate, but hey, that’s a Mexican thing, and the upshot is that both moles were excellent.

Mexican street food

The next chapter, “I Need to Know,” introduced the tantalising “Taco Pork Vindaloo.” This taco is truly the intersection point between these two cultures. The pork infused with Vindaloo is a spicy and tangy curry reminiscent of the beloved “al Pastor” taco, a symbol of Mexican street food. Topped with a pineapple salsa, this dish perfectly captured the essence of an authentic “Al Pastor” taco and would surely win hearts in Mexico City.

Representing the stage “For Wedding and Maybe a Funeral,” we were served a truly Indian classic, “Chicken Tikka Masala” and Chef Gaggan’s delectable “Crab Curry.” Both dishes came with fragrant coconut rice and their signature Dal, providing a delightful Indian feast. I’d come back for this dish alone!

After a well-deserved break, the dessert segment titled “OB-LA DI, OB-LA Da” wowed us with another ingenious crossover — Churros paired with toasted sticky rice ice cream. The traditional churros were elevated with cardamom-flavoured dulce de leche, complementing the glutinous rice ice cream.

VERDICT: How does this bold fusion of cultures and flavours fare as an experience? The short answer is that it is indeed a great experience. The success of this menu is that it is NOT simply a Mexican-Indian fusion. It avoids gimmicky combinations, but instead respects the authenticity of each dish’s origin. Chef Gaggan, being one of the world’s top chefs, skilfully cooks with ingredients commonly  found in both cuisines, such as coriander, lime, cumin, and dry chilies, among others. The Indian dishes are expertly executed, and the Mexican-influenced plates stay true to their roots.

Generous servings ensure guests won’t leave hungry, and the bold, daring, and enjoyable flavours, textures, and colours evoke the essence of Mexico. Additionally, the a la carte menu and reasonably priced new tasting menus make this culinary experience accessible to everyone. Missing out on a Ms. Maria & Mr. Singh experience would be a regrettable choice.

43 Craig Rd, 089681. mariaandsingh.sg

ANZA Diamonds #2: Meet more long-standing members

“What hasn’t changed is the association’s core principles”

Sue Chamberlain from Adelaide moved from Sydney to Singapore in early 2005. She is married to Peter and they’ve lived in the same apartment on the East Coast for the past 18 years.

“We came to Singapore for Peter’s new job. Smart phones weren’t a thing so I remember packing my bag to go out with water, sunnies, an umbrella, a street directory, a bus timetable book and an EZ Link card. As Peter travelled a lot for work and we don’t have children, I joined ANZA to initially meet people and explore the island.

ANZA was a life saver in terms of being a network of activities and a way of meeting people, and it quickly became a family away from home. When an opportunity came up to help the then Membership Secretary in the ANZA office to enter membership renewal info into the pre-web-based database, I offered to lend a hand. Back then it was an annual membership based on the calendar year so 2000+ family memberships were renewed manually at the end of December – a massive task!

A well-deserved cuppa for Sue!

I joined a Casual Coffee session only a few weeks after arriving in Singapore, followed by ANZA Drop-in Mahjong the next day. By natural attrition of people leaving Singapore, I ended up (with the help of several others over the years), coordinating Casual Coffee as well as ANZA Mahjong. I continue to coordinate both groups today and love it!

I have so many happy memories. During the SG50 celebrations in 2015, Peter and I headed one of the 50 BBQ teams around the heartlands, celebrating Singapore’s 50th anniversary of independence and a long partnership with Australia over a shared love of food. I’ve worked on various ANZA events including our very special Pink Ribbon events each October to support Breast Cancer Foundation (BCF) and our Biggest Morning Tea events supporting Singapore Cancer Society I’m incredibly humbled yet proud to be an ANZA Honorary Life Member, which was bestowed to me in 2009, and I was a recipient of The President’s Award for my volunteer services in 2012.

I’ve forged wonderful friendships, developed skills and grown as a person. And while it is marvellous that ANZA is always evolving, the one thing that hasn’t changed is the association’s core principles of welcoming people to a new home and country, getting them together through sport and social activities, and being a shoulder and support when family and friends are far away.”

“It could have been lonely in a foreign country”

Douglas Bateman from New Zealand has lived in Singapore for 32 years. He is married with four children and lives on the East Coast.

