Involved in a family law dispute? Think before you post!
During a parenting or property matter, Courts of Law have considered a variety of social media posts as evidence in reaching life-changing decisions in family law cases.
If you are involved in a family law matter, you need to be aware of your social media presence and how this can potentially impact your case. Some jurisdictions have very strict rules about what you can and cannot post online if you’re involved in a marriage or relationship breakdown. Read on for safe guidelines on social media activity during family law litigation.
Posting on social media may lead to a criminal offence
In some jurisdictions, the law restricts the publication of any account of any proceedings which may identify a party to family law proceedings, a witness, or any other person concerned with the proceedings. A breach of this law is considered a criminal offence and significant penalties can apply.
Social media guidelines during family law litigation
Whilst you are involved in a family law matter, irrespective of whether the matter has proceeded to litigation, or where you are located, you should be extremely careful about what you post online, on your social media accounts as well as text messages and emails. All of this information can potentially be used as evidence.
In particular:
Assume that everything that anything you post online can be read by everyone. Think carefully about whether a potential posting could be harmful to your case. If in doubt, check with your lawyer before you post!
never post on social media accounts whilst emotional or upset;
never make disparaging remarks in relation to your former partner or their family members on social media accounts;
never make comments in relation to your former partner’s parenting abilities on social media accounts;
think carefully before posting photographs of your children on social media if you are involved in a parenting dispute;
consider removing your Facebook and other social media accounts whilst involved in family law matters or at least conduct a review of your historical postings and delete posts if necessary;
do not get friends or family to post offensive or disparaging remarks about your former partner on your behalf;
never send abusive, aggressive or rude emails or text messages to your former partner; and
never publish anything online about your proceedings, including comments about your former partner, their lawyer, the Judge or the court process in general.
Lander & Roger’s Family & Relationship Law group
We are a leading provider of family law services in Australasia and internationally, with the largest team of Family Law Accredited Specialists in Australia. We have extensive experience dealing with divorce and divorce settlements, parenting rights and children’s matters, property settlements and financial disputes, and related issues involving married and de facto couples. If you have questions in relation to the above at any time please contact us.
Lots of useful info for keeping your furry friend bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.
Pup-Positive Pit Stops
Canopy Garden Dining 1382 Ang Mo Kio Ave 1, Bishan Park 2, 569931 canopygardendining.com.sg
Having taken the pooch for a leg-stretch around the Bishan Dog Run, go to this delicious café for brekkie, brunch, lunch or dinner. The interior, exterior and plates of food all look great and the staff love giving the dogs a little scratch ‘n’ pat.
W39 Bistro 39 Jalan Mas Puteh, off West Coast Road w39bistro.com
For the West Coasters, this is a brilliant spot near Clementi Stadium. Pop in for a late breakfast – they’re open from 9am – and peruse the menu opting either for eggs benedict or the oozy sautéed mushroom sandwich. Work off your coffee and calories in a walk around West Coast Park.
The Coastal Settlement 200 Netheravon Rd., 508529 thecoastalsettlement.com
A Changi area option! Hurrah! Even if you’re not close by, book your PetMate and taxi out for lunch and a wander. The restaurant itself is full of quirky bits and bobs which you can peek inside to see before taking a table outside alfresco to indulge in some local comfort food like spicy seafood tom yum and nasi lemak.
Wonderful Walks
Tanjong Beach Club
A play in the surf, a run along the sand and a nice cocktail and lunch for you. Win, win! Naturally the weekends can get very busy, but a mid-week sunrise sprint along here almost feels like it’s your own private beach!
Bishan Dog Park
Recommended by so many ANZA dog-owners, this is sadly one of the few places on the island where you can let the dog off the lead and watch them frolic freely with a decent space to run.
Singapore Botanic Gardens
Plenty of greenery, hills to build muscle, lots of fellow dogs to sniff and exciting things like monitor lizards in the undergrowth and terrapins in the ponds. There’s also an all-welcome café, Casa Verde to stop off at for coffee and a water bowl.
Along the River
From Rob’ Quay, up through to River Valley, this is a lovely amble along the waterway. This is ideal for socialising – make sure your pup is listening to your commands and obviously always on a leash, but you’ll both meet dogs of all shapes and sizes along here.
