Hot Spots: Love Handle

May 31 2022

Love Handle

8 Ann Siang Hill, 069788
lovehandle.sg

Vegan food sure has come far. What was once a diet plan involving lackluster options and lots of lettuce is today a tasty, healthy, socially conscious and more sustainable way of eating. Plant-based meats are on the rise globally and many look identical and taste as good (if not better) as their authentic counterparts. Peta has named Singapore the second most vegan-friendly city in Asia, and this appears to be a lifestyle choice that’s here to stay.

Love Handle is proof of this. The revolutionary new plant-based meat deli-and-diner – the first of its kind in the region – opened on Ann Siang Hill earlier this year. Occupying two floors in the heart of Chinatown, diners can eat at the venue or stop by to pick-up a selection of raw and prepackaged meatless delicacies from the in-house butcher.
Our visit placed us in prime position at the restaurant’s countertop table where we received a full view of the meal prep and could double confirm that no animals were harmed for the sake of our dinner. Dishes are created using products from plant-based brands Impossible, Tindle, Growthwell and more, but ingredients are marinated and adapted to have a distinctly ‘Love Handle’ flavour. Interestingly, the people behind these painstakingly crafted recipes are all meat lovers. Their vision is to prove that meat alternatives can be just as exciting as the real thing.

First up were crisp mushroom clusters of Enoki Tempura wrapped in seaweed, and a plant-based snack of Omni Pork Luncheon Meat, a nostalgic spin on chef-owner Addis Tan’s childhood favourite. The deep fried plant-based luncheon meat came tossed with onions and dark soy sauce, and the Umami made it addictive.

Next came the Stacks: burgers bursting with tang and sandwiched between perfectly pillowly buns. It was difficult to decide whether we favoured the Pulled Rendang Burger with punchy Green Rebel Rendang, in-house pickles and mushrooms to mimic the stringy nature of pulled meat; or the Brisket Smashed Burger, a sloppy stack of seitan brisket slathered with an in-house barbecue sauce and pickles.

The Showstoppers double up as more hearty main courses. The Meatballs were served on a bed of creamy mash, wilted spinach, and wild mushroom jus, ticking every comfort food box. The meat-free version of local dish Mee Sua, topped with house-made ginger-soy mince, was another offering inspired by Chef Addis’ family CNY tradition of serving Heng Hua noodles. For us Westerners, our top pick was the Impossibro Wellington, a packed pie of spiced Impossible meat with mushroom duxelle, wrapped and baked in puff pastry.
If you’re here for the takeaway (walk in or order online), the butcher consists of three sections: raw meats (frozen/chilled); marinated and prepared meats (smokey brisket made from seitan – hydrated gluten – perfect for a sloppy Reuben’s stack); and condiments and dairy (plant-based cheeses, butters and Egg Mayo). We couldn’t resist purchasing a Wellington, handmade from scratch, ready-shaped, just waiting to be popped into the oven.

VECDICT: The vegan industry is full of opinions and controversies, but it’s a high-five to Love Handle for their food innovation and making meat-free Mondays in Singapore even more achievable.

Sustainability tips: How to help the planet now

May 30 2022

Hand putting plaster on a wounded world globe — Stats sourced from earth.org, nytimes.com

The end of last year saw the COP26 Climate Change Summit held in Scotland where world leaders came together to forge a global response to the climate emergency. The outcome was clear: when it comes to sustainability, so much more remains to be done.

Stephanie Dickson and — Stephanie Dickson (left), with business partner Paula Miquelis

Of course, saving the planet is a gargantuan task, but to think any small contribution we make as individuals will make no difference would be misguided. “Now more than ever we need to maximise the window of opportunity to ensure meaningful change happens across the board,” says Stephanie Dickson, the Sydney-born founder of Green Is The New Black, Asia’s first Conscious Festival and media platform (greenisthenewblack.com), that she runs with her business partner Paula Miquelis. She continues, “Think of your steps as the building blocks, and all of us the bridge to collective action. We need to become builders now.”

Scientists and politicians worldwide are calling the 20s the crucial decade for the climate, and Stephanie wholeheartedly agrees. “It’s an excellent time to take awareness and transform it into education and action for all ages,” she says. “Don’t beat yourself up for not being perfect. Sustainability is a journey. If you feel overwhelmed, lost or anxious (eco anxiety is a thing, you know), break it down and take one #littlegreenstep at a time. Find what you’re most passionate about – or what makes you feel the most mad – and start there.”

The conscious festival 2019 — From left: Getting local support from local personality, Paul Foster. A flyer for The Conscious Festival before the pandemic

Here, Stephanie talks us through her own eco journey, and highlights some of the small things you can do moving forward as a bid to band-aid the planet and provide a better future for generations to come.

If you’re going to buy, buy pre-loved

When buying anything, I ask myself a few questions first: Do I really need this? If I do, does it have to be new? Can I borrow this item instead? If not, can I find it online secondhand? If not, can I research the brand to make sure they align with my values?

