On November 10, more than 600 Australian Alumni Singapore from across 30 Australian Universities, gathered at the Grand Copthorne Hotel in Singapore to celebrate its 62nd Annual Gala dinner. The event was graced by the presence of 8 Country Ambassadors: AAS Patron and High Commissioner of Australia to Singapore, His Excellency (HE) Bruce Gosper,
HE Mohamed Abulkheir, Ambassador of Egypt to Singapore, HE Mr Tumur Lkhagvadorj, Ambassador of Mongolia to Singapore, HE Mr Florin-Marius Tacu, Ambassador of Romania to Singapore, HE Nimal Weeraratne, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Singapore, HE Adaljiza Magno, Ambassador of Timor Leste to Singapore, HE Dr Mohamed Omar Abdulla Balfaqee, Ambassador of UAE to Singapore and HE Alfonso Murillo, Charge d’Affaires of Costa Rica to Singapore.
Special Guests of Honour, former Minister of National Development Mr. Mah Bow Tan. Patron and Patron and esteemed Australian High Commissioner to Singapore, HE Mr Bruce Gosper spoke at the event. Both referenced the special importance of the Australian – Singapore relationship following the 2015 signing of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) opening a new and dynamic chapter in our countries’ relationship. This is underwritten by the strength of people to people ties, a crucial role to which Australian Alumni Singapore plays an important part. Mr Mah Bow Tan spoke of the importance and need to “give back” across our Alumni and to pay forward the contributions.
Chris Cheah, President of the AAS announced that in 2017, the AAS launched its ambitious 3 year strategic plan to scale the existing services of the AAS from the 3000 members it supported in 2016, to support ALL Australian Alumni based in Singapore today. This strategic plan positions the AAS as part of the toolkit to support the ambitions of the Australian Government Global Alumni Engagement Strategy and the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between our two countries, providing the platforms to support Australian Alumni in forging closer alumni to alumni ties with each other.
Leesa Soulodre, Chair of Digital Transformation and Governance announced the launch of the AAS Digital Village, the new Alumni Community platform for the 140,000 Australian Alumni of 43 Australian Universities to connect, engage and celebrate in Singapore. This online community is designed to break down the walls of the AAS, scale its services to support all Australian Alumni, and accelerate the people to people ties that underpin the prosperity of both our nations. Working with our University Partners and Alumni Chapters, it provides a global community of virtual University Clubhouses under one roof, that empower Australian Alumni to “connect, engage and celebrate” with one another, on demand 24 x 7 x 365, no matter where, or when they operate in the world.
The AAS Got Talent show was an enormous success with appearances from Vivian Ma, Murdoch University; Faridah Ali Chang, Curtin University; Jilian Har Wan Yin, James Cook University; Maria Haryono, University of Newcastle, and Anthony Chong, Melbourne University. Anthony Chong was awarded the $1,000 prize for his instrumental solo.
The star of the evening was a special appearance by 14 year old Singapore Opera singer, Lauren Yeo.
Monash University Alumni Association was honoured during the event as Alumni Association of the Year.
More than 100 prizes were won throughout the evening with prizes from Amara Sanctuary Retreat, Haus Athletics, Republic of Singapore Yacht Club, Atos Wellness, Haach, Newstead Technologies, 4Fingers Crispy Chicken, Browhaus, Strip Ministry of Waxing, Urban Fairways, Ziggys, Peak, Wolf Blass and Q&M Dental. Special prizes of the evening won at the event were return tickets to Australia Flying via Qantas PLUS 200,000 miles points valued at $10,000.00, a Wine Country Adventure for 2 with 4 nights accommodation sponsored by The Helping Hands Group valued at $3,500.00 and a One Year Term Subscription with Republic Singapore Yacht Club sponsored by Republic Singapore Yacht Club valued at $2,000.00.
Australian Alumni Singapore are pleased to have the support of the Singapore Stock Exchange and the Australian High Commission for its next event – the December 1 launch of its exclusive AAS Digital Village and University Alumni Clubhouses, to be held at SGX Centre from 6-9pm.
Photographs of the event will be released shortly.