AAS celebrates 61 years supporting Australian Alumni in Singapore

On the 22nd October 2016, the AAS celebrated 61 years supporting Australian Alumni in Singapore

In celebration of our 61st anniversary, the Australian Alumni Singapore hosted a gala dinner on the evening of 22nd October 2016 for all AAS members at the Hibiscus Main Ballroom of the Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre. The event included a grand farewell party to our Special Guest, His Excellency, the High Commissioner of Australia, Mr. Philip Green.

Themed “You are a Star”, this event brought together Australian Alumni Singapore members from across the communities of government, futurists, entrepreneurs, companies and investors.

The AAS also welcomed distinguished guests including:

  • Mr. S Iswaran, Minister for Trade and Industry
  • HE Mr. Philip Green, Australian High Commissioner
  • HE Ms. Yael Rubinstein, Ambassador for Israel,
  • HE Mr. George Lkhagvadorj Tumur, Ambassador for Mongolia
  • HE Robert Chua, Ambassador for Myanmar
  • Dr. Dale Anderson, Deputy Vice Chancellor, James Cook University Australia, Head Singapore Campus
  • Neil Parekh, National Australia Bank’s General Manager for South and Southeast Asia
  • Dato’ Dr. Jannie Chan, President of the Singapore Retailers Association and the ASEAN Business Forum
  • Members of Parliament, Dr Lily Neo and Dr Chia Shi-Lu.

“Our 61st Anniversary is an important milestone in our history of creating alliances that enhance professional and leadership opportunities for Australian alumni from different Australian tertiary and professional institutions in Singapore.” said Chris Cheah, President of the Australian Alumni Association.

“With the growing importance of the ASEAN trading bloc, and the $670B in bilateral trade between our regions, fostering closer business, social and cultural links between Singapore and Australia is an important facet to inspiring the engines of trade and investment for our mutual economic growth.”

Attendees enjoyed fine wines from Penfolds, care of Treasury Wine Estates and the chance to go in the draw for QANTAS, Flight Centre, Jetstar and Singapore Airlines travel, luxury hotel stays at Amara Sanctuary Resort Sentosa, Hyatt Regency Perth and Marina Bay Sands. A host of lucky draw prizes were also awarded from the region’s hottest lifestyle brands are also on offer.

The highlight of the evening was the special Farewell to HE Mr Philip Green, who has been a patron supporter to the activities of our Australian Alumni throughout his term.

From L to R: Vice President, AAS, Paul Chia, Australian High Commissioner, H. E. Mr. Philipp Green, Trade Minister Mr. S Iswaran, President AAS, Chris Cheah.

“I have been privileged to witness the growth of AAS in recent years. I recognise and thank President Chris Cheah, and equally the many office bearers and volunteers who support AAS, and the individual alumni chapters, for their work. The AAS represents more than 130,000 Singaporeans with degrees from Australian universities. That is a unique endowment for our bilateral relationship and an important foundation for our closer government to government partnership,” stated HE Mr. Philip Green.

This event was not missed by those Australian Alumni living and working in the Asia-Pacific region.

Platinum Sponsors included National Australia Bank and James Cook University. Gold Sponsors included Lend Lease Asia Holdings, Westpac Bank and Flight Centre Group. Silver Sponsors include Singapore Airlines, Jetstar Asia, Hui & Kuah and Crown Group. The AAS official Airline is QANTAS. Lucky Door Prizes were sponsored by Amara Hotels Group, La Galerie de Dietrich, PHS Hairscience, Haach, Newby Tea Asia, Tuan Sing Holdings, Atos Wellness, Marina Bay Sands, Derrick Lee, The Connoisseur Concerto and 4 Fingers.

For further information contact Leesa Soulodre, Management Committee, AAS.