Making our community more caring and neighbourly - Every effort counts

The frontpage Newpaper story on 26 Oct 2009 “Long Wait for Help” caught my eye.

From Press cuttings

This newspaper story was about how Miss Audrey Siew, a 30-year-old teacher was injured when she was cycling in Pasir Ris to deliver food items and herbal health boosters to needy residents in her community, something that she has done for the past five years. According to the newspaper report, she also helped old folks move house or lend her listening ears.

I was touched the story and it set me thinking about our own Bishan East community.

We have residents like Ms Siew who are dedicated to building our Bishan East community into one where our residents care for one another. For example, in the current economic downturn, our community leaders raised funds to help needy residents through bursaries for the school-going children and other assistance schemes. They also organised activities to bring residents closer together. And our residents go about helping others in quiet and sometimes anonymous ways, such as the unnamed passer-by reported in Shinmin Daily News on 4 Oct 2009 who had help stopped vehicular traffic from knocking down one of our residents.

From Press cuttings

Over the last few years, we have seen significant physical improvements to our living environment. Many of our precincts have completed or are under-going lift upgrading and estate renewal. The Bishan Harmony Park opened in our neighbourhood recently. Last week, I announced the opening of a PCF childcare centre managed by EtonHouse.

These improvements will enhance our living environment. But it is not just having a beautiful, clean and safe environment that is important, what is equally if not more important is to have good and caring neighbours who look out for one another. We can all do our part to make our community a better, friendlier place. We can do it in simple ways such as smiling to our neighbours, keeping our community clean and participating in activities to get to know our neighbours better. Every effort counts.

If you know of anyone whom you felt has made a difference to our community, drop us an email or leave a comment on the blog.

And please join me wishing Miss Audrey Siew a speedy recovery.

With best wishes to all our residents


WONG KAN SENG

New EtonHouse-managed PCF childcare centre opens in Bishan East next year

Our residents can look forward to a new childcare centre that opens at Blk 178, Bishan East St 13 next year.

Called Hampton Pre-School, the PCF childcare centre will be managed by EtonHouse. The centre is the first PCF childcare centre managed by a private education provider.

Hampton Pre-School has the capacity for over 100 children aged between 18 months and six years old. It will be open from 7am to 7pm on weekdays to cater to the needs of working parents.

The idea of setting up of a PCF childcare centre in collaboration with a private education provider was initiated last year by our Member of Parliament Mr Wong Kan Seng last year, who is Deputy Prime Minister and Home Affairs Minister.

With more new residents and younger families moving into our community, the demand of quality pre-school and childcare services is expected to increase. PCF currently runs two kindergartens centres in Bishan East and Hampton Pre-School will provide the residents a wider choice.



The opening of Hampton Pre-School was announced by DPM Wong at the graduation concert of the Bishan East PCF Education Centres on 23 October 2009.

Here are some pictures of the concert:

Bishan East Grassroots Leaders' Retreat@Orchid Country Club

Bishan East grassroots leaders met up at the annual grassroots leaders' retreat this year at the Orchid Country Club on 24 and 25 October 2009. Over the weekend, our grassroots volunteers created a stronger bond through the team-building games and the various fun-filled activities organised by Organising Chairman Mr Dixon Tan and his team.

On the second day, the grassroots leaders were given a short presentation on the new vision of the People's Association, afterwhich they were broken up into teams to brainstorm on new ideas for the workplan ahead.

Here are some photos taken from the retreat.

..The Bishan East Blog Team..

CLAP @ Bishan-Toa Payoh North in conjunction with Bishan Heights RC’s 10th Anniversary Celebration

CLAP! or Community Life Arts Programme is a cultural event organised by the Central Singapore Community Development Council with the aim to bring performing arts closer to the heartlands in the Central Singapore District. The programme also acts as a platform for budding individuals and arts groups to showcase their talents.

CLAP! @ Bishan-Toa Payoh North was first introduced in April 2008 with performances from local talents, which included students from various schools in the division and the Bishan North Community Club performance groups.

On the evening of 24 October 2009, about 200 Bishan North residents warmly welcomed the Guest-of-Honour, Mr Wong Kan Seng, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs, and Member of Parliament for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC for this event. The residents were serenaded by the medley of songs performed by the talented MAEC Malay Combo Band who hails from Bishan North CC.

To commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Bishan Heights RC, DPM Wong joined the grassroots volunteers and residents who celebrate their birthday in October, in singing a birthday song and the cutting of a birthday cake.

Here are some photos taken during the event.

..The Bishan East Blog Team..

Residents’ Get-together@Blk 229, Bishan Street 23

On Saturday evening, 24 October 2009, Bishan North residents organised a get-together. Parents, friends and children in the neighbourhood were treated to stage games and a sumptuous buffet as they mingled with each other at the void deck of Blk 229, Bishan Street 23. To entertain our folks, our Malay residents also put up a special Silat demonstration for the residents, in addition to the magic show which added to the evening’s fun-filled atmosphere.

The event was graced by the Guest-of-Honour, Mr Wong Kan Seng, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs, and Member of Parliament for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC.

Here are some photos taken during the event.

..The Bishan East Blog Team..

MINISTERIAL COMMUNITY VISIT 11 OCTOBER 2009

On 11 October 2009, Bishan-Toa Payoh North hosted a visit for Mrs Lim Hwee Hua, Minister in the Prime Minister's Office and Second Minister for Finance and Transport. The MPs for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC, led by DPM Wong Kan Seng, Minister Dr. Ng Eng Hen, Mayor Zainudin Nordin and Ms Josephine Teo, accompanied by Mr Sam Tan, MP for Tanjong Pagar GRC and Mr Ang Mong Seng, MP for Hong Kah GRC, warmly welcomed Mrs Lim for the visit at Bishan Active.







The visit coincided with the Community Sports Day event and the MPs had the opportunity to join in the fun by taking part in a shopping trolley race. Here are some candid shots of DPM Wong racing down the tarmac!




Following the sports event, Mrs Lim visited the Bishan North Shopping Mall and ended the day with a dialogue session with residents in the Bishan North Community Centre.

Bishan East Mid-Autumn Festival Celebration 2009

On Saturday, 3 October 2009, Bishan East grassroots leaders organised the annual Mid-Autumn Fesitval Celebration. The event was graced by the Guest-of-Honour, DPM Wong Kan Seng, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs, and Member of Parliament for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC.

Despite the light drizzle, hundreds of residents streamed in to join in the festivities. Residents had the opportunity to taste delicious snacks, as well as savour mooncakes washed down with a cup of traditional Chinese tea. For the first time in Bishan, residents had the rare opportunity to view the magnificient aerial displays of remote-controlled kites which lighted the night skies with their delightful spots of colours. Audiences were also entertained by martial art demonstrations and the ever-intriguing art of face-changing.

Here are some photos taken during the event.

..The Bishan East Blog Team..

RC Zone 2 Block Visit@119 and 120 on 1 October 2009

DPM Wong Kan Seng visited a total of 87 units at Block 119 and 120 on the evening of 1 October 2009. He was hosted by the RC Chairperson Mr Chia Pen Chuen and his fellow RC members. Officers representing the agencies such as the HDB, Police, Town Council and the LTA joined in the block visit to obtain feedback on issues such as living environment and conservancy.

DPM Wong was warmly invited into several homes of residents. During the visit, many residents shared their heartfelt appreciation on the Lift Upgrading Program which provided much convenience for the residents.

Here are the photos taken during the block visit.

.. The Bishan East Blog Team ..