Braddell Heights
Braddell Heights probably adopted its name from Braddell Road, named after the Braddell family which included several eminent members. The renowned Sir Thomas Braddell was Chief Judicial Commissioner of the Federated Malay States (1913 to 1917).
Braddell Heights Constituency was formed in 1976 with Mr Lee Khoon Choy, then the Senior Minister of State, Prime Minister Office as the Member of Parliament. During that period there were four community centres spread across the constituency, namely Jalan Teck Kee, Plantation Avenue, Bartley and Lorong Lew Lian CCs.
The earlier CCs were simple and situated in the rural areas surrounded by fruits, vegetables and fish farms. Most of the kampong folks were staying in attap houses which were vulnerable to fire outbreaks. In those days pigs and poultry rearings were very common occupation. Floodings in low lying areas around Lorong Chuan were very rampant due to poor drainage.
In 1983 the first Resident’s Committee Centre in Braddell Heights was officially opened by Mr Lee Khoon Choy in Lorong Lew Lian with 8 blocks of HDB flats. The residents were mainly resettled from Ponggol, Kampong Wat Tanjong ,Haji Karim Lane and Chia Keng areas.
In July 1984 the four CCs were amalgamated and became one modern Braddell Heights CC,officially opened by Mr Lee Khoon Choy. It was located at Upper Serangoon Road. In the same year, Braddell Heights was remembered with pride as the first Constituency to form the Civil Defence Volunteer Company.
When the Hotel New World collapsed trapping survivors on 15th March 1986, the trained volunteers were ready and spent a helpful week at the disaster area. As a token of appreciations three members from the Braddell Heights CD Company were awarded the prestigious CD Rescue Badges.
Towards the end of 1984, Mr Goh Choon Kang succeeded Mr Lee Khoon Choy who retired as MP for Braddell Heights. At this time, Serangoon New Town was growing and demanded more Residents’ Committees to help strengthen the social cohesions among the new residents. Four more new RCs were formed in Serangoon New Town in the late 80s.
With the new developments around Braddell Heights, some prominent landmarks such as the Lim Tua Tow Market, Tian Kong Tua Temple, Tua Pek Kong Temple, Ngee Ann Kongsi Teochew Funeral Parlour, Upper Serangoon Community Centre and Sing Hwa Primary School were demolished.
To keep pace with the new demands and needs of the residents, upmarket and innovative activities were planned by all Grassroots Organisations. The Braddell Heights CC Management Committee took the initiative to start the PA Centres of Excellence programme.
In 1976, Braddell Heights CC became the first to form the Chinese Traditional Arts Centre in Singapore. In the same year the first Community Symphony Orchestra was also inaugurated. Another feather was added to the cap when Braddell Heights launched the Singapore first Women Civil Defence Volunteer Company in conjunction with the International Women`s Day on 8 March 1987.
All the hard works and efforts by the volunteers and staff were paid off with Braddell Heights clinching the Best Community Centre Awards for ten consecutive years since 1987. Several Residents’ Committees (RCs) had also won PA Meritorious and Commendation Awards.
In 1997 Braddell Heights was grouped into the Marine Parade GRC and as a result Joo Seng Road, Macpherson Gardens, Bartley Road, Lorong Lew Lian and Serangoon Cental/Ave 1, formerly under Aljunied GRC were absorbed into Braddell Heights Division. The two RCs formerly under the purview of Braddell Heights, at Serangoon Ave 1 and Lorong Lew Lian were also returned to Braddell Constituency. The changes in the electorial boundaries also led to the formation of two Neighbourhood Committees, namely, Bartley and Braddell Estate NCs in year 2000.
With the advent of the MRT North East Line in 1999, the Braddell Heights CC was affected and had to be relocated at the junction of Serangoon Ave 2 and 3. The 7-storey mega building was planned to integrate with the Serangoon Neighbourhood Police Centre and Singapore National Wushu Federation. The new CC built with the state-of-the-art facilities was officially opened on 16 June 2002 by former Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong.
In year 2001 General Election Mr Goh Choon Kang retired as the MP and was succeeded by Mr R .Ravindran. Mr Goh left a prestigious legacy after serving 17 years in Braddell Heights. The new chapter began with the completion of the new CC followed by the opening of the multi-tier interchange viaduct at Serangoon and Bartley Road junction on 16 Febuary 2002.
The commencement of the North East line on 20 June 2003 together with the progress of the Circle Line going right into the heart of Braddell Heights with the integrated shopping complex and bus interchange, estimated to be ready by 2010, will certainly gives the aspiration of making Braddell Heights an ideal place to live in.
Welcome to Braddell Heights!
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