Greetings members I am finding this month’s message particularly difficult to write – I have written many times in my newsletter messages over the last months, that we are looking for members to take on a number of roles on the Board and very disappointingly there have been no responses forthcoming so far. No willing volunteers and nobody even suggesting someone they think may be approachable. At the AGM in May we failed to get any nominations for the positions of Vice President and Events Planning Team Convenor and to date these two positions on the Board remain vacant. In fact, I have also been acting as the EPT Convenor for many months now to ensure you and me, as members of MCG, continue to have varied and interesting events to attend. The team is a group of very enthusiastic members (all voluntary) all working together to bring interesting speakers, trips etc to us the members of MCG. Remember many hands make light work. I will be tendering my resignation to the Board at our next meeting on 10 September and that must be effective from 31 October 2008 as Steve and I will return to New Zealand in January 2009 and I need time to plan and organise the move. My resignation could well leave the MCG unable to operate within its constitution as that would mean 3 vacant Board positions in a Committee that has 9 named positions – the Librarian position was not disestablished at our last AGM even though the Library is currently in the custody of the Museum Volunteers Malaysia – the position is gapped at present and MVM provide the Board with regular reports but do not hold a voting position on the Board. I have found being actively involved with the MCG Board and Events Planning Team one of the most rewarding things I have done in my almost three years in Malaysia and I certainly hope someone among the enthusiastic participants I see at MCG events can be prompted and or tempted to step up and get involved to ensure the future of this fantastic KL identity. I hope the almost 40 members and guests who attended Professor Joseph Stimpfl’s lecture on 12 August enjoyed it as much as I did. There will be no September lecture - as a result of us having this talk in August instead – we wish Professor Stimpfl a safe return to the USA and thank him very much for making time to speak to us on two occasions this year. I wish to thank Cindy Peters-Zeier for all her efforts in the many roles within MCG she has undertaken over a good many years – Cindy has recently resigned from the EP Team as she and Fritz will be leaving KL later this year for a new life in Phuket. I wish them both all the very best. I look forward to seeing you all at an event soon. - Lin Streefkerk PROGRAMME OF EVENTS
REPORTS FROM PREVIOUS EVENTS High Tea at Carcosa Sri Negara It was that time of year again when Expats were packing up and heading home for the summer. As a means of one last get together and chance to wish each other 'happy holidays', a group of 19 women got together for an afternoon of 'High Tea'. What better place to indulge and play ladies, than Carcosa Sri Negara. For those who have not yet experienced this delight nor had the opportunity to visit, Carcosa Sri Negara is now a boutique Heritage Hotel, comprising two colonial mansions. Carcosa was built for Sir Frank Swettenham, the first resident General of Colonial Malaya, in 1904. It remained the official residence of the British High Commissioner until 1998, when it was handed over to the Malaysians. Sri Negara, also known as the 'Kings House', was built after Carcosa, to accommodate further illustrious guests. Both mansions sit atop hill sites above the Lake Gardens, with views over lush greenery and the city of KL. Between them, they boast of 13 elegant suites, fine dining, drinks on the spacious verandas, along with everything one would expect from a 5 star hotel. Upon arrival, we were met by the General Manager, Cala Petzold-Beck, who took us for a guided tour of Carcosa. Many of the women had not visited before and we were all keen to have a look. The grandeur of the entrance foyer, with sweeping double staircase up to the rooms above, the beautifully set dining room, silver, glass, soft lighting, the perfume of fresh flowers, only increased our desire to see more. We were not disappointed, as upstairs we were led from one luxurious suite to another, each one distinctive in its decor, size, spacious bathrooms, sitting rooms and verandas. Each room is named after a Malaysian state. The Queen and Prince Philip were the first guests to stay when they were here for the Commonwealth Games. Sadly someone was staying in that suite so we could only see some of it, including the wonderful balcony overlooking the gardens and city. Needless to say, by this time the opulence of the place was starting to affect us, we were ready for a bit of pampering ourselves. We headed back to Sri Negara, where the High Tea is served. Luckily for us, in a way, the dining room was busy hosting a jewellery show, (yeap! just another thing to tempt us) so we were escorted to the covered verandas running around two sides of the house. Perfect - two large round tables, crisp white tablecloths, napkins, pretty cups and saucers, glassware and flowers waiting for us. Fans whirling above our heads, tropical trees and gardens enclosed the veranda while rattan blinds swayed in the