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Restaurant and Retail Sponsors |
CNY BBQ Sunday, 29th January 2012 Considering that many AMSA members are still away for the festive season, the 24 who attended was not a discouraging number. Bicentennial Park is a very popular gathering place for many ethnic groups and families. We were fortunate to share the BBQ pits and benches with some 80-odd colourfully-clad people from Afghanistan. Towards the end we were joined by some 40 Chinese from the Guandong Province, China as well. Next door were some 60 from the Philippines. Multiculturalism has become a daily reality in Australia. The 24 brought a good spread of meats for the pits, supplanted by coleslaw, tabouli, garden salads, bread rolls, tomato, BBQ and satay sauces. Those who left early missed out on an excellent dish of Yee Sang kindly provided by AMSA's very own Master Chef, Alvin Tan. More of Alvin later in the year. The BBQ was also a kind of farewell gathering for our young Committee member, Chrys Voon, who will be on a six-month sojourn in Malaysia to complete her PhD thesis on early childhood care. We wish her good luck and a safe journey. We will see her back in July this year. This was our last event before our Annual General Meeting in April, an event we hope you will attend in force.
Christmas Dinner Friday, 16th December 2011 AMSA's Christmas Dinner was held on the evening of Friday, 16th December, at Crystal Seafood Restaurant, Strathfield Plaza, Strathfield. This was AMSA's seventh event in six months, a fitting finale to 2011. The 75 who attended were delighted with the delicious 8-course banquet, excellent restaurant service and warm atmosphere of camaraderie throughout the evening. AMSA and the Committee wish to give hearty thanks to all who joined us and to PM-International for donating the lucky draw prize.
Business Forum - Entrepreneuership Saturday, 19th November 2011 We had a reasonable 30 attending this Business Forum as part of Global Entrepreneur Week, an event that AMSA was proud to celebrate with 120 countries. It was convened by Juliana Jamal with flair and graced by a panel of three notable entrepreneurs, namely: Mr Shaheer Groban, an Architect and Urban Designer; Mr Phillip Ang, Founder of Hakka Pty Ltd; Mr Thomas Sohns, Director of PM-International Australia. The Q&A format centred on four key questions to the panel: how did they become what they are; what is their entrepreneurial spirit; how did they see their role in the community; what is their vision for the future and the message they would leave behind. The answers were varied and numerous, the main points being passion, focus, continuous improvement, creativity, giving, constant learning and integrity. A fuller report will appear in Passages.
Coastal Walk Sunday, 6th November 2011 November 6th was indeed a beautiful day for the Coastal Walk, organised by AMSA for the first time as a social event. Seven members met at Wharf No 3, Circular Quay for the onward trip to Coogee to begin the walk to Bondi Beach, led by Jonathan Ong who gave them a short pre-briefing. During the one hour walk to Bronte Beach, the small group really got 'up close and personal', even sharing nuts, sandwiches, fruits and tit bits. Watching happy children running, jumping and playing while the older ones were surfing made up a good family outing. The second part of the walk took them to Tamarama Beach where some 109 sculptures were displayed along the beaches and in open spaces along the three-kilometre walk to Bondi Beach. Those who did not turn up did not know what they were missing. There were also smaller and miniature-sized sculptures housed in a special building. These displays of arts were for sale, an annual event organised by the Sculptures by the Sea. After Bondi they took another bus to Watson Bay where they had a late lunch of fish n chips at the famous Doyles. By then, all were tired and decided to take a ferry back to Circular Quay.
Pamper Day Saturday, 29th October 2011 Nearly 30 members and friends were actually pampered at four demonstration stations on the day. Rose Tan and Evelyn Tian demonstrated facial and beauty care to the ladies; Michelle McCulloch demonstrated the magic of aromatherapy centred on the legs; James Chin 'cured' aches and pains using chi trigger pointing on the upper region of the body; Elvan Tong used Swedish massage to loosen tight muscles and ease tension of the neck, shoulders, back and feet. It was the first time that AMSA had such an event, an example of putting the hidden talents of members to good use. It was a very casual and fun day for all. Seven guests became new members of AMSA on the day, with one renewal. The next event, the Business Forum, will be different but very informative.
Malaysia Festival Sunday, 9th October 2011 Malaysia Festival 2011 - A Taste of Cultural Heaven was held on Sunday 9th October at Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour under ideal weather condition. This was the 21st successive year of an event that harnessed the combined effort of Malaysian university students from the University of New South Wales, University of Sydney, University of Technology Sydney and Macquarie University, as well as the Sydney Youth and Students Association, Malaysia Hall Sydney and Petronas Club. Some AMSA Committee members were at the festival, attendance of which would have easily exceeded the 12,000 strong last year. Being a sponsor, the AMSA Committee members were treated to lunch at the VIP tent before they dispersed to watch the many stage performances by students, among them an AMSA Committee member. Some 16 popular Sydney Malaysian restaurants had stalls to tempt the palate and the queue at each one was unbelievable. AMSA extends hearty congratulations to the organising committee of this Malaysia Festival for a job well done and would be proud to be a sponsor again next year.
