The Ministry of National Development (MND) honoured 50 volunteers and alumni for their dedicated service and outstanding contributions to the MND Family at the MND Huddle appreciation event held on 10 November 2016. The annual event was held at the Flower Field Hall at Gardens by the Bay.
MND Awards Presentation Ceremony
Among the recipients of the MND Medallion for Distinguished Service were Chairpersons of MND Family agencies who had stepped down in the past year. They include former AVA Chairman Mr Koh Soo Keong, former BCA Chairman Mr Quek See Tiat, founding President of CEA Mr Greg Seow, former HDB Chairman Mr James Koh Cher Siang and Ms Rita Soh, former President of the Board of Architects.
Minister for National Development Mr Lawrence Wong also presented the first ever MND Dedicated Service Award to Dr Liu Thai Ker, for 30 years of service within the MND cluster. Dr Liu, recognised as one of Singapore’s most illustrious urban pioneers, was the founding Chairman of MND’s Centre for Liveable Cities Advisory Board.
In his opening remarks, Minister Wong thanked all volunteers and partners for their work with MND agencies in driving meaningful projects throughout the year.
Recognising our Valued Volunteers and Partners
Much like the work of the MND Family agencies, the contributions of volunteers and partners span a wide range of areas. The spectrum of their contributions range from serving on agency boards, committees, and advisory panels to supporting MND’s community programmes.
Inspiring stories of five passionate MND Family volunteers and partners were featured in this year’s appreciation video. The video shows how individual acts and contributions can go a long way towards helping to build a more vibrant, green and endearing home in Singapore.
Throughout the evening, guests enjoyed violin and piano performances by local musicians from Play It Forward Singapore, a public piano movement initiated by a group of passionate local artists and designers who transformed old, unwanted pianos into art pieces and placed them in public spaces for everyone to enjoy. Play It Forward Singapore is supported by URA’s Our Favourite Place programme, which supports ground-up initiatives that foster community interaction and enliven public spaces.
Supporting Our Local Industry Partners
The dinner menu for the event featured ingredients sourced from MND’s partners in the local farming industry. These included nai bai and lemongrass from Quan Fa Organic Marketing, seabass from The Fish Farmer, eggs from N & N Egg Farm and aloe vera from Kin Yan Agrotech.
For more on the latest news, events and programmes featuring MND’s volunteers and partners, read the latest issue of Happy Hands: Building An Endearing Home, which is a quarterly newsletter for Friends of the MND Family.