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Hotspots: Sugarhall

Bar_at_new_rum_bar_Sugarhall
The bar at the new Sugarhall venue in Raffles Place

Those who’ve been in Singapore a while and remember the heady days of life in the tropics pre-pandemic, might recall a very popular bar called Sugarhall on Amoy Street. It closed back in 2018  due to building renovations, but today it returns, triumphant, with a new look, lease of life and location in Raffles Place. 

Now occupying the same building as new restaurant and sister brand Rosemead, both are run by the Jigger & Pony Group. As with all the best bars, you enter Sugarhall via a back alley and head up the industrial-feel stairs wondering where the heck you’re heading to. You’re greeted by dark wood accents, distressed walls and exposed pillars, low-lit lighting and an atmosphere  reminiscent of a homely English pub. 

In with the new

The old Sugarhall was very rum-focused, and the new iteration Sugarhall continues in that fashion, redefining the classics we know and love with a twist of rum. Headed by bar operations manager Davide Boncimino and principal bartender Sam Loh (who was part of the original Sugarhall team), they offer a menu of 20 cocktails, which are mostly classics and split evenly between rum and other spirits.

We start the night with a Dark & Stormy, a classic highball that came darker and stormier than we bargained for, properly waking us up for the night ahead with an eight-year-old Hampden Overproof rum carrying notes of pineapple, accentuated with fresh lime and house-made “I Shot the Ginger” ginger beer that’s brewed in collaboration with The 1925 Brewing Co. A spicy warmth came courtesy of the triple ferment of young, old and galangal ginger.

Sugarhall-Mai-Tai-Classic-Cocktail
Sugarhall’s menu includes a twist on the Mango Colada, Pornstar Martina, Dark & Stormy, Mai Tai (above) amongst others

After an invigorating start we played it a little smoother and safer with our second tipple, opting for the Mango Colada, currently one of Sugarhall’s new favourites, and for good reason. Blended with house-made mango sorbet, the presence of coconut water, Chalong Bay sweet Thai basil rum and a hint of coconut cream results in the classic colada with a punchy twist. Being sweet of tooth, and fan of anything that reminds of us of being on a beach, this was an absolute banger!

Continuing down the sweet route but without the rum, we tried the Sugarhall’s Pornstar Martini English because that’s what you do after two fabulous cocktails and you’re feeling flighty. The  savoury taste of passionfruit combined with Grey Goose Vodka and a squeeze of lime and pandan tasted fresh and confident. When poured or sipped with Prosecco (which came on the side), the saltiness was accentuated with a dry but effervescent lift.

“Sugarhall is  a cocktail pub that happens to love rum,” says bar operations manager Davide. “You come here for the good times. If you’re open to it, we’ll introduce you to rum, maybe we’ll convert you to it.”

Rum of the Month

As part of the conversion plan, the bar has a Rum of the Month programme that includes rum flights and an Old Fashioned made with premium expressions. And because size is everything, you can upsize your Dark & Stormy to the Mega Stormy – served in a huge glass stein. For the ultra-thirsty or groups of friends, a bottle of rum comes with The One Punch Rum punchbowl (S$250), which you can pour into the mix as and when the need takes you.

In true British pub style, a food menu of traditional fare is on the agenda for Sugarhall  by Rosemead chef David Tang, but still under curation. We’ve heard rumours of country pate, tuna dip, burgers and beef  pies, which is exactly what you need when the drinks, service and ambience of a bar are as good as this.

Cocktail prices range between S$22 to S$28. There’s also a Happy Hour deal between 4pm-6pm daily, with selected cocktails for S$14. Sugarhall is located at Cecil St, Level 2 19, Singapore 049704. Book here.

