Celebrating 140 years of Singapore Recreation Club (SRC)’s rich history in bringing people together, weaving the social and cultural fabric of our society

Speech by Mr Edwin Tong, Minister of Culture, Community and Youth and Second Minister of Law, at the SRC 140th Anniversary Gala Dinner

1. A very lovely evening to everyone and my warmest congratulations to all on your celebration of the 140^th anniversary of the Singapore Recreation Club.
2. This is a significant milestone in the Club's rich history, and I am honoured and privileged to be part of this joyous celebration.
   

   
   Celebrating 140 years of SRC’s rich history

3. Established in 1883, the Club has been a beacon of recreation, camaraderie and community spirit, additionally from the video presentation, a beacon and icon of sporting achievement in Singapore as well. 140 years is a significant period of time, more than double that of our nation’s independence.
4. SRC has been a part of Singapore’s history and memories. From being requisitioned by the British Army Medical Corps just before World War Two, to being renamed the Syonan Recreation Club and serving as a Medical Outpatient Centre during the Japanese Occupation, and not to mention being the talk of the town in 1997 as the first organisation with an underground swimming pool and a heated tub in Singapore.
5. Today, helmed by its 32nd President, Mr Chang Yeh Hong, the Club offers diverse recreational facilities, sport programs, and cultural events to its nearly 7,000 members, and growing.
   
   

   Reflections on SRC’s journey in bringing people together and weaving the social and cultural fabric of our society
   

   SRC’s Role in Bringing People Together
   
   
6. From its humble beginnings as a shophouse in Waterloo Street to becoming one of Singapore's premier recreational establishments, SRC’s offerings of diverse recreational facilities, great sporting programs, and cultural events have continued to enrich the lives of their members and guests and serves as a magnet to bring people together - one of the most important purposes of a club in Singapore, which is to bring about social cohesion and bring people together; and at the same time, achieving such significant sporting progress, shown from our sporting icons Yvonne Pereira and Quah Kim Song in the video earlier.
7. While it first started as a club for the Eurasian community in 1883, SRC opened its doors to all races in 1963. Its social and recreational offerings allowed people from different, diverse backgrounds, representative of Singapore’s multicultural and multiracial background, to bond over common experiences and shared memories and create strong ties and connections in the community.
   
   SRC’s Social, Cultural and Sport Offerings
   
   
8. Whether it is birthday events, weddings or casual dinners, the Club provides an elegant venue for individuals and families to come together, deepen their familial ties, and create cherished memories. I, myself, celebrated my daughter’s first month at this Club, and this brings special memories.
9. SRC is also part of the national events calendar.
10. Every August, the Club organises a family carnival to tie in with the National Day festivities, and also the Formulae 1 Night Race which Club’s President Mr Chang had mentioned earlier.
11. The Club was a hotbed of activity during the FIFA World Cup last year and Mr Chang had kindly accommodated my request to bring my Ministry of Law (MinLaw) staff here for the World Cup screenings. MinLaw was here one night and we all had a great time, thanks to the Club.
12. With its numerous sport and fitness offerings, and regular sporting tournaments, SRC supports our national goal of promoting an active and healthy lifestyle.
13. Beyond that, these sporting activities bring people together, build camaraderie and provide opportunities for the members and community to bond.
14. Long time members might fondly recall the good rapport the ladies netballers established with the men’s footballers, and how the groups came together to play mixed hockey, mixed netball and mixed football matches. These interactions, coupled with the annual gatherings of the sports fraternity, was the spark for many enduring friendships.
    
    SRC’s Opportunity in Bridging Community Involvement and Heritage Preservation
    
15. Located at the Padang, a place where our nation’s collective memories are built, and the focal point of activity in this part of the Civic District of Singapore, the Club has had the privilege of witnessing the unfolding of monumental and historical events.
16. As Singapore's 75th National Monument, the Padang site presents opportunities for SRC to use the site, its history and the collective memories Singapore has around the Padang to bridge community involvement and serve as an icon of heritage preservation together with the National Heritage Board.
    
    

    Recognising efforts of all in SRC, past and present

17. Tonight, as we celebrate this momentous occasion, let us not forget the individuals who have tirelessly contributed to the success of the SRC.
18. To the management, staff and volunteers, who have dedicated their time and efforts to ensure that the Club remains a beacon of excellence and a home away from home for its members; and the Club’s sports and cultural events partners.
19. A big thank you for all contributions. 140 years is not a short period of time and the fact that you are going strong after 140 years is testament to the many people, many helping hands that have built up the club and the strong leadership the club has benefited from.
20. I thank you all for these efforts and I look forward to SRC’s continued journey and legacy as an inclusive and vibrant Club.  
21. My warmest congratulations once again to all of you.
22. Thank you very much, and I look forward to chatting with you all this evening.