Standared Chartered Singapore Marathon - Run For A Cause

Running the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon?
Come join us to Run For A Cause

The University of Melbourne Alumni Association Singapore (“UMAAS”) is pleased to announce that it will be supporting the Run For A Cause (“RFAC”) program held in conjunction with the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon 2009 (“SCSM”) to raise funds for the Bukit Ho Swee Family Service Centre.

The Bukit Ho Swee Family Service Centre is a community based focal point for family resources that promotes and strengthens the well being of families in distress. In this uncertain economic time, any assistance to the needy families would be welcomed.

UMAAS members who are interested to support this charity can register for RFAC as follows:
- register their name by 2 September 2009 by responding that they will be attending this event in our facebook event page and write on the wall, their facebook name. Our committee member will contact you via facebook to get your details for registration
- pay UMAAS a flat registration fee of $55 per person (regardless of category of run). UMAAS will register participants under the banner of UMAAS Running Team. For those that have already registered for the SCSM, they can transfer their registration to the UMAAS Running Team to enjoy this special rate or to help with the charity fund raising (please note that payment of $55 will still need to be paid to UMAAS and the rebate on the registration fee already paid will be done directly to the participant by SCSM). To encourage more members to run for charity, registered participants that are paying less than $55 will have the difference between your registration fee already paid and $55 top-up by UMAAS.
- a donation card will be provided for members to seek donations until 30 October 2009. Should UMAAS be one of the top 5 donating organization, all participants registration fee will be refunded.
- For those that are not running, you can still do your part for charity by seeking donations. Please contact us via facebook for a pledge card.

Why register with UMAAS:
- UMAAS will be providing free running vest for the first 25 members who sign up for RFAC.
- Runners will also automatically participated in the Non-profit Distance Challenge under the UMAAS Running Team
- UMAAS will be establishing a training program for all participants. Details will be provided later once confirmed.
- You will still be entitled to all benefits of individual registrants in SCSM

Don’t hesitate anymore… quickly sign up for the event and see you at the race day.

For further information or clarifications, please contact Han Low via his facebook email account.

Fireworks by the Bay 2009

It’s the National Day celebration again and once again, the Melbourne University alumni organized the annual fireworks by the bay, this year at the new location of Pierside at One Fullerton.

People started to stream in from 7:00pm and pretty soon, our allocated tables were filled with revelers ready to enjoy the fireworks display. There was a free flow of finger food and most importantly… wine from Australia..

Soon enough the fireworks began and I shall let the pictures do the talking:



After being awed by the firework, the mingling began and in all it was a wonderful night under the starry starry skies of Singapore..


pictures courtesy of Jonathan, Yvonne and Michael - Thanks guys and gals!!

The Southern Ridges Canopy walk was the first event of the year organized by the Australian Alumni Association which brings together several Australian universities. When I was told that we would be trekking the Southern Ridges, I quickly surfed the National Parks Board website and this is what I discovered:

- The Southern Ridges comprise a 9-km chain of green open spaces spanning the rolling hills of Mount Faber Park, Telok Blangah Hill Park and Kent Ridge Park before ending at West Coast Part (lucky thing we stop at Hort Park!)
- It is home to the Henderson Wave that spans Henderson Road connecting Mount Faber Park and Telok Blangah Hill Park. At 36 m above ground, the 274 m long and 8 m wide bridge is the highest pedestrian bridge in Singapore (another record for Singapore!)
- It is also home to the Alexandra Arch that crosses Alexandra Road from Telok Blangah Hill Park to Hort Park

This got me all excited until I found out that we had to be at the start point at Telok Blangah Hill Park at 7am. Amazingly, I did manage to get there, just "slightly" late, and the event started with the usual photo taking ceremony


The Melbourne University Team

Committee Members drumming support!

and after that we were ready to start the trek…. and taking that cue, the skies opened and poured rain down on us, but that didn’t stop us and we continued with the trekking


Starting the trek

Yay! We are finally starting the trek

The rain did not last long and after it stopped, we were able to enjoy the fresh smell of the trees and plants that make up this wonderful park. It did somewhat remind us of Melbourne and its “four seasons in a day” name tag. Our alumus members broke into two groups with Michael/Rachel leading the first group and Agnes/Lily the second, there were many photo opportunities and time to make new friends.



Say cheese!!

Great Goodie bag!

Standing on the highest pedestrian bridge in Singapore

At the end of the walk at Hort Park, there was some light refreshments arranged and as a special treat, our alumnus has a dedicated room with scrumptious selection of food especially for our alumnis.


Breakfast at last!

Yummy food

While enjoying this hearty breakfast, it also provided an opportunity for our members to mingle and interact.

Members get together

Members enjoying the food

Photo opportunity!!

AAS group photo at the end of the walk

In all, it was a tiring but fulfilling event and the best part was getting to know fellow alumnis in Singapore and the free t-shirt