ANZA Cycling: Back in the saddle for 2022

With the first Saturday of January landing on New Year’s Day, the usual ‘ANZA Cycling first weekend of the month’ Induction Ride date was postponed to a week later so our Ride Captains could properly enjoy their New Year celebrations. With many Club Members also taking advantage of the travel opportunities, we were still a little light on Ride Captains and helpers but gathered enough to cater for four groups, which included 11 new and prospective members on the first induction of the year. Following the ride, inductees were treated to their first Club Brekky, which is where we get to debrief on the experience and discuss the Club’s Code of Conduct (essentially summed up by the #dontbeadick hashtag). All reported that they’d had a great time and were looking forward to joining and getting involved.

We moved into the Year of the Tiger by heading out for the usual public holiday Round the Island (RTI) ride which, depending on the exact route chosen, can be between 120-165km. Most groups finished for the free (club sponsored) Club Brekky, which we enjoyed in groups of five. We live in hope that we can get together in larger numbers over the coming months.

Post CNY saw a blockbuster number of folks keen to join an Induction Ride, so as we move further into 2022, we ask experienced members to come forward if interested in being a Ride Captain!

Meanwhile, Road Director Jock Hughson alerted us to the World Tactical Racing Leagues (WTRL) Zwift Racing League, an exciting addition to virtual racing in which teams battle for bragging rights on a global level. Jock reported on the early performances of our ANZA teams: “After two weeks, the ANZA Racing Esports B Grade and C Grade teams have solid performances in the Atlantic division in races that are short (around 45mins) and high intensity. The teams are sitting 7 and 6 out of 16 teams in each division with six races remaining.

To check progress look for Atlantic division B2 and Atlantic Division C1 wtrl.racing/zrl-results/#league. Wishing all members of our ANZA racing teams the very best of luck for this new format. Further updates to come!

Meet some ANZA Cycling members

Who makes up the bunch? Here’s the lowdown on four regular riders.

Mark White joined ANZA Cycling in 2019. This was when he returned to Singapore after a stint here in the mid-late 1990s, and regular visits for work in the intervening years. Although Mark calls Brisbane home, he and his wife Sue are planning their future in Coolangatta Beach.

Mark shares, “I hadn’t ridden much in previous years, but kept seeing ANZA cyclists on the roads and thought I should get back in the saddle. I dug my old road bike out of storage, had it cleaned and serviced, and put it on a plane.”
From his base at Robertson Quay, Mark tends to join midweek rides and will roll out for a West Coast or Mandai cycle a couple of times a week, with an RTI thrown in every now and again.

Mark gave us some background on his bike: “It’s a Ridley Damocles, circa 2008 (Davitamon-Lotto team bikes, from back when Cadel Evans rode for them). My much-loved Trek Madone developed a crack, which might have been from an accident, in one of the chainstays. A friend who’d recently moved back from London ‘acquired’ the Damocles frameset, but after building it up decided it wasn’t quite his fit, so packed it away. Over a beer in Brisbane he said, “Hey, I’ve got this old frame, know anyone that wants it?” and it was bought for a song. I had it built up using the Shimano components from the Trek, and it fits me like a glove. A good, solid ride for a solid rider!”

Mark adds; “Since riding again, a bunch of cycling friends back in Brisbane follow my Strava diligently. I rarely get kudos for speed or distance – just comments on how warm Singapore is!”

 

Susanne Keller moved to Singapore from Switzerland two years ago and lives just behind Orchard Road. She joined ANZA Cycling last year as a bid to to try something new, not having been into cycling at all in Europe. Now she heads out for rides between 30-70km.
“I’d never have believed that one day I would love cycling. Back home I’d take the car to work and it was only 10 minutes away!” she tells us. “Now I’m the proud owner of three bikes. One (Giant) here and two (BMC and Pinarello) in Europe and I absolutely love them. I even look forward to going back so I can cycle – not in my wildest dreams would I have imagined that!”

 

David Tan arrived in Singapore from Malaysia in 2001 and now calls the red dot home. He joined ANZA Cycling in 2018 upon the recommendation of club member Chas Pope, who he’d met through Serk Cycling in Beijing when he was stationed there from 2016 to 2017.