East Coast Park
Watch out for other users like runners and cyclists, but this is a beautiful route and ideally there are plenty of water spots, bins for the dog poop and a fenced area too.
Who’s a Good Boy, Then?
The Barkery sgbarkery.com
With us caring so much about what we put into our own bodies, it’s no surprise that we care more about what the dog gets too – even down to his treats. Swing by this bakery on Joo Chiat to pick out dehydrated snacks, cakes and dietary supplements. Bone-Appetit!
Swaggy Tails swaggytails.sg
From biodegradable poo bags, to tuxedo suits fit for the cat; from shearling-lined pet carriers, to designer dog beds, this Singapore-based company offers all the things you didn’t realise you needed a mere click of the button away.
“You don’t need to be a cyber guru to protect yourself in the cyber realm.” Matthew Simon, Forensic Sales Consultant at Magnet Forensics gives a teaser of what to expect at next week’s Chill, Chat, Connect!
Give us an idea of what you do: As a Forensic Consultant, I help our customers solve the problems they face when performing forensic analysis of data, on anything from phones and computers to accessing data in the cloud and IOT devices. Today, just about everything from your fridge to your toaster can be connected to the internet and hold data.
What would people find most surprising about your job? It may seem surprising that digital forensic analysis and your personal cyber security aren’t opposing ideas. Digital forensic analysis is performed on lawfully sized devices and data, often by law enforcement or investigators in corporate environments. We aim to understand what the data means to help in an investigation.
Good cyber security protects your data from unlawful access and people that will do you harm, often simply to make money. Many people might be surprised that a few simple steps can really increase your personal cyber security.
Can you give a teaser of what you will be covering in your talk at Chill, Chat, Connect? It may seem difficult or impossible to have good personal cyber security to protect yourself from bad guys, but actually, like physical security, such as locking your front door, there are a few simple measures you can take to protect yourself from many common attacks.
What can people expect to take away with them after your talk. You don’t need to be a cyber guru to protect yourself in the cyber realm.
Join Matthew and the ANZA Team at Chill, Chat, Connect on Tuesday 12 June at Club Co, from 6.30pm to get to grips with your cyber security. Check out some of the newest places around town, meet like-minded people and unlock networking opportunities. Register here.
SOUL FUEL: Kim Forrester discusses the positive experience animals have had on her life.
Despite the fact that we ourselves are natural creatures, the animal-human relationship is a complicated one. For the last few millennia, many people have regarded themselves as, shall we say, the highest form of life on Earth. Some have touted the idea that nature is ours for the taking; that animals are simply another resource in a human-centric quest for dominance. Others see humanity as the guardians of a helpless, hapless natural world.
Meanwhile, many indigenous cultures around the world hold the belief that animals are, in fact, our brothers and sisters. Interestingly, it is this worldview that best fits our most recent scientific discoveries; the understanding that everything on the Earth (and in the universe) is deeply and inextricably interconnected at a quantum level. What may be considered even more profound is the well-held indigenous belief that animals can be our guides and teachers.
It is my experience that if you take the time to connect with the animals in your life – if you respect them and observe them – you can learn a lot about your own natural needs and instincts and, vitally, how to live in a healthier, happier world.
Here are a few things I’ve learned from the animals in my life:
LOVE AND ACCEPTANCE: It takes one look in a dog’s eyes to see that they understand the concept of unconditional love. As humans, we have learned to label and judge everything and everyone – we live in a constant state of comparison and conditional acceptance. But animals (even my cats!) constantly show me a place beyond judgment, where everything simply “is what it is” and where there is always a reason to be happy.
INTUITIVE LIVING:All creatures, from ants to wolves, are unquestionably intuitive. A dog doesn’t rationalise why it needs to bark at a particular passer-by, or question why it feels it must give comfort to its human. It does these things if and when it feels instinctively right to do so. I believe we could all learn from this example of authentic, spontaneous behaviour.
SELF-FULLNESS: Both my feline and feathered friends are perfect examples of self-love and self-empowerment. From them, I learn that it’s ok to recognise and value one’s own needs and that connection and compassion can be given in my own time, and on my own terms.
