Malam Gemilang is a celebration of Malaysia’s 52nd Independence Day and is set to revive the echoes and spirit of Merdeka.

Of patriotism, elegance and style, it is an evening organized by Malaysian students with multiple objectives, to engrave the spirit of patriotism amongst Malaysians in Canberra, to promote Malaysia’s legacy, diversity and culture to other nationalities, to enhance integration amongst Malaysians in Canberra and to showcase Malaysia’s myriad of culture.

For this year’s multi-hued event, we mix the old and the new, the traditional and the modern. Fusion as what we call it.

Think traditional music instruments in Battle of the Bands style. Think traditional dances with modern twist.

Think authentic, succulent, Malaysian food spread dined at one of Canberra’s most historic icon.

Think amazing raffle prizes, Xbox 360, Ipod Nano, External Hard Disk Drive, USB Drives to name a few, to be won during the night. And the opportunity to purchase them raffles before the event.

Think crazy antics from our MCs for the night, Afiq and Akram.

Think amazing memories that will last a lifetime.

Giving away too much aren’t I? ;P

Details are as follow:

Date: Thursday, 20th August 2009
Time: 6.30pm – 11.30pm
Venue: Albert Hall
Dresscode: Formal/Traditional
Price: $42/ticket

Everyone is welcome to join in the festivity, so call along your friends!

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(A) HOW TO GET A TICKET

i) ANU Students and Staff
Tickets can be purchased from our ticketing booth at the Refectory from 10th August (Monday) till 13th August (Thursday), and from 17th August (Monday) till 19th August (Wednesday). We will be opening a booth from 11am-3pm on the stated dates.

*RAFFLE DRAW PRESALES!*
We will be selling raffle tickets at the ticketing booth at a discounted price of $40 per book ($45 on the night itself). Individual ticket costs 50 cents each. Grab this amazing opportunity to secure yourself tickets for the night!

[The full list of raffle prizes will be available on the Facebook event page and at the ticketing booth]

ii) Non ANU Students and Staff
Tickets can be booked through Winnie at u4393245@anu.edu.au

stating:

1. Number of tickets
2. Name(s) of guest(s)

(B) BEST WAYS TO GET THERE
1. Action Bus
Take the Intertown Express (any 300 series) heading towards Tuggeranong Interchange. At Commonwealth Avenue, a bus stop is situated direct opposite Albert Hall. Use the underpass to arrive at the Hall.

Bus timetable can be found here:

http://www.action.act.gov.au

2. Cab
Call 132227 for a cab.

[Malam Gemilang 2009 is proudly sponsored by the Malaysian High Commission, Shell Malaysia, Bing Lee, Tourism Malaysia and ANU College of Engineering and Computer Science]

If you have any inquiries, please contact us via masca.act@gmail.com. We hope to see you there!

Regards,

MASCA ACT 2009 Committee

With so many people campaigning for your votes these days, it is hard to find a quiet spot where you can dine in peace. And if you are looking for authentic Malaysian food on campus, it would be nigh impossible to do so (as nobody seems to be campaigning to bring Malaysian food on to campus).

Well, whether you’re looking to escape from these pesky campaigners, or whether you have been searching in vain for delicious Malaysian food, we at the MSO have devised a perfect getaway for you! This week, our kopitiam will provide you with the tastiest and most authentic Malaysian dishes available on campus!

For the uninitiated, in Malaysia, kopitiams (which literally means “coffee shops”) are cafes where friends can meet for coffee and share a meal, all in a boisterous environment with sounds of laughter and excitement filling the air.

Next Saturday, we plan to bring this Malaysian specialty to you with a little twist. What’s the twist? Well, we will be throwing in hawker food into the mix as well!

Mouth-watering Malaysian kopitiam and hawker food? Sounds like a perfect combination? You bet!

Wait no further! Details of our event are as follows:

Kopitiam

* Date: 15/8/2009 (Saturday)
* Time: 12 PM
* Venue: ANU Beer Garden
* Menu: To be advised

Tickets:

* Members: $3
* Non-members: $5

We will be selling tickets to this event from 10/8 (Monday) to 13/8 (Thursday), 11 AM – 3 PM, at the Manning Clarke Centre. Do note that we are selling at the Manning Clarke Centre instead of the usual place at the ANU Refectory.

Once again, there will be limited (250) spaces available! So hurry up and get your tickets! You definitely do not want to miss out on this exciting event!

We hope to see you there! And do not hesitate to send us your queries, if you have any.

The annual International Ball is back, BIGGER and more GLAMOROUS than ever!

