The MAAC 11th Australian Alumni Gala Dinner 2022

Friday, 2 Dec 2022

The MAAC 11th Annual Australian Alumni Gala Dinner 2022 was held on 02 December 2022 at the Mayang Sari Grand Ballroom, JW Marriott Hotel Kuala Lumpur. This dinner not only recognised outstanding Malaysians who graduated from Australian Universities and Institutions of Higher Learning but also for Alumni of all walks of life to mingle and meet. Amongst the 350 people who attended the dinner were the Guest of Honour, The Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia and Patron of the MAAC, His Excellency, Dr Justin Lee; other prominent Australian Alumni, corporate sponsors and representatives of Australian Universities from Australia.

The major sponsors for this event were:

The main highlight of the event was the presentation of six 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. His Excellency Dr Justin Lee, the Patron of the MAAC and the Australian High Commissioner; Ms Hannah Birdsey, Deputy High Commissioner; Ms Melanie Harris, Trade & Investment Commissioner of Austrade; Ms Fiona Morris, Counsellor (Education & Science) for Department of Education Australia; Ms Sophie Qin, Second Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade; the MAAC President, Ms Pat PW Yeoh; Vice President of Alumni Relations, Mr Adrian Ong; Vice President of Bilateral Relations, Mr Adrian Lim and Vice President of Education & Welfare, Ms Mina Lim, presented the 6 awards to the following:

A video to introduce the 2022/2024 MAAC Executive Committee and summarising the MAAC’s activities in year 2021/ 2022 was played. When presenting her speech, the MAAC President, Ms Pat PW Yeoh spoke about the unexpected stand still due to Covid-19 after celebrating the MAAC’s 20th anniversary in 2019. She also touched on how the MAAC has grown over the last 20 years and reiterated the importance of alumni connection. Pat Yeoh also presented a token appreciation to all Executive Committee for the term 2020/2022. The emcee, Ms Felicia Lau then introduced the video to launch the MAAC’s revamped website. It was then followed by the celebration of the CSR initiative in conjunction with the MACC Scholarships 20th Anniversary. His Excellency Dr Justin Lee, Ms Pat Yeoh, Ms Mina Lim and the MACC Scholarships Ambassador, Datin Tiew Lee Sin were invited on stage for the celebration where 10 representatives from selected orphanages and shelter homes were presented with a Chrome Book. The Chrome Books represented that 171 units of Chrome Books which will be donated to these orphanages and shelter homes to benefit the underprivileged children in their education.

His Excellency Dr Justin Lee, the Patron of the MAAC and Australian High Commissioner in his speech, thanked the MAAC for playing a crucial role in uniting all alumni through their respective chapters as well as alumni in general in Malaysia, fostering alumni relations amongst all Malaysian graduates from Australian universities and as ambassadors of their respective universities. He spoke about the importance of alumni and the role they play in creating the awareness that an Australian education is a world class education. His Excellency also acknowledged and thanked the MAAC for organising the many annual events and congratulated the MAAC for yet another successful gala dinner.

The guests were treated to a sumptuous five course western meal and beverages, with special performance that featured an Elvis Presley impersonator, which impressed the audience. Towards the end of the dinner, everyone waited 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 Miu Miu lady’s luxury handbag. Other prizes include free night stay at the JW Marriott Hotel Kuala Lumpur, products from Royal Selangor, skin care products, homecare products, etc.