SHC Club ?

Hi Terrence,

Whatever has happened to your musings on having a club premise for SHC where members can stroll in at any time to meet other members, perhaps hv lunch, play gin rummy, or just chit-chat? Place need not be a building, though there has to be one as weather is quite unpredictable and SHC members are more at home with at least minimal comforts like table and chairs; preferably with adjoining facilities for stretching legs. Personally I think SHC is getting big enough to seriously think abt acquiring a place for its myraids of meetings, activities and putting up posts etc. There seems no shortage of able-minded individuals who are adept at helping out.

KathyD 

Author: Kathy Dng

Interests: Cycling (short-distance), social sessions, travelling.

31 thoughts on “SHC Club ?”

  1. The idea of having our very own club premises was discussed but finally fizzled out.

    To my mind, the debilitating factor, if I may call it so, is cost. Who is to fund the club premises – rent & operation costs? If no volunteers here, then how, where to raise the financing, and other side issues to consider.

    With a “physical presence”, will the need to officially register ourselves as a society become more pressing? Shall we collect membership subscription and if so, how much? Understandably, members’ expectations will increase if money is paid.

    Will the members stay and remain as members for long? Premises are ordinarily leased for 3 years so if one day we find our membership falling and funds dwindling then how?

    Perhaps the alternative is to meet at some regular joints such as Han’s cafe, or at the Robinson eatery which has been happening altho, i do buy Kathy’s point that it’s never like having our own home.

  2. Hi Kathy

    I believe you are pretty new to the forum here.

    Back in 2006, we had 2 threads in Forum (General) which debated “should we register SilverHairsClub? Step 1 and Step 2 dated 25 Oct 06 and 29 Nov respectively. Suggest you read them up to grasp some ideas.

    Having a club premises called your own is good but subjects to fulfilling stringent criteria listed in the R & R of governing agencies. This being one and the other, being the most important, is cost of financing.

    Bear in mind, we all like to own something like this but only and until the factors are done, we can call it our “SHC Club”.

    I m looking forward very much to strike the Big Sweep of $3million and with this amount, I can finance the club (if lucky) for 25 years at a running cost of $10,000 (conversative sum) a month.

    cheers
    yk

  3. I think it is more fun and exciting to be a happy wanderer and meet at different places each time. To have everything done at the same place all the time is just so boring. It’s like being a member of one of the country clubs. You keep on going back to the same old restaurants and the same old premises. That’s why I gave up my yacht club membership years ago.

  4. hahahaha… YewKwong, finally we heard from you liao…… welcome welcome…

    Come to think of striking Big Sweep, wonder any lucky guys and gals get the BigSweep during D&D tio $3M bo?? If so, maybe he/she can considering sponsor 5% ($150K) or better still 10% lor…

    I also agreed with Joy that it would be more fun and exciting holding events at different venues. But suitable venue also not easy to get these days for SHC attendees getg larger and larger.

    To have a club of this own, definitely will need cash, otherwise, it would be just empty talk… but if this cost will to impose on members itself, then I am sure some of them may not be interested at all… much depending on how much should each member pay for their membership.

    Though survey said that SHC had around 3000paxs but how many of them are really active members.

    We must also looking into the pros and cons of the clubhouse, e.g. cost of maintenance, rental, caretaker, etc…

    Personally, I don’t think we are able to materialise this… Dolly

  5. A physical club, where members can meet, will always be on the minds of many. I think this idea will come true someday. So, your ideas on how to make this a reality are always welcome. However, one criteria set by SilverHairsClub is NO collection of membership or entrance fees. Meeting new friends should be free and easy. Currently, this is not an issue for the SilverHairsClub

    Singapore and neighbouring countries have ample venues for us to tap and benefit from. There are many nice places which we can use. We will not be short of ideas. Personally, I like variety, change and excitement.

    But, let your ideas flow. If you have a suggestion or idea on how we can have a physical venue for the club, do raise your hand. And, better still, if you can take the lead.

    Terence Seah

  6. Yes Dolly, Joy & Yew Kwong, I am with you. I like the existing SHC as it is and the free and easy activities that was organised. If there’s a cost involved, say monthly subscription and so on,people will think twice about joining.

  7. My sentiments too, no collection of SHC membership fee lah. Have the activities easy and fun for us Silverhairs to enjoy. At times we can of course have acitivities/ events that have fees/charges, which I am sure members are more than willing to pay toparticipate. Collecting membership fee can also be a hassle, keeping the book accounts etc etc etc.
    We are silverhairs, just enjoy and have fun, why be so stressful!

  8. I like the existing operation…Free and easy….Different venues/locations are refreshing.. Members can choose to participate in activities per their areas of interest..Overall, members participation and support are encourage….Members are requested to access the website regularly to avoid late sign-up/participation in the upcoming activites .

  9. While reading what have been written, this thing came to my mind.
    There is a Marina in Punggol and it is not doing very well.Maybe we can negotiate with the management for special rates on their food and drinks, better than not having anyboy patronising their club.It is a very nice place to relax…the ambience is very nice and relaxing…

    just my 2 cents worth

  10. Hi Daniel,

    I have not been to the Marina, but since you see the place is suitable as a gathering point, we should go and have a look.

    I am an old Hougang boy. Let’s go there one day. Does anyone else living nearby know about this Marina?

    And I shall find some time to go there too.

    Terence

  11. Hi Terence,

    I grown up in Hougang, and still living here. Been to Marina (17th Avenue, Punggol) where it is also a yachts/boats house. It is also where we take the ferry for access to Ubin resort. Please find out more from http://www.marinacountryclub.com.sg.
    There is also a PA Chalet in punggol for members only.

