Newsletter April 2011 – July 2011 MICA (P) 043/06/2010 Takes Flight: A Hundred Years 16 March – 30 September 2011

viation history in Singapore was made Airport was officially opened by the Aon 16 March 1911 — it was the day an Governor of the , Sir Thomas aircraft first took flight in the country. A Shenton on 12 June 1937. It was praised to be Bristol BoxKite biplane, piloted by Belgian the finest airport in the British Empire. The aviator Mr Joseph Christiaens (1879 – 1919) airport is a conservation building today. took off from the old Race Course at Farrer Park. It was a flight demonstration at the The airport provided its first internal service first aviation meet held in Singapore. This on 28 June 1937. Wearne’s Air Service flew exhibition commemorates the centenary of three times a week from Singapore to Kuala Picture postcard of Kallang Airport, 1937 this significant event. Stamps, postcards Picture postcard showing the aviation meet at Race Course, March 1911 Lumpur and Penang. and covers which document the aviation milestones in Singapore are displayed at the exhibition.

On 4 December 1919, Captain Ross Smith, on a pioneering flight from England to Darwin, Australia in Vickers Vimy G–EAOU, made a stopover in Singapore. The 13,900 km journey was completed over 135 hours.

Stamp features the Vickers Vimy that The beginning of the 1930s saw a rapid expansion of air routes Wearne’s First Flight Cover from Penang made its first England to Australia connecting Europe to the East. The first direct air link with flight, 12 November – 10 December 1919 to Singapore, 28 June 1937 Europe was established in Maxicard of Airport, 1991 May 1933 by Dutch airline On 20 August 1955, Paya Lebar Airport was officially opened to cope with KLM. This was followed bigger and faster civil aircrafts. Today, the airport is known as Paya Lebar by British airline Imperial Air Base. It is the military airbase of the Republic of Singapore Air Force. Airways in December 1933, which inaugurated a regular Singapore was operational on 1 July 1981. The airport airmail service between expanded with the addition of Terminal 2 which was operational on 22 London and Singapore. November 1990. Terminal 3, which was designed to handle the Airbus 380, became operational in 2008.

KLM First Flight Cover from Singapore to Batavia, Stamp of Changi Indonesia, 1933. Airport issued in 1981 Bunny Wonderland @ The Children’s Gallery Message 1 February 2011 – 1 January 2012

eet our bunny mascots, Stampy and Choppy, who will Mlead you into their wonderful world through stamps and MeMay 2011 – March 2012 interactive displays. You can pat the fur of bunnies, feel their weight and discover amazing facts about these adorable creatures. For instance, did you know that a rabbit’s nose has more than 100 To communicate is to transmit from the picture language of Egyptian million olfactory cells? This is more than eight times what we have. Their keen sense information from one person to hieroglyphics to the short form of smell, acute hearing and strong hind legs enable them to escape from predators in time. another through some means. The text messages of our modern development of communication mercurial world. Printing and letter While rabbits are small and cute, they are a stretches across history, science and writing served as the main form BIG responsibility. Learn about responsible technology. From cave paintings to of communication for about 2,000 ownership through our multimedia games. the Internet, man’s desire to express years. The last 100 years, saw a spurt And of course, admire colourful bunny stamps and exchange information and ideas of inventions, such as radio, television, has not wavered. morse code, fascimile, computer, and philatelic materials, including German mobile phone and the Internet. Easter postcards from the early 20th century Friends remind you to ‘call me’ or and rabbit zodiac stamps from 2011. ‘message me’. This is the way we Message Me examines the messages communicate today. The basic idea that that have been sent for a variety of communication engages everybody reasons. Be it through a formal letter and provides current information is or a short message, the contents vital in our quick paced world. very often provide an insight into Do you know what bunnies eat? Choose the correct foods the situation which prompted the to feed Stampy and Choppy in this interactive exhibit! Message Me exhibition explores the writing: complaint, love, advice, development of communication; confession, absence or friendship. Singapore Stamp & Laos Exhibition A Journey of Two Nations Singapore Philatelic Museum visitors made up of local Students went on a tour of to dress up in traditional The Singapore Embassy in curated the ‘Singapore & students, members of the the exhibition to discover costumes of Singapore. They Laos presented the entire Laos Stamp Exhibition – A public and tourists. differences and similarities learnt about thematic stamp exhibition to the National Journey of Two Nations’ held of the two countries. They collecting, assembled ‘stamp Museum in Vientiane for in Vientiane, Laos from 6 to The exhibition showcased watched demonstrations or jigsaw puzzles’, designed their permanent display. The 11 December 2010. This was the two nations – Laos and tried their hands on traditional bookmarks and wrote their handing–over ceremony was the first of such exhibition for Singapore – through a shared games, and had the opportunity reflections on postcards. held on 12 December 2010. Singapore and Laos. The aim of medium of postage stamps, the exhibition was to promote picture postcards and philatelic a better understanding of the materials, as well as a display people, culture and history of traditional costumes. Topics of the two countries. The covered the major historical exhibition attracted 1,200 milestones of the two nations, the people and their beliefs, customs, food, culture, historical sites, music and dance. A special section showcased traditional games played by children in both countries, such as top spinning, marbles and kicking the shuttlecock.

In addition, HE Jeyaraj Benjamin William, the At the traditional games section, SPM staff Joseph Chung (left) taught students the tricks to kicking a shuttlecock. Singapore ambassador to Laos, displayed his personal collection of Laotian stamps, shown for the first time to the public.

