About Us
A registered society established since 1982, Temasek Club is the social home for all active SAF officers (Regulars & NSFs), Senior Military Experts, NS Key/R(NS) Appointment Holders and retired SAF officers. Our purpose is to promote greater cohesion and interaction among the officers with our wide array of facilities.
Our Vision, Mission
& Club Objectives
Our Vision, Mission
& Club Objectives
Vision
The Best Social and Family Club.
Mission
To provide excellent facilities, activities and quality services to promote camaraderie, cohesion and interaction for the purposes of enhancing the lifestyle of members and their families.
Club Objectives
To provide and maintain social, athletic and recreational amenities for its members.
To promote greater cohesion and interaction among commissioned officers of the SAF.
To promote and further social, cultural, education and sporting activities among the officers and families.
Logo & Club House Design
Temasek Club's logo design is shaped like a lion's head to demonstrate the Club's link to our heritage. On the lion's head, there are 17 strands of lion's mane, each representing a year from 1965 when SAF was formed, following the independence of Singapore, to 1982 when Temasek Club was officially established.
The Club's logo is also incorporated into the current Clubhouse's design. The rooftop design (from Block A to Block C) follows the shape of the Club's logo. There are 8 louvre panels hanging on each side of the building. Together, the rooftop and the 16 panels from both sides form and represent the 17 strands of lion's mane.
Our Sculpture
The 6 metres tall sculpture, standing in front of the Clubhouse, represents the SAF Officers Corps.
The sculpture is a formation of 8 unique standing blades, supported from a round foundation base. The SAF Motto - Yang Pertama dan Utama (First and Foremost), which is the guiding principle of the whole SAF representing victory and merit in all our endeavors, is enscripted on the centre of the base.
The 8 blades represent the 8 SAF Core Values, which are the inner voices, the sources of strength and the derivations of self-control that define the character of the SAF. The first Core Value blade - Loyalty to Country, is orientated to face the True North and the rest of the blades are evenly spaced on the round foundation, forming the shape of a compass.
The sculpture design also manifests the SAF Officers' Motto - To Lead, To Excel, To Overcome. The compass-like base reflects the guidance for the Officers TO LEAD and never afraid of losing one's bearings. The extruded tip of each blade rises upwards in a spiral, transcending EXCELLENCE through unfettering progress. The two ends of the sculpture converge into a single point, hallmarking both in the form of SAF's humble beginning 50 years ago, and soaring up today as a family of a united military institution. Finally, the unique asymmetrical form conjures a sense of balance, defying all odds, ready to OVERCOME all adversities. Protected within the sculpture is an elliptical void and omnipresent from all angles, it serves as a continuous spiritual reminder as to what the SAF is fighting for - Our Singapore.
The Heritage of Temasek Club
The Heritage of Temasek Club
1949
It all began in Ireland in 1860, a teenage girl by the name of Elise Sandes was deeply concerned with small drummer boys who led the British Army Battalions. These boys were largely illiterate and it was Elise Sandes who persuaded her mother to open up their large drawing room so that these boys could come in for tea, cakes and sing songs.
At 19, she received a gift of property from a retired officer to set up the first home for soldiers. Many ladies of high social standing joined Elise to build more Soldiers' Homes spanning across Ireland, England, India, South Africa, France, Hong Kong, Borneo and Singapore.
Ms. Symes opened the Singapore Home in 1949 and continued to serve the British soldiers in the same tradition after World War II. After 26 years of Christian service to the soldiers, the Singapore Home was handed over to the Government in December 1975 by Mr. Tom Hamblin, the last director of the Home when the British withdrew her forces East of the Suez Canal.
From 1975 to 1982, the site was home to the Civil Service Club and was renamed as 'Portsdown Clubhouse'.
1982
In 1981, a year after MINDEF HQ discussed the formation of an exclusive club where officers of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) could interact, socialize and relax, BG (RET) Chin Siat Yoon was selected to head the Clubhouse committee to find a suitable place for the club in a location with privacy, space for recreation and F&B facilities.