When considering a new purchase I make it my mission to research lots of brands to find the right one (check out Green Is The New Black’s brand directory, greenisthenewblack.com/brand-directory or The Good Trade, thegoodtrade.com). If I don’t feel a brand’s sustainability information is sufficient, I message them on social media to understand more. Nine out of ten times they’ll reply so I can decide if I believe they’re doing as much as they can, if it’s not enough, or even greenwashing. If you want to be even lighter with your eco footprint, check out The Fashion Pulpit (thefashionpulpit.com), Singapore’s largest clothes swapping platform for pre-loved clothes, online marketplaces or Facebook groups.

Refuse, reduce, reuse, repurpose, recycle

The 5 Rs, in this order, is a good checklist for us to remember and run through in our general consuming lives. Refuse as much as possible, reduce how much we are buying, reuse until we can’t anymore, repurpose what we can’t reuse, and recycle as a last resort. One of our biggest problems is overconsumption and producing too much stuff. If everyone reduces and refuses more, eventually less will be made.

When I first had my eco-awakening in 2015, I was working in fashion and totally blindsided that the industry I’d admired my whole life was infact so dirty and corrupt. I was a huge consumer of fast fashion with shopping packages arriving every other week. This was an addiction, and one I had to break. The funny thing is, having less stuff made me feel happier, lighter, and more appreciative of the things I did have. It also left a lot of room in life, and my wallet, to explore new experiences – something I’ll take over possessions any time.

Choose zero or low-waste food deliveries

Here on the red dot food can cost less when you eat out rather than eat in. But when you do opt for delivery, check out the restaurants offering a zero waste delivery option with local apps barePack (barePack.co) or Muuse (muuse.io). If you’ve never heard of them, don’t worry, they’re integrated into apps and ensure your takeaways are delivered in reusable containers. You just rinse and drop it off at participating outlets. Some offer collection for a small fee.

If a restaurant you like isn’t signed up, email them and the service provider to tell them you want them to be. Don’t be shy! We have power as a collective. Messaging a brand sends a great signal that they need to take action.

Change what & how you eat

In Singapore, our per capita carbon emission (Co2) is around 20 tons per person. Compare this to a lot of countries in Africa, like Tanzania or Uganda, who produce less than one ton, and it’s obvious that changing what you eat has a big impact on your carbon footprint.

Animal Agriculture is one of the most resource intensive and emission heavy industries on the planet. There’s a lot of different versions of the facts circulating, but it’s cited that it produces between 15-30% of global greenhouse gas emissions (and those numbers don’t even include the impact of deforestation). The impact of the industry not only affects CO2 emissions, but also water supplies, land degradation, soil loss, deforestation, biodiversity loss, and more – all of which have an effect on our changing climate. The more people switch to plant-based diets, the lower footprint animal agriculture will have.

If you’re reading this article, chances are you have a choice about what goes on your plate. An impactful daily habit shift is to change your diet to eat less meat and seafood and instead eat more plants. You can be flexitarian (for example, eating meat once a week); climatarian (making dietary decisions based on the climate impact of your food choices); vegetarian or vegan – there’s a whole spectrum. The decisions we make really can provide a monumental shift in sustainability.

There are incredible vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Singapore now. A few of my favourites include the plant-based Impossible burgers from Potato Head, the vegan dim sum at Empress, and vegetarian dumplings at Dumpling Darlings. If you’re on the move and looking for somewhere nearby, download the local abillion app (abillion.com) for restaurant suggestions.

Get friendly with your local member of parliament

Members of parliament are voted in by the people to represent the people. The more of us who reach out to our local representatives about climate change, and ask what they and the government are doing about it, the more they have to raise it in parliament. Our efforts together can help to change the tides.

We can no longer just hope for a better future, or hope that someone or some new technology is going to save us. Making a difference to the environment requires all of us to work in unison – individuals, governments, businesses – if we want a chance to mitigate the effects of climate change that we’re catapulting towards. We need to be better and do more now.

Stop the stuffication

From the chair you bought to make a point to your partner, to the giant statues you shipped from Bali gathering dust in your bomb shelter, many of us possess ‘stuff’. Indeed, the term ‘stuffication’ was coined almost a decade ago to describe ‘a feeling of being oppressed by one’s ungovernable heap of belongings.’ Either way, it’s not good for the health of you or the environment.