OUR FORGOTTEN, FUNDAMENTAL NEEDS: It’s easy to be disturbed by the treatment of many domesticated animals – the unpleasant side of modern life such as caged hens, penned pigs, and puppy farms. But I believe that if we look closely, we can see how the plight of these creatures reflects a poignant lesson for us all. We, too, are often locked away in synthetic cages (homes, classrooms or offices) and live in crowded environments. We often lack natural light, fresh air and the pleasure of walking on natural ground. We sometimes live to work, and many of us have little or no opportunity to simply be the beings we are born to be.
Kim Forrester is a holistic wellbeing author, consultant and educator. kimforrester.net
MAD ABOUT FASHION: Everyone knows it’s about how you wear it, not what you wear, so reach into your wardrobe for confidence when buying bikinis says Beck Dahl.
If there’s something I’ve learnt while living in Singapore, one needs to plan ahead. Buying the hard avocados on Tuesday for Sunday’s breakfast; prepping school lunches; being prepared for birthdays rather than searching all over the island at the last minute for that hard-to-find toy. Where I’ve really had to pick up my game is buying seasonal wardrobe essentials when they ARE in store and that means thinking like a Northern Hemisphere local.
Today it’s about buying a swimsuit because now is the time, Ladies.
First and foremost when shopping for a new swimsuit, we need confidence, self-love and self-appreciation – no judgment required on this shopping spree. Then, and only then, can we keep our eyes open for the shape that is best suited for keeping our bottom in check, breasts upright and perky, and our tummy taut and terrific!
For immediate swimsuit requirements look no further than seafolly.com.sg, and thankfully there are a few stores scattered around the island. They offer a great range of suits for everyone; one piece in particular has a little extra support for the tummy. Different cup sizes to suit breast size with different size bottoms, all sold separately. H&M generally have an all-year-round supply of swimsuits with a good size range. Their price point is much easier to justify but very rarely do they offer extra support. M&S offer some decent shapes too and definitely worth a rummage. Also, a few online stores to check out with easy delivery and returns policy: next.sg, net-a-porter.com, soma.com, asos.com and myer.com.au (now delivering to Singapore!).
Here are a few tips for what to look for to enhance what you love about yourself and perhaps camouflage what you like a little less. Remember confidence is the vital ingredient for feeling gorgeous in your swimmers!
For a bust that needs more support. Look for swimsuits with hidden support; underwires work wonders. Halter-necks will give you a Bond girl cleavage.
For a bust that needs more oomph. Find a top with gathers, ruching or padding. Plunging necklines really work a cleavage too, no matter the size.
Add more curve. Try a frill or go for a patterned bikini. A one-piece with cut-outs will also add definition.
Problem tummies. Opt for a hidden support one-piece, built-in bra systems and side seam gathering which will enhance your waistline.
Larger bottoms. Go for tops with more coverage as they help balance out the fuller coverage bottoms. Take the focus away with a more detailed top.
And always remember – no-one regrets a swim. Love Beck xx
Beck Dahl is a stylist and fashion lover living with her family here in Singapore.
TUCKERBOX COLUMNIST: Raelene Tan talks to Mr. Bruce Gosper, the Australian High Commissioner for Singapore on his top tastes.
Photography courtesy of the Australian High Commission.
Mr. Bruce Gosper, the Australian High Commissioner to Singapore, and his wife Margaret, have resided in Singapore since December 2016. They have three adult sons, James, Tom and Will, who all reside in Australia. Originally from Parramatta, Sydney, Mr. Gosper previously served in Japan, the United States and Switzerland.
The High Commissioner mentioned that his hobbies include, “Rugby (now watching, not playing), gardening and home projects, reading, music, cooking plus building a wine cellar.” He shared, “At home, I love to cook steak sandwiches (my specialty), spaghetti amatriciana, as well as lemon chicken with smashed potatoes.”
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVOURITE FOODS?
Roast lamb and oysters from the shell are hard to pass up. Also, freshly caught grilled fish paired with a Hunter Valley Semillon. After a hard day, a kebab or pad thai late in the evening is perfect. But best of all is my Dad’s barbeque steak in his secret marinade sauce!
ANY MEMORABLE FOOD EXPERIENCES YOU HAVE WORLDWIDE?