Douglas (second right), made SG home

“The engineering job I had in Auckland posted me to Singapore in 1991 under a three year contract. Before I moved, I met with a workmate who had lived in Singapore in the 1980s and he and his wife had been active in ANZA – they recommended I join, which I did pretty much straight away. Back then, there was a close knit bunch of Kiwi expats here and it was lovely to be amongst familiar people. ANZA was fantastic when we first arrived as it could have been quite lonely in a foreign country, but thanks to the community we had a great time. We all attended the ANZA balls and I had loads of fun getting dressed up in my tux – I will always cherish those early days.

The biggest change to ANZA was when Covid hit in 2020. I joined ANZA Cycling around 2002 and we went from riding as a big group several times to much smaller groups week riding in our own individual areas.

I became a Singapore Citizen in 2010. I am married to a Singaporean and enjoy the lifestyle that the island offers. I will always be grateful to ANZA for the foot up they gave me and I urge anyone planning to come and live here to connect with ANZA. I’m so pleased I did. If it wasn’t for the good times I was having with ANZA in the beginning, I may well have left the country at the end of my initial contract.”

“I was so excited at the Melbourne Cup when I won Most Elegant Hat 2003”

Pele Towers, originally from Samoa, moved to Singapore with her husband Steve in 2002. They live in Orchard.

“My husband Steve was transferred from his office in New York to Singapore in 2002. Life here was less interesting than it is now – there were no casinos, and less restaurants, supermarkets and shops. We moved to Orchard Road but there was no MRT or big shopping malls, it was a much simpler place and pace of life.

It was some friends I met here from New Zealand who encouraged me to join ANZA soon after we arrived. Steve worked overseas a lot so I developed my own social life. I began attending Casual Coffee, Ladies Nights and New Members’ Welcome Evenings, which I still attend today. In those days it was just a case of turning up at the venue! I have formed so many friendships through ANZA, especially Sue Chamberlain who is a great mate! However, it hits very hard when good friends leave Singapore.

My favourite event has always been the ANZA Melbourne Cup. I make a huge effort with my outfit and hat, and I was so excited when I won Most Elegant Hat 2003. Another memorable moment was celebrating Anza’s 70th birthday at the Australian High Commission where I was a bartender!”

 

What to know about ANZA Nippers

Picture by David Lau

ANZA’s 75th anniversary is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on everything the association has done for its members and expats in Singapore. Moving to a foreign country can be a very daunting experience and ANZA’s sports groups offer a little slice of home and familiarity in a country where certain sports are not necessarily easily accessible.

Compared to ANZA’s longstanding legacy, the idea to bring an ANZA Nippers programme to Singapore was only born in 2015. Two seasons performed under the restraints of Covid didn’t affect the group’s popularity for good reason: Nippers brings children and parents together, and creates a strong sense of community all while teaching important life skills. Read on for our interview with Nippers’ founder, Skye Wellington.

What is Singapore Nippers?
We’re a not-for-profit, parent-led, volunteer group where children from 5-13 years of age can learn surf lifesaving skills through fun activities and connect with the great outdoors.

Why do it?

Were you involved in surf lifesaving while growing up?
I was raised in Peregian Beach, on the Sunshine Coast of Australia. My parents thought it was vital that I knew how to handle myself in the surf. The beach was my backyard, and it was normal for kids to go and play without supervision. I became a member of Coolum Beach Surf Life Saving Club and went to Nippers every Sunday. I loved it.

How did Singapore Nippers get started in 2015?
I was homesick and wanted to feel part of a community outside of school and work circles. After getting in touch with various governing bodies in Singapore and Australia to no avail, I decided to build up the group myself. Through research, consultation with clubs and my own recollection of being a Nipper, a programme was created, word spread and families came along to help out.

How does the group work?
We run sessions on Sunday mornings at Sentosa. The kids are broken into age groups and led by a volunteer Age Manager and Assistants in a programme of age-appropriate activities. We usually start with a beach clean-up to encourage kids to take care of our natural environment and keep participants safe from stepping on anything sharp.
Coaches lead the kids through classic Nippers events that are designed to build strength and speed, promote strategy skills, develop teamwork and perseverance, and ultimately prepare them for lifesaving.

Theory is also built into the sessions. Kids get exposure to first aid, reading beach conditions, and sometimes we have guest speakers.

