Her Excellency Jo Tyndall, New Zealand High Commissioner to Singapore, has lived in Singapore for two years, since February 2019. The High Commissioner’s husband Chris and two adult sons, Rafe and Sebastian, all live in New Zealand, with Rafe being custodian of his mum’s 17-year-old Cairn terrier, Satchel. From Wellington, Jo previously served in Geneva, plus spent eight years as New Zealand’s Climate Change Ambassador, visiting “just about every continent on the globe, other than Antarctica”.

The High Commissioner enjoys walking every day and also loves cooking, horse-riding, skiing, cryptic crosswords and Killer Sudoku, with her real addiction being completing mega jigsaw puzzles.

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVOURITE NZ FOODS?
The Bluff oyster season is eagerly anticipated – those Bluffies are the best in the world by a comfortable margin. Vogel’s bread with Vegemite and avocado is the best way to start a day. I love one-pot meals and lots of comfort food. 

WHO ARE THE COOKS IN YOUR FAMILY?
We’re all cooks in the family: Chris is a master pasta maker, using the broom handle to hang tagliatelle noodles. Rafe makes brilliant hand-pulled noodles. Sebastian has perfected macarons and soufflés. I love making desserts – chocolate fondant, lemon tarts, cheesecakes and crème brulee.

ANY FAVOURITE NZ EATERIES?
We are so fortunate in New Zealand – from the biggest cities to the smallest towns, you can be pretty sure of getting barista-quality coffee. In Wellington, Prefab Café is practically next door to my home, and great restaurants (Capitol and Ortega Fish Shack) are within easy walking distance. So is The Chippery (when the craving for fish and chips becomes too strong to resist). There’s something very special about eateries that welcome you as friends/regulars.

MEMORABLE FOOD EXPERIENCES WORLDWIDE?
Ant dip in Mexico City and Guinea pig in Lima are at the more adventurous end. It would be hard to forget my first ever “3-star” meal at Georges Blanc’s La Mere Blanc in the village of Vonnas, France; an epic dinner. And, my stepmother Julie’s Christmas present to me last year – a gourmet picnic which we consumed in the beautiful Ohinetahi gardens at Governor’s Bay, near Christchurch. I’ve never felt so spoiled!

PLACES YOU ENJOY IN SINGAPORE?
I can’t go past Nerissa’s cooking! She’s been our chef at the Official Residence for many years, and turns out meal after beautiful meal for our guests. Morsels, at 25 Dempsey Road, was a great find with its creative fusion dishes and does a lot of its own pickling and preserving. Culina Bistro’s mac and cheese, sold as a side, is a worthy main course in its own right, at 15 Dempsey Road. I love the Peranakan flavours at National Kitchen by Violet Oon at the National Gallery Singapore, and the oversized cake slices at PS Cafe.

These days, I’m eating much more vegetarian food, and curry dishes give me an excuse to indulge in paratha. My first dinner out in Singapore was at Samy’s Curry Restaurant, 25 Dempsey Road. I also enjoyed a fabulous Cantonese/Sichuan feast at Min Jiang, 7A Dempsey Road.

One of Singapore pioneer street artists, Anthony Chong, aka ANTZ, lent his distinctive take on classical Asian myths and culture to the colourful artwork, “Constant Elevation”, currently displayed on a 230-metre stretch along Bali Lane and Ophir Road at Kampong Gelam, the site of Southeast Asia’s first official graffiti Hall of Fame. A ‘Hall of Fame’ is a popular street art term that refers to a place with several walls that artists can paint freely. We talked to the 39-year-old artist about co-founding street art collective RSCLS with fellow artist ZERO, and his unique designs, which have drawn a large following and notable clientele, including Rimowa, G.O.D. and Facebook. 

How did you get involved in street art in Singapore?
I’ve been painting for over a decade. Back in design school, I majored in 2D animation. It didn’t take long to realise that I wasn’t reaching out to the kind of public audience that I wanted with my art. Plus, a single animation project can take months, or even years to complete. As a designer, we research and are in touch with many different types of art forms – street art and graffiti caught my eye when I was looking to take my art to a different medium. I met street artist ZERO at a conference and picked up graffiti painting from him. He threw me a couple of spray cans in the street and the rest is history.