In 1982, The Civil Service Club handed over Portsdown Clubhouse to MINDEF. The physical condition of the Clubhouse was relatively modest but well-kept when MINDEF took over. The swimming pool was then the focal point of the Club and the basic infrastructure was simple without any frills, similar to a cafeteria setup. With a limited budget, the then Assistant Chief of General Staff, LTC Ng Jui Ping, supervised the taking over and upgrading of the premises. The Laager and Temasek Room were constructed and the pool was renovated.
Temasek Club inherited a colonial flavor in its surroundings, greenery on ends and palm trees scattered within its vicinity. Its location is away from the maddening crowd of the bustling city and yet never too far away for everyone.
On 1 July 1982, Temasek Club was officially opened to members. The main objective of the Club was and still is to promote social, cultural, educational and sporting activities among SAF officers and their families.
The name 'Temasek' was selected due to its national connotation and to lend prestige to the Social Home of the SAF Officers' Corps.
1992
Over the years, the Club membership grew to about four thousand. In 1992, the Temasek Club Management Committee commissioned a development programme to enhance the Club facilities to improve the infrastructure for social interaction and family activities.
On 18 March 1994, Temasek Club was inaugurated by the then Minister for Defence, Dr. Yeo Ning Hong.
An extract of the inauguration address by Dr. Yeo;
"As the SAF is a national service armed force, it is important that Temasek Club's facilities are available to NS officers. Through interaction of NS and regular officers, we diminish further what little distinction there exists between active and NS officers."
2007
The first three events for the Club's 25th Anniversary took place on 15 September 2007. The Silver Jubilee Gala Dinner was graced by then Minister for Defence - Mr. Teo Chee Hean together with Minister for Manpower / Second Minister for Defence - Dr. Ng Eng Hen, Chief of Defence Force and Club President, past Presidents and ex-Chiefs of Defence Force, Service Chiefs and all their spouses.
The Temasek Club Silver Jubilee Charity Golf was the second of three events to commemorate the Club's 25th Anniversary. The event took place on 26 September 2007 at Laguna National Golf and Country Club with then Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong as Guest-of-Honour.
The golf event was followed by the last event, a dinner attended by then Senior Minister Goh, Minister for Manpower and Second Minister for Defence - Dr. Ng Eng Hen and Chief of Defence Force - LG Desmond Kuek. A total of $115,000 was raised from the day's event and the then Chief of Defence Force and Club President - LG Desmond Kuek presented a cheque for $100,000 to the Community Chest of Singapore and $15,000 to the SAF Benevolent Fund.
2015
To accommodate the growing membership base and to make way for the national One-North Master Plan Development, the need for a new and bigger space arose. To better meet the needs of the members and their families, Temasek Club was relocated to Rifle Range Road in 2015.
On 10 October 2015, the new Clubhouse was officiated by Minister for Defence - Dr. Ng Eng Hen together with then Chief of Defence Force - MG Perry Lim and Chairman of Management Committee - BG David Koh.
Today
Today, the four times bigger Clubhouse offers a range of amenities and services designed to suit the recreational needs of members and their families.
Temasek Club continue to build camaraderie and esprit de corps amongst SAF officers, Senior Military Experts and their families as well as cohesion within MINDEF / SAF units through activities and events.
1949
It all began in Ireland in 1860, a teenage girl by the name of Elise Sandes was deeply concerned with small drummer boys who led the British Army Battalions. These boys were largely illiterate and it was Elise Sandes who persuaded her mother to open up their large drawing room so that these boys could come in for tea, cakes and sing songs.
At 19, she received a gift of property from a retired officer to set up the first home for soldiers. Many ladies of high social standing joined Elise to build more Soldiers' Homes spanning across Ireland, England, India, South Africa, France, Hong Kong, Borneo and Singapore.