In 2020 I moved out of my apartment and was amazed at how much stuff I had accumulated over the four years of living there. I wanted to make sure I rehomed as many of my belongings as I could to extend the life span of the items, and to send as little as possible to landfill. It was time consuming but very rewarding finding new homes for everything and gifting some items to those who really needed them. Here’s my hitlist of who can help if you’re moving elsewhere and have ‘stuff’:

Singapore

ANZA Classifieds (selling items), Facebook
Art Don’t Throw (random small items), Facebook
Blessings To Low Income Families (larger items), Facebook
FREE loved FURNITURE (larger items), Facebook
Carousell (selling items), carousell.sg
It’s Raining Raincoats (donations for migrant workers), itsrainingraincoats.com
Green Square (clothes recycling), greensquare.com.sg
Dignity Mama(book donation), projectdignity.sg/dignity-mama
Fashion Pulpit(clothes swapping) thefashionpulpit.com

International

Vestiaire Collective (luxury clothing & accessories), vestiairecollective.com
Soles For Souls (shoe recycling), soles4souls.org

facebook.com/greenisthenewblackcom

instagram.com/greenisthenewblackcom

twitter.com/GITNBasia

Embrace a new business landscape with JCU

May 26 2022

Sponsored Content

As the world rapidly changes, businesses continue to evolve to keep up with the times. In fact, we stand on the brink of a technological revolution that will spark significant shifts in the way we live, work and relate to one another. This profound twist refers to the fourth industrial revolution or ‘Industry 4.0’, a term that encompasses the combination of several major technological innovations including advanced robotics, artificial intelligence, big data, cloud computing, and the Internet of Things – all of which are expected to have a dramatic impact on the business landscape.

Demand for digital skills

Industry 4.0 brings many challenges, which lead to a more responsive and data-driven environment that demands collaboration. In light of this, professionals must be prepared for the future of work by investing in new knowledge and skills. In addition, the Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated the digital transformation of many organisations, and instigated a higher demand for digital skills.

SkillsFuture Singapore has identified a number of essential digital skills that are in growing demand among “tech-lite” roles (which don’t require specialised and advanced IT skills), reflecting their strength, versatility and transferability across sectors. These include technology application, which comprises of skills to operate, adopt, and apply new technology; data analysis and analytical skills, such as data collection, data management, interpretation, and visualisation, applied towards research or business; and market research, which involves skills that enable businesses to make informed decisions.

Developing brilliant minds

To cater to the needs of an evolving professional landscape, James Cook University (JCU) in Singapore offers a diverse range of courses to provide a deeper understanding of contemporary business practices. In fact, the university offers part-time Master of Business Administration (MBA) programmes with specialisations in three in-demand fields: Analytics and Business Solutions, Global Talent Management, and Creative Marketing. These specialisations are key to equipping professionals with the knowledge and expertise necessary to adapt and excel in the modern business world.

With the rise of big data, businesses increasingly need managers who can quickly analyse and understand the implications of a huge amount of information. Data analytics and digitalisation are key components in the MBA curriculum, across three specialisations. “Our curriculum helps working adults to prepare for a changing business environment where digitalisation and big data play an increasingly important role,” explains Associate Professor Pengji Wang. In particular, the Analytics and Business Solutions major gives students state-of-the-art tools and techniques to sort and analyse data, and make a valuable organisational impact based on the findings.

“We stand on the brink of a technological revolution that will spark significant shifts in the way we live, work and relate“

A focus on excellence

In 2021, the Singapore campus of JCU earned the business accreditation from AACSB – a sign of excellence in business education. Achieving this accreditation involves a rigorous review process, and an evaluation conducted by peers in the business education community.

Less than six percent of the world’s schools offering business degree programmes hold the prestigious AACSB business accreditation. In addition, a total of 910 institutions across 58 countries and territories have earned AACSB accreditation in business. Only a small handful of universities and business schools in Singapore have achieved this distinction.

Empowered by the accreditation, JCU in Singapore will be able to further innovate and improve upon its business offerings. What’s more, students who graduate from AACSB-accredited schools have a better opportunity to connect with sought-after employers, as well as some of the best minds in business, to solve the most pressing challenges facing businesses and society.

Ultimately, JCU in Singapore recognises the important role business education plays in creating outstanding leaders that can make a difference. Earning this accreditation reflects the university’s dedication, capabilities, and strong foundation in business, as it continues to focus on delivering unique and diversified programme offerings, in order to create a meaningful, positive impact worldwide.

Data-driven approaches

The Creative Marketing major places data-driven creativity at its core and combines marketing knowledge with advanced management and analytical skills. Students taking up this major can enhance their market research skills with data-driven approaches.

In addition, the Global Talent Management major welcomes those interested in the field of human resources (HR). It equips students with HR professional knowledge and practical tools, HR ethics and social responsibility, global vision, and team building and problem-solving abilities.

Associate Professor Wang notes that many universities offer general MBA programmes without specialisation. The three specialisations offered by JCU in Singapore are designed to incorporate the latest international business trends and newest management tools and techniques of the specialised area — in addition to the most common competences such as leadership, team management, and strategic thinking.

“Specialisation allows students to deepen and enrich their expertise, and keep up with the latest trends in their chosen area. Students will be able to apply the new knowledge and skills gained throughout the part-time MBA in a quick and practical way.” Moreover, JCU’s current part-time MBA offering is only an additional four months compared to its full-time counterpart, ensuring that part-time students are still afforded the opportunity to swiftly complete their degree while balancing other responsibilities.

