A message from the Overseas Singaporean Unit (OSU) regarding the Swine Flu
By Mr Goh Kok Wee

The swine flu which originated in Mexico appears to be spreading. According to media reports, there have been to date 81 deaths in Mexico (comprising 20 confirmed cases and 61 suspected cases); and reports ofabout two dozen confirmed and suspected cases have surfaced in the US, NewZealand, Spain, France, Israel, Canada and Scotland. The WHO has warned ofthe potential of the swine flu becoming an international pandemic.

Singaporeans in Australia should pay close attention to the advice of the local health authorities on the situation. Singapore's Ministry of Healthhas issued the following advisory:

Members of the public are advised to postpone or avoid non-essential travel to Mexico. In the event that travel to Mexico is unavoidable, the public is advised to take precautionary measures such as avoiding crowded areas, coming into contact with sick persons and maintaining high standards of personal hygiene at all times.

Members of the public are also advised to seek immediate medical attention if they develop symptoms of swine flu within seven days oftravel to California, Texas or Kansas in USA, or to Mexico. They should also disclose their travel histories to their doctors.

The public should maintain high standards of personal hygiene, such as washing hands frequently with soap and water, especially after contact with respiratory secretions (e.g. after sneezing and coughing). Those who are sick with respiratory illnesses should avoid crowded areas and wear masks if possible.

Should Singaporeans have any queries, they should contact the Singapore High Commission in Canberra at (+61) (2) 6271 2000 or the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs Duty Office at (+65) 63798800. Stay safe, alert and be healthy! Be in touch!

SIF Update

The popular Camp Singapore is back! Come 15 to 18 December 2008 and 5 to 8 January 2009, SIF will be organising two Camps to explore the history of Singapore.

Called Camp Singapore: History Trail, this is a four-day non-residential event that will take our young campers back in time. Learn about life in Singapore when it was a fishing village. Live through Singapore’s darkest days during the Japanese Occupation. Learn about the different cultures and religions that make up our colourful nation. Camp Singapore will bring to life classroom history lessons with fun-filled activities and exciting story telling by our professional guides.

Please visit http://www.sif.org.sg/en/what-we-do/camp-singapore/announcement-details/article/43/sign-up-for-1.html for more details and to sign up!

Please also check out some of the following updates:

- Two of Singapore’s most exciting young filmmakers will be competing at the UK’s leading short film festival this year. The annual Encounters Short Film Festival takes place at the Watershed centre in Bristol, UK, 18 to 23 November and attracts entrants from around the world. The winner of which takes away a prize of £3000 and previous winners include Singaporean filmmaker Royston Tan. Director of the Singapore Film Commission, Mr Kenneth Tan, will be joining one of the festival’s main juries, as a mark of the growing links between the Singapore and UK film industries.

- More overseas Singaporeans are now able to participate in our national elections with changes to the Parliamentary Election Act on overseas voting. More information are available here.

- The Clean Energy Programme Office (CEPO) is currently providing PhD scholarships in Clean Energy areas to fellow overseas Singaporeans! For those interested in pursuing higher studies in the clean energy industry, the scholarship application form can be downloaded here.

- Calling out to all former and current wrestlers, as well as anyone interested or have been involved in the wrestling sport! The Wrestling Federation of Singapore, a new National Sport Association under the Singapore Sports Council, would like to be in touch with you. More details are available here.

Singapore Day in Melbourne

During the recent Singapore Day held in Melbourne on October the 4th, a delegation of more than 25 Singaporeans from Adelaide made a trip to Melbourne to attend this significant event. This annual event was held in New York last year, and we are very privileged to have it this year in Melbourne, Australia (although we wished it was in Adelaide)!

Singaporeans in Australia were treated to many local favourites such as Chili Crab, Bah Chor Mee, Fried Kway Teow, Kaya Toast, and Chicken Rice to name a few! Of course, the wonderful day at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl could not be complete without a live performance by Media Corp artists, and what more could we ask for with a rendition of Pua Chu Kang brought to us live in Australia!

In the evening, the official dinner hosted by Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister at the Melbourne Town Hall, was attended by some 500 guests from various states within Australia.

The Singapore Day event is aimed to keep Overseas Singaporeans in touch with Singapore, and is made possible by various sponsors, and also the Government of Singapore. More details can be found at https://app.singaporeday.gov.sg/index.html