Peranakan Melbourne - PAA Melb

29/08/2026

🎉 LAUJIAT THRU THE NIGHT – NOW OPEN TO EVERYONE! 🎉

We’ve had an incredible response from the PAA community, and with only a few tickets remaining, we’re now opening our 2026 Annual Dinner & Dance to the public!

😋 Makan till kenyang.
💃 Joget till you drop.
😄 Laugh till your cheeks hurt.
🎉 Come, let’s jolly together as we Laujiat Thru the Night!

Join us for a fabulous 4-course Asian Fusion banquet, live entertainment from Ron Seow, David & Sarah Ng, special performances by our PAA Legendary Performers, and plenty of music, laughter and dancing throughout the night.

Come with your partner, bring your kakis, or gather a group and join us for one big Peranakan celebration!

🎟️ Only a few tickets remain, so don’t wait too long to chup your seat!

Everyone is welcome. ❤️

🎉 Laujiat Thru the Night! 🎉 Makan till kenyang. Joget till you drop. Laugh till your cheeks hurt. Bring your kakis and let’s shiok together as...

20/08/2026

Pleased to announce Richard Tan of the original Main Wayang Company has used Nic KELLARGIAS’s music for a fashion show in Singapore. Video attached below from Richard’s page. Nic’s “Nyonya Sayang” (both versions) have been used as 2nd and 3rd music for the models who are actually dancers from a local Singaporean ballet school. The fashions were designed by Ada Goh. Sorry couldn’t attach the 3rd suite which was evening wear due to inverted camera and without the forward icon on the webpage.

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/14rwZopPux2/?mibextid=wwXIfr

28/07/2026

PAA Christmas in July Potluck – A Celebration of Food, Fun and Friendship

Our PAA Christmas in July Potluck was a wonderful afternoon filled with delicious food, singing, dancing and, most importantly, the warmth and fellowship of friends coming together to celebrate.

A special highlight of the day was the PAA Pressure Test – Decorate a Christmas Yule Log.

A big thank you goes to Clara, who spent many hours preparing for this challenge. She lovingly iced nine Swiss rolls with delicious chocolate buttercream and coordinated an impressive variety of decorative items, ensuring everything was ready for the contestants.

With just 15 minutes on the clock, each contestant immersed themselves in the challenge with incredible focus, creativity and enthusiasm. It was amazing to see the beautiful Yule logs created in such a short time, with every one showcasing its own unique style and artistic flair.

Judging was certainly not easy, as the standard of all the finished Yule logs was exceptionally high. Each creation was beautifully decorated, making it extremely difficult to decide on the winners. In the end, everyone was a winner, with each contestant demonstrating wonderful creativity, imagination and festive spirit.

A heartfelt thank you also goes to all our hardworking volunteers who helped behind the scenes — setting up tables and chairs, preparing the AV system, managing the tea and coffee station, washing up, packing up and so much more. Without their dedication and support, events like this would not be possible.

We truly appreciate every helping hand that makes our PAA gatherings so enjoyable. The laughter, camaraderie and shared moments throughout the afternoon truly captured the spirit of Christmas in July.

25/07/2026

If you’re like us and wishing you could turn back time and relive last week’s Kebaya Showcase, the closest we can offer is a highlights recap!

24/07/2026

Our Heartfelt Thanks to Our Sponsors & Supporters ❤️

Threads of Heritage - A Kebaya Showcase would not have been possible without the generosity and support of our community.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to:

• 3zzz Suara Melayu Melbourne for promoting our event on air, and to DJ Madkhul for generously sponsoring his time, expertise, and sound equipment, helping us achieve some of the best sound we have ever experienced at a PAA event.

• Cindy.shutterbug for capturing the day so beautifully through her lens. Your photographs have helped us preserve these special memories for years to come.

• MaMa Gourmet for coming to our rescue and generously providing the delicious kueh talam for our snack packs when our original supplier was no longer able to fulfil our order.

• SBS Bahasa Melayu for supporting our community by covering the event and helping us share the story of Threads of Heritage with a wider audience.

We would also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to those who made financial contributions towards Threads of Heritage. Through individual gifts and TryBooking donations, we raised close to $1,000 in support of the event.

Your generosity and belief in the importance of cultural continuity helped make this event possible. Thank you for investing in our community and helping us celebrate our shared heritage.

Kam Siah. ❤️

The Peranakan Association Australia (Melb) Team

23/07/2026

IT'S HERE! 🌺 ME IN MY KEBAYA COMPILATION 🌺

In the lead-up to Threads of Heritage: A Kebaya Showcase, we invited people to share a photograph of themselves wearing the kebaya and tell us where it was taken.

The response was heartwarming.

Photographs came from Melbourne, Malaysia, Singapore, and a handful of cities around the world. Some captured special occasions, others everyday moments. Some were recent, while others were treasured memories spanning generations.

Together, these images remind us that the Kebaya is more than a garment. It is a living expression of culture, identity, and belonging.

We hope this compilation serves as a beautiful archive and celebration of the many ways the Kebaya continues to be worn, cherished, and passed on.