The Singapore campus of JCU is located at 149 Sims Dr, 387380. Discover more at www.jcu.edu.sg

Singapore’s Work Permit, S Pass & EP explained

May 25 2022

Sponsored Content

Singapore’s Work Permit, S Pass & Employment Pass: An overview

Are you planning on moving to Singapore to work? Then you’ll need official documents from the local government. Whether you’ll have to get a Work Permit, S Pass, or an Employment Pass depends on factors like your occupation, education, and salary. So which one should you apply for and how? Pacific Prime Singapore are here to help.

Criteria and requirements for work passes in Singapore

Employers in Singapore are responsible for helping expat employees apply for their work passes or permits. The latest criteria and requirements for the three major types of Singaporean work passes are as follows.

Work Permit

Semi-skilled foreign workers from pre-approved countries such as Hong Kong, Malaysia, South Korea, and China can apply for a work permit in Singapore. Work permit holders typically work in labor-intensive sectors like construction, manufacturing, and the service sector. Despite no minimum qualifying salary for a Singapore work permit, there are age limits and maximum employment lengths. Approved work permits are renewable and can last up to two years.

S Pass

If you’re a mid-level skilled worker from any nationality, you should apply for an S Pass. S Pass criteria include a relevant diploma, degree, or specialized technical certificate. It’s also helpful to have several years of work experience to support this. Another S Pass requirement is that you must have a monthly salary of SGD $2,400 or more, though the minimum qualifying salary increases with age and experience. Acquired S passes are renewable and valid for up to two years.

Employment Pass

Are you a high-earning expat who works in a managerial, executive, or specialised role? You likely qualify for an Employment Pass in Singapore. Employment Pass requirements include a minimum monthly salary of SGD $4,500 (though this increases for those with more experience or in the Financial Services Sector) and professional qualifications, specialist skills, or a good university degree. The Employment Pass is valid for two years and can be renewed for three years at a time.

Secure the right insurance for your needs in Singapore

All Work Permit and S Pass holders must obtain medical insurance. While it’s optional for Employment Pass holders, having a comprehensive health insurance plan allows you to access quality medical care without exorbitant out-of-pocket payments. Contact Pacific Prime Singapore for impartial insurance advice and a free quote today.

Surprising benefits of joining the new ANZA Soccer season

May 25 2022

Anza Soccer is excited to announce that registrations for the next soccer season 2022/2023, are open. Signing children up to ANZA Soccer may initially appeal as a great way to introduce your kids to sport and offer parents a small glimmer of downtime. And while we’re all for promoting healthy exercise and the opportunity for all mums and dads to zone out for an hour, ANZA Soccer offers so much more to all family members than meets the eye.

With over 40 years of experience in delivering quality soccer programmes to those aged 3-18 years, ANZA Soccer certainly knows how-to do-good-game. But aside from learning the importance of team playing, decision making, communication, and mastering the Maradona Kick, signing up to this iconic sports group brings our ANZA community together like nothing else.

Stronger ties

The coming together of children and their cheerleading parents at the pitch each week is a fantastic time for adults and kids to make new friends with likeminded people here in Singapore. While the Gunners and Matlidas are practicing trapping, dribbling and shooting, you’ll find that complaining about Singapore’s searing heat to a stranger while spectating will soon turn into mutual school recommendations, cool new café tips, a new contact in your phone and a potential friend for life.

Crucially, being part of ANZA Soccer can promote stronger ties within the family and be an incredible bonding experience for all. Research shows that fitness is excellent for connection, whether that be on a bike, on a yoga mat, or on the soccer turf. Uniting over the match, a pair of soccer boots that won’t play ball, and a joint disbelief over a penalty decision cannot be beaten (yes, the ref is definitely blind). Standing on the sidelines is a great spot to see first-hand examples of unwavering support, unfaltering love, proper belly-laughs and the best cuddles when that killer kick turns into an epic roly-poly. (No, you’re crying!). Being part of the community can provide a huge boost to everyone’s mental health.

Passion for sport

However, the best way to reap the benefits of ANZA Soccer is to be directly involved in the game yourself. ANZA Soccer runs on the tremendous support of its many parent volunteers, whether as members of the ANZA Soccer committee, age group and comp team coordinators, coaches and team managers, or organisers of the weekly half-time oranges. Having Mum or Dad coaching not only gives children great joy but provides opportunities for parents to engage with their own little ones as well as the team. A great attitude and passion for sport are the main qualifications, and our parent coaches are key to reinforcing our ANZA Soccer fair play principles, instilling our code of conduct, and above all making soccer fun!

The next ANZA Soccer season will begin on 27 August 2022 and finish on 15 April 2023. To register click here now.

