A Taste of Home in Melbourne
- REACH at Singapore Day 2008
It was a sunny Saturday morning in Melbourne. Excited overseas Singaporeans formed snaking queues outside the Sidney Myer Music Bowl as early as 9.00am, anxiously waiting to get a taste of ‘home’.
If you are wondering what the buzz was all about...it was Singapore Day 2008! REACH was proud to have been one of the participating agencies at Singapore Day this year, which was held in Melbourne, Australia, on 4 October 2008, at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl!
REACH’s exhibition panels, which showcased various areas of its works in an easy-to-understand manner, were well-received by overseas Singaporeans. Snazzy postcards with light-hearted illustrations of REACH were quickly snapped up. Many also took the opportunity to sign up as our People’s Forum members! We were also honoured to have DPM Wong Kan Seng drop by REACH’s exhibition panels in the afternoon. DPM Wong even took the opportunity to introduce REACH to Melbourne Lord Mayor John So by sharing about our role and the nature of our work.
It was a heartwarming moment when high-spirited Singaporean families thronged the venue as they reminisced the good ol’ Singapore lifestyle. Many whom we spoke to at the event unabashedly admitted that they missed Singapore and the myriad festivals unique to multi-racial Singapore. But one thing never changes though - the gastronomic appetite of Singaporeans! Participants eagerly queued up at the food stalls as they waited to indulge in a wide array of local delights such as the aromatic chicken rice, scrumptious hokkien mee, grilled satay and juicy chicken wings! Well, it definitely seemed like it's been a long time since they tasted authentic Singapore dishes!
All in all, REACH had a successful outing at Singapore Day in Melbourne and we certainly look forward to participating in the next one. Meanwhile, be treated to a series of interesting snapshots taken at the event last Saturday. Enjoy!
What an overwhelming turnout!
One thing that never fails to get a Singaporean's attention - FOOD!
Overseas Singaporeans basking in the sunshine
A perfect day for a picnic - Great food and great performances
DPM introduces REACH to the Mayor of Melbourne!
DPM and the Mayor of Melbourne posing for a photo in front of REACH's exhibition panels
Overseas Singaporeans crowded round the REACH exhibits finding out how to keep more in touch with home
Overseas Singaporeans decked out in their fine baju kurongs in celebration of Hari Raya Puasa!
All smiles from this Overseas Singaporean family for a great Singapore Day at Melbourne!
Cheers to a job well done!