Thank you to everyone who generously shared a piece of their story with us.

Kam Siah. ❤️

The Peranakan Association Australia (Melb) Team

📽 Video designed and produced by Glenda Chi & Janice Zheng

22/07/2026

It takes a village.

Threads of Heritage may have only lasted four hours, but it took a community to make it happen.

While our guests enjoyed an afternoon of culture, connection, and community, a dedicated team of volunteers worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure everything ran smoothly, from carrying chairs and serving refreshments to welcoming guests and making sure every microphone worked when needed.

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the following teams:

Organising Team:
• Glenda Chi (Co-Lead)
• Allison Pereira (Co-Lead)
• Ket Meng Cheong
• Sharon Seet
• Joan Eu
• Shahan Cheong
• Angie Koh

Before a single chair was unpacked or a guest walked through the doors, this team had already spent six short weeks planning, coordinating, and shaping what would become Threads of Heritage. From coordinating logistics and communications to securing speakers, curating experiences, designing collateral, and handling countless behind-the-scenes meetings and messages, their dedication made this event possible. A special mention must go to our treasurer, Sharon Seet, who contributed enormously to the event's planning despite being overseas and unable to attend on the day.

Together, they led with generosity, creativity, and a shared commitment to cultural continuity. We are deeply grateful for their leadership and vision.

Set Up Team:
• Andrew Gan
• Toby Ninnis
• Jason Tan
• Benjamin Gan
• Evan Zheng
• Noel Zheng
• Choeden See
• Jayden See
• Hunt Soon See

Led by Andrew and his team of muscles, our set-up team worked tirelessly behind the scenes, from unpacking the first chair to folding away the last table. They ensured that chairs, tables, displays, and equipment appeared exactly where they needed to be, without any fuss and often before we even knew we needed them! Thank you for your generosity, strength, and willingness to serve wherever needed.

Food & Beverage Team:
• Jennifer Tan
• Azmi Akhmad
• Chean Ng
• Bee Cheong
• Christine Teen
• Pauline Kovacs

Led by Jennifer and her team of hospitality heroes, every cup of tea or coffee was ready to go and handed out in an orderly fashion. When we unexpectedly needed all hands on deck to pack kueh and snack packs for almost 190 attendees within a very short timeframe, this team stepped up without hesitation. Hospitality is at the heart of our culture, and their teamwork, efficiency, and good spirits meant that every guest was catered for.

Registration & Usher Team:
• Angie Koh
• Janice Zheng
• Damien Kuek
• PG Kam
• Pauline Kovacs
• Evan Zheng
• Noel Zheng
• Keira Kuek
• Addy Kuek

Led by Angie and her team of registration superstars, they ensured that every poster, wristband, lanyard, sign, banner, and guest was exactly where they needed to be. From coordinating registrations to distributing wristbands and snack packs, this team kept the front of house running seamlessly throughout the afternoon. Our ushers went above and beyond to help attendees find their seats, answer questions, and create a warm and inclusive atmosphere that made everyone feel at home.

Sound & AV Team:
• Jason Tan
• Madkhul Sani
• Ket Meng Cheong

Led by Jason and supported by Madkhul and Ket Meng Cheong, our Sound & AV Team kept the event running smoothly behind the scenes.

Madkhul, a DJ from 3ZZZ Suara Melayu Melbourne Malaysian Group, generously sponsored his time, expertise, and professional sound equipment for the event, helping us achieve some of the best sound we have ever experienced at a PAA event. Together with Jason’s tireless troubleshooting and willingness to help wherever needed, this team kept Threads of Heritage running seamlessly from beginning to end.

To every volunteer, helper, and family member who gave up their Saturday to support this event.... KAMSIAH & THANK YOU! 🙏

Community events don’t happen by accident. They happen because people are willing to show up, lend a hand, and serve one another. By the time we included our curators, contributors, volunteers, and helpers, more than 40 people played a part in bringing Threads of Heritage to life. Every single person had an important role to play, and every single person was busy!

Our mission is to ensure cultural continuity, and Threads of Heritage was a beautiful reminder that it truly takes a village and every generation to keep our culture alive.

From the bottom of our hearts, Kam Siah. ❤️

The PAA (Melb) Team

21/07/2026

Behind every display was a story, and the people who brought those stories to life.

One of the highlights of Threads of Heritage - A Kebaya Showcase was our incredible community-curated displays.

We would like to acknowledge the immense amount of work poured into each exhibit, from collecting artefacts and researching their history, to transporting, curating, setting up, and carefully returning treasured heirlooms to their rightful owners after the event.

This was not a museum exhibition. It was a community showcase, lovingly created by our members over many weeks and brought to life by a dedicated team who began setting up from 8:00 AM on event day.

The Kebaya Display:
Cedric Tan generously volunteered his time to travel from Malacca to Melbourne to share his knowledge, stories, and personal collection of kebayas with our community. When the opportunity arose to visit Australia, he asked if he could also support our Melbourne Peranakan community. He asked for nothing in return - only the opportunity to help preserve and celebrate our shared heritage. His generosity and passion for cultural continuity were evident throughout the day.

