INFORMAL DIALOGUE: Singapore Press Holdings CEO Alan Chan holding an informal dialogue in Sydney yesterday with Singaporeans who attended the Overseas Singaporean Unit function. More than a hundred people turned up. -- PHOTO: DOG&PONY PHOTOGRAPHY

More than a hundred people, many of them young, mingled with one another and heard Singapore Press Holdings chief executive officer Alan Chan tell them what to expect when they return home.

And, while admitting they like certain aspects of Australia, many plan to do just that.

Nineteen-year-old Lawrence Lim has been in Sydney for three years and enjoys its 'laid back' atmosphere, but he does not intend to stay. 'I want to get back to my family in Singapore,' he said.

The occasion was the latest event in the Distinguished Business Leaders Series organised by the Overseas Singaporean Unit.

It was the eleventh function of its kind held around the world and last night, the gathering returned to the city where it was first launched in August 2006.

Acting High Commissioner Cheong Ming Foong was among several key diplomatic and business figures at the event.

Mr Chan went there planning to discuss his work in publishing, urban redevelopment and as a board member of Singapore Power.

But he dispensed with a written speech when he found his audience thirsty for news about home. Instead, he answered questions for more than an hour.

It was essentially an opportunity to recognise the diaspora that has become a part of Singapore society.

Indeed, the Overseas Singaporean Unit was set up specially as a platform to serve and connect expatriates to their home country.

Many of last night's guests were current or former students in Australian schools and universities.

Ms Yuan Lim, 29, is a student at the University of New South Wales and is in the third year of a psychology course.

'I came here because I heard Sydney was the most advanced of all the Australian cities and I had a lot of friends here. It's been a great experience,' she said.

'The transport system isn't too good here, but I like the beaches and I'd definitely stay longer if I could.'

The student, who keeps in close contact with her family in Singapore, said the get-together was 'quite useful because they give you a constant update of what's happening back home'.

Mr Chan, who is the chairman of the Urban Redevelopment Authority, spoke of Singapore's changing face and touched on plans for its urban redevelopment - and not only in terms of buildings and construction.

Much was also happening culturally, with more and more musicians playing their instruments on street corners, he pointed out.

That came as good news to Ms Christy Yeo.

She arrived in Sydney three years ago to complete her master's and is now employed as a tax manager.

'Working in Sydney is probably not as stressful as Singapore, because the working hours are shorter and the people are friendlier,' she said.

'But I will go back to Singapore at some point in time because of my family.'

IT specialist Wayne Tham has been based in Australia for a year and spends more time with friends than he did in Singapore because of the shorter working hours.

'But you still work hard here - people stay at their desks and don't go out to lunch like they do in Singapore,' he remarked.

However, he felt he was probably financially worse off in Australia because of the higher taxation.

Ms Karen, who declined to give her last name, has lived in Australia since the early 1980s and now works in executive research.

While she has no plans to return to Singapore, she would 'never say never', she said.

The Overseas Singaporean Unit aims to organise further social events to create a 'home away from home'.

Judging from the response to last night's function, they will be eagerly awaited.

Mr Mervin Koh, 36, an IT consultant, has lived in Australia for nine years, and says he intends to return home.

He said he believed it was important to get 'overseas exposure' but admitted that it was important to maintain contact with Singapore, which he visits about twice a year.

However, he would miss two things about Australia when he returns home.

'You certainly drink a lot more beer here and then there are the barbecues,' he said, with a laugh.

rogmaynard@compuserve.com