Anthony John, Winner
Anthony John, 51, might be recognised by Nee Soon residents as the enthusiastic Share a Pot trainer across various sites in the neighbourhood. Since 2015, he has been a dedicated volunteer for the community-based project to improve seniors’ nutrition, fitness and social connectedness. In recognition of his contributions, fellow Yishun residents voted him Yishunite of the Year 2023. The award, organised by Nee Soon Town Council, acknowledges a Nee Soon GRC resident who has contributed to the community and embodies the spirit of service and giving. Anthony, however, humbly attributes the award to the community’s collective effort: “This award is also for all the participants who have journeyed with me over the years and for all the people who have supported me, Share a Pot and the community.” A Nee Soon resident for about 40 years, Anthony has volunteered in the community since his secondary school days. While he has helped residents of all ages, his current focus on supporting seniors stems from a desire to challenge the societal link between age, strength and importance. Having sustained multiple injuries and surgeries through his sports involvement, Anthony empathised with challenges faced by seniors and felt compelled to empower them. He asserts, “Age is just a number. It is how you feel in your heart that is important.
Anthony was introduced to Share a Pot as a professional trainer and regular volunteer. “I came on board without really knowing what it was. When I found out it was for the seniors, it felt like a calling,” he recalls. With his expertise, Anthony tailors safe programmes for seniors of different levels. Fuelled by passion and a creative approach that integrates mindfulness and fun, his programmes have transformed the lives of many seniors. A particularly heartwarming moment for Anthony was witnessing one participant, Uncle Francis, transition from using a wheelchair to dancing independently within a year. Anthony reflects, “I might have inspired Uncle Francis, but he has inspired me too. As I age, I hope to be as strong in the mind and body as he is.” Looking ahead, Anthony aspires to reach more seniors and involve younger generations, envisioning a broader range of programmes for the community. “I’ve been to many places and volunteered at many, but Yishun will always be my home. It is where my heart belongs. Ensuring our community is well cared for will always be my priority,” expresses Anthony. As Yishunite of the Year 2023, Anthony embodies the spirit of community, sincerity, and an unwavering commitment to inspire and uplift those around him. He makes Yishun his Home with a Heart. To fellow Nee Soon residents, he encourages, “No matter your age, keep inspiring. You never know how far that inspiration goes.”
Christine Koo, 1st Runner Up
As Vice-Chairperson of Yishun Greenwalk’s Residents’ Network and a member of the Nee Soon East Community Club Management Committee, Christine has been cultivating community bonds for eight and a half years. Leading initiatives like litter picking, educational excursions, recreational sessions and food distribution, she fosters unity and camaraderie among residents. Beyond event organisation, Christine advocates for residents’ concerns, effectively liaising with various agencies to address and resolve community issues.
Christine encourages, “It is important to remember what drives us to volunteer and have faith that what we are doing is making a difference.” Juggling responsibilities of a working mother with two children, she remains steadfast in allocating time for the community as she recognises the importance of communal bonds, especially for young children. “This nomination helped affirm that my networking efforts in the past years had not been in vain,” Christine expresses gratefully. This acknowledgement also fuels her determination to enhance her community contributions. Christine envisions a future with more compassionate volunteers who positively transform their community. She urges residents to step up and make a lasting difference, emphasising the transformative power of united efforts.
Elizabeth Kalaiselvi, 2nd Runner Up
A Nee Soon resident for 22 years, Elizabeth has been volunteering since secondary school. Now an active member of the Nee Soon East Community Club Management Committee, she organises and assists various festive events and celebrations, creating opportunities for community bonding. 7 As Vice-Chairperson of Yishun Greenwalk’s Residents’ Network and a member of the Nee Soon East Community Club Management Committee, Christine has been cultivating community bonds for eight and a half years. Leading initiatives like litter picking, educational excursions, recreational sessions and food distribution, she fosters unity and camaraderie among residents. Beyond event organisation, Christine advocates for residents’ concerns, effectively liaising with various agencies to address and resolve community issues. Christine encourages, “It is important to remember what drives us to volunteer and have faith that what we are doing is making a difference.” Juggling responsibilities of a working mother with two children, she remains steadfast in allocating time for the community as she recognises the importance of communal bonds, especially for young children. “This nomination helped affirm that my networking efforts in the past years had not been in vain,” Christine expresses gratefully. This acknowledgement also fuels her determination to enhance her community contributions.
Christine envisions a future with more compassionate volunteers who positively transform their community. She urges residents to step up and make a lasting difference, emphasising the transformative power of united efforts. 2nd Runner-Up Elizabeth Kalaiselvi Grassroots Volunteer Elizabeth shares, “The sense of belonging to a community, witnessing the positive impact of our efforts, and seeing how residents light up at events — these are priceless, and they keep me going.” In a remarkable effort to build stronger connections, she has expanded her linguistic repertoire, picking up Malay, Mandarin and Chinese dialects alongside her proficiency in Tamil and English. T he nomination, together with support received from grassroots leaders, residents, family and friends, motivates her to work even harder. “Let’s continue to work hand in hand to make Nee Soon an even better place!” she beckons residents.