    We used to pick mussels, starfishes, seacucumbers; cockles; seashells; horseshoe crabs etc. and chasing mud skippers at Punggol beach during low tide as a kid. Singapore has been changing and i’m not sure what else is still left untouched in old punggol…

    Rgds/Joyce

  12. Hi Terence,

    Sure, let me know when you are back in Singapore. We can drop by for a drink and see the place.
    I used to be a member of the then Punggol Marina before they wound up.

    One of the board of Directors is an MP of Hougang i think.

    Hear from you

    Daniel

  13. Hello Terrence, Daniel and Joyce,

    I also “Hougang” Teochew “Char bor” hor. Though I stayed in Hougang area after my marriage for more than 27 years, I have not been to this place called Punggol Marina. If you all are going to “look see, look see” this place, please don’t forget to include me, thank you very much.

    Ah Nee.

  14. Hi Daniel,

    Give me a call, if you are visiting the Ponggol Marina on tuesdays or thursdays, I would like to go along for a drink too. I have not been there for a long time. Use to park my old ski boat with Awang (cheaper)just a short walk away. Hope he is still there..

    Those good old times, skiing around Seletar Island, Kim Kim River…etc

    By the way, the ex-director is Eric Low, a candidate at the last general election.

    Keep in touch!

    Regards,
    Edwin Chen

  15. Hi Ah Nee / Edwin & Rene,

    Just a few minor corrections:
    1. Teochew ladies stayed in Hougang should addressed as “Ah Niah”, pls don’t use ‘char bo’ which is a bit rude.
    2. Punggol Marina no longer exist, it is now known as Marina Country Club!
    3. The ‘kang tau’ here is not in Hougang but Punggol..

    :) joyce

  16. Hi Edwin,

    Ok will let you know.Was a member of the now defunct Punggol Marina when William Lai around.Lost 11.5k on the membership.Some lost 30k.

    You mean Eric Low is no longer a Director at Marina Country Club?

    cheers!!

  17. Dear Daniel,

    You mean William Lai the lawyer who is also a regular tennis player? He is now very active at Keppel Club. Eric is now at CISCO.
    Both are old close friends of mine. I know the old Hougang very well, my dad was a member of the CCC.

    Regards,
    Edwin Chen

  18. Hi Edwin,

    William Lai was my Primary school classmate and we were living in the same housing estate at Sembawang Hills.

    I think Marina C C can be brought back to life with the right people.

    Daniel

  19. Integral to the SHC’s Blue Helmet Project, is the concept of the Club House.

    If you want to help us realize this dream, come join us at the next meeting of the SHC’s Social Enterprise group.

    TOPIC: Blue Helmet – A proposed Social Enterprise Project

    Venue: Hans at National Library (near Bugis Junction)

    Date: Wed 1430 to 1630 (25 July 2007)

    Time: 1230 to 1430 / 12.30 pm – 2.30 pm

  20. Joyce,
    You are really a Teochew “Ah Niah” so sweet and soft spoken, if I meet you again, can share with me Hougang histories / stories.

    Rene,
    Hou Kang chin chuay Kang tau, especially from “Ah Kang” from Hou Kang. I didn’t know he is so popular in Hougang! Some more hor, he know the grassroot leaders wan. I want to be his good good friend, who know…what benefit I got hor???

    Ah Nee.

  21. Joyce, cant tell from the very demure you that you could be so exacting when you want to be politically correct (pls see #19).

    Yr showing us the distinction of “ah niah” probably explains why she’s named ANee and not Ah Niah…any stone throw in hougang will hit an ah niah but will miss ANee.

    But whether or not it’s nee nee or niah niah, or niah nee, the gals in hougang are really sweet and coy so much so that even our SHC gals cant resist it but to ask for kangs and also taus…………

  22. Wei wei, Tim ah liu…Timbuktu…..” tim buk tu”
    I throw stone at you, will make sure I miss everyone but not you !!!!!

    Ah Nee.

  23. Reminds me of the good old days of how our forefathers & foremothers were paired up………….

    In those days, gals were shy, didnt get to socialise like going to pubs, sijori and were confined to their rooms with windows looking out only at birds and no men.

    So to marry them off, their parents wd arrange for days when they got to throw wollen balls out of their windows for eligible bachelors to catch (mandarin – pow siu qiu).

    Well, fast forward to year 2007 & this has been revived . Am the lucky one……..dont even need to catch………

  24. Hi Daniel,

    You are really very very modest. I like your unassuming style(hard to find these days).There are a few influencial families in the early years of Hougang(including Kang Kar/Ponggol). I know KANG is one such family, amongst others. Frankly, with your family roots, getting a good grip on the Marina in Ponggol should not be a problem at all. Familiar with the term “white fan” or “lor chu”(hokkien)?

    I am still interested to have a drink with you,visit the old place and chat further. Call me.

    Regards,
    Edwin Chen

  25. Hi Edwin,

    Sure it will be nice to visit that place again for a drink and soak in the surroundings.Is it better for you in the day or evenings?
    It just brings back memories,I played a couple of times.Pity it’s just left there to rot…

    Daniel

  26. Hi Daniel,

    Tuesdays or thursdays during the day will be fine. (I offered to play the piano for China cell fellowships in the evenings). Sad isn’t it, that this Marina Ponggol venture is left to rot. First Sea Palace Restaurant, next Ponggol Boatel. Remember, Ms Chang Chun Wen’s venture? happened during our Hougang Mini-Cooper S days?

    Lets meet up to chat further.Don’t clogged!

    Regards,
    Edwin Chen

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