A 45-YEAR-OLD housewife found herself among the fortunate quartet who secured return tickets to Adelaide, Australia, courtesy of Malaysia Airlines.
Her win came as part of the My Adelaide Favourite Contest, a competition organised by Gourmet South Australia.
In an interview with Buletin Mutiara following the prize-giving ceremony at Town Hall today, Aida Ariati Peai shared her excitement.
“I wasn’t expecting to win at all. I was simply informed to attend the award ceremony, so I caught the first flight from Selangor today.”
As if destiny had a hand in it, Aida Ariati continued: “Today happens to be my birthday, and winning this is the best birthday gift one can receive!
“Now I need to get another ticket for someone to tag along!” she added a touch of humour.
Aida Ariati won an economy-class return ticket to Adelaide.
Meanwhile, the grand prize winner, Mohamed Nazri Mohamed Tahir, a 40-year-old officer at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), was jubilant about his two business class tickets. His passion for photography finally paid off through this contest.
“I have been dabbling in photography and videography as a part-time hobby. However, I really did not expect this.
“After many attempts, one finally hit the target!” Mohamed Nazri said.
He extended his gratitude, thanking Gourmet South Australia for organising the contest in partnership with AEON, Malaysia Airlines, Penang Island City Council (MBPP), and the Penang government.
The other two lucky winners of the economy-class return ticket to Adelaide were Wee Pooi Yuen and Nurul Dafila Nor Azlizan.
The contest also saw 10 consolation prize winners who bagged AEON shopping vouchers worth RM200 each.
The My Adelaide Favourite Contest was introduced alongside the Adelaide Food Fair, aimed at encouraging Penang residents to support South Australian products.
The food fair took place at Queensbay Mall from Sept 1 to 30, leading up to the 50th-anniversary celebration of the sister city establishment between George Town and Adelaide.
During the prize ceremony, MBPP mayor Datuk A. Rajendran remarked on the upcoming celebration.
“On Dec 8, we will commemorate 50 years of strong ties between the city of George Town and Adelaide. This serves as a testament to the strengthening of bonds between the two cities.”
He also highlighted the growing interest of Malaysians, particularly Penangites, in Australian products.
“This enthusiasm reflects the promising outlook for Australian goods in Malaysia. The collaborative efforts between the South Australian government and the Australian High Commission to Malaysia will further enhance the George Town-Adelaide relations across economic, educational, cultural, and tourism dimensions,” Rajendran said.
South Australia state representative (Malaysia) for Trade and Investment Adil Akbar attributed the strengthening relationship to the late Don Dunstan, then South Australia’s Premier, who was dedicated to forging lasting connections with George Town, then led by the late Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu.
“I want to also extend my sincere thanks to the mayor of MBPP and the members of the city council for their support in bringing Malaysians and Australians closer,” he said.
The event also saw the presence of the honorary consul of Australia to Penang Datuk Seri Lim Huat Bee, MBPP secretary Cheong Chee Hong, MBPP councillors, Malaysia Airlines northern region commercial and sales area manager Lisa Wong, and AEON representative Faridah Md Noor.
Story by Norman Sim
Pix by Siew Chia En