Welcome Afternoon Tea Saturday, 24th September 2011 Over 80 guests attended the afternoon function with a difference. In response to the results of the recently compiled Members' Interests Survey, the afternoon tea of nonya kuehs, noodles and traditional cakes also included an open discussion on issues and concerns close to the hearts and minds of migrants such as ourselves. The open discussion themed, "My Story" began with President Elvan Tong. He simulated a kopitiam chit-chat session by inviting a guest to ask him questions about his experience. Elvan shared his experience of living with a Christian Lebanese family and how living with students was a terrible idea. Evelyn Tian then talked about her experience in Australia, where she recalled how she learnt to use a lawnmower and to care for her children without a domestic helper. Following Evelyn's rendition, Tony Pun made us laugh with how he was a lecturer with a difference. Lastly, James Chin talked about his experience in Australia from another perspective, besides advising university students to challenge existing knowledge, and to believe in their own abilities. The afternoon tea would not have had such tempting food without the help of members, Rose Tan and Jennifer Chin who volunteered their time and energy. A very big thank you to them.
CRC Symposium Thursday, 22nd September 2011 President, Elvan Tong, attended the Community Relations Commission (CRC) Symposium held at the Park Royal, Parramatta on the 22nd of September. It was the 11th Annual CRC Symposium to celebrate and explore the major issues confronting multicultural NSW. Over 200 delegates to this Symposium were divided into five workshops after speeches by various dignitaries. Elvan had chosen the workshop on Social Cohesion and Volunteering, where he was treated to presentations by the African Women's Group and the Auburn Small Community Organisation Network (ASCON).
PAA Inaugural Dinner Sunday, 18th September 2011 AMSA Executive Committee members, Elvan Tong, James Chin and Jonathan Ong attended the inaugural dinner of the Peranakan Association Australia (PAA) held at the prestigious Curzon Hall, Marsfield, to show AMSA’s support to this fledgling association. Its President, Evelyn Tian, happens to be an AMSA Vice President as well. Some 120 guests, including AMSA members, enjoyed an evening in elegant surroundings, delicious food and pleasant company. They were treated to things Peranakan, including nonya kuehs, joget dancing and lots of sing-a-longs.
Feng Hua Chinese School 2011 Moon Festival Celebration Saturday, 17th September 2011 President, Elvan Tong, was invited to attend this Festival organized by the Feng Hua Chinese School, an affliliate of the Australian Asian Association of Bennelong (AAAB), at Epping Boys High, Marsfield. Following speeches by dignitaries, award presentations and performances by students, the 20-strong Chinese Culture Camp delegates from China gave some exhilarating performances in dancing, playing the erhu, calligraphy, paper-cutting handicraft, solo flute and shadow boxing.
MYSUN Malaysia Night 2011 Saturday, 17th September 2011 The Malaysian Youth Society at the University of Newcastle (MYSUN) organized a special function - "Because of you, Malaysia" at the Panthers Club in Newcastle. AMSA was invited to support this function financially and given the opportunity on the night to profile its existence and activity as a multicultural organization in Sydney, NSW. The function was attended by the AMSA Vice President James Chin who presented a short speech aided by a slide presentation of AMSA’s operation over the years. The event was very well organized by the Malaysian students with well-co-ordinated dance events interspersed between the entree, buffet dinner and dessert. The president of MYSUN, Vishnu Visneswaran, also indicated an interest in establishing closer ties with AMSA. In particular, he expressed MYSUN’s interest in facilitating networking among Malaysians in Sydney. Flavours of Malaysia Food Festival Launch Thursday, 15th September 2011 President, Elvan Tong, and his wife, Susan, were invited by Tourism Malaysia to attend their launching of the Flavours of Malaysia festival at Grace Hotel, Sydney. Some 200 guests were treated to the delights of authentic Malaysian cuisine and nyonya specialties. This festival will last between the 16th of September and the 9th of October, culminating in the Malaysia Festival to be held at Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour on the 9th of October. Let’s Talk About Food Wednesday, 7th September 2011 President, Elvan Tong, attended this meeting initiated by the Northern Sydney Central Coast NSW Health (NSCCH), held at the Mosiac Centre, Chatswood, where members of different ethnic organizations were invited. The "Let’s Talk About Food" project aims to encourage seniors from diverse cultural backgrounds to have an open discussion about their beliefs and knowledge about food and nutrition, and how it affects their health and wellbeing. AMSA has requested an information kit with a view to conduct a discussion session with members. 54th Malaysia National Day Celebration Saturday, 3rd September 2011 President, Elvan Tong, was invited to join the Malaysian Consulate and Malaysian students in celebrating their National Day at Malaysia Hall, Randwick. The hostess, Dr Jumiati Ismail, Director, Education Malaysia Australia, Sydney, gave a stirring speech in Bahasa Malaysia. Afterwards, guests were treated to a sumptuous Malaysian style lunch. So were many Malaysian students. Senior’s Health Information Session Saturday, 27th August 2011 This function, jointly held by AMSA and Northern Sydney Central Coast NSW Health (NSCCH), was attended by nearly 70 guests. They were treated to a buffet lunch at Easy Buffet, North Ryde, before the actual seminar conducted by Grace Chan and Sato Hacopian of NSCCH. Among the guests were many non-members, with 19 of them taking up AMSA membership. The cost of this function was borne by NSCCH with our grateful thanks
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