Hot Spots: Les Bouchons Rochester

May 24 2022

Les Bouchons Rochester

10 Rochester Park
Rochester Commons, 139221
lesbouchons.sg

Singapore may be famous for its cultural melting pot of Asian dishes, but Singapore’s French restaurants do bring a lot to the table (literally). Beyond the stereotype of great bread, great wine, and oh-my-goodness the pommes-frites, there is plenty to love about the French food scene. You may not need an introduction to Les Bouchons. This famously dependable French eaterie celebrates its 20th birthday this year, after the first outlet on Ann Siang Road opened in 2002. While other restaurants fell by the wayside, Les Bouchons became known for its classic French cuisine and value-for-money Steak Frites amid a casual ambience that pays homage to the bistros and steakhouses of Paris. The second location at Robertson Quay opened in 2006.

The latest west-side outpost is housed in a stunning two-storey bungalow in Rochester Park. As per its sister restaurants, it oozes an elegant sophistication without being stuffy with its signature sultry colour palette, vintage artworks and French artefacts. Upstairs, 2000 wine bottles adorn the walls and a pretty veranda offers an outdoor (and potentially romantic!) setting. What makes Les Bouchons Rochester even more special is the surrounding greenery, which offers up space for outdoor dining (where dogs are allowed) and a Pétanque court, the first of its kind in Singapore.

Les Bouchons dinner — Grilled Beef Wagyu Onglet

It’s here on the court that we began lunch, boule in one hand, and an ice-cold pastis – an anise-based spirit – in the other. (This is how they do it in the South of France, apparently). When rain stops play, we’re whisked to our indoor table to hear about the menu while we inhale a basket of warm bread rolls.

Along with classic dishes, the Rochester Park venue is experimenting with new and exciting recipes, carefully curated by French Executive Chef Mickaël Cornac who’s been working with the brand since 2014, and Chef Nelson Chua, formerly of Poulet, Au Petit Salut and Atout.

We start with mouthwatering new entrées Terrine de Foie-gras “Maison”, a foie gras terrine served with onion chutney and toast; French Ceps Soup with Truffle Oil; and French Heirloom Beetroot Salad, a refreshing palate cleanser before we move onto the main course.

Things get meaty with the new additions of Grilled Sirloin Wagyu, Grilled Canadian Pork Chop, and Poulet aux 40 Gousses d’Ail – a traditional 40 Garlic Roasted Chicken ‘stew’ which tasted hearty and homely. Les Bouchons’ famous Extra Tender Angus Beef Filet and French Fries also made an appearance to remind us just how good they are. Away from the meat, all outlets offer beautifully-cooked seasonal seafood. The Catch of the Day was Atlantic Sea Bass from the Canary Islands which melted in our mouths.

A small plate of Truffle Brie “Maison” cheese was served before we nosedived into a selection of wildly decadent desserts: Double Chocolate Lava Cake with Vanilla Ice Cream, Île Flottante, and the deceptively light-to-eat Crème Brûlée.

Of course, a French meal would not be complete without accompanying wine. Here, eighty percent of approximately one hundred labels of old and new world wines and rare and vintage selections are from France, and many are exclusive to Les Bouchons. While finishing a glass of 2019 Petit Chablis, followed by a final Limoncello, we realise that we may have to embrace another European stereotype – the siesta – or afternoon nap. You have been warned!

VERDICT: An elegant spot for business meeting, a romantic dinner, or food with friends. Keep your eyes peeled for the introduction of a new brunch menu which will add to the perfection.

Exploring new horizons with ANZA Cycling

May 24 2022

Pete Williamson with Jason DuBois and Jesse Bridge for The Peaks

Megan Kinder and Martin Phelan by the ‘Giant Murray Cod’ in Tocumwal during Bay’s Wish Ride Stage 2

As travel options have become more viable and restrictions have started to show signs of easing, ANZA Cycling members have been delighted to be able to take our cycling routes slightly further than Changi and back recently. Several of our members took part in the Metasprint Series Aquathlon and Duathlon and the OCBC Criterium events as well as the Jungle Cross Offroad Duathlon, both in Singapore, which produced terrific results.

Away from the island’s cycling routes, members headed down to Australia to meet with some ANZA ‘ex-islanders’ now based back in Oz to take on road and triathlon events. Haythem el-Ansary showed excellent form and came away with a 20 minute PB to finish Melbourne Ironman 70.3 in an incredibly fast 4h24m. Peter Williamson met up with Jason DuBois and Jesse Bridge who are now based in Victoria to tackle the gruelling ‘Peaks Challenge’, and Megan Kinder and Martin Phelan took on the ‘Bay’s Wish’ (Make a Wish) Charity Ride, cycling 600km and 4000m elevation over five days, also in Victoria.

Plans are afoot for ANZA Cycling club trips to Thailand and Malaysia, hopefully with more to follow as the year continues and restrictions change. Check the club’s Facebook page to discover more about these travel opportunities.

Starting young

At just age six, Elise Fontaine Tubb, took on her first ever race at the Singapore Criterium National Champs in February. We didn’t get a photo of Elise in racing action, but we do have a photo (left) of her with her mum, Christina Tubb, who also performed very strongly at the event. Speaking afterwards, Elise said, “The race was fun even if I didn’t win. I went over some bumps that felt funny. My partners fell but they were okay. After the race we had two ice creams and pizza. I would like to race again.” We look forward to seeing Elise and many other future cycling stars taking part in more events over the coming months.