breeze. We could have stepped back to the days of the British Raj. After choosing our various teas and daintily selecting from the tiered stand of the traditional cucumber sandwiches, small cakes, and an assortment of delectable treats, to say nothing of the warm scones and jam that followed, we all settled down to a very pleasant afternoon tea. After much chatter and empty plates, we were brought back to reality at about 6.00pm, as the mosquitoes started to bite and we knew it was time to head back into KL traffic and the real world. There is always next year! Ginny Connolly 19 MCG members and guests enjoyed a beautiful afternoon at the Grande Dame of hotels in KL, Carcosa Seri Negara. Carcosa began life as the home of Frank Swettenham, the first Resident Governor of Malaya. He then added Seri Negara or the King’s House as it was formerly known, to house visiting guests. During WWII, it was home to the highest ranking officers of the Japanese occupying forces. After independence, the British ceded the property to the Malaysian government and there it firmly remains. Luckily for us, there was only one overnight guest, so we were able to visit all the guest rooms, but one…and they were fabulous! One could easily imagine the ‘good life’ in KL in the early 1900’s. Today the Carcosa Seri Negara is often used for Diplomatic receptions, private parties and very special events…in fact, while we were there, a new jewellery collection was being launched and as we waited for everyone to arrive, many members perused the displays. Because of the launch, we were unable to have tea in the drawing room which turned out to actually be a good thing. We were instead seated at two large round tables on the veranda, so we could easily get to know one another better and I think all would agree, it was a lovely way to spend a summer afternoon. Cindy Zeier EXPLORE WITH THE EXPLORERS If you like to get out and about, and you are interested in what Kuala Lumpur has to offer…you might be interested in joining Malaysian Culture Group’s (MCG) Explorers program. “Explorers” currently has 2 groups of participants. Each group “explores” 8 or 9 times a year. With each group, participants pair up and each team of 2 is responsible for coordinating one month’s program with optional lunch locations. Recent programs have included visits to an Orang Asli village, a tour of a new hospital, a wander through Taman Hana and a kite making session. Upcoming tours in the planning stages include a tour of Kolej Tuanku Jafa’ar, a visit to a Rubber Plantation and an eco-fibre themed morning. MCG will be holding their Annual Newcomers’ Coffee Morning on Thursday 25 September. Those interested in joining Explorers will be able to sign up at the Newcomers’ morning. A follow up meeting of the two Explorers groups will take place in October for all interested participants. At this meeting, we will establish dates and discuss possible destinations for the 2009 calendar year. The commitment needed to make the Explorers program a success is minimal. All the program requires is for participants to commit to the designated Monday each month, volunteer with a partner to plan one month’s program and submit a write-up (photos always welcome!) for this newsletter. Thanks and hope to welcome you to the fun of MCG Explorers in KL. Dawn Babcock
BOOK CLUB A Message From the Book Group Convenor MCG’s two Book Groups are stimulating venues for discussion of Asian Literature, both fiction and non-fiction. Each of the two groups meets one morning a month (either Wednesday or Friday) to discuss a book selected by the group prior to the new season. Each group is able to accept up to 15 members, so currently there are a few places available in each of the Book Groups. If you are a keen reader and like to discuss what you read, we would love to have you join us. The books to be read this season are as follows: Book Group 1 ---meets the last Friday of the month--- Title Author Eat, Pray, Love Elizabeth Gilbert The Coroner’s Lunch Colin Cotterill All the Shah’s Men Stephen Kinzer The Gif of Rain Tan Twan Eng The Good Women of China Xinran Xue The Reluctant Fundamentalist Mohsin Hamid Q & A Vikas Swarup From the land of Green Ghosts Pascal Khoo Thwe Snow Flower and the Secret Fan Lisa See
Book Group 2 ---meets the last Wednesday of the month--- Noor Jean Overton Fuller Three Cups of Tea Greg Mortenson Three Came Home Agnes Newton-Keith The Old House The Tale of Genji Marasaki Shikibu The Three Daughters of The Space Between Us Thirty Umirgar The Impressionist Hari Kunzru If interested, please contact Joanne Mahendran, Book Group Convenor, at
NEWSLETTER REPORT Newsletter This is the September issue of the newsletter. The next issue will be in October. The deadline for sending in your articles/photos is September 8. Please email your write ups to The write-ups should not be more than 350 words. They should be in Times New Roman font size 11. Jaishree Balasubramanian
BOOKING POLICY FOR EVENTS Reservations Wait List Payments Cancellations Refunds Eligibility Event Participation Eligibility Your co-operation with the Booking Policy would be much appreciated by the Events Planning Team.
| Home | About MCG | Join MCG | Committee | Interesting Links |
Please forward site comments to the website administrator. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
