[A rewarding term]
I handed over my post as Chairman of the Punggol CC Youth Executive Committee today.

This was the Chairman’s Report which I had penned for today's Biennial General Meeting this afternoon.

It has been an exciting and fruitful two years leading one of the most vibrant groups in various grassroots organisations in Singapore. As my two-year term of leading the 9th Punggol Community Club Youth Executive Committee (YEC) comes to a close, I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to my fellow members for their teamwork, efforts, undying support and valuable assistance. I hope all of you have learnt valuable skills and have had an exciting time working together as a team. These skills that you have learnt would go a long way.

My objectives when I undertook the challenge to lead the YEC were simple – to foster better relations and engagement with our Service Learning Club (SLC) in Montfort Secondary School, to forge stronger links through collaboration with other grassroots organisations in the Bedok Reservoir-Punggol Division and external stakeholders and, to mentor and impart useful life skills to the newer members of the committee and in the SLC.

Our relations with the Montfort SLC have improved. We have worked together on various projects spearheaded by the student leaders themselves. We have to continue to build upon this foundation that has been created and create opportunities to work with other schools in the area and see how the YEC can tap on the potential of the students in projects.

We have also managed to work with several external stakeholders like Singapore Management University and ECO Singapore. Members from the YEC and the SLC have also participated in nationwide events such as the Presidents’ Challenge 2007, Singapore's Biggest Street Dance Party City Alive held this year and one of our members had the opportunity to participate in the Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Program (SSEAYP) in 2008.

The launch of Aljunied GRC Youth Initiative in 2007 has fostered a stronger relationship with other YECs in Aljunied GRC and Hougang SMC. An entrepreneurship competition, Project Y.E.A.H was also launched as part of this collaboration. The YECs in Aljunied GRC and Hougang SMC have also worked together on various PAYM Policy Forums.

In addition to the activities that Punggol CC YEC has organised, the YEC was involved in several large-scale projects involving other grassroots organisations. Such activities include Fish for Luck @ Bedok Reservoir which raised funds for The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund. N.E.X.T Challenge, an amazing race concept event with YECs in the North East area, was also successfully organised last year.

I am proud to say that we have made a difference to the community around us. Let’s keep the burning passion and desire to serve the community around us ignited.

Mr Ephraim Loy
Chairman
9th Punggol Community Club Youth Executive Committee

[Jellyfish in the Persian Gulf]
Arriving in Bahrain early on Monday morning, I decided to go for a swim instead of sleeping before lunch. Sleeping would have made adjusting to the jet lag much harder. I also like swimming in the sea when I can. Before entering the water, I asked the hotel manager whether it was safe to swim? Sharks? Jellyfish? He assured me it was safe. Definitely no sharks. But as there was no one else in the water, I thought I should stay close to shore. After 5 minutes, I noticed a soft white mass a few meters in front of me. Squinting my eyes through the goggles, I thought it was a roll of toilet paper. However, looking further ahead, I could see three more such white balls. Deciding that they might be jellyfish, I hurriedly swam towards the shore. My security officer thought they were jellyfish. As the other part of the cove seemed clear, I swam there instead, feeling just a little nervous. After a short while, I decided to get out of the sea and used the swimming pool instead. Later, returning to the beach, I saw two white jellyfish washed up on the sand. The houseboy said the white jellyfish were harmless, just watch out for the brown ones. Somewhat assured, I went in again and swam a few more minutes. At least I can now say that I've swum in the Persian Gulf.

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[Being Visited By My MP Abdullah Tarmugi]
I was in the toilet shaving on Sunday morning when my wife exclaimed that our MP was outside! Although there was a sign posted at the T-junction in the last few days that MP Abdullah Tarmugi was visiting the estate, I had forgotten about it. Wiping off the shaving cream on my face quickly, I put on my shorts and T-shirt and rushed down to greet him and his grassroots leaders. I'm used to visiting my own voters in Aljunied GRC but being visited by my own MP was a different experience. My wife wanted them to come into the house but I told her that we should not detain them too long because they still had many houses to visit. But there was time enough to serve glasses of ribena and to take pictures. I assured my MP that all was well in our estate and thanked him and his good people for a job well done.

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[Changi Bistro]
At Changi Point, there is a new food outlet on the beach called Changi Bistro. Opened earlier this year, it serves excellent food. I went there with my wife and two sons on Saturday night, my third visit in less than a month. It is only 5 minutes from where I live. With the tide high and a light breeze blowing, it was a pleasant dining experience. We were casually dressed, wearing our flip flops. I've gotten to know Chef Ho. He now has a charcoal grill which improves the flavour of the food. The oxtail stew is a signature dish. The grills are very good. We've given him feedback about his spaghetti vongole which is one dish we order every time we are there.





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