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Group photo of all attendees
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Raising a celebratory toast YUM SENG!
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Lion Dance wishing a Happy New Year
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Prosperity Lo Hei to a wonderful year of the snake
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NUS Alumni Melbourne Chapter Committee
2025 Lunar New Year Dinner
07 February
The NUS Alumni Melbourne Chapter celebrated the Lunar New Year in grand style on 7 February 2025 at Secret Kitchen Melbourne. This highly anticipated annual event brought together 68 alumni and friends, fostering a strong sense of camaraderie while ringing in the Year of the Snake with joy, prosperity, and good fortune.
The evening began with a warm welcome from Dr Edna Yeo (Science ‘93), who handed over the reins to Dr Cecilia Xiao (Science ’10) as new Chairperson of the NUS Alumni Melbourne Chapter. Dr Cecilia Xiao thanked the departing committee members, Dr Edna Yeo, Ms Audrey Sim (Arts & Social Sciences ’96) and Dr Woo Sin Ang (Dentistry ’68) for their contributions. Dr Raymond Wong (Architecture, Building and Estate Management ’81) gave well-wishes in fluent Mandarin as attendees were treated to an exquisite Lunar New Year banquet featuring a delectable spread of Cantonese delicacies.
A highlight of the dinner was the traditional "Lo Hei" prosperity toss, exchanging well wishes led by Mr Li Yang (Architecture ’97) for success and abundance in the year ahead. Signature dishes such as lobster noodles, steamed fresh barramundi, and crispy skin chicken added to the festive atmosphere, making the dining experience both meaningful and indulgent.
During the dinner, Dr Choo Soo Teo (Dentistry ’73) shared words of encouragement, inspiring attendees to continue fostering a strong NUS presence in Melbourne. Mr Luke Siah, Senior Assistant Director at the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine delivered a heartfelt address, emphasising the importance of staying connected and engaged with the alumni community. Dr Cecilia Xiao thanked all the guests for coming together from Melbourne, interstate and Singapore.
A celebratory toast was raised, symbolising unity, happiness, and good fortune for the year ahead. Guests were treated to an exhilarating lion dance performance, a symbolic tradition believed to bring good luck. The rhythmic beating of drums and the dynamic movements of the lion dancers captivated the audience, creating a vibrant and festive atmosphere to kick off the celebrations. Adding to the excitement of the evening, a lucky draw was held, with generous prizes won by eight lucky winners. These activities further strengthened connections among guests, making the event not only a celebration of tradition but also a platform for building meaningful relationships.
The Lunar New Year Dinner 2025 was a resounding success, bringing the NUS alumni community together for a night of celebration, delicious food, and engaging conversations. Beyond the festivities, the event reinforced the importance of maintaining strong connections despite being miles away from Singapore. As we usher in the Year of the Snake, we look forward to more opportunities to gather, support one another, and continue building a thriving alumni network in Melbourne. A heartfelt thank you goes out to all attendees, sponsors, and organisers who contributed to making this event a memorable and joyous occasion. Wishing everyone a prosperous and fulfilling year ahead!