What do kids need to start?
A basic swimming ability is necessary. Nippers helps kids to build strength and ability on the sand and in open water, but it’s not designed to teach people how to swim. We have assessment criteria for each age group which includes being able to swim certain distances, float on your back and tread water.

What else do children learn at Nippers?
How to deal with a jellyfish sting; read surf conditions; be gracious whether you win or lose; and pick yourself up again when you get sand kicked in your face. The end game is that you graduate to being capable of saving lives through rescue and resuscitation.

Who teaches the classes?
All our coaches are volunteers who freely give up their Sunday morning sleep-in. A few even allow themselves to get buried in sand up to their necks, be decorated with seaweed and act as giant floaties! Some coaches have Bronze Medallions and lifesaving certificates, were lifeguards themselves and ran patrols, have been swimming teachers, or are just ocean-loving. We run training sessions and share information on how best to conduct events for the kids. We also run a course each year to train and enable parents to attain their Bronze Medallion. They can then act as water safety officers or lead groups.

How can people get involved?
Nippers has always relied on parent participation. Having more coaches means we can take on more members. To become a coach, some surf lifesaving experience is an advantage but not an absolute requirement, and we offer training in how to run and teach Nippers events. If people want to offer their time to support admin, events, fundraising and marketing functions, we welcome that too, so do get in touch!

For press and media inquiries, please contact Kat at sgnipperscomm@gmail.com
Stay up to date with ANZA Nippers on @sgnippers and @SingaporeNippers

Tax minimisation tips on retirement income for Australian expats

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The Australian Government has narrowed its focus regarding who will do the heavy lifting when repaying the ever-increasing government debt.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, Australian Government gross debt has increased from $534.4 billion in March 2019 to $894.9 billion as of 28 October 2022. The October 2022–23 budget forecasts further increases in gross debt to $1.159 trillion (43.1% of GDP) by the end of the 2025–26 financial year. (Reference #1)

This is the same year, the newly proposed tax on superannuation earnings for balances over $3 million is proposed to be introduced. The tax on earnings for these accounts is proposed to double from 15% to 30%.

When the Albanese government announced the proposed changes, they said that this will only affect approximately 80,000 or less than 0.50% of those who hold superannuation accounts.

However, Treasurer Jim Chalmers, told the House of Representatives that by 2030 “around 1%” of people would be affected and confirmed that “in 30 years, one in 10 people will be impacted by it”. (Reference #2)

The main reason this will soon affect so many people is because there is no indexation of the superannuation combined balance threshold ($3m) and with the Superannuation Guarantee (SG) increasing to 12% per annum over the next few years, therefore some higher income earners may be affected by only contributing their SG contributions to Superannuation.

This proposed legislation signals the government’s intentions to target wealthy Australians and their retirement nest eggs when looking to repay the Government debt. 30 years may seem like a long time away but so too does retirement for a lot of people, especially if we are supposed to be working for over 45 years.

For those who live overseas, superannuation is often left as is and the balance is retained to compound in the lead up to retirement. Most are not contributing to their Superannuation, or they have started saving for their retirement in other ways offshore.

Legislative risk (and possible future changes) is always a factor that you must take into consideration when preparing a comprehensive financial plan especially if this is for retirement.

The Importance of Diversification

I am a strong believer of having multiple income streams from various asset classes and structures. By doing so, you will reduce the impact of legislative changes affecting your wealth preservation in the future in addition to maximising the tax-free income from these sources.

As an example, do you know how much individual tax you would be liable for on the annual income of the below for someone in their 60s in retirement?

  • $18,000 from Australian Rental Property Income
  • $20,000 dividends from ASX Listed Shares (100% Fully Franked)
  • $75,000 from Superannuation
  • $100,000 from Offshore Tax wrap account*
  • Total Income: $288K per annum per person (could be over half a million per annum for a couple)

The answer to the above would be ZERO. I call this the “retirement sweet spot” with various “retirement pots” filled so you can draw tax effective income. Not only does a diversification strategy make sense so all your eggs aren’t in one basket, but it also makes sense from a tax effective income stream perspective.

In Summary

When planning for your own retirement it is important that you have a comprehensive plan and look to diversify your wealth across various asset classes and structures. This is amplified with the recent proposed changes to superannuation, and which could be rolled out for other asset classes like negative gearing from property as previously discussed by the existing Australian Government. These would all be a way to help pay for the mounting Australian debt that continues to build.