David shares, “I bought a folding bike in 2005 to commute to work. Over the years I found that the foldie was too slow for weekend rides. In 2015, I was searching for a road bike and found the Cannondale CAAD10 with Ultegra groupset. This bike has seen me through my first century ride as well as a one week tour in Mongolia.”

He continues, “Whilst in Beijing, I changed the wheels to Serk Carbon wheels and was happy to donate the stock aluminium wheels to one of the Mongolian National Cyclists, who we were lucky to have as our guides for the tour in Mongolia.”

David is usually out for a Wednesday West Coast ride and whatever is in vogue for the Saturday Club ride.

 

Scott Mitchell moved to Singapore 18 years ago from Scotland and is based in Tanah Merah. He’s relatively new to ANZA Cycling, having only picked up the bicycle-bug during the first half of 2021 after recovering from knee surgery. Cycling is now taking over as ‘the only sport he does’ and he regularly joins the Wednesday and Saturday club rides.

“After being sledged by friends online for not having a proper bike (I had a hybrid) I took the plunge and got an entry level pre-loved road bike – a Polygon Helios C6. I love it but I’m constantly fighting the urge to upgrade already,” Scott admits.

While he’s now occupied with sourcing UK mortgages for UK property investors and owners, it’s a far cry from his previous life when he owned Singapore’s only comedy club. “Unfortunately, it’s now permanently closed due to the pandemic. My biggest Singapore comedy moment was being the preview act for Russell Howard at The Kallang Theatre. I’ve also performed at The Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Nepal Comedy Festival and Perth Comedy Festival.”

With that kind of background, it’s clear that members looking for a laugh would be doing themselves a favour by getting on a group ride with Scott (for his banter before his bike riding skills!).

Upcoming Events

Ongoing
Virtual – WTRL (World Tactical Racing Leagues) Zwift Racing League

March
Metasprint Series Duathlon 5-6 March
Cycosports (Criterium, Duathlon , Fat/CX/Gravel/Bike Trial) – Dates TBC

April
Cycosports (Downhill, Pumptrack, Keirin) – Dates TBC

May
Superleague Triathlon 6-7 May
Cycosports (Criterium, Jungle Run , Fat/CX/Gravel/Bike Trial) – Dates TBC
Metasprint Series Triathlon 28-29 May TBC

To put yourself forward as a Ride captain, please contact committee@anzacycling.com

Walk the new Sentosa Heritage Trail for amazing local history

Exploring Singapore has never been so popular thanks to pandemic restrictions forcing us to head outside. Alongside cycling around the island and discovering unknown places, walking is one of our favourite activities, which is why we’re excited about the new Sentosa Heritage Trail which was launched by the National Heritage Board last week. 

The first of Singapore’s 22 heritage trails to be located off the mainland, the Sentosa Heritage Trail has been created by NHB in partnership with the Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) and takes walkers to 30 heritage sites, including recently gazetted national monument Fort Siloso.

Bee Sun Provision Store on Sentosa
Sentosa’s Bee Sun Provision Store in 1956. Image courtesy of Stuart James / National Heritage Board

Indeed, away from the beach bars and theme parks, Sentosa is filled with a rich military history and fascinating stories which include the origins of some of today’s most popular hotels, the kampong communities who once lived on the island, and just how it transformed from a military complex to a leisure destination. The current 10 trail markers are augmented by another 20 interpretive signs which feature rare archival photos to enrich guests’ knowledge of Sentosa’s past.

Old monorail on Sentosa

The new Sentosa Heritage Trail is divided into three different sections which can be enjoyed individually or as part of one longer route. They’re all gentle to walk so are perfect for families and groups and make a relaxing way to get some exercise. The first is Kampongs and Barracks, a 3km route (2 hour walk) which introduces walkers to the lives of the people of Sentosa when it was  known as Pulau Blakang Mati (early records date as far back as the 17th century). A longer route, Forts (2 hour walk), explores the extensive fortifications on Sentosa, which was militarised in the late 1800s. At 4km, this includes Fort Siloso and Fort Serapong. The last route, Memories of Sentosa (1 hour walk) is 2.5km long and features former attractions on the island such as the old monorail track and the former Musical Fountain.

