The MAAC 10th Australian Alumni Gala Dinner 2019
The Malaysian Australian Alumni Council (MAAC) organised its 10th Annual Australian Alumni Gala Dinner on 13 December 2019 at the Mayang Sari Grand Ballroom, JW Marriott Hotel Kuala Lumpur. This year also marks the 20th Anniversary of the MAAC since its registration with the Registrar of Society Malaysia in 1999. In conjunction with this celebration, a book entitled “Of Wau and Boomerang: Nurturing Malaysian Talents Across Borders” was also launched to commemorate this 20th year milestone. There were 32 outstanding Alumni, including 2 couples, featured in the book. The book highlighted their journey and life stories while experiencing an education in Australia, including how Australian education affect their career paths and impact their lives. Of those featured, 19 of them were present at the dinner to officially launch the book by signing the book after the Acting Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia, Mr Michael Growder and the MAAC President, Ms Pat PW Yeoh cut the red ribbons. Apart from the Acting Australian High Commissioner and his wife, Ms Bernadine Caruana, approximately 380 people attended the dinner. Bernadine is also the Counsellor for Education and Science for Australia Department of Education and Training. Other guests include the Austrade Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner, Mr Daniel Havas, Deputy Director for Australia Department of Education & Training, Ms Petronilla Maurice, Austrade Business Development Manager for Education, Ms Srii Gunaseelan, Senior Public Affairs & Policy Support Manager, Ms Amu Pillay and Alumni Manager from the Australian High Commission, Ms Suvika Ambigapathy. There were also other prominent Australian Alumni, corporate sponsors and representatives of Australian Universities from Australia at the dinner. The major sponsors for this event were:
Gold Sponsor: YTD Proprietary Limited
Silver Sponsor: Tourism Australia
Lamb Sponsor: Meat & Livestock Australia
Fish Sponsor: PM Resources Sdn Bhd
Wine Sponsor: Yalumba Wine
Door gifts and other Raffles Prize Sponsors include Experian (M) Sdn Bhd, PM Resources Sdn Bhd, Hanbul Cosmetics Sdn Bhd, Amoy Canning Beverages Sdn Bhd, Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel, JW Marriot Hotel Kuala Lumpur, Royal Selangor International Berhad, Ms Pat PW Yeoh, Datin Nora Abu Hassan, AUG Student Services, Wonder Gourmet Sdn Bhd, Body Perfect Sdn Bhd, Bonzour Home and 50gram.
Apart from the launch of the commemorative coffee table book titled ‘Of Wau & Boomerang: Nurturing Malaysian Talents Across Borders”, other highlights of the event include the presentation of 5 awards to deserving Alumni of Australian Universities and one award to an Australian University Alumni Chapter in Malaysia that contributed significant roles to the society while promoting excellent education in Australia. The Acting Australian High Commissioner, accompanied by Ms Bernadine Caruana, Mr Daniel Havas, Ms Suvika Ambigapathy; the MAAC President, Ms Pat PW Yeoh; Vice President of Alumni Relations, Mr Adrian Ong; Vice President of Bilateral Relations, Ms Nicole Lim and Vice President of Education & Welfare, Ms Mina Lim, presented the 5 awards to the following:
Distinguished Alumni Award 2019: Ms Melissa Ong (University of Sunshine Coast)
Distinguished Young Alumni Award 2019: Mr Thomson Ch’ng Tong Sheng (Curtin University)
Young Entrepreneur Award 2019: Ms Eileen Phoan Pei Fang (Swinburne University of Technology)
Community Achievement Award 2019: Mr Muhammad Zhariff Afandi (Griffith University)
Alumni Chapter Award 2019: The University of New South Wales Alumni Association
In her speech, the MAAC President, Ms Pat PW Yeoh spoke about The MAAC’s 2019 achievements in all three portfolios including the projects and the success in producing the commemorative coffee table book in conjunction with the MAAC’s 20th Anniversary. She also thanked the Australian High Commission, Australian Universities, the MAAC Executive Committee and others for their continuous support towards the MAAC and its initiatives. After her speech, Pat presented the executive committee for term 2018/ 2020 with a Certificate of Appreciation.
In her speech, the MAAC President, Ms Pat PW Yeoh spoke about The MAAC’s 2019 achievements in all three portfolios including the projects and the success in producing the commemorative coffee table book in conjunction with the MAAC’s 20th Anniversary. She also thanked the Australian High Commission, Australian Universities, the MAAC Executive Committee and others for their continuous support towards the MAAC and its initiatives. After her speech, Pat presented the executive committee for term 2018/ 2020 with a Certificate of Appreciation.
The guests were treated to a sumptuous five course western meal and beverages, with special group performance that featured Malay traditional songs, who also performed the opening for the VIPs’ grand entrance. The pop/ ballad rock band called Lara Band performed few songs for the guests during their dinner.
Towards the end of the Gala Dinner, everyone waited in anticipation for the raffles draw where many great prizes were to be won. Among the raffles draw prizes that were sponsored were The Grand Prize, a 2-night stay for 2 at the Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel with return air tickets for 2 to any destination in Australia; followed by the 1st prize, a Tod’s Bag. Other prizes include free stay at the JW Marriott Hotel Kuala Lumpur, products from Royal Selangor Pewter, skin care products, homecare products, etc. For those who would like to view the photos from the gala dinner, please click here. For the gala dinner short video, please click here.
