Paradigm Infinitum Bronze Sponsors of the AMBCQ Merdeka Ball

On Friday 24th August, the Australia Malaysia Business Council Queensland Inc (AMBCQ) hosted a gala Ball marking the Golden Jubilee of “Merdeka” – 50 years of Malaysian independence and the ongoing cultural and business relations between Australia and Malaysia. The event was a fabulous success, with almost 150 guests gathered at Rydges Rooftop Terrace for a wonderful view of the city lights, a delicious three-course dinner, exciting cultural performances, and many give aways. Paradigm Infinitum was very pleased to be a bronze sponsor of the event. General Manager and current Vice-President of the AMBCQ, Shona Leppanen-Gibson, was MC on the night.

Special guest included His Excellency Dato Haji Salim Hashim, Malaysian High Commissioner to Australia, Senator Russell Trood, Senator for Queensland, the Hon Julie Attwood MLA, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Child Safety, Cr Graham Quirk, BCC Chairman of the Committee on Infrastructure and Transport, Cr David Morrison of Ipswich City Council, Mr John-Paul Langbroek, Member for Surfers Paradise, Dr Peter Yeoh, Patron for the AMBCQ, Chairman of the YTY Group, and Chair of the Chinese Business and Professionals Association of Qld, Mr Richard Palk, State Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Former Australian Consul General in Malaysia, and corporate identity Mr Ray Weekes. Messages from the Australian Prime Minister and the Premier were featured on the night. Other sponsors of the evening included Springfield Land Corporation, Abstract Reality International and Ipswich City Council.

Renowned international performers, Michael Cuming and Silvana Van Dijk performed a very popular set as “Visions of a Nomad” with indigenous, traditional and contemporary sounds. Michael Cuming and Silvana Van Dijk previously organised indigenous performances for the Athens Olympics Opening Ceremony in Greece in 2004 and numerous other international productions. Indigenous dancer Peter Ross provided the guests an exciting performance, and hip-hop dancers Caleb, Rua and Zac, had the guests out of their seats looking for a better view of the performance. Another highlight of the night was traditional Malay and Kadazan performances and a Silat (martial arts) demonstration organised by the Malaysian Students’ Council of Australia.

There were a multitude of prizes given away on the night courtesy of Tourism Malaysia, Ipoh Home Coffee, Michael’s Oriental, Middle Park Physiotherapy and Abstract Reality International.

AMBCQ Patron Dr Peter Yeoh with MC and Paradigm Infinitum General Manager, Shona Leppanen-Gibson, drawing one of the many prizes on the night	Senator Russell Trood with His Excellency Dato Haji Salim Hashim, Malaysian High Commissioner to Australia, and his wife Datin Aini
Kadazan dancers from the Malaysian Students Council of Australia, Qld, provided traditional entertainment	Indigenous Australian performer Peter Ross accompanied Michael Cuming and Silvana Van Dijk