The NUS Alumni Melbourne Chapter celebrated Chinese New Year with a grand dinner on 20 February at the MaBrown restaurant in Balwyn, located in an eastern suburb in Melbourne.
The sumptuous meal consisted of salmon yusheng, dried sharksfin with crab meat and fish maw, spicy quail, pork trotter with ‘fatt choi’, steam parrot fish, mixed vegetable with mushroom, lotus and black fungus, prawns in XO sauce, lobster noodles and fresh fruits.
In a restaurant that usually hosts 150 guests, this year’s celebration catered to just 60 alumni and their spouses. The event was organised in line with Victoria State’s safe management measures, with the implementation of QR codes, use of hand sanitisers and wearing of facemasks by all until dinner was served.
This year’s lohei was unique as guests used a mobile application with pre-recorded toasts (in Hokkien and Mandarin) for an E-toasting across 6 tables! An impromptu singing showcase by alumni in different languages brought great fun and cheer to the celebration. Demonstrating NUS’ diversity, Associate Professor Arul Earnest (Arts and Social Sciences ’92) belted out 愛拼才會贏 in Hokkien, Dr Raymond Wong (Architecture ’81) sang his rendition of Munnaeru Vaalibaa in Tamil and Mr Peter Koh’s (Science ’87) sang Delilah in English.
Once again, congratulations to all the 10 lucky draw winners: Ms Christie Koh (Arts and Social Sciences ’86), Mr Pritam Randhawa (Arts and Social Sciences ‘69), Mr Hok Ding (Engineering ‘84), Mr James Weng (Computing ‘05), Mrs Phaik-Lim Quay (Arts and Social Sciences ’67), Mrs Surila Rekhraj-Chandra (Arts and Social Sciences ‘92), Ms Fanny Chan (Architecture ‘97), Dr Peggy Tan (Science ‘84), Mr Michael KL Wong (Law ‘80) and Ms Audrey Sim (Arts and Social Sciences ‘96)!
The dinner was a great success, evident from the feedback received:
“Teresa and I had an enjoyable evening last night – the company was great; the food was delicious and sumptuous, and the organisation was superb. Kudos to Edna and her committee [and] thanks for the lovely photos.” – Mr Michael KL Wong (Law ‘80).
“Thanks Edna and the committee on another great night [and also] Peter for the photos.“ – Mrs Juliette Koh-Romary (Arts and Social Sciences ‘73)
“Thanks for a great night to Edna and her Committee.” – Mr Peter Koh (Science ‘87)
“Great job. Looking forward to next one. Thanks.” – Dr Quay Cheng Hock (Medicine ‘68)
Submitted by Dr Edna Yeo (Science '93), Chairperson of NUS Alumni Melbourne Chapter. The event was held in accordance with COVID-19 measures in Melbourne, Victoria.