Jamie Burgmann is a Partner with Select Investors, a Partner Practice of St. James’s Place, and works closely with expatratiates during their Singapore journey and beyond.
The value of an investment with St. James’s Place will be directly linked to the performance of the funds selected and may fall as well as rise. You may get back less than you invested.

If you would like to reach out for a complimentary review of your personal financial situation, please email jamie.burgmann@sjpp.asia or +65 91679634 to arrange a consultation.

*On the basis that the offshore tax wrap account has been held for more than 10 years and therefore any withdrawals are not taxable in Australia*

The levels and bases of taxation and reliefs from taxation can change at any time. The value of any tax relief depends on individual circumstances. You are advised to seek independent tax advice from suitably qualified professionals before making any decision as to the tax implications of any investment.

The value of an investment with St. James’s Place will be directly linked to the performance of the funds selected and may fall as well as rise. You may get back less than you invested.

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.

 

ANZA Diamonds: Meet some long-standing members #1

“In 2003, my first ‘Tuckerbox’ article was printed in ANZA magazine”

Raelene Tan was born and raised in Adelaide and has lived in Singapore since 1970. She lives with her husband, Tan Soo Ren, on the west of the island.

Raelene at ANZA’s 70th Birthday Celebrations

“My husband and I arrived in Singapore in 1970, to visit his parents and siblings. It was a long visit as we are still here! Life was leisurely back then. I spent time adjusting to living in the extended-family home at Cuscaden Road, learning new customs, culture and etiquette. It was a busy household, with Soo Ren, who is one of 12 siblings, being my pillar of support.

In October 1970, I began work at the Australian High Commission. I heard about ANZA through my work in the consular section. In those days, ANZA did not have a physical office, the address was a post office box, and the monthly newsletter was a Roneo-ed page. I joined ANZA to become a part of the Australian community in Singapore and to feel a sense of belonging.

I helped out whenever the need arose, visiting members who were unwell and providing a helping hand. Giving monthly presentations on Singapore customs and etiquette at newcomers’ mornings was something I enjoyed over several years. In 2003, my first ‘Tuckerbox’ article was printed in ANZA magazine, featuring Singapore’s iconic chicken rice dish. Continuing to pen this column regularly today affords me much pleasure.

Partying in the past

Just as Singapore has evolved from a countryside atmosphere to a cosmopolitan one, ANZA has progressed with the times to cater to families in general, as opposed to mainly stay-at-home wives. Way back, committee meetings were held at homes, usually in the mornings when children were at school, thereby allowing mothers to attend the meetings. As ANZA grew over the decades, including being supported by an army of precious volunteers, there was a change of pace to having an office and larger, more organised gatherings.

Meaningful moments include visiting mothers with their newborn babies in the 1970s and 1980s, simply providing friendship and reassurance in their newfound roles as parents. Remember, these were the days before modern technology made ‘instant’ communication, and when air travel was not as acceptable as it is now. Receiving the ANZA President’s Award in 2014 was a pleasant surprise, while being bestowed ANZA Life Membership in 2018 was humbling. It filled me with gratitude towards those early pioneers who founded the association 75 years ago, thinking about how they would feel upon seeing ANZA as it is now, a fully-fledged and much admired organisation. It is a joy and a privilege to be an ANZA member.

Looking back over the past 50+ years, it can be seen that selfless leadership is vital to ANZA’s overwhelming success. This includes our high commissioners, presidents and general managers. It has not always been easy, though by and large leaders have put their hearts and souls into challenging ANZA to do better, looking after the interests of all members, regardless of backgrounds. Committee members, editorial and administrative staff, group leaders and the incredible volunteers over the decades, provide memories to last a lifetime.”

“ANZA brings the world together”

Philip Forrest from Queensland, Australia has lived in Singapore for 31 years. He lives with his wife in Coronation Road West, their eighth home on the red dot.

“I moved to Singapore in 1992 with Westpac as Country Head. Back then, nobody was talking about the Asian Century. China was still finding its place. Singapore’s economy was doing well, but it was considered small in the context of Asia. In Cambodia, the horrific Khmer Rouge were to represent the country at the United Nations for another decade. Vietnam and Laos were effectively closed to the western world. The Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia were yet to see their best days.

Initially I assumed my posting would just be for three years, but I quickly realised that life wasn’t going to get any better than in Singapore. I’m pretty sure my secretary told me three things when I arrived: 1) how to find Boat Quay, which was a newly opened location of choice for the Westpac team; 2) where I could get a decent chicken sandwich; and 3) that I must join AustCham and ANZA.

