The first half of 2010 has been significant in many ways. Beyond being the beginning of a new decade, 2010 has brought with it an improvement of the economic situation and heralded the start of the year where Singapore hosts the inaugural Youth Olympic Games. 2010 is also the beginning of a new chapter for GAHA. The term of the 2007-2009 GAHA Executive Committee (EXCO) was recently concluded and the GAHA EXCO for 2010-2012 were appointed to serve for another term.
To what end does GAHA owe its existence? Is it about the lustre of the Gold in the Gold Award? There may not be easy or short answers to such questions. But perhaps as we spend time to think and reflect, let us also remember the opportunities GAHA has had and the roles GAHA has played in recent times. As an organisation, GAHA has strived to be something more than just the Gold in its name, more than a collection of disparate individuals. GAHA is perhaps most importantly a purveyor of the good which can be done for young people, Singapore and the world through focused action to plug gaps in the community.
Separately, it has been highlighted to us that some recent emails may have given the impression that activities organised by individual members are sanctioned or supported by GAHA when in reality this is not the case. If in doubt, we encourage all members to check withinfo@nyaagaha.org.
For more details, do refer to the attached letter : [Click Here]
This year marks an important milestone in GAHA history as GAHA turns 15! The NYAA GAHA would like to invite fellow GAHA members to commemorate this special occasion. For heads up, the anniversary will be held on 27th July 2010.
So do mark your calenders! We would be sending more information in due time.
This year, a total of 507 outstanding young men and women received their Gold Award, the pinnacle of the NYAA Programme. An Award Presentation Ceremony was held on 2 October 2009 at Temasek Polytechnic Convention Centre, which was graced by His Excellency President SR Nathan. The ceremony was attended by more than 800 invited guests, which included Mr Mah Bow Tan, Minister for National Development and Chairman, NYAA Advisory Board, foreign ambassadors, corporate and community leaders, principals and heads of organisations, parents and members of the NYAA Gold Award Holders’ Alumni.
It was my first time helping out at the NYAA Gold Award Presentation Ceremony and being the biggest award ceremony ever, it was a totally new experience. I was assigned to be the recipients usher, where I would lead the recipients to the stage to collect their award. Along the way, the recipients were all very anxious and were trying to rehearse every single step that they should do on the stage, such as shaking hands with the President, receiving the award and smiling to the cameras! Seeing the recipients anxiously rehearsing the steps, asking lots of questions on where they should stand and how they should bow, these reminded me of how I was when I received the Award!
After 18 months of hard work, the fruit of labour were reaped. To stand on stage and receive the NYAA Gold Award from President SR Nathan was what everyone had been looking forward to. The NYAA journey has definitely shaped many of us into a better person; letting us know our strengths and weaknesses and allow us to give back to the society in different ways.
Two Award holders had the honour of sharing the experiences that they have gained through the NYAA Programme. They were Mr Randall Ong, 2009 Gold Award recipient, Temasek Polytechnic and Ms Patricia Chia, member of the NYAA Gold Award Holders’ Alumni. Both of them gave passionate and humbling speeches on how the NYAA had shaped their life and allowed them to contribute back to the society. I believe almost all recipients would agree with both of the speakers that the NYAA Programme has indeed provided many opportunities for youths to explore themselves in greater depth.
Getting the Gold Award is not the end but a beginning of a new chapter. Like the GAHA motto, “Service beyond Gold” we would like to encourage all the Gold Award Holders not to stop here but to continue contributing to the community together with other passionate and like-minded young people who are eager to make a difference.
The 9th NYAA Gold Award Presentation Ceremony was indeed a meaningful and memorable event that had not only recognised the achievements of youths from diverse backgrounds, but also showed the continuous effort of youths striving together to build a better community.
First of all, a warm welcome to Vintage 2008 of the GAHA Family! We hope all of you had a wonderful time at the Orientation on 27 Sep 08 and the Ceremony on 3 Oct 08. Also a big thank you once again to the members who volunteered their time to help out at the Orientation and Ceremony.
There is no shortage of activities, which await those of you who are ready to Serve Beyond Gold. Some examples are listed below, together with the contact information of the GAHA Exco you can write to if you would like to find out more or to help out.
So if you’re interested, feel free to drop any of us an email to find out more. In your emails, it would be useful also if you stated your background and any specific areas you feel you would be able to contribute in (e.g. if you are a physiotherapist and would like to do sessions for the elderly; if you have access to dragonboating facilities and you think it would be good for a social activity, etc.)
Please cc info[ at ] nyaagaha.org (if not already in the main email) in any emails to us so that we can better keep track of your correspondences.
As some of the activities may be a few months or more than a year away, please bear with us if we do not respond immediately with the details. Nevertheless, you can expect a friendly email acknowledging receipt from us.
The 8th NYAA Gold Award Presentation Ceremony was held on Friday, 3 October 2008, at the ITE College East Auditorium at 3.00pm. President S R Nathan graced the event as Guest-of-Honour and presented the NYAA Gold Award to 168 recipients. The ceremony was hosted by Mr Zainudin Nordin, Mayor, Central Singapore District and member of the NYAA Advisory Board. Close to 800 Dignitaries, Members of Parliament, Guests, Parents, Teachers and recipients attended the ceremony.
Welcoming the President was a group of NYAA Gold Awardees from the ITE College East, whose booming overtures gave the event a rousing start. Master of Ceremony William Xavier, volunteered his services once again for the event, seamlessly blended regal recitations with witty retorts. Commending the award recipients for their hard work and accomplishments, Mayor Zainudin Nordin, in the Opening Address, also reminded the recipients that there were opportunities for them to serve beyond Gold. Citing two examples of Gold Award Holders – Mr Ong Chee Siang and Ms Regina Oon – he stressed that the NYAA programme provided a level playing field for all regardless of their backgrounds. The audience was then given a glimpse of the activities and achievements of the Gold Award recipients through a short video. After which, the President handed the Gold Awards to 168 recipients from a swathe of backgrounds, ranging from ITE to the Singapore Police Force.
Two award holders had the honour of sharing their experiences that they have gained through this youth programme. They were Mr Mohamed Ashraf Bin Abu Bakar, 2008 Gold Award recipient, ITE College East and Mr Ramanathan Thurairajoo, NYAA Gold Award Holders’ Alumni Executive Committee Member. Both gave passionate and humbling speeches on how the NYAA had changed their lives and allowed them to serve the community.
The 8th NYAA Gold Award Ceremony in 2008 was a meaningful and memorable event that had not only recognised the achievements of youths from diverse backgrounds, but also shown the continuous effort of youths striving together to build a better community.