Eating southern bluefin tuna sashimi at 6am at Tsukiji Market, Tokyo was a memorable experience, as was eating soft shell crab on the shores of Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in North America. Spicy Tex-Mex food in Durango, Colorado, near the New Mexico border, brings happy memories. Tender schnitzel and crisp rosti in Switzerland’s Zurich was a great way to beat the winter cold. Also, eating shirouo (small live fish) in Fukuoka on Japan’s southern island of Kyushu, while the fish do the odorigui (dancing in the mouth) – my tip: swallow, don’t chew! Last but not least, fish and chips in newspaper on virtually any Aussie beach, is hard to beat.
Special places to eat that I’ve enjoyed include The Inn at Little Washington for pan-roasted duck breast; Tetsuyas in Sydney for wonderful ocean trout confit; and Burnt Ends here in Singapore for the aged beef, the beef marmalade, leeks and eggplant, which are all fantastic.
PLACES YOU ENJOY IN SINGAPORE?
Some favourite dishes are nasi padang with beef rendang, wanton mee, murtabak, char kway teow and chai tow kway.
Hawker centres attract, especially Adam Road Food Centre for nasi lemak and Newton Food Centre for orh luak [oyster omelette]. Margaret and I like National Kitchen by Violet Oon; Din Tai Fung outlets for xiao long bao and beef noodle soup; Punjab Grill at Marina Bay Sands and Mag’s Wine Kitchen. Also, great Aussie restaurants in Singapore like Burnt Ends in Chinatown; Whitegrass at Chijmes; Salt Grill & Sky Bar at Ion Orchard; Salted and Hung; Cheek By Jowl in the city; and Blackwattle. Try Jim Thompson on Dempsey Hill, or Patara Fine Thai Cuisine in Tanglin Mall for Thai – and the Japanese Ambassador’s home for the best Japanese! We do get along to Lau Pa Sat for satay once in a while. And… black pepper crab and a cold Tiger beer at the East Coast, watching the ships at night, is a great way to relax.
Born in Adelaide, Raelene Tan is an etiquette consultant and food and travel writer. She has authored five books and has been a regular guest on radio and television.
In a country as diverse as Japan, can you really navigate its capital in less than 24hours? Charley Larcombe starts the clock.
Photography by Charley Larcombe & Mike Eggert
8AM Tsukiji Market Proper travellers set their alarms for 4am to make the start of the fish market auction here and to join the Michelin-starred chefs trying to catch the monster haul. However, having spent six days learning to ski in Niseko the week before, my friends and I weren’t best suited to roll out of bed for an early call time to play tourists. We were super sushi fans though and this was enough to get us moving sort-of-early at 7:30am (can you tell we’re not parents yet?).
We hopped off the subway and a quick 10-minute walk later we hit the crowded market where, like a shoal of fish, little restaurants and sushi shacks were piled up and alongside each other. Honestly, you can pick one; any one and you won’t be disappointed. Try and get a seat at the bar where you can watch the sushi masters at work and then greedily just keep ordering.
When you’ve worked your way through the omakase offerings (the chef’s suggestions), wander the tiny alleys and keep your eyes peeled for the weird and the wonderful (over 480 kinds of seafood daily) as well as sights of the ginormous tunas being sliced and diced; it’s a bit macabre but fascinating to watch the sword-wielding of the fishmongers.
However, you need to get down there ASAP; the 80-year-old market, the world’s biggest, is being moved from this original site out to Toyosu later this year.
Photography by Charley Larcombe & Mike Eggert
11AM Sensoji Temple Pop up out of Asakusa Station – always use the subway when navigating the sprawling city by the way; it’s efficient, pretty easy to navigate, cheap and taxis are just traffic-crawlers – and walk through the Kaminarimon, the iconic ‘thunder gate’ of Tokyo. We headed down the shopping street of Nakamise-dori, stopping to stock up on souvenirs like folding fans, yukata (casual kimono) and postcards of Ukiyo-e-style prints.
You’ll then see the oldest Buddhist temple in Tokyo ahead of you. You’ll see worshipers patting themselves with smoke from a large pit in front of the main hall, believed to improve everything from your health to your smarts. It can’t hurt right? Also, take a look at getting your fortune told: you have to shake a box of sticks, pick one which will then direct you to a shelf which you can open and discover how your year will turn out.
