Online Exhibition

Mr Dan Teo’s Keep Singapore Clean campaign pamphlet and poster

The Keep Singapore Clean and Pollution-Free campaign was inaugurated on 1 October 1968 by then Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew. The month-long campaign reminded Singaporeans of the need to work together in order to achieve a cleaner, greener Singapore. In 1969, the campaign called on Singaporeans to Keep Singapore Clean and Mosquito-Free, which was the start to similar efforts we see today.

Telok Kurau East School’s Admission Registers which contain Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s name as a student

Throughout his life, Mr Lee was steadfast in his focus on education and ensuring that there was equal opportunity regardless of race or religion, as he saw it as an enabler to of success. For Telok Kurau Primary School, the register shows how Mr Lee, even as a young boy, was resilient in his school attendance as he knew its importance from a young age.

Mr Tan Teck Lee’s vocational institute lunch pass from the early 1980s

Vocational training was an important factor that contributed to Singapore's success in industrialisation. Mr Tan recalls that students in the institutes had to follow a strict training programme, which included having lunch within the training institute. The lunch pass was important to Mr Tan as he wasn't able to afford lunch at the institute and it allowed him to return home for lunch. 

Mr Edmond Wong’s story of founding leader and then MP of Joo Chiat Dr Fong Kim Heng and Kim Choo Kueh Chang

Mdm Lee Kim Choo, Mr Edmond Wong’s grandmother, started out selling rice dumplings under a banyan tree in 1945. In the 1960s, Mdm Lee received help from MP of Joo Chiat Dr Fong Kim Heng, who insisted that she get a loan and helped her to find the right people to relocate to a shophouse. Founding leaders like Dr Fong inspired Mdm Lee to embody the spirit of service to others before self and the importance of one’s community in being resilient.

Mr Au Seck Ngee and HDB documents from his family’s first flat

Mr Au and his family moved into their first HDB flat before he enlisted into National Service. As the eldest son, he and his mother co-signed their lease. Moving away from the familiar surroundings of their kampung was a big step for the family. Before upgrading to a 4-room flat, they applied for a 3-room flat due to financial concerns. As a family that conversed mainly in dialect, they relied on the representatives from HDB to explain the clauses printed in English.

Mdm Lin Ming Ju with one of the graduating cohorts of Happy School

Dr E Tai recalls her mother Mdm Lin Ming Ju as a form teacher at Happy School from the 1950s to 1970s. Mdm Lin also initiated and taught classes in performing arts for students at the school. The school was set up by two cabaret girls of Happy World to bring education to the children of Geylang.

Mr Tan Kim Soo and his Long Service Award from National Iron and Steel Mills Pte Ltd

National Iron and Steel Mills Pte Ltd was the first factory that opened at Jurong Industrial Estate. Being a technician there was a dangerous job. Mr Tan had to climb heights and witnessed many workplace accidents and to protect his lungs, he used to breathe through a moist towel during work and took regular walks at MacRitchie Reservoir, and swam at the East Coast Lagoon after work. He also took on extra shifts to support his family and never talked about his accomplishments at work. Until today, his daughters look up to him for his grit and humility, and the care he showed his family over the years.

Mdm Zainab and her soldering tools

Mdm Zainab joined Rollei when she was just 16 years old, where she ensured the quality of camera parts were in order before they were assembled. As Singapore’s economy grew and evolved, experience at Rollei proved very useful as she transitioned to other companies such as Asahi, Team and Connor Peripherals, where she quickly adapted and picked up new skills like wire bonding and soldering on the job.