Chris Rawlings, our Off-Road Director, shares what’s been happening on the dark side.

ANZA Off-Road cycling involves not only mountain biking but also gravel riding and cyclocross, all of which are going strong in Singapore. These disciplines have seen an explosion of participation in the last two years, since the start of the pandemic. I reminisce about the MTB rides I used to do around the Bukit Timah trails 18 years ago, when you may see one or two other riders! These days, the early bird certainly catches the worm for quiet trails, especially on the weekends.

The regular ANZA MTB rides on Thursdays at 5.45pm and Sundays at 7am meet at the corner of Bukit Timah and Rifle Range Road for a few laps of the Bukit Timah and Chestnut trails. The pace ranges from steady to fast depending on who attends, but it’s a no drop ride making sure that everyone returns safely for coffee or beers afterwards.
If you’re looking to race, look no further than the Cycosports Jungle Cross series, held at the Centaurs rugby ground in the ‘jungle pit’. The trails have been developed and crafted over many years to offer excellent smooth runs, drop offs and small jumps. The races include MTB, cyclocross and BMX, and range from elite to weekend warrior categories. Recently, two of our ANZA members placed first and second in the MTB category, which was a great achievement. If you want to get in some practice on the trails throughout the year, purchase a bike pass from Cycosports, which allows access at designated times every week.

For a change of scenery from the usual trails and a step back in time, head over to Pulau Ubin in the north west of Singapore. ANZA off-road groups often head there to ride the Ketam MTB trail which comprises blue, red and black diamond trails. There’s also a myriad of great gravel routes on Ubin, perfect for all abilities and families. You can take your own bike on the bum boats or hire one on the island. A great way to finish a ride is with a prata and kopi in the local restaurants or a beer at Little Island Brewery in Changi Village. The ANZA crew can often be found at one or both of these establishments post ride!
If you’re interested in trying off-road riding with ANZA Cycling, join one of the off-road introduction rides which run every few months throughout the year. They’re advertised on the ANZA Cycling Facebook page and usually last 2-3 hours in Bukit Timah or on Pulau Ubin. No matter what your ability, there is a ride for you. We hope to see you out there on the trails soon!

Travel to Australia with these sustainable destinations & activities

May 23 2022

Australia’s tourism industry is on the road to recovery after a tough few years of Covid-19 and recent natural disasters. Prior to the pandemic, Australia welcomed almost half a million Singaporean tourists each year, making Singapore Australia’s sixth largest source market for tourism. In addition, more than 80 per cent of leisure travellers from Singapore are repeat visitors to Oz, with nearly three quarters visiting us more than twice. This familiarity is a huge strength and an opportunity to encourage repeat visitors from Singapore to explore new and less familiar Australian destinations.

When Australia’s international border reopened to Singaporean travellers last November, Tourism Australia launched its campaign “Yours to Explore” tailored to Singaporeans to remind them that our country is safe and open for business. Australia’s natural beauty and breathtaking landscapes have always been a major draw for international tourists, and as environmental awareness has grown, visitors are increasingly interested in the impact that travelling has on the planet. Combined with a greater conservation effort, this has led to the development of a vibrant eco-tourism sector across Australia, and a variety of exciting new eco-tourism options being available.

If you’re planning a visit to Oz, but also care about your environmental footprint, consider these travel destinations and activities that put sustainability front and foremost.

Sky Pods, skypods.com.au

Sleep amongst Aussie wildlife in the eco-friendly Sky Pods near the Great Ocean Road in Victoria. Located in the breathtaking Otways, the pods have been dubbed “Luxury Off-Grid Eco-Accommodation” and each houses a fireplace and modern amenities, with a beautiful vantage point. It doesn’t hurt that Rainbow Falls, Cape Otway Lighthouse and Station Beach are all within walking distance, and both pods boast amazing water views.

Seafood Seduction Tour in Tasmania, seafoodseduction.com.au

Seafood Seduction Tour with Pennicott Wilderness Journey in Tasmania — Seafood Seduction Tour with Pennicott Wilderness Journeys in Tasmania (photo courtesy of Tourism Australia)

Guests can set sail with Pennicott Wilderness Journeys for their Seafood Seduction Tour in Tasmania. You’ll get the chance to shuck oysters straight from the sea and cheer on your guide as they dive for abalone and sea urchin. Back on board, enjoy a seafood feast with the fruits gathered that morning – expect rock lobster, abalone, sea urchin, mussels, oysters, sashimi, salmon and more.

Larapinta, Kings Canyon and Uluru trek, larapintatrailwalk.com.au

Explore Uluru and Australia’s Red Centre on foot, with this new seven-day walk. Visit highlights including Ormiston Gorge and Standley Chasm along the trail, and don’t miss the opportunity to marvel at the spectacular views of Kings Canyon. After some gentle desert walking, witness the largest monolith in the world, the sacred site of Uluru. This tour perfectly encompasses the highlights of Central Australia.

