Voice of Victoria | Beach Day

An inaugural special for a day in the sand.

Good Vibes Only

On the 25th of April, the Malaysians Swinburne Association (MSA), RMIT University Malaysian Association (RUMA), Malaysian Students' Society of Monash Caulfield (MASS), and Monash University Malaysian Students' Union (MUMSU) hosted Beach Day, one of the biggest collaboration initiatives across Victoria's Malaysian Student Organisations (MSO).

The outing at St Kilda Beach saw over 70 participants from different institutions across Victoria participate in a multitude of activities under the sun, kicking off with a high-school favourite — Captain Ball. The social game provided a relaxing session for participants to unwind alongside fellow Malaysians, yet presented a perfect injection of vigor for the more active to showcase their A-game.

The activity seamlessly transitioned into an interactive food and drinks break where participants were able to connect and meet new faces whilst enjoying homemade Malaysian kuih, curry puffs and sandwiches courtesy of the MSOs. The day rolled on with a range of humour-filled bonding experiences before an admirable showcase of Malaysian heritage through a plethora of creative sand sculptures — from the Petronas Twin Towers to the traditional Sampan — each carrying with them a unique interpretation of Malaysia's cultural significance.

A Home Away from Home

The nostalgia of youth through captain ball, the expression of diversity through sandcastles, and the taste of home through Malaysian cuisine, all add up to compose a comprehensive blend of Malaysian identity — and this is what MSOs aim to deliver. "The Malaysian community here is like a home away from home," said MUMSU president William on what MSOs mean to him, a sentiment shared in unison by other MSO leaders. Not only does Beach Day provide an action-packed day out, it also serves to remind Malaysians abroad that the comfort of belonging is not bound by distance, but rather it is found in the communities that have carried pieces of Malaysia with them along the journey.