Ms. Symes opened the Singapore Home in 1949 and continued to serve the British soldiers in the same tradition after World War II. After 26 years of Christian service to the soldiers, the Singapore Home was handed over to the Government in December 1975 by Mr. Tom Hamblin, the last director of the Home when the British withdrew her forces East of the Suez Canal.
From 1975 to 1982, the site was home to the Civil Service Club and was renamed as 'Portsdown Clubhouse'.
1982
In 1981, a year after MINDEF HQ discussed the formation of an exclusive club where officers of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) could interact, socialize and relax, BG (RET) Chin Siat Yoon was selected to head the Clubhouse committee to find a suitable place for the club in a location with privacy, space for recreation and F&B facilities.
In 1982, The Civil Service Club handed over Portsdown Clubhouse to MINDEF. The physical condition of the Clubhouse was relatively modest but well-kept when MINDEF took over. The swimming pool was then the focal point of the Club and the basic infrastructure was simple without any frills, similar to a cafeteria setup. With a limited budget, the then Assistant Chief of General Staff, LTC Ng Jui Ping, supervised the taking over and upgrading of the premises. The Laager and Temasek Room were constructed and the pool was renovated.
Temasek Club inherited a colonial flavor in its surroundings, greenery on ends and palm trees scattered within its vicinity. Its location is away from the maddening crowd of the bustling city and yet never too far away for everyone.
On 1 July 1982, Temasek Club was officially opened to members. The main objective of the Club was and still is to promote social, cultural, educational and sporting activities among SAF officers and their families.
The name 'Temasek' was selected due to its national connotation and to lend prestige to the Social Home of the SAF Officers' Corps.
1992
Over the years, the Club membership grew to about four thousand. In 1992, the Temasek Club Management Committee commissioned a development programme to enhance the Club facilities to improve the infrastructure for social interaction and family activities.
On 18 March 1994, Temasek Club was inaugurated by the then Minister for Defence, Dr. Yeo Ning Hong.
An extract of the inauguration address by Dr. Yeo;
"As the SAF is a national service armed force, it is important that Temasek Club's facilities are available to NS officers. Through interaction of NS and regular officers, we diminish further what little distinction there exists between active and NS officers."
2007
The first three events for the Club's 25th Anniversary took place on 15 September 2007. The Silver Jubilee Gala Dinner was graced by then Minister for Defence - Mr. Teo Chee Hean together with Minister for Manpower / Second Minister for Defence - Dr. Ng Eng Hen, Chief of Defence Force and Club President, past Presidents and ex-Chiefs of Defence Force, Service Chiefs and all their spouses.
The Temasek Club Silver Jubilee Charity Golf was the second of three events to commemorate the Club's 25th Anniversary. The event took place on 26 September 2007 at Laguna National Golf and Country Club with then Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong as Guest-of-Honour.
The golf event was followed by the last event, a dinner attended by then Senior Minister Goh, Minister for Manpower and Second Minister for Defence - Dr. Ng Eng Hen and Chief of Defence Force - LG Desmond Kuek. A total of $115,000 was raised from the day's event and the then Chief of Defence Force and Club President - LG Desmond Kuek presented a cheque for $100,000 to the Community Chest of Singapore and $15,000 to the SAF Benevolent Fund.
2015
To accommodate the growing membership base and to make way for the national One-North Master Plan Development, the need for a new and bigger space arose. To better meet the needs of the members and their families, Temasek Club was relocated to Rifle Range Road in 2015.
On 10 October 2015, the new Clubhouse was officiated by Minister for Defence - Dr. Ng Eng Hen together with then Chief of Defence Force - MG Perry Lim and Chairman of Management Committee - BG David Koh.
Today
Today, the four times bigger Clubhouse offers a range of amenities and services designed to suit the recreational needs of members and their families.
Temasek Club continue to build camaraderie and esprit de corps amongst SAF officers, Senior Military Experts and their families as well as cohesion within MINDEF / SAF units through activities and events.