As with any place of worship there is a certain atmosphere which we felt just walking up the steps into the temple. Take a moment here – whatever your religion or belief. Sometimes it’s just good to be still for a while.
1PM Shinjuku Mainly famous for its shopping credentials or its red light district, Kabukicho, we found ourselves in the area for more of a historical experience. The Samurai Museum offers a small but surprisingly good insight into another aspect of Japanese culture. Book in with a tour which runs every half an hour or so and you’ll see extraordinary displays of armour, have a quick history lesson, watch an incredibly serious man demonstrating how to use the katana (the traditional Samurai sword), and get to dress up in the garb. Your selfie game goes through the roof when you’re wearing a Samurai helmet.
Then it’s about time for another plate of sushi. My friend explained that last time he was in Tokyo, he literally forced himself to walk around sightseeing just so he could work up a hunger for the next sushi restaurant. We followed his lead. I picked a great joint – I’m sorry I wouldn’t be able to find it again; it was like the unicorn of sushi restaurants – down a side alley with splintery wooden stools and plastic menus in Japanese. After another huge assortment of sashimi, it was back into the wintery sun of the afternoon.
5PM Shibuya Junction I’m still not 100% sure why this is a Something-to-See. It’s a road crossing. A busy one, but a road crossing all the same. However, our hotel literally looked down on it, so we had our obligatory photoshoot, getting in the way of actual commuters who had to dodge us tourists as part of their way home. The bright lights as dusk turned to night were pretty spectacular though.
As the meeting point of so many different aspects of Tokyo, it makes for great watching for a while and once you’re done with the scramble, just wait for the light to turn green and you can be on your way.
7PM Nonbei Yokocho You may have heard of it as Drunkard’s Alley, a street lined with bars that fit a maximum of five people, where the barman essentially joins your party. This fantastically haphazard street is just waiting to provide you with several stories to take home.
They aren’t the most salubrious of bars, the drinks aren’t cheap and fighting for a seat can seem like an effort, but you’re richly rewarded. We’d heard talk of a red ‘piano bar’ and we walked past it several times – almost like it was purposely hidden away, so that it doesn’t get too well-known. Once we discovered it behind a heavy carved door and wiggled our hips and shoulders to fit up the stairs, we settled in for sake and beers with fellow travellers who rapidly became new friends. Kanpai!
Photography by Charley Larcombe & Mike Eggert
9PM
Izakaya
Less a place to check out, more like another drinking and eating experience to work your way through. (As I mentioned earlier, can you tell we’re not parents yet, with many responsibilities and schedules?). Izakaya are casual sake and beer joints which offer tapas style snacks through to shabu-shabu. They’re low-key but that doesn’t necessarily equal low-option. Our friend found a knock-out of a place called Nakamenoteppen near our hotel in Shibuya. There was barely a sign outside letting us know we’d made it, but we were greeted warmly once inside.
We sat on tatami mats, tried delicous food that just kept on emerging from the kitchen and ordered yet more rounds of warm sake. I suggest you do the same.
10PM Karaoke I know, I know, very few of us can hold a note, but we don’t all have to belt out a tune like Adele to give this a go. See Karaoke – a mash up of the Japanese words for ‘empty’ and ‘orchestra’ (kara oukesutora) – as a rite of passage. Find a bar you can take over – you don’t want to share the mic too much or book a room in one of the chain-like spots like Karaoke Kan – and settle in for an evening of rock anthems and Ed Sheeran on loop. Beware the witching hour though where you feel practice has made perfect and you can now sing like Whitney. You can’t. It’s time to go home.
Photography by Charley Larcombe & Mike Eggert
So, the truth is, no, you can barely scratch the surface of Tokyo in a day – but hell, you’ll have fun trying.
In an increasingly competitive environment, what makes ANZA Soccer stand out from the crowd? A focus on fair play, fun, competitive spirit and a community that welcomes everyone with open arms.
Fair Play
ANZA Soccer’s age group coordinators aim to establish teams that are well-balanced with players of mixed abilities. Their focus on teaching basic skills and the rules of the game means that even children totally new to the sport can quickly catch up to their more experienced teammates. Beyond the basics, ANZA Soccer also encourages fair play, teaching good sportsmanship and the importance of working as a team.