I soon appreciated that ANZA played a huge role in holding our community together. In sum, it not only brings Australia, New Zealand and Singapore together; through its associate programme it brings the world together.

Philip, second left, at this year’s AGM meeting

My first ANZA event was a new members’ welcome. It was here that I briefly met Wayne Lanning whose daughter Meg Lanning is captain of the Australian cricket team. Around 2005 I went to my first ANZA Melbourne Cup, a terrific day made even better by the unexpected arrival of ex Australia Prime Minister Bob Hawke. What a guy he was! I also recall a number of ANZA Bledisloe Cup events. Great fun, but I can’t really call them ‘happy’ memories, given the inevitable outcome! My most recent was the 2023 AGM in February at the New Zealand High Commissioner’s residence, where I made a whole host of new contacts.”

Come & explore Blue House Preschool Kay Siang Open House

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At Blue House Preschool, we offer half day, full-day care as well as an innovative, enriching early years’ experience. A place for your child to explore their curiosity and creativity whilst working alongside qualified educators.

Nature is a holistic “educator” and provides a space that children naturally ground themselves in, feeding their natural curiosity and allowing them to then bring their learning back into the classroom. All of this is right at our doorstep at Blue House Kay Siang which boasts private access to a space we call our Community Park.

Physical development benefits to learning outdoors

A child who learns in nature will build a healthier stronger body and immunity. They will also benefit from unassisted motor development by learning how to balance, make judgements about how to climb a tree safely and over time, develop a natural risk awareness that children who are overly protected from nature will never gain. They learn how to keep themselves and their friends safe.

Calming effects of being in nature

Nature grounds and calms a child, which fosters a growth mindset. They are free to explore and discover what interests them meaning a far richer learning experience. They become Nature-Connected and guardians of the natural environment that is their “third teacher”. Blue House offers a safe space to self-regulate, and by being exposed to age-appropriate risky play scenarios, the child gains in confidence, self-esteem and resilience.

Integrated learning within nature

A dramatic/role play in a natural space can develop child’s vocabulary beyond that of simply learning in a classroom and can also promote richer numeracy, science, geography, arts and crafting skills when they learn in an experiential holistic way at the child’s own pace. An unhurried integrated learning approach set within the great outdoors at different times of the day at Blue House.

Personal/Social Development

Exploring and discovering in nature as a group, or individually encourages a child to learn how to engage and interact with others in a safe real-world setting. They often become more aware of others’ feelings, becoming kinder, more compassionate.

Sensory Development

There is no better environment than nature within which to develop the 7 senses and to safely travel through the essential schematic development needed in early years. Often, children with identified sensory challenges can level out significantly faster through outdoor nature play sessions and their strengths. The natural world is fully inclusive and beckons us to meander through its wonderful lushness, here at Blue House.

Register here for open house on 9 September 2023: https://openhouse.bluehouseinternational.com/kaysiang

Open House attendees enjoy a waiver on the registration fee when they enroll within the month of September.

Blue House Kay Siang

19 Kay Siang Road, Singapore 248935

+65 64723788

11 life lessons from ANZA Netball

  1. There’s strength in numbers

    This year ANZA Netball entered our first team in the SCC Ladies League. Our U16/17 players were thrilled to join the ladies league and played midweek matches in the evening next to the Padang. The ANZA team finished undefeated in the first round and were promoted to Division 2.

  2. Giving back is rewarding

    There’s a small army of volunteers working behind the scenes to keep everything running smoothly, and they’re always smiling like Karen and Sally below.

  3. Bakesales rule!

    Each ANZA Perth team held a bake sale to help these lucky girls on their way to Australia. Getting involved promoted team spirit, club culture, and the joy of fundraising. The picture on the left (above) shows our Under 12 cohort.

  4. Fitness comes first

    Netball is a great way to keep fit, especially for older girls who may need a break from studies! This is the U16 Perth team playing against Sports Ready.

  5. Community is everything

    ANZA Netball is led by parent volunteers with a mix of professional and parent coaches. It simply could not happen without their combined efforts and constant dedication throughout the season, year on year.

  6. Great skills require dedication & effort

    In preparation for Perth, the U12 teams went on a mission to increase their fitness. The players were invited to turn up early before netball training and they did! Our amazing volunteer coaches ensured they received a proper workout.