Echidna Walkabout Nature Tours, echidnawalkabout.com.au

Founders Janine Duffy and Roger Smith of Echidna Walkabout Tours host numerous multi-day wildlife tours. On their tour in the You Yangs near Melbourne, guests can participate in a conservation activity like planting koala-friendly trees which is key to regenerating koala habitat (regeneration of bush habitat in recent years has helped local koala populations double). Don’t miss the company’s newest tour, Island Birds & Whale Sharks, an eight-day expedition surveying animals overhead and underwater, off the coast of Exmouth in Western Australia’s Ningaloo region.

Ovolo Nishi, ovolohotels.com/ovolo/nishi

Ovolo Nishi Main Entrance — Ovolo Nishi’s impressive main entrance (Photo courtesy of Tourism Australia)

At Ovolo Nishi in Canberra, much of the furniture was made using reclaimed and recycled materials, including the striking salvaged oak bedheads. The hotel’s centre piece grand staircase was also crafted from salvaged timbers and offcuts of Nishi’s blackbutt façade. Their zero-waste approach is enhanced with cutting-edge technology, for example, the restaurant uses an environmentally friendly system employing air, water and microbiology to transform food waste into an environmentally safe liquid.

Lake House Daylesford, lakehouse.com.au

Lake House Daylesford Pool (Photo courtesy of Lake House)

At Lake House Dayelsford’s on-site restaurant, the produce is grown, picked and harvested from Dairy Flat Farm, the restaurant’s own 38-acre regenerative growing facility, located ten minutes down the road. There is a 100 per cent focus on quality and sustainably-grown food and the restaurant epitomises the positive impact a single business can have on an entire region.

Lady Elliot Island Eco-Resort, ladyelliot.com.au

Amy Gash, the resort’s custodian, and her family have reinvigorated the re-vegetation programmes on the island and set the resort on the path to operating wholly on renewable power. Over 15 years they’ve planted over 10,000 trees and native plants, leading to an incredible resurgence in bird life, particularly in migratory birds. The resort also utilises a holistic approach to sustainability, from water and power generation, to waste minimisation and disposal. It has been on a solar powered journey since 2007 and is now almost powered by 100 per cent renewables after the installation of 900 solar panels and 240 batteries, reducing around 500 tonnes of carbon emissions for the resort each year.

Sequoia Lodge, sequoialodge.com.au

Sequoia Lodge in South Australia offers a complimentary on-site experience programme featuring dreamtime story tours, guided walks of the neighbouring Mount Lofty Botanic Garden, and the opportunity to meet artisan producers.

Capital Brewing Company, capitalbrewing.co

Sustainable brewery operations at Capital Brewing Co — Capital Brewing Co (Photo courtesy of Tourism Australia)

Capital Brewing Company takes a simple but revolutionary approach to waste disposal. They send their waste hops and yeast to a nearby organic farm, where it’s used in the production of organic compost. They also send their waste grain to the same farm to be fed to organic beef cattle. This way, the brewery is diverting and re-using around ten tonnes of waste per week, producing 500 tonnes of compost per year. The brewery is powered by green energy generated from natural resources, with a centrifuge that recovers more beer per batch, one of the many water-saving initiatives. Capital Brewing Company also investigated alternatives to pallet shrink wrap, finding a plant-based material that behaves like plastic.

Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley, oneandonlyresorts.com/wolgan-valley

At Emirates One & Only Wolgan Valley, the first resort in the world to achieve internationally accredited carbon-neutral status, expert field guides lead activities for all ages – including wildlife monitoring and tree planting. Guests can join the daily Conservation Programme, which aims to assist the reserve in its bushfire recovery and ongoing restoration to natural bush. Guests can also help plant trees that are grown from the one million native seeds that other guests have collected over the last ten years.

#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.

10 MINUTES WITH… Matt Hooper of Odin Mortgage

May 19 2022

Sponsored Content

What’s your role at Odin Mortgage?
I lead the marketing team as well as focus on business development, sponsorships and community. We’re proud to be sponsors and members of many Australian associations, sporting teams, international schools and social groups across the globe, including ANZA. Another big part of my job involves running monthly webinars with fellow industry experts to ensure Aussie expats are kept up-to-date about buying property back home. Check out what’s coming up on our socials!

What do you love about your job?
The people I meet from all walks of life. Whilst the brokers are busy assisting our clients, I’m working with all the communities and teams we’re integrated with. There are so many volunteers and passionate people that represent these groups, I’m in awe!

How can an expat tell if a broker is right for them?
Every expat has their own unique circumstances and requirements when it comes to obtaining finance. Foreign income presents many challenges that non-specialist brokers are not familiar with, nor do they encounter regularly. When selecting the right broker for you, consider who will best understand the complexities of expat lending – from loan structuring, tax residency considerations, maximising borrowing capacity and foreign income bank policies. A specialist expat broker will better understand your situation and ensure you get the best deal possible.

