Joo Chiat is first Heritage Town
Judges' unanimous decision nets town $100,000 to develop heritage activities
By Melissa Lin
Joo Chiat has become Singapore's first Heritage Town, beating competitors like Chinatown, Tiong Bahru, Upper Serangoon and Moulmein by a wide margin.
Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts Lui Tuck Yew presented the National Heritage Board's (NHB) inaugural Heritage Town Award to the winning town at the Joo Chiat Community Club yesterday.
For coming in tops, Joo Chiat will also receive $100,000 as funding to develop heritage activities for the year.
In his speech, Mr Lui said that the judging panel's decision was unanimous.
Mr Alvin Tan, director of heritage institutions and industry development at NHB, said: 'Their submission was much more comprehensive. It showcased the multicultural side of Joo Chiat, while managing to tease out the Eurasian and Peranakan elements.'
The judging panel of five included the chief executives of NHB and the People's Association, Mr Michael Koh and Mr Yam Ah Mee, respectively.
With the funding, Joo Chiat residents can look forward to a line-up of heritage activities this year, such as Peranakan Heritage Month in July and Eurasian Heritage Month in December.
Miss Sandra Helen Vatsaloo, who was part of the team that put together Joo Chiat's submission, hopes that residents will learn more about the place through these activities.
'Many people who live in Joo Chiat do not know about its landmarks and history. I have to tell them that Telok Kurau was where (Minister Mentor) Lee Kuan Yew lived and studied at,' said Miss Vatsaloo. She is the chairman of Frankel Neighbourhood Committee and the assistant secretary of Joo Chiat Citizens' Consultative Committee.
The 49-year-old, who was 'born and bred' in Joo Chiat, added: 'People have an idea that Joo Chiat is sleazy. Nobody seems to see the culture and heritage of the place.'
With the award, she hopes that perception can be changed.
In his speech, Mr Lui said heritage could come in many forms.
'Heritage could exist physically, like the monuments, institutions and parks that we have built, heirlooms that we pass on from generation to generation, and more so, in the intangible - the shared memories, experiences, culture and lifestyle of the people in the community,' he said.
He also said that NHB attracted a record 8.8 million participants in its outreach activities last year, doubling the number of participants in 2008.
It will work with selected schools and the Singapore Heritage Society to engage students and residents in activities such as heritage trails and walks.
The Preservation of Monuments Board is currently working with the owners of some national monuments to organise guided tours and festive activities at these places. The search for the next Heritage Town will take place in 2013.
mellinjm@sph.com.sg
Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts Lui Tuck Yew (in green) touring the Joo Chiat Heritage Exhibition at the town's community club with MrChung Sang Hong (right, in white), assistant director for community outreach from the NHB's Education and Outreach Division. MP for Joo Chiat Constituency Chan Soo Sen (in red) and MP for East Coast GRC Lee Yi Shyan (third from left, in yellow) were the host MPs. -- ST PHOTO: NURIA LING
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