The zenith of all multicultural events organized in the international students’ community and the event to which many are looking forward to, The ISD, in collaboration with several nationality based clubs and societies including MSO, HKSS, and ANU Dance, have the immense pleasure to invite you to International Ball 2009, The Red Carpet!

With this year’s glamorous theme, you will live up to the hype of a Star as you will enter the majestic Royal Theatre of the National Convention Centre, walking on a Red Carpet, and in the presence of flashing lights paparazzi.
Discover a new world with sumptuous and inspired black and white decorations and sashes as you stroll into the beautiful Royal Theatre along the Red Carpet.

Think of a sophisticated atmosphere while honoured by the presence of distinguished ambassadors and guests. Think of a succulent array of food fit for royalty, accompanied by enlightening music and amazing stage of performances by ANU’s bursting talents.
Think of a special dance floor allowing a classical slow, jazz session.
Think of some big and awesome prizes to be won during the raffles draw, and of a great rejoicing after-party!

More details are as follows:

Date: Saturday, 1st August 2009
Time: 630pm – 11pm

Venue: Royal Theatre, the National Convention Centre Canberra (NCCC)
Dress Code: Formal
Price: $50/ticket
After Party @ UniPub (Bring Appropriate ID’s!)

The International Ball 2009 is proudly sponsored by the ANU Students’ Association, International Education’s Office, College of Business and Economics, College of Engineering and Computer Science, the National Convention Centre Canberra, ANU Fitness Centre, and Co-op bookshop.

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[WHEN AND WHERE TO GET YOUR TICKETS]
Tuesday 21st July till Friday 24th July, Monday 27th July till Thursday 30th July, 11am-3pm @ Refectory in Union Court

GATHER YOUR FRIENDS NOW!!! PREFERRED TABLE MAY BE CHOSEN FOR THE PURCHASE OF A TABLE OF 10 SEATS.
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*ROSES ON SALE!*
True to the theme, we are also selling red velvet roses (one stalk for $5), so guys, you know what to do
Those interested can pre-order with us (pay full amount) and collect the roses on the event itself (or we could help deliver it to that special someone during the event).

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NCCC is near Casino Canberra and opposite the Public Pool.

Directions from Childers Street to NCCC:

From Childers Street, head southeast on Childers Street toward University Avenue, turn left at University Avenue, turn right at London Circuit, then finally turn right at Constitution Avenue.

Ski & Snowboarding Trip

* Date: 8/8/2009 (Saturday)
* Destination: Thredbo
* Tickets:
o Ski: $115
o Snowboard: $136
o Beginner’s Lessons: $5

If you have not previously skiied or snowboarded, or have gone out of touch with either, we highly recommend you to opt-in for the beginner’s lessons to learn the basics. Details on this can be found at our booth, which will be operated from:

21/7 – 24/7 (Tuesday – Friday): 11 AM – 3 PM at the ANU Refectory (near Campus Bakery)
Things to bring to registration: Sufficient cash, identification (e.g. UniID) and OSHC/Medicare card

We only have 96 places available, and based on past experiences, they sell out really quick.
So if you do not want to miss out on this one great day of fun, come on quick and grab your tickets. Our tickets are already heavily subsidised, and you will not find any cheaper day trips elsewhere!

We will also provide you with light refreshments for your trip to Thredbo, so do not worry about breakfast!
However, the payments stated above does not include rental of skiing/snowboarding clothings, but does include other necessary equipments. In other words, you will need your own waterproof jacket and gloves.
Do not despair, however, because as MSO members, you can enjoy a 20% off rentals of ski/snowboard clothings from Straight Line in Braddon. Please come to our booth if you have any queries.

Before we forget, we will not allow any advance bookings for this trip, so please present yourself to our booth so that we can ensure you your ticket!
Tickets will only be sold to members; non-members will have to pay a $2 semi-annual membership fee to join in the trip.

We look forward to your participation!

Dancing Bells (Deepak K. Menon, Malaysia 2007)

Brief
Set in Brickfields, a township in the capital of Malaysia, Chalanggai (Dancing Bells) is about Uma, an eleven-year-old schoolgirl who aspires to be a dancer. Uma lives with her family in a soon to be demolished neighborhood secluded in the backyards of the rapidly developing township.
The occupants of the town are strictly addicted to a daily routine. Another common routine addict, Uma’s mother, Muniammah owns a small make shift stall selling jasmine flower garlands to support her family needs. Raja, Uma’s father neglected the family after severe disagreements with Muniammah. Since his absence, Muniammah has been single handedly caring for her children’s needs. Every now and then, she accepts small contributions from her son, Siva.
Siva, a seventeen-year-old school drop out works as a car wash attendant. Muniammah fears Siva would end up like his father, Raja. The demanding city life and the lost of a father figure affect the family deeply. This gives constant pressure to Siva as he turns to secretly hate his father even more.
The estranged Raja regrets his past and attempts to return home. The family is torn between emotions, as they feel even more vulnerable. A string of mishaps fall upon the family and they are forced to confront the many realities that lay ahead of them.
Muniammah turns to her flower knitting routines to hide her feelings. Siva shoulders his burden in silence to deal with his lost. As for Uma, she dreams of pursuing her interest in dance.