Officer_s Mess-Capella-1955
The Officer’s Mess in 1955. Today it forms part of Capella Singapore. Image courtesy of the National Heritage Board

Highlights include the remnants of what is left of the old Sentosa pier, the now manicured lawns of The Barracks Hotel Singapore where army officers used to carry out military parades, and the former Officers’ Mess and Quarters, now part of Capella Hotel Singapore.

Mr Alvin Tan, Deputy Chief Executive (Policy & Community), NHB, said: “Through this trail, we hope to bring Singaporeans and tourists  on an island journey through time to discover heritage sites and stories – both familiar and unfamiliar. In doing so, we hope that they will learn more about Sentosa’s island, military and leisure heritage.”

To find out more and to pre-plan your walk, The Sentosa Heritage Trail’s companion guide and map can be downloaded from NHB’s heritage portal Roots.gov.sg and Sentosa.com.sg. Printed copies of the guide will also be available for a limited period at NHB headquarters at Stamford Court.

Dulwich College (Singapore) host new career-related programmes

  •  Sponsored Content 

Academic excellence coupled with a global outlook and contemporary approach continue to be the cornerstones of Dulwich College (Singapore). Since opening its state-of-the-art green campus in 2014, almost 400 years after the founding school in London, it has quickly developed a reputation for excellence in academics, sport, music and performing arts along with an innovative curriculum that includes Forest School and their popular Ignite! programme.

The standards at Dulwich are high, however the emphasis is very much on a rich, comprehensive education, and a commitment to creating Personalised Pathways for students that recognise individual passions and aspirations. This commitment creates the opportunity for students to go in a direction that reflects their own personal choices, strengths and personalities, with enrichment opportunities both in and outside of school subjects.

The Personalised Pathways approach is particularly important as students get older and start to consider specific professions. Indeed, when they reach Senior School, Dulwich seeks to deliver an innovative programme that allows each individual the chance to shine in a variety of different contexts. As part of its dedication to providing a Personalised Pathway for all, Dulwich is excited to announce the launch of its new International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) in August 2022, which will complement their existing and already highly successful IB Diploma Programme.

What is the IB Career-Related Programme?

The world doesn’t stand still and neither does preparing young people for a fulfilling future. The IBCP is designed for students aged 16 to 19 and provides a pre-university pathway based on educational principles, vision, and the learner profile of the IB. It’s specifically developed for students who wish to engage in career-related learning.

Taught in more than one hundred schools in 14 countries across the world, IBCP engages students with an international programme of learning that genuinely interests them and can help lead them to their chosen career. At the same time it instils lifelong skills like team-work, time management, and intercultural understanding. IBCP students develop rigour through academic and career-related courses, resulting in a more rounded understanding of a working environment while developing in areas such as communication, problem-solving and responsibility.

University and Careers Counselling

The student journey is unique for every family and individual, which is why wellbeing and guidance play an important part in Dulwich’s robust University Counselling Programme. Student success inside and outside of the classroom is rooted in an ability to exhibit resilience and flexibility in an ever-changing world. Dulwich offers a holistic, student-centered approach to guidance and wellbeing from Early Years to Senior School.

Students also engage in the Dulwich College Success Plan, a developmentally appropriate, personal enrichment curriculum that encompasses all areas of development and self-discovery. There are countless opportunities for academic, extracurricular and personal growth and reflection, resulting in the creation of personal learner profiles that are updated and reviewed on a regular basis. Such insights present the University and Careers Counselling team with pertinent information needed to support students in setting goals and decision-making throughout their journeys.

Although Dulwich applauds every graduating student for receiving global offers from top universities, colleges and specialty programmes, they place more importance on the fact that through their exclusive University Counselling Programme, students can go on to further education in a subject that best fits their interests and goals, irrespective of rankings.