Where can we see your art?
I recently painted two pieces for the Hall of Fame at Kampong Gelam. My style is influenced by classical Asian myths and vernacular stories, such as the Chinese zodiac. “Yi Shu” (art in Mandarin) on Bali Lane features the monkey – composed of several smaller monkeys – playing amidst the shrubs for a piece that’s family friendly and Instagrammable. I worked with two other pioneer graffiti artists, Didier ‘Jaba’ Mathieu and Hegira on “Constant Elevation” on Ophir Road – a piece reimagining a Kampong Gelam of the future. My art can also be found at Aliwal Arts Centre – currently there’s a sidewall of murals that many of us have collaborated on. It’s also posted regularly on my Instagram (@ANTZ_RSCLS) and Facebook (@antzrscls) pages.

What is the Hall of Fame and why Kampong Gelam?
A graffiti Hall of Fame is a place where the walls can be painted on legally and having one in Singapore is great. My crew (RSCLS) and I have done a fair bit of public education on street art and graffiti. A Hall of Fame is a prime example that explains the skills involved – yes, it’s handpainted, not printed! And it’s a statement that local artists are talented enough to produce graffiti of the global standard. Kampong Gelam was where most of us street artists grew up, learnt, and became comfortable with the craft. Kampong Gelam has everything we need; it’s my spot – our spot.

How has Kampong Gelam changed the public perception of street art here?
Melbourne has Hosier Lane and Singapore has Kampong Gelam. I think the street art in the neighbourhood has helped the public understand the difference between vandalism and graffiti art. It’s also impacted the perception that the international audience has of Singapore. Over the few years, I’ve also seen more young artists experimenting with the art form – rising stars include SONG, Slopyone and Boon Baked!

How have surrounding businesses supported them, making it a hub for art?
The Kampong Gelam business that really started the hype was Blu Jaz. The owner, Aileen, engaged Jaba to paint on the facade of the establishment; he roped us in and we started working together on more commissions in the ‘hood. Once the rest of the surrounding businesses saw the increase in footfall that the street art brought in, they became more open and accepting of us and our art. It became a lot easier to approach them in asking for permission to paint the walls.

What are some defining street art moments?
Back when Haji Lane was being developed and undergoing a gentrification process, a few street wear retail shops hosted many hip hop parties. The business owners started engaging street artists to paint live commissions. It was a kind of performance and that was a defining moment for me.

Favourite street art in the area?
At the risk of sounding cliche – since it’s one of the most photographed murals in Singapore – my favourite is ‘El Lio’ (The Clash) by Jaba on the side wall of Piedra Negra restaurant.

What is Constant Elevation?
A collaborative mural between myself, Jaba and Hegira, Constant Elevation is a fictional, futuristic piece that gives a glimpse of what might lie ahead for Kampong Gelam. This piece combines Jaba’s signature flying cities, with Hegira’s signature Arabic calli-graffiti, and my stone cats.

Personally, the inspiration came from the cats and their admirers that are a constant fixture in the neighbourhood. Interpreting this love for cats in my style, I painted stone cats that draw from stone lions (a traditional Chinese architectural ornament) and fortune cats that will hopefully bring wealth and good luck to Kampong Gelam.

How can inspiring artists get involved in street art?
First, know the history of street art in Singapore. Then, look for proper guidance. The Blackbook Studio at Sultan Gate and Aliwal Arts Centre (RSCLS’ home base) – both in Kampong Gelam – are good places to start. Crews at both places would be happy to guide and point aspiring artists in the right direction.

How can visitors fully experience HOF?
The art is best experienced in person. To get a full sense of the scale, strokes and diversity of styles, I recommend taking a walk or cycling around the area. You might even see some artists painting at times because the idea is that the Hall of Fame is always evolving. Once Covid restrictions are eased off, the artists have planned other activities in the pipeline, such as spray painting or stencilling workshops. Right now, to learn about each artist’s motivation, you can visit the HOF webpage (hof.visitkamponggelam.com.sg) and keep it open as you explore the artwork. Start from Ophir Road, closer to Beach Road – that’s where ‘Constant Elevation’ is located. Maybe cross the road to get a full view. Then walk towards North Bridge Road and cross over to Bali Lane for the full loop of works.  

hof.visitkamponggelam.com.sg

Margot Andersen has been working to support Aussie repats for a number of years. She founded Insync Network Group, a community designed to connect and support returning expats, both professionally and personally. She’s also the host of the podcast Boomeranging: Expat to Repat, interviews with Australians who have navigated career and life back home after years overseas.

Margot reveals that it’s not always easy to find new work roles down under after a stint in Singapore. “On the podcast we’ve had a lot of conversations with recent repats and Aussies based in Singapore at the moment. Feedback from our network is that many Australians struggle to find roles in Australia after working overseas.” 

