Living and working in the little red dot

I moved to Singapore in 2014 just before my first Singapore National Day (August 9). The following year was Singapore’s 50th birthday. The rehearsals of plane and helicopter flyovers happened for weeks before. As did the special parade rehearsals, the appearance of Singapore flags on every HDB balcony and fireworks. It was quite a spectacle and so special to live in Singapore for this commemoration and celebration.

At the same time in my home country Australia, the equivalent National Day, Australia Day (26 January) is being questioned. This was the date chosen to commemorate the landing of the First Fleet under Captain Arthur Phillip who proclaimed British sovereignty in 1788.

Not a great day for the indigenous populations of Australia who call this day “the day of mourning” or “invasion day”.

Singapore’s National day commemorates Singapore’s independence from Malaysia in 1965. Each year it makes me think about what a special place Singapore is, and how much has been achieved in a short period of time. I also reflect on the leadership required to evolve Singapore into a city that punches well above its weight on the world stage.

But what do I love the most?

• That I have been given the opportunity to live and work in Singapore for nearly 8 years. My career has been so much richer for working in your multi-cultural environment.
• That I have developed local and expat friends
• That my family and I were kept safe and healthy during the Covid period. Singapore acted quickly to put in procedures to keep everyone safe and rolled out vaccinations quickly and efficiently
• That it’s a clean, safe and efficient place
• That the food scene is absolutely incredible, from cheap hawker centres to Michelin-starred restaurants, to the produce available in supermarkets.

Of course not everything is perfect but it’s a pretty amazing place to live.

So happy 57th birthday Singapore. You are still young and you have a big place in my heart.

What do you love about Singapore?