| Annual
grants have been made to deserving students throughout
the postwar years; for example in 1984, 14 grants worth
over $5,000 were given out. Most recently in 1995, 28
grants were given out. |
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| In
the late 1980s, an Eurasian Association tuition scheme
was launched to help Eurasian pupils cope with the increasingly
high standards set in Singapore schools. Twenty-five teachers
from primary and secondary schools volunteered their services.
These tuition classes were conducted twice weekly during
the period 1989, 1990 and 1991. |
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|
| In
1990, the first ever Eurasian Contingent performed a Eurasian
dance at the National Day Parade on the Padang. This singular
event signalled a 'new age' for the Association. |
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| In
1991, two events heightened the community's awareness
of its heritage. The first was the Eurasian Heritage Day
at the National Museum. Opened by BG (NS) George Yeo,
on 3 November 1991 the one day exhibition show-cased the
heritage of the Eurasian community from the historical
and cultural perspectives. Some 6,000 people viewed the
exhibition which was also reported on in the media. The
second event was the launching of the book "Singapore
Eurasians - Memories & Hopes". This was the first
authoritative book on the Singapore Eurasian Community.
Some eight years of gestation was brought to fruition
when it was launched by Mr S Rajaratnam before a gathering
of 400 guests. some 2,500 copies have been sold since. |
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| In
1991, the Association took stock of its responsibility
towards the Eurasian community. There was a range of meaningful
activities and programmes which were of benefit to the
members and their families. These activities provided
opportunities for volunteers to direct their energies
to. But the Association had a responsibility towards the
Eurasian community too. The formation of SINDA and CDAC
and the publicity generated on the need for such organisations
acted as a catalyst for action. The developments which
have followed since 1991 have seen the Association take
the leadership role in introducing self-help programmes
for the Eurasian community. |
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| In
1991, the need for an Endowment Fund to support educational
advancement and welfare assistance programmes for Eurasians
in general was realised and work on it commenced. By early
1992 the Trust Deed had been drawn up and at an Extra-Ordinary
General Meeting in July of the same year, Eurasian Association
members voted 100% in favour of its creation. The Eurasian
Association had indicated its complete commitment to administering
the community fund of $2,000,000 and had taken a firm
first step in its implementation. Institution of Public
Character (IPC) status then followed. The Endowment Fund
was launched by President Ong Teng Cheong, then the Deputy
Prime Minister, on 25 October 1992. Mr Ong announced the
Government's support with a dollar-for-dollar grant. The
Trustees of the Endowment Fund are Mr E W Barker, also
the Patron of the Eurasian Association, Mr H R Hochstadt
and Mr O J Oliveiro. |
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| In
September 1992, the Association was given a 400 sq ft
office at the People's Association, Kallang. This served
as an Administration Centre for the Association. |
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| On
26 December 1992, BG (NS) George Yeo became the Minister
representing the Eurasians in Cabinet. The Eurasian Association
as well as the Eurasian community celebrated this development.
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| In
early 1993, tuition classes for Eurasian children were
started in cooperation with SINDA. From our experience
in running tuition classes for association members' children,
we expected the number of Eurasian children qualifying
for subsidised tuition to be small. It was decided that
the most cost effective arrangement would be to 'buy'
tuition from SINDA. |
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| Early
1993 also saw the introduction of a number of welfare
assistance programmes. These were |
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