ANZA was founded in 1948 and officially established in Singapore in 1961 to provide friendship and support amongst the Australian and New Zealand families based here.
ANZA has now grown to a membership base of more than 7000, representing a range of nationalities and age groups including Australian, New Zealand and British, as well as from countries as diverse as the USA, The Netherlands, Germany, Canada, South Africa and Singapore.
ANZA supports all of its members by providing information, networking, social, recreational and sporting involvement opportunities. Some of the benefits and activities that ANZA members enjoy include:
- Parties and events
- Monthly Pub nights
- Club Nights
- Girls Nights Out
- Secret Mens Business
- Sports groups for adults and children
- Tours
- Factual/cultural talks
- Casual coffee mornings
- Volunteering
- Special interest groups
- Discounts at outlets island wide
- Discounted event fees
- Member only events
- Welcome pack
- Adult and Teen Buddy System
Further information on each of these and more can be found throughout the website.
While ANZA does not have a clubhouse as such, it does have a very active office. The friendly and comfortable environment allows members to drop in any time for a coffee and a chat and get information, assistance, use of the library, travel information or to register for membership, tours, functions and sports.
History
We have had a long history in Singapore dating back to the start of the 20th century. We started off our life as a registered society in the Colony of Singapore in 1917 and formally became ANZA in 1948, however official registration did not occur until 1961 as there was a great deal of re-building after the Second World War and the administration process of registering a society took some time. In the 1970’s it was reported all the way back in New Zealand that a club started by Australian and New Zealand men, was being taken over by women – and everyone is happy about it.
Over our sixty year history we have provided many people and families with a home away from home, a place where people can come together with fellow countrymen, relax, build important friendships and give back to the community. Here is a timeline of key historical dates and milestones:
| 1917 - 1948 |
The organisation was known as the Australian and New Zealand Association of Malaya (registered as a Society in the Colony of Singapore). |
| 1939 - 1945 |
The ANZAC Club, Singapore, was also operating. In 1941, the Victoria Memorial Hall was opened as a place for rest and recreation for Australian servicemen on leave in Singapore. |
| 1948 |
ANZA - the Australian and New Zealand Association (Singapore) - was founded. The original Australian and New Zealand Association of Malaya ceased to exist. |
| 1948 - 1954 |
During this period, two organisations - The Australian Association (Singapore) and New Zealand Society (Malaya) - also existed. |
| 1961 |
The actual registration of ANZA occurred in August of this year. |
| 1974 |
The Women's Auxiliary Committee was formed. |
| 1998 |
ANZA celebrated its 50th Anniversary. |
| 1999 |
To commemorate ANZA's 50th anniversary in Singapore, a team of members compiled a book entitled "Snippets from the Past" documenting ANZA's past history and formation. Also in this year, the Women's Auxiliary Committee (now known as ANZA Active) celebrated its Silver Jubilee. |
| 2009 |
ANZA is still going strong with more than 7,000 members from a diverse range of nationalities. |
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