Hiking mission

Story by Esther Low Harn Shiang, DISTED CPA Australia Student Charter vice-president.

For DISTED College CPA Australia Student Charter leaders, a hike up the Kek Lok Si Temple meant more than just a physical exercise for promoting health or social activity. 

Club president Huang Rong Sheng said: “It was an environmental consciousness outing in support of our college’s Let’s Go Green campaign.” 

“It’s disappointing to see people go on hiking to keep fit but abuse the environment by littering rubbish such as plastic bottles and candy wrappers along the trail. Hence, during our ‘Go Green Hiking’ we picked up rubbish that we came across to do our bit in caring for the environment,” he explained. 

DISTED CPA Australia Student Charter committee members on a litter clean up mission during their Go Geen Hiking activity.

Held on 19 May 2012, the hike that started from the Penang Hill entrance was participated by the club’s outgoing and incoming committee members, accompanied by their advisor and lecturer Gwee Sai Ling. 

Esther Low Harn Shiang, the club’s vice-president, noted: “The event was also beneficial as it fostered bonding and camaraderie among us besides having a great outdoor physical experience that combined love for nature and environmental cleanliness.” 

Ong Hui Kim had a good time to de-stress and rejuvenate her well-being. 

“The activity gave me an opportunity to unwind and get away from the daily hustle and bustle of life. 

“I enjoyed exciting moments of interaction with my course mates besides communing with nature,” said Ong, the club’s auditor. 

DISTED CPA Australia Student Charter outgoing and incoming committee members at the Air Itam Dam with the scattered rubbish that they collected during their green hiking mission.

DISTED lecturer and CPA Australia Student Charter advisor Gwee Sai Ling picking up rubbish during the club's Go Green Hiking to Kek Lok Si Temple.

Membership director Simson Sivakanth shared his fond memories. 

“The hiking activity took us 3 hours and the journey tired us due to the hot sun. But we had lots of fun too as we went about doing the clean up job as a community service with high team spirit. 

“I also had a wonderful time taking snapshots of the event,” he recalled. 

Treasurer Sim Shok Yin remarked: “Besides the green agenda, the activity brought us closer to be a more meaningful student community.” 

Incoming committee member Parimaladevi Jesengar agreed: “Apart from a thrilling time of hiking, I got to know my course mates and lecturer better.” 

“It was a memorable occasion of sharing friendships, experiences and thoughts besides doing a good deed for the environment,” she said.

DISTED CPA Australia Student Charter hiking team sharing a moment of camaraderie.