IBCP Pathways available at Dulwich College (Singapore)

Here on the red dot, students can follow the IBCP in the following career pathways:
• Business and Sustainability
• Performance and Production Arts
• Creative Practice: Art, Design and Communication
• Sports
• Engineering
• Digital Technology

More Cup-winning goals for ANZA Soccer!

Anza Soccer_Boys on the pitch
Photo: JSSL Singapore FA Cup

After a seven-month hiatus since the pandemic’s Delta phase prematurely ended last season’s JSSL 4v4 League, ANZA Soccer’s older age groups had their first opportunity to play competitive matches again at the JSSL 4v4 FA Cup, held back in December at Our Tampines Hub. Thirteen boys’ B12 to B17 teams and three girls’ G13 and G14 teams played a total of 16 practice matches in preparation. After so many months of training only in groups of five (and even groups of two), getting back to team playing, even in a modified format, felt like a real milestone.

The format of the tournament brought its own challenges. The group stage was used to separate teams into Cup and Plate participants and seed them based on their results. As in the real FA Cup, this resulted in lower-division teams pushing above their weight against top-division teams in their age group: for instance, the sixteenth-ranked team had to play the first-ranked team in the Sunday Cup knockout stage.

Anza_Soccer_Game on the soccer pitch
Photo: JSSL Singapore FA Cup

All matches were live-streamed so parents could watch their kids battling it out on the pitch. Notable results were our B12s making it to the Cup against very strong competition; our B17s first 2004 team (including boys who have played for ANZA for over 10 years) playing their final match in a JSSL-organised event, losing an extremely close match against eventual winners SF; the G14 and second G13 teams winning their Plate competitions; and the first G13 team finishing Cup runners-up.

“Our strongest age group, the B14s 2007, had a great run, with all four teams making it into the Cup competition”

Golden goal

Our strongest age group, the B14s 2007, had a great run, with all four teams making it into the Cup competition. The B14 ANZA Gold team played all the way to the Cup final, meeting two of their group-stage opponents, Sporting and Lion City Sailors 1 (in the semis), and playing two more Lion City Sailors teams in the round of 16 and final. With Duco scoring early followed by a contentious late equaliser, the semi-final went into extra time. In the 3 vs 3, the boys gained the upper hand and Thomas scored the winning golden goal.

Anza Soccer_Matildas in a group
Photo: JSSL Singapore FA Cup
Photo: JSSL Singapore FA Cup

The B14 Cup Final started well, with the ANZA lads taking an early lead on a goal by Richie, followed by a quick equaliser. After Richie left the pitch injured, we continued the second half 3v3, per tournament rules, given ANZA had only three fit players available. Two clever long lobs by the Lion City Sailors’ goalie resulted in a 1–3 score with only five minutes to play. Our boys’ will to win was clear as Bill, Alex, and Thomas battled back to 3–3 at full time. In another golden-goal overtime, our boys had more left in the tank. A confident pass-around resulted in a well-worked Cup-winning goal by Alex.

All teams had a great tournament weekend at a brilliant venue graced by the presence of a very special Guest of Honour, famed Danish national player and Manchester United goalkeeper, Peter Schmeichel. Win, lose, or draw, our players did ANZA proud, and we look forward to more competitive opportunities for these keen young footballers.

Big thanks to ANZA Soccer Competition League Sponsor Interactive Brokers for your ongoing support. We couldn’t do it without you!

“7 lessons I’ve learnt as a school headmaster”

Blackboard-with-ABC-on-it
As a headmaster you never stop learning

Tanglin Trust School Singapore has a long tradition of providing British-based learning with an international perspective. They strive to make every individual feel valued, happy and successful. But learning is not just for the students – the teachers are constantly educating themselves to offer the best and to move with the times. Craig Considine, CEO, Tanglin Trust School is someone who makes knowledge and wisdom a priority. Here he shares the key lessons he has learnt as a school headmaster during his illustrious career in education, which has taken him from his native Australia to New Zealand, the United Kingdom and now Singapore.