  7. It’s not all hard work

    An U12 team enjoy a bbq and swim after sweating it out on the court (above). Lots of fun for everyone!

  8. Staying cool is key

    This U11 team (below) planned ahead and engaged in a water fight with their coaches after a tough match in the Sports Ready Round Robin Tournament on a hot day. We don’t blame them!

  9. Never give up

    As the U14 SGNA Quad Series Champions, our U14 Perth team put in a fabulous effort and remained undefeated after playing a gruelling day in the heat.

  10. You’re never too young for a challenge

    Our youngest players have fun at training, working on a range of skills to help them with fitness, ball skills and agility. They also take on challenges and play games to keep it upbeat. Many friendships formed in these early days of netball have endured throughout the years.

  11. Cake is always a good idea!

    Need energy before a match? Want to console yourself for not playing as well as you’d hoped? Pah! Netball cupcakes, like the ones pictured above, right, from the bakesale work for every occassion!

Find out more about ANZA Netball here

Meet more of ANZA’s great mates – part 2!

“We feel really safe with each other”

Cathy Philipp from New Zealand & Tam (Australia), Vicki (Australia), Tania (UK), Jenny (Australia), Franca (Australia)

Below left: Tania Raynsford, Jenny Ross, Tam Hewson, Vicki Dourios, Cathy Philipp and Franca Pupillo

“Tam, Tania, Vicki and I met at an ANZA Ladies Night event in February 2019. We just all really clicked, so we swapped numbers. Tam invited Jenny and Franca joined us shortly
after that.

My life as an expat in Singapore has been greatly enriched by our friendship because we have shared so many fun times together: ANZA day and night walks, boot camps, dancing, looking for crocodiles in Sungei Buloh, meals and drinks in and out, spa days, boat trips – the list goes on!

We are very different people in some ways, but we all share a similar sense of humour and similar values. Franca, Jenny and I are naturally quieter, while Vicki and Tam are more extroverted. Tania keeps everyone very well organised, and we all have strong opinions which makes for interesting chats!

We also feel really safe with each other which is important, especially when you live away from home. We can say anything and share whatever’s going on for us, knowing that we’ve got each other’s backs. We’ve all been through our ups and downs in Singapore, especially during Covid. For example, when my mother died and I was stuck in a quarantine hotel in New Zealand for two weeks, Zoom (with wine!) calls, texts and phone calls from these lovelies saved my sanity and brought us closer. As restrictions slowly eased we started a Friday lunch tradition where we would go to one another’s houses for lunch that often lasted until 9 or 10pm! We themed the lunches to keep them interesting: 70s party, Irish, Greek, Autumn, Blue, and so on. We’d wear themed outfits, and prepare themed food and decorations to keep our spirits up.

I think friendships as an expat can develop at a quicker pace because practically no-one has extended family or long-term friends here. You instantly have this fact in common. The downside to being able to form such strong relationships is that people move on, which is heartbreaking, but then you have friends for life spread across the world, which is a great thing in itself.

Tam and I, as the only ones in the group left in Singapore, still catch up regularly. We all have a WhatsApp group which we use regularly to chat and post photos, stupid jokes and memes, and we catch up by Zoom when we can make the time zones work.

I want to thank my beautiful friends for coming into my life and for making my time on this little red dot so much more enjoyable. Thank you for all the laughter, support, tears, colourful (and sometimes indignant) conversations, and fabulous experiences together. You are all so incredibly special to me and I love you to bits.”

“We will be mates for life”

Jock Hughson from Australia & Peter Missingham from New Zealand

From left: Raoul Berthillon, Peter Missingham, Jock Hughson and Steve Davidson

“Pete and I met in Singapore at the same time as a few other blokes of about the same age, pretty soon after I arrived on the island four and a half years ago. We all loved ANZA Cycling and riding and travelling with our bikes for races in the region or further overseas. When the pandemic hit soon after we met, we all kept each other sane with a lot of bike rides, often followed by a few convivial ales!

Many of the blokes including Pete left during Covid but the friendships have endured. We still enjoy catching up in various parts of the world to have a ride and a beer. We stay in touch on a chat named ‘Castros Cigar Club’! Pete and the other mates I’ve made through ANZA will be mates forever; having that strong social connection with cycling made life interesting in Singapore.”

 

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