Together with Jasmine Teen, Susan Boyke, Kathy Pearson, Esther Sim, and Allison Pereira, they created a breathtaking centrepiece for the exhibition. Ironing, pinning, and dressing thirteen Sarong Kebayas within a restricted timeframe was no small feat.

The Sarong Display:
Margaret De Silva curated and designed a vibrant Sarong exhibit showcasing her personal collection. Together with Yan Chong and Clara Chan, she brought colour and history to life. Special thanks to Lan Cheng, Thina Pavlomanolokas, Angie Koh, and George Shamieh for supporting both the exhibit and presentation.

The Kasut Manek Display:
Ju Na Tan curated and designed an extraordinary display showcasing the art of Peranakan Manek, from traditional and modern tools to stunning Kasut Manek and heirloom pieces.

The exhibit also featured a live demonstration by Manek student Serene Ong, giving visitors a glimpse into this intricate craft. Thank you to Soo Chi for manning the table and to contributors Ben Goh, Audrey Lim, Judy Teo, Siew Ean Rowe, Sharon Seet, Diana Khoo, Soo Chi, Allison Pereira and Glenda Chi for sharing their treasured pieces. Thanks to Hunt Soon and sons for helping Ju Na with set-up too!

The Peranakan Accessories Display:
Shahan Cheong curated and designed the Peranakan Accessories display, featuring his own collection alongside treasured heirlooms and photographs contributed by Glenda Chi, Ju Na Tan, and Esther Sim. Thank you also to Joseph Then for helping to man the table throughout the afternoon.

The Kebaya Tailor Shop Photo Booth:
Joan Eu designed our immersive photo booth, transforming the space into a nostalgic Kebaya tailor shop. Working alongside Shahan Cheong, Sharon Seet, Henry Cheong, Ket Meng Cheong, Bee Cheong and Clara Chan, they brought together vintage pieces and props, and memories inspired by Shahan’s grandmother’s sewing shop, creating one of the most-photographed spaces at the event.

A special thank you to Cindy Law for generously loaning the lighting, which helped bring the space to life. Thank you also to Daniel Chan for assisting with the set-up and capturing many wonderful moments throughout the afternoon.

Nyonya Catwalk Models:
Our exhibition would not have been complete without our wonderful Nyonya Catwalk Models, who brought the Sarong Kebaya to life on the runway. Representing different styles and stories, they reminded us that the Kebaya is not merely an artefact to be displayed, but a living tradition to be worn and celebrated.

A heartfelt thank you to our models:

Serene Cheong
Clara Chan
Tania Koh
Molly Fitzgerald
Natalie Koh
Ashley Koh
Sheikha Qalish
Jamie Chua
Annie Yim

We would also like to acknowledge Jamie Chua, Allison Pereira, Jasmine Teen, and Glenda Chi for generously loaning kebayas, sarongs, jewellery, and kasut manek for the showcase. Thanks to Cedric Tan and Esther Sim for helping the models get ready for the runway. Together, they transformed history into a lived experience for our audience.

To our curators, contributors, display helpers and models - A MASSIVE THANK YOU.

Your creativity, generosity, and dedication transformed a community hall into a living celebration of Peranakan heritage. While the exhibition was open for just four hours, the memories created will last much longer.

We are incredibly grateful to everyone who loaned treasured heirlooms, shared their knowledge, and gave their time so generously.

Our mission is to ensure cultural continuity, and this exhibition was a beautiful reminder that our heritage lives on through the stories, objects, and people who carry it forward.

More behind-the-scenes photos to come!

Kam Siah. ❤️

The PAA (Melb) Team

📷 Photos by .shutterbug & PAA (Melb) Community

19/07/2026

WOW. What a day.

Yesterday, our sold-out Threads of Heritage - A Kebaya Showcase with Cedric Tan welcomed close to 180 attendees for an afternoon of culture, connection, and community.

What began as a simple idea became something truly special.

Together, we explored the rich history of the kebaya, admired treasured family heirlooms, learned from Cedric Tan and Margaret De Silva, watched our Nyonyas take to the runway, and celebrated the many stories that continue to keep our culture alive.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the Consul General of Malaysia, His Excellency Nik Mohammed Nasyron, for officially opening the event and for his support of our community and cultural heritage.

To our volunteers, speakers, exhibitors, sponsors, and every person who attended—kamsiah and thank you. This event would not have been possible without you.

We are incredibly grateful for the overwhelming support shown by our community. The warmth, enthusiasm, and joy in the room reminded us that there is a real appetite for culture, belonging, and connection.

One of the messages shared throughout the afternoon was:

"Our mission is to ensure cultural continuity."

Yesterday, we saw that mission come alive.

Thank you for helping us preserve and celebrate our shared heritage. We look forward to continuing to create opportunities for our community to gather, learn, and connect.

More photos to come!

Kam Siah,
The Peranakan Association Australia (Melb) Team ❤️