This is reflected in the research that Advance, an Australian organisation that helps Aussies move and work overseas conducted in 2019 and in late 2020. It found that 85% of Australians are struggling with the job market back home and experienced barriers finding work back in Australia. 

“If your career has met the challenge of living and working in Singapore, then you might think coming home will be easy,” says Margot. “In Singapore, chances are you have achieved amazing things you never thought you would – in both work and life. Read any current job ad and it seems every Australian employer is looking for agility, innovation and an ability to work in diverse teams; all expat traits. What Australian company wouldn’t want someone with Asian experience? But you might be shocked by the reality.”

Some expats are surprised to find their international experience isn’t seen as valuable by local recruiters. “As someone who works with returned expats, being told international experience is ‘not relevant’ is common feedback,” says Margo. “Research found two thirds of recruiters feel this way and that four in five recruiters feel reluctant or are cautious to recommend returned expats for Australian-based roles.”

Says Michael, a Regional Sales Director; “I have been told my eight years of international experience, half in Singapore, is difficult to translate because I’ve been out of the local market and can’t talk to local challenges.” 

Getting prepared
Australia is a much smaller market than a global hub like Singapore, says Margot, and that makes a difference. “The focus is local and often very parochial, and many recruiters do not have an understanding of international job markets. The trick for expats is to be aware and to prepare accordingly, starting before you leave the Little Red Dot.” 

It also pays to look further afield and be ready for an industry change when you land back home. “Despite two decades of leading card technology for global banks in Asia, Europe and the US, the big four Aussie banks didn’t seem to want to know me when I got home,” says Jan, GM and Board Director. “Eventually through my networks, I found my home and my people in the start-up sector.” 

Research your market
That old adage, it’s who you know, will stand you in good stead during repatriation. “According to Advance research, 49% of expats eventually found a role through a connection, so start by identifying who you already know,” says Margot. “Who can help you understand the market? Who can introduce you to local recruiters and potential hiring managers?”

Before you fly out, update your networks in both Asia and Australia on what you’ve been up to. “If you haven’t kept in regular contact with your networks, ensure you educate them on your recent career moves,” advises Margot. “Australian journalist Bryce Corbett spent 10 years living in Paris working for the International Chamber of Commerce, yet when he came home, one person in his network referred to him as ‘the gossip columnist’, a role and life he had 15 years ago prior to life overseas.” 

Localise your story
1 It pays to localise your business background and career achievements to cater to the Australian market. “Draw out universal proof points of your experience, including problems you solved, financial metrics you achieved, and teams that you managed, rather than focusing on countries you might have conquered,” advises Margot.  

2 Be clear about your skill set. “Recruiters tend to look at your skills in isolation, rather than your combined skill set, so don’t assume they’ll automatically know what you can do based on your previous job title alone.” 

3 Jump online and research local lingo in the job market. “When talking job titles, use an equivalent Australian title,” says Margot. “This ensures you’re on the same page as the recruiter and demonstrates you know how the local market works. If the brand you worked for in Singapore doesn’t exist in Australia, find an equivalent brand in the market so you can compare your experiences.”

Contribute before you leave
Investment professional Shane Masters tried three times to return home to Australia to a job after fifteen years overseas, finally cracking the code after he started to contribute to his industry from overseas by speaking at Australian conferences and contributing to trade articles. “Like Shane, it’s important to try and provide value back to your industry and get your name out there before you return home,” says Margot. “What insight or knowledge from Singapore could be useful to a similar organisation in Australia? Do you have a contact in Singapore that could help a local Australian business you might like to work for in the future?”

Connect with returned expats
There’s no better time to connect with fellow repats than when you’re re-entering the local job market. “Other Australian repatriates will understand your experience and the challenge of finding a job in the local market,” says Margot. “Seek them out to help with your education, potential job opportunities and importantly, for support.” 

Having mates who understand what you’re going through will help you settle back into life in your home country. “Support is vital because chances are your job search is going to coincide with a giant dose of ‘reverse culture shock’,” says Margot. “The first weeks coming home are often a blur of logistics, re-establishing a home life, potentially settling kids into school. However, after a few months many former expats are hit with the full impact of reverse culture shock and this is where other repats become invaluable.”

Fellow expats also make great hirers. Chief People Officer and repat Jane Hollman says she now actively looks for Aussie expats to include in recruitment processes. “Having been an expat, I know expats are measured risk-takers, problem solvers and people who are experienced working with diverse teams. They can make great hires for dynamic organisations!” 

insyncnetworkgroup.com