AMSA celebrated 185 years of Migration History with a dinner on 10th December 2022
This year, AMSA's annual event theme to celebrate and honour every person of Malaysian and Singaporean heritage living in Australia could not be more befitting as we recognised the community and businesses for their contributions to building our nation, Australia.
Tickets for the dinner were sold out a month before. For that we thank you to all AMSA members, guests and business leaders who attended.
The event was graced by several government officials and community leaders:
Sam Lim MP (Born in Johor, Malaysia)
Federal Member for Tangney (Western Australia) representing the Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Australian Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs
Cr Robert Kok (Born in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
Councillor, City of Sydney representing the Lord Mayor
Dora Tan (Born in Singapore)
Regional Director (Australian New Zealand), Singapore Global Network, Singapore Economic Development Board
Michael Growder
Former Australian Deputy High Commissioner to Malaysia
(Currently A/g First Assistant Secretary, Climate Diplomacy and Development Finance Division, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)
Community Leaders
Christina Chia (President, Asian Australian Family Association)
Lucinda Chan (National President, Hong-Kong Australia Business Association (HKABA)
Sawathey Ek (Founder, Australia - Southeast Asia Network)
Josep Rustam (President, Indonesia Business Council Australia)
We heard stories from the speakers about their commitment to a new life that has become a part of the rich tapestry of Australia's history. Each and every one of them has shaped the history of Australia.
Thank you Partners!
AMSA as a non-profit organisation is always thankful to our partners who have been working with us to connect communities and businesses, and for making this event a very memorable one.
Major Partners
- Phillip Au & Associates, a leading migration agent in Australia since 1994.
- nib who provides health and medical insurance to over 1.5 million Australian and New Zealand residents.
Venue Partner
- It was the perfect decision to hold our event at The Australian National Maritime Museum that hosts the Australia's National Monument to Migration, one of the museum's flagship creations which wraps and weaves acknowledgement, commemoration, celebration and interpretation of migrant histories into an exposition of identity.
- Offer from Museum: The Museum would also like to offer a 20% discount* on full price items at their store https://store.anmm.gov.au. Please use the promo code AMSA2023 valid until 15th January 2023. *excludes LEGO merchandise and the National Monument to Migration
Supporting Partner
- Macquarie Group, a global financial services group operating in 34 markets with over 25 years of commitment in Malaysia and Singapore. Macquarie Group is the No.1 ranked issuer of listed structured warrants in Malaysia and Singapore and is active in raising equity capital for mid-cap Bursa listed companies.
Dinner Partner
- Austlink Education Group, an international education consulting company providing study abroad, immigration and employment services.
AMSA’s events have always been promising but AMSA annual dinner 2022 was next level! The food, programs, inspirational speeches, networking opportunities and the raffle prizes are phenomenal. It was also extremely meaningful and sentimental to have held at the Australian National Maritime Museum in conjunction with 185 years of Malaysian Singaporean migration history in Australia! - Jimmy Lim, Marketing Director of Austlink Education Group
Media Partner
- Brilliant-Online has been instrumental in bringing AMSA's stories to our community. Its interactive content in the Brilliant Magazine is similar to the magical Daily Prophet newspaper of the Harry Potter books and films.
A big thank you also to our Raffle Prize Sponsors who donated more than $4,000 worth of prizes
- nib, AYAM, Phillip Au & Associates, The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, The Grace Sydney, Ho Jiak Town Hall, Sydney Kopitiam Cafe, Peranakan Place, Ipoh Dynasty, PappaRich Brookfield Place, Just Go Shop, My Blue Tea, Uniqstar Clothing Alterations Westfield, Astro3 and Malay Malay.
AMSA's three strategic pillars
Thomson Ch'ng, President of AMSA provided a historical background of AMSA, what it is today and more importantly, the vision of AMSA in the future.
There has been an increase in the number of younger members with roots from Malaysia and Singapore and who are now living, working or operating a business in Australia. This shift calls for new actions from AMSA which resulted in three strategic pillars.