The exhibition was officiated by HE Khamlout Sidlakone, Chairman of National Students enjoyed piecing together Laotian students attended a tour conducted by SPM staff, Chua Mei Lin (left). Laotian students playing dress–up in Authority of Post and Telecommunications and Minister in the Prime Minister’s stamp–themed jigsaw puzzles at the traditional costumes of Singapore. Office (left), and HE Jeyaraj Benjamin William, Ambassador, Singapore Embassy exhibition. in Vientiane, Laos (right). National Stamp Collecting Competition

Community Curate! 2011 In 2010, our museum the Innovation Working The National Stamp include Nature, Culture and students with the format, took the National Stamp Committee of the Collecting Competition 2011 Technology. rules and regulations of the Collecting Competition Ministry of Information, (NSCC ’11) will be held at competition, and various one step further by posting Communications and the The Plaza, National Library, Students stand to perfect philatelic materials. the best entries online. Arts for supporting this from 2 to 4 September 2011. their research, organisation, Between 22 October competition. and 19 November 2010, language and writing skills. NSCC is held annually and netizens voted for their Congratulations NSCC ’11 is open to Winners will be presented is supported by the Ministry favourite entries and told to all winners! all Primary 3 to 6, and with certificates, and winning of Education. us the reasons behind Secondary 1 to 4 students. entries will be displayed at their choices. We received The Prize Presentation Participants work in groups the NSCC ’11 exhibition. more than 2,200 votes. Ceremony was held on of four, and use philatelic 22 February 2011. RADM materials and narratives on Schools can make bookings The 12 most popular entries (NS) Sim Gim Guan, and the voters’ comments Deputy Secretary, Info & an exhibit based on a theme to attend the hands–on were displayed at the Corporate Management, of their choice. Topics workshop to familiarise museum from December Ministry of Information, 2010 to March 2011. Communications and the Arts was the guest–of– We would like to thank honour.

H a n d s – o n workshop Contact Lily for enquires & bookings.

* [email protected] The top 3 winners from Yishun Primary School and their teachers pose with the ( 6513 7347 guest–of–honour and guests. Back row (left to right): Mr Alvin Tan (Director, Heritage Institutions and Industry Development, National Heritage Board), RADM Sim Gim Guan (Deputy Secretary, Info & Corporate Management, Charge: $4 per student, inclusive Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts), Mr Daniel Teo (Chairman, Singapore Philatelic Museum Board), Ms Tresnawati Prihadi of materials. (General Manager, Singapore Philatelic Museum) B i r t h d a y & SCHOOL HOLIDAY Greeting PROGRAMMES Cards FOR KIDS A new range of greeting cards is now available at the museum shop. The cards feature the MAY - JUNE 2011 2009 and 2010 Definitives – Flora & Fauna and { Fun Overnight Camp birthday designs of the 2009 Greetings — Let’s Celebrate stamps. 2 June 2011 — 3 June 2011 Prices start from $2.00 Thursday, 6pm Friday, 9am 16 June 2011 17 June 2011 Thursday, 6pm — Friday, 9am Age: 7 – 11 years Charge: $70 per child Sleep over at the museum and enjoy fun activities such as an What’s On amazing race, treasure hunt, craft activity, movie time and more! What’s On Dinner, supper and breakfast will be provided. Bring a sleeping { Museum Roundtable bag, toiletries, jacket and a fresh change of clothes. Children’s Season & International { Puppets mania – The tiger & museum Day The rabbit May – june 2011 Fun programmes for kids 3 - 12 years. 28 May 2011, Saturday, 11.00am – 11.30am 5 June 2011, Sunday, 2.00pm – 2.30pm Open house days on Saturday, 28 May 2011 & Age: 3 – 12 years Charge: Free. Museum admission applies. SUNDAY, 29 MAY 2011: 9AM - 7PM Orange Room Be enthralled by a tiger’s tale told through puppetry Free admission to museum. Charges for programmes apply. Find out about the world of philately, the world’s first stamp, and and stamps. Meet the clever rabbit and other wacky how stamps are a window to the world to explore many topics puppets that will have you in stitches! * www.spm.org.sg ( 6337 3888 such as science, technology, history and culture. Interesting exhibits include the “talking” Penny Black; and stamps made of unusual materials! { Stamp Issues { singapore takes flight workshop 13 April 2011 18 May 2011 3 June 2011 15 July 2011 Definitives – A Pond Life Hawker Centres Endangered Animal – Spices of 7 June 2011, Tuesday, 9.30am – 12.00pm (Low Values) of Singapore Oriental Small-Clawed Otter Singapore 22 June 2011, Wednesday, 9.30am – 12.00pm { Stamp Fair Age: 8 – 12 years Charge: $25 per child Sunday, 12 June 2011: 10am – 4pm Be inspired by the fascination to fly, learn about the story Stamp fair, evaluation and auction. of ‘100 years of flight in Singapore’, and be awed by superb model aircrafts on display. Learn how to fold paper airplanes Organised by Singapore Stamp Club and compete with each other in a competition! Send us your email address

Dear Readers, For details and bookings, contact Lily, We would like to ask for your email address so that we can send you timely updates. * [email protected] Please send an email with your full name, mailing address and email address, ( 6513 7347 with the heading ‘Update my email address’ to [email protected] Co. Reg. Number 199502248C a National Heritage Board museum Follow SPM on Facebook via www.spm.org.sg Fax +65 63378958 Tel +6563373888 Singapore 179807 23-B Coleman Street www.twitter.com/ilovespm All information correct attimeof printing $4.00 for senior citizens $4.00 for children $5.00 for adults AD Mon 1pm – 7pm Tues-Sun 9am – 7pm OPENING HOURS MISSION (3 –12years) (60 years and above)