www.chalanggai.com

Some recommendations:
DESSERTS for DE-STRESS
- gaining weight means more exercise to lose weight, and that guarantees a healthy mind as well as a fit body (for MASCA games?)

the “Malam Gemilang” which means “A night of glory”. This year it will be held on the 15^th of August 2009 (tentatively) and its main purpose is to commemorate our Independence Day. As always, this major event is a collaboration between the Malaysian High Commission, Malaysian Students’ Organisation, UMNO Club of ACT, Malaysian Community and the Malaysian Students’ Council of Australia.

Considering the scale of the event, we believe that it can only be made a successful one with the help of others. Thus, we need you to be a part of the board of committees for Malam Gemilang. It will certainly be an honour to have you in this elite team.

The Malam Gemilang Board of Committees are as follows:

Project Manager + 2 assistants

・ The mastermind of the event. The brains. He/she will overlook the entire event and ensure everything is in perfect order.

Secretary + 2 assistants

Has a vital role in liaising with the VIPs and other guest of honours. In charge of preparing invitation letters, memos, notices, etc.

Treasurer + 1 assistant

・ The budget-maker of the event. Ensure that the financial side of the event is of a proper balance and scale.

Sponsorship (5)

・ The name speaks for itself. Money makes the world go round and we will certainly need it to make this night happen.

Marketing (3)

・ The advertiser of the event. Not only for guests but also for resources, talents and volunteers.

Performance (2)

・ You will be in charge of handling the performances on the night. Also, producing unique and interesting ideas, organizing performance practices and finding talents

Food & Beverage (2)

Decoration (10)

Audio Visual (2)

Logistics

If you have a certain knack for organizing events, or a talent for the stated roles above, do inform us of your interest at masca.act@gmail.com. This board of committee is open for all Malaysians. We will be having a general meeting regarding the board of committees and Malam Gemilang. The details are:

Day : Monday 1^st June 2009

Time : 6.00 p.m.

Venue : MCC T5

This meeting will only take an hour to pick and appoint individuals to the mentioned positions. Also, considering that examinations are pretty close by, further meetings will be held after the Semester 1 Final Examinations.

We do hope to hear from you and meeting you guys on Monday!

This event is all about the people who are most important to us – our members! That’s right! Malam Kenduri is all about us giving back to our members through the hosting of a casual dinner where you can both entertain and be entertained. With authentic Malaysian food lined up in our menu, there will not be a faster and better way to cure your homesickness.

Details for Malam Kenduri are as follows:

Malam Kenduri

Date: 23rd of May 2009 (Saturday)

Time: 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM

Venue: Bruce Hall Dining Area

Theme: Wild, Wild West!

Tickets:

* Members:

o $5 (central tables)

o $3 (side tables)

* Non-Members (only open for sale on Thursday, 21/5):

o $6 (central tables)

o $4 (side tables)

It is a themed event, and we do have best-dressed prizes to be given away! Turn up as a cowboy/cowgirl, sheriff, Red Indian, bartender, or even characters like Zorro and Chuck Norris, and you might just be crowned our best dressed male/female!

Not only that, we will also be hosting raffle draws throughout the night, where you will be able to stand a chance to win a Nintendo DS Lite, an iPod Shuffle, ANU gym passes, a Lumix digital camera or a Western Digital external hard drive, just to name a few. Your eyes are certainly not lying to you. With more than 30 attractive prizes up for grabs, and with raffle draw tickets going for as low as $0.50 per ticket or $45 per booklet (of 100 tickets), you cannot afford to miss these draws!

And don’t forget to support the finalists for Talentime as well! They will be performing what they do best in front of you, while you will be their judge. Want to see your favourite performer win? Then be sure to come and cheer them on!

Tickets will be sold Monday – Thursday (18/5 – 21/5) from 11 AM – 3 PM at the ANU Refectory. Tickets are limited, and from past experience, they sell out pretty quick. So do not hesitate to get your tickets, or you might just be the unlucky one who will miss out on one massive night of fun! Remember to bring along your membership card so that you can secure a ticket for yourself.

We hope to see you there!