Three Special Awards Presented at the MAAC 6th Australian Alumni Gala Dinner 2015

The event of the year is back again where the MAAC successfully hosted its 6th Annual Australian Alumni Gala Dinner 2015 on 4th December 2015 at the Mayang Sari Grand Ballroom, JW Marriott Hotel Kuala Lumpur. Amongst the 400 people who attended the dinner were the Guest of Honour, The Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia and Patron of the MAAC, His Excellency, Mr Rod Smith. Also in attendance were the Austrade Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner, Ms Susan Kahwati; Counsellor of Education & Science for the Department of Education Australia, Ms Karen Welsh; First Secretary for Political & Economic Section, Ms Melissa Hutchings; Executive Director for Victorian Government Business Office SE, Ms Helen Rowell; Chairman of the MABC, Mr. Leigh Howard; other prominent Australian Alumni, corporate sponsors and representatives of Australian Universities from Australia. The major sponsors for this event were:

Other Sponsors and Raffles Prize Sponsors include Blackmores, Hanbul Cosmetics Sdn Bhd, PM Resources Sdn Bhd, Amoy Canning Beverages Sdn Bhd, Big Tomato Retail, JW Marriott Kuala Lumpur, YTD Private Limited, Royal Selangor International Berhad, Urban Spring and Bonzour Home.

The main highlight of the event was the presentation of two awards to deserving Alumni of Australian Universities and one award to an Australian University Alumni Chapter that contributed significant roles to the society while promoting excellent education in Australia. The Australian High Commissioner, accompanied by Ms Susan Kahwati; Ms Karen Welsh; 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 Jane Teh, presented the 3 awards to the following:

In her speech, the MAAC President, Ms Pat PW Yeoh introduced each Executive Committee to the audience as they came on stage and also thanked The Australian High Commission for their continuous support to MAAC events and activities. The High Commissioner in his speech, thanked the MAAC for playing a crucial role in uniting Alumni Chapters while being the main contact point to fulfill Australia’s new Alumni engagement policy. His Excellency confirmed that there are 150 Australians in Malaysia for the first phase of the New Colombo Plan.

The guests were treated to a sumptuous five course western meal and great wine, with special performance that featured opening numbers from The Catch Band. It was followed by special Christmas Carol performance by the HELP University Choir. After the awards presentation, the audience were mesmerised by a special solo violinist performance by Mr Julian Lee. It was a great performance as Julian walked around the ballroom to be up close and personal with the audience while performing his numbers. Towards the end of the Gala Dinner, everyone waited for the raffles draw where many great prizes were to be won. The Grand Prize, worth RM 12,000 was a one night stay for 2 at the Marriott Sydney Harbour Bridge Hotel with return air tickets for 2 to any destination in Australia; followed by the second prize of 4 Days 3 nights at the Intercontinental Hotel Sanctuary Cove, Gold Coast, with buffet breakfast for 2, access to the Country Club with complimentary valet parking. Other prizes includes a TOD’s Horse Bag for Ladies worth RM 6,000; a 4 days 3 nights stay at Tanjung Jara Resort with breakfast for 2; 2 Nights stay at any Swiss Garden Resort for 2; 128GB IPad; Selangor Pewter product and vouchers, Blackmores hampers, spa products, a bean bag, Pilates sessions, crystal 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.