  1. Balance in all things is critical. A broad education exposes each person to knowledge and skills whilst also establishing the processes to be successful. Not everyone is successful at first and education can be a long game for some.
  2. Though many do, not every child flourishes in the classroom. Educators must be expert at joining the dots between passion and competency to create each individual’s learning journey.
  3. A rigorous education in fundamentals provides the currency for future success. Great Infant and Junior School teachers are like gold dust.
  4. Though strategy, corporate mantras and facilities provide direction and opportunity, quiet example and guidance from people committed to working with children and young people is the lifeblood of any great school.
  5. Schools are communities of people. Interaction, engagement, empathy and joy should pervade our relationships. Discover why families choose Tanglin Trust here.
  6. The bonds and connection of great schooling can sustain us through the tough times – until we find our niche.
  7. No matter how much we talk about the broad range of opportunities in school, we want young people to be happy and well adjusted. Of course, parents want this too, but they ultimately expect children to achieve excellent results to establish future pathways. Student and parent aspirations are often not in sync and empathetic listening and counselling is often required to ensure future pathways are a success.
Craig in headmaster mode today, and during his days as a professional sportsman

About Craig Considine

Craig Considine is the CEO of Tanglin Trust School, the oldest British International School in Southeast Asia. Prior to joining Tanglin, Craig was Headmaster at Millfield School in the United Kingdom for 10 years. Craig, who is Australian, started his career in Australasian independent schools, including Geelong Grammar School in Australia and a headship at Wanganui Collegiate School in New Zealand. 

He represented Australia at the Commonwealth Games in track and field and played professional AFL football for Richmond, pointing to his passion for sport and co-curricular activities. He brings his sporting, international and British independent school background to his role at Tanglin. 

Find out more about Tanglin Trust School at www.tts.edu.sg

An insight to clean eating with Erik Gustafsson at Catfish

 

Erik Gustafsson, Head Chef at Catfish
Erik Gustafsson, Head Chef at Catfish

 

 

 

 

 

 

When it comes to health and wellbeing, “clean eating” is big business. The term is all about eating wholefoods that are minimally processed, refined, and handled, making them as close to their wholesome natural state as possible. Indeed, adopting a clean diet is linked to a wide range of health benefits, from more energy to a happier mood. Seeing as clean eating starts with clean cooking, we chat to Erik Gustafsson, Head Chef at raw bar and fish grill Catfish to discover how he keeps his dishes – and himself- as healthy as possible. Oh, and scroll down for one of his exclusive clean recipes …

Tell us about Catfish …
Catfish is a raw bar and fish grill with a focus on seafood. We take inspiration for our menu from all over the world but we are very Asian-inspired. We set no boundaries and if we feel the need for change, that’s what we do.
What makes you different amongst the restaurants here in Singapore?
The flavours and techniques behind our offerings. All of our ingredients taste and feel premium. Dishes at Catfish that have become signatures include our Sesame Prawn & Scallop Toast, Catfish Cone selection, Sichuan BBQ Snapper and our Scallop Green Curry.
How do you keep your menu healthy?
By clean cooking. As a chef you want to have a healthy balance but you also need to let people indulge. Our lunch menu features more clean options; we never go too hard on the carbs and try to offer lots of protein and vegetables.
How do your Swedish roots influence your cooking?
My background is what makes me want to keep the food clean. It’s very similar to a Japanese kitchen which goes hand in hand with our concept. High and balanced flavours are also something that I bring from Sweden.
Do you maintain a nutritious diet?
It’s challenging to do when you work in a busy restaurant, but I love the idea of eating clean food and enjoy steamed fish with a simple Vietnamese dressing, kale, broccoli, a boiled egg and some walnuts.
What’s your advice for better eating?
The most important thing is to create routines around your daily intakes. Eat within a certain window and stay away from late suppers – something I unfortunately have often.
Relaxation is so important to good health. How do you unwind?
By laying down in bed watching Netflix! And I do love a good foot massage.
Catfish hamachi sashimi with coconut ponzu and white peach
Simple, clean and refreshing food – an exclusive recipe from Erik for ANZA!