Fun
ANZA Soccer helps boys and girls of all ages and abilities learn to love the game. Weekly trophies provide an opportunity to reward individual effort and recognise improvement, yet there is always an emphasis of enjoyment. The dedicated Matildas programme encourages girls into the sport and provides the opportunity for all to see that everyone can play the game. Fun is a core component – if the kids aren’t having fun then chances are they won’t learn or improve.
Competitive Spirit
ANZA Soccer is incredibly proud of the players, coaches and age group co-ordinators that participate so passionately and are rewarded with such success in tournaments both here in Singapore and abroad. ANZA Soccer looks to inspire talented players to excel in the hugely popular leagues. This season ANZA Soccer had teams in all of the top super league divisions in Singapore and was one of only two clubs in Singapore to have qualified for the top tier in every age group.
A Welcoming Community
ANZA Soccer is entirely volunteer run. That reliance on the parents of our players helps to make ANZA Soccer what it is – a welcoming and very multinational community.
“We have agreed that ANZA Soccer is the best academy we have ever been to. The coaches are always focusing on how you can improve to become a better team player and always have a positive mind-set. Even if we win, lose or draw the coaches are always positive and have constructive feedback on how we can improve in the next match.” Lucas Furlong, age 11, U12 Warriors & Group 11 Super League Brandon Wheeler, age 11, U12 Snipers & Group 11 Super League
ANZA Soccer runs programmes for kids aged 3 to 18-years-old. For further information and to register, click here!
WANDERING YOGI COLUMNIST: Lee Carsley looks deeper into this year of the Earth Dog – and what might be in store for you.
It is the Year of the Dog – the Earth (or yellow) Dog to be precise.
In the Tao way, Earth energy is neither yin nor yang. In the cycle of seasons, the Earth element represents the transitions between them. This connecting feature of the Earth element plays out again and again. For example, on the physical level, the organs of stomach and spleen are central to digestion and lie in the middle of the body; emotionally, the earth element connects us to each other; at the cosmic level, it is the pivotal point of balance between the heavens and the mundane world.
Your Earth element allows you to explore your higher purpose, while remaining present. In balance, the Earth element allows you to remain strong and calm, as change and chaos swirls around you. Out of balance, we become addicted to change, at the expense of our bodies (ask the super-stressies what happens when they go on holidays – they often get sick).
It also makes us like sweet things – sometimes too much. The average Australian eats 14 teaspoons of sugar a day. I know, and I don’t even take sugar in my coffee or eat sweets; I’m sure you don’t either. We need less than half of this. As I mentioned, the organs for Earth are the stomach and spleen – too much sugar requires them to work extra hard to extract essential nutrients from our food. This can lead to all sorts of issues in the gut (TCM practitioners argue most of our gut complaints come from too much sugar).
In balance, your Earth element allows you to experience abundance, a condition of the mind and spirit. It allows you to naturally recognise what the universe offers, from the bounty and beauty of nature, to the love and connections with others, to simply being alive. And to experience joy in all of this. Out of balance, you find yourself disconnecting from others, from yourself, from life (“that’s someone else’s problem” becomes one of your favourite phrases). Earth teaches you that in life, there has to be sustainable relationships with everyone and everything, and a balance between giving and receiving. Earth teaches us compassion for ourselves and others.
If you are the guardian of a dog, take the time to observe its interactions with you and others – the need for connection (so happy to see us), their grounded-ness (being able to fall asleep at the drop of a hat, and wake up just as quickly). And their focus when it comes to their favourite ball or treat?
Coupled with the Earth element, the year of the Yellow Dog is the year to make those lifestyle changes you have wanted to for ages, but just can’t seem to make stick. Time to quit smoking, cut down the alcohol, lose that weight or change residence. Find that job you really love, show that special someone how much you care about them.
And practice generosity without expecting anything in return. The Wandering Yogis have Karma Kash – our 2018 ‘pet’ dharmas are Soi Dogs Thailand and the Orangutan Project. Maybe you want to consider something like this in 2018, in recognition of the animal in you?
Lee Carsley is the ANZA Wandering Yoga founder teacher, and Yoga Alliance CE trainer. When not teaching yoga to students and other teachers, she also leads meditation workshops and bespoke yoga retreats. Be the light, show the light, and travel light.