A clear indication of AMSA's expansion and outreach is the establishment of its state networks in Victoria, Queensland and Northern Territory.
1. Advocacy and Empowerment
AMSA is committed to giving those of Malaysian and Singaporean heritage a voice in Australian society. Earlier in February 2022, AMSA organised a Q&A with the Malaysian Department of Immigration in Australia to provide a platform for people to get clarifications on immigration and passport issues. It was a helpful source of information for issues related to renewals, applications or extensions.
2. Professional and Social Networking
To become an effective platform to develop professional, business and personal social networks. AMSA members and guests can expect more events that bring together networking, social activities and of course, as always, excellent makan! No AMSA activity is complete without the presence of amazing Malaysian and Singaporean cuisine.
3. Community Engagement and Support
AMSA has been actively reaching out and engaging with the community via events and webinars such as assisting new migrants to settle into the country by providing accurate and relevant information about living, working, studying or doing business in Australia.
Talking about food and culture
We had a royal treat from Chef Jackie M who curated our Peranakan, Nonya Cuisine at the dinner!
1) Nasi Ulam - steamed rice tossed with mixed herbs and toasted coconut, and garnished with crispy fried shallots and mild chilli sambal
2) Nyonya Kapitan Chicken - mild chicken curry with coconut cream, lemongrass, turmeric, galangal, garlic, onion, chilli and kaffir lime leaves
3) Roasted Lamb cutlet, Root Vegetable Cous cous salad, minted Yoghurt
4) Seared fillet of Snapper, sauteed Rappini, salsa Putanesca GF/DF
5) Bubur cha cha - sweet potato and taro in coconut sauce and palm sugar
Traditional Indian and Malay Dance Performances by Shuba Bala and Ijann Ali endorsed the multiculturalism of Australia.
A batik theme was woven into the entire Migration Celebration marketing campaign and the message was to encourage people of Malaysian and Singaporean heritage living in Australia to celebrate our migration journey together. The campaign brought about a united engagement amongst the community, businesses, community groups, Federal, State and Local government departments and agencies.
“Brilliant organisation of AMSA's Annual Dinner 2022 resulted in a first-class event. The venue had high ceilings; large round tables with familiar names such as Seremban and Ang Mo Kio; waiters in black serving drinks and Jackie M’s food; 9:00 pm fireworks; evening programme to capture one’s attention; Federal lower house MP Sam Lim (former Malaysian policeman) gracing the event; inter-state convenors attending the dinner; and President Thomson Ch’ng officially announcing the Three Strategic Pillars as guidance and impetus for future AMSA activities. The Dinner was a special event to remember for years to come” - Jeffrey Lee, AMSA President (1994-1997)
If you have a comment or testimonial about this celebration or dinner event, please send them to contact@amsa.com.au
Honour a migrant
As mentioned by Assistant Director Richard Wesley, the National Monument to Migration at the Australian National Maritime Museum is one of the most important and visible tributes to our migration heritage.
It features over 32,000 names from 138 countries including 152 that have been identified as being from a Malaysian or Singaporean background.
You can honour your migration heritage – your family, friends, ancestors or yourself on the National Monument to Migration at www.sea.museum/nationalmonument. Your tax-deductible donation helps celebrate Australia's diverse migrant heritage. Register by 22 December to be part of the next unveiling ceremony.
Details on how you can Add a Name to the Monument - https://www.amsa.com.au/post/how-you-can-add-your-name-on-the-national-monument-of-migration
For further information go to www.sea.museum/support/national-monument
Migration Stories is the Museum's new digital experience dedicated to migration. Faces of Migration is the first stage of the digital platform that will be continually updated with new stories to create a centre of migration storytelling. You can visit this new experience at lab.sea.museum/migration and everyone is invited to share these stories on their social media channels.
See you next year!
Media contact at AMSA: Veronica Lind
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