Catfish hamachi sashimi with coconut ponzu and white peach

Sashimi

  • 80g sliced hamachi
  • 1g sea salt sea salt
  • 20g ponzu
  • 2g olive oil
  • 10g pickled radish
  • 10g fresh radish
  • 20g white peach

Ponzu

  • 150g white soy
  • 80g yuzu juice
  • 50g mirin
  • 50g lime juice
  • 50g apple water
  • 600g coconut water

Pickled radish

  • 100g vinegar
  • 200g sugar
  • 300g water
  • 200g sliced daikon

Method
1. Mix the sashimi and ponzu together and store in the fridge. This can be saved for a long time or frozen, or used for salad dressing.
2. Heat the pickled radish with the sugar until it dissolves. Add the remaining ingredients and let it steep.
4. Put the pickled radish into jars and keep for 12 hours. Serve with the sashimi and ponzu.

Catfish, 5 Gemmill Lane, #01-01, 069261.

Tel: 6226 1395 @catfish.sg / @thenordicchef_

ANZA Magazine March/April 2022 – out now!

Australian High Commission: A show of gratitude & thanks

High Commissioner Will Hodgman, High Commission staff and family members pass Australian biscuits to essential workers to mark Australia Day 2022 and thank Singapore

We marked Australia Day in Singapore a bit differently this year by thanking the Singapore community – especially Singapore’s healthcare heroes, frontliners and essential workers – who helped our Australian community to get through the past two years of the pandemic.
Our High Commissioner, staff, their family members and our corporate sponsors delivered thousands of Australian biscuits to Singapore’s essential workers and individuals who have been making our lives that little bit easier, better and brighter during these challenging times.

Credit: It’s Raining Raincoats

These were no ordinary biscuits. Our nations share a love of great flavours. So we teamed up with Singapore-based Australian chef Daniel Moran to bring a special taste of Australia to Singapore. These biscuits were made with ingredients that are native to Australia and have been used by Australia’s Indigenous peoples for millennia: bush ginger, macadamia nuts, lemon myrtle and wattle seeds.

We thanked healthcare heroes, teachers and the police for taking care of us and keeping us safe. We thanked the vaccination centre staff who helped us roll up our sleeves. We also showed gratitude to the transport workers and delivery drivers who kept us moving and fed, supporting the food and beverage industry.

We thanked Singapore Airlines for keeping our countries connected and flying fresh Australian produce to Singapore from our clean and green farms. We also thanked Singapore’s Ministry of Health for working with us on the vaccine swap, and our Singapore Government colleagues for their enduring close collaboration. We’d love for you to join us in thanking those who’ve helped you during the pandemic. Tag us in your #GreatMatesAUSG stories on Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn.

#DYK we’re on Instagram?
Join our Australian High Commission community on Instagram to help us share the very best of Australia in Singapore. Follow us at @australiainsg or follow the hashtag #GreatMatesAUSG.

Stuck in a Covid-rut: How to deal two years on

Did you miss it? The new year came, hung out for a bit being shiny, then quietly got back to business as usual. As we navigate March, and the second global anniversary of instability and strife, it certainly feels like the worst is behind us. However, after so much uncertainty, any optimism still has the power to fade into days that can at times feel heavy, uninspiring and repetitive.

Welcome to the Covid-rut. While it’s not unusual to feel frustrated at various points in life, the past two years certainly take the cake. “As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to permeate all aspects of our life, we’re now presented with a world that is weirdly familiar but still so different. “Never have we experienced anything this comprehensively disruptive before, so it’s no wonder that we can feel ‘stuck’,” says Nigel Marsh, a New Zealand-trained clinical psychologist at James Cook University (JCU) in Singapore. “It’s the feeling that you’re on a hamster wheel, running but getting nowhere.”