“When selecting the right broker, consider who will best understand the complexities of expat lending”

Tell us something about obtaining a mortgage that other brokers might not reveal?
If you own property outside Australia, such as Singapore, you can take a local mortgage out against your Singapore property to pay for your Australian property purchase. This is assuming rates/fees are noticeably lower relative to what you can get in Australia. You can also claim tax deductions on that non-Australian mortgage interest expense. Other brokers may not tell you this because there’s no financial incentive to do so.

What would you like ANZA readers to know about Odin Mortgage?
We do not charge any fees, we have access to 40+ lenders in Australia and can recommend better products than going directly to a bank, and unlike banks we look after you for the life of your loan. We do annual reviews, whereas banks typically switch you to higher rates after a couple of years.

What can expats expect from the service you provide at Odin Mortgage?
We’ll look after you from enquiry to settlement to ensure your lending experience is as smooth as possible. When you come to us, no stone will be left unturned to ensure you get the best possible deal and access to all the best options available.

How do you like to unwind away from the office?
I enjoy hiking Bukit Timah or binge watching a new series – anything from Grand Designs to Selling Sunset!

What would have been your alternative career plan?
I’ve renovated many properties in Australia and love the process of finding a property with potential, then seeing that potential realised. So I think I’d either be a real estate agent or a project manager, looking after other people’s builds and renovations.

Odin Mortgage is a leading Australian mortgage brokerage for Australian expats and overseas residents globally. Get in touch today for advice on how you can negotiate better home loan terms. odinmortgage.com / 3158 0138

Holding court with ANZA Netball

May 18 2022

It’s been a long time coming, but ANZA Netball finally got the chance to join a 4v4 league organised by Singapore Netball Academy (SGNA) in two divisions, Under 16 and Under 14. The SGNA League, which took place in early February, originally formed part of the ActiveSG pilot. Ten people were permitted per court, including umpires. However, towards the end of the league season, as sporting restrictions were eased in Singapore, more players were granted. The SGNA League was played as a round-robin tournament lasting seven weeks and was held each Sunday afternoon at Kallang Netball Centre.

The rules

The competition was played in a similar format to that of street netball, using just over half a netball court, but the positions were more clearly defined. Each team fielded a Centre, Goal Attack, Wing Attack, and Goal Shooter, with the Goal Shooter and the Goal Attack being the only ones allowed in the circle to both shoot and defend. After each turnover of possession, the players had to pass the ball back over halfway before going on the offensive. Each quarter played was 10 minutes in length, with limited breaks in between.

The play

Playing outdoors in Singapore always provides unexpected challenges, be it stormy torrential rain or blinding relentless heat, but the ANZA Netball girls didn’t falter in their enthusiasm to get back in action. Fitness was tested among all the clubs as the players hadn’t been physically challenged in such a format for a significant period and there were no substitutions allowed during the game. Win or lose, the exhausted players were all smiling at the end of the matches, happy to be rebuilding the team spirit and camaraderie that has eluded them over the past few years.

The teams

UNDER 16! ANZA entered three teams in the Under16 division: ANZA Storm, ANZA Power and ANZA Thunder. The opposition were primarily SGNA teams plus Tanjong Katong Secondary School (TKSS). All ANZA teams progressed through the rounds with some tight matches and close scores. Approaching the end of the season, all three ANZA teams were placed in the top half of the table, with ANZA Storm sitting at first with two matches left to play. “It’s been great to play a competition again in the SGNA League, and since it’s half court, everyone gets a shot. It’s awesome to be with my teammates – the best part of netball!” said Millie from ANZA Storm.

UNDER 14! Two ANZA teams competed in the U14s: ANZA Flash and ANZA Lightning. The competition consisted of several SGNA Teams as well as the Lions Netball Academy and TKSS. The ANZA Flash and Lightning teams had only played one or two seasons of competition prior to Covid causing interruption, so they were particularly keen to get out again. Both teams had some wins during the tournament with ANZA Lightning sitting top of the table with a few weeks remaining. Said Rosie from ANZA Lightning, “It’s so good to be playing competitive games. I missed it very much. Playing as a team again has been a lot of fun.”

ANZA Netball was thrilled to field teams in the SGNA League, and it was fantastic to see everyone performing so well and with such enthusiasm and skill. Recent news that vaccinated players aged nine and above can now play as ‘normal’ was most welcomed and we’re hopeful that further opportunities will arise for all age groups, particularly the younger players who’ve missed out on some key netball developmental opportunities.

Everyone at ANZA Netball looks forward to a brighter future and registration is now open for 3 Sept- 10 Dec to complete 2022 (13 weeks). Players should sign up in their year of birth as usual. There will be a 2 week break for October half term (22^nd and 29^th Oct).

Our new intake will be 2016 (players born 1 Jan- 31 Dec 2016). Sign up here

See you there!

Netball – Registration

1...939495...265 Page 94 of 265