Strip away choices

But cut yourself some slack. Expatriate communities around the world are composed of people who have chosen to leave their homes and move to a foreign country to establish a new life, if just for a few years. Continues Nigel, “They’re the types of people who like new experiences and get a buzz from facing fresh challenges. They tend to be active, not passive, in making life choices, and believe that by virtue of their own efforts they can achieve their goals. It’s no wonder that feelings of being hemmed in can occur.”

Of course, restrictions are public health measures, but they’ve removed options and opportunities in life that used to be energising. Choices continue to be stripped away and made more difficult to the extent that we feel any control of our own existence is reduced. “Humans like certainty, or at least the feeling that we can affect outcomes that are important to us,” explains Nigel. “We don’t do well with ambiguity as our brains get very focused on trying to make sense of or find a pattern to whatever situation we’re in. When we can’t see a way around a problem, we can get fed up, agitated, and finally, apathetic.”

According to Nigel, the usual rules of ‘pulling yourself together’ don’t necessarily apply in this a Covid-rut situation. “Any familiar solutions you previously used to deal with feelings of exasperation will have already been tried by now and you may have found that they don’t work so well,” he says. “You may need to adapt your personal psychological tools to pick yourself up,” he explains. Here’s where to start:

Turn your psychological tools around

  • Watch your thoughts
    Our psychology is a system of thoughts, feelings, and behaviours that are interlinked and feed back on each other. So a change in any part can benefit every part. If you find yourself brooding, distract yourself with something that requires you to think about what you’re doing, rather than ruminating on the distressing things that you cannot change. Taking part in team sports, doing some gentle yoga, and cooking can be helpful
  • Stay connected
    It’s more important than ever to connect to others. Primarily, we are our relationships with other people, and not just family, friends and work colleagues, but also casual acquaintances like our favourite noodle soup auntie. We are social beings. Even a morning walk is greatly improved when in a Covid-rut if you say a simple “good morning” to someone along the way
  • Pick up your schedule
    Remember what you used to enjoy and start scheduling what you can back into your life, to as much as current circumstances permit. Look for new opportunities that include hobbies you used to enjoy or take you out of your comfort zone. Singapore is not nearly as humdrum as many of us probably thought – the pandemic has revealed there really is lots to do. Join ANZA’s walking and cycling groups to discover the island, and our mahjong and Ladies Nights to make new friends
  • Say sorry
    Of course, our own negative feelings will impact how we relate to other people too. If you find yourself overreacting to something your partner, child, or colleague does, it’s important to own the mistake. Say “sorry, I’m a bit strung out at the moment”. They’ll understand because they’re living in this situation with you. It’s simple and it works
  • Avoid crutches
    Maintaining physical health is essential to your mental health. Stay active, avoid over processed food, maintain good sleep habits, and be mindful of leaning on chemical crutches such as alcohol
  • Create space from your job
    Becoming enmeshed in work has been a maladaptive response to the loss of control people have experienced over other aspects of their lives. As we return to the office, reset the boundaries between work and life. Similarly, children are not just their school work
  • Seek help
    If pessimism starts to permeate your life and results in you neglecting responsibilities – including your responsibility to yourself to live a rewarding and enjoyable life – you may need to seek professional assistance. Happy and sad are not separate categories; they are the anchor points at the opposite ends of a line. When we feel ‘stuck’ we’re at the midpoint of the line

Finally, it’s important that we all monitor the feelings of those around us. “We’ve been dealing with fear and frustration for two years, and the mental health issues attached to this are a concern. Regularly check in with others by asking “how are you, are you okay?” Help them set a few achievable behaviour goals, and then facilitate them to do these things. This approach is called ‘behavioural activation’. Failing this, a virtual hug, and a listening ear can work wonders.

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