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 GB LOG Magazine October 2020 Issue
Jenny never thought of herself as a fast
learner. When she received her rank as an
NCO, her fellow friends were already on
But the extra time gave her leeway to
build up her capabilities, take on more
responsibilities and interact with leaders
she would never have met. In addition,
her work ethics made up for much of her
weaknesses. Jenny’s principal once wrote
in her testimony “Jenny will not leave a task
undone”. Her audacity eventually captured
the hearts of keen-eyed leaders, and in
due time, challenged her to take up the
appointment of a Captain.
her mind. Never in her wildest dreams had
she thought of becoming Captain. “I could
not comprehend why I was asked when
“Foremost in my mind was how far would I
be able to lead the Company? Would I be
able to keep the rank of the Company?
Where and how would I be able to bring in
recruitment?” But by faith, Jenny decided to
take up the responsibility – which in hindsight
lasted for 30 years.
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FOCUSING ON THE QUALITY OF
HER GIRLS’ EXPERIENCE,
FROM ONE GENERATION TO THE
NEXT
Being a Captain was never a glamorous
job. The title demands a great load
of responsibility. The reoccurring worry
of recruitment coupled by the lack of
manpower rewinds as soon as the calendar
refreshes. In those days, as Jenny’s
looking for members was a struggle. Even
so, Jenny held on to the belief that focusing
on the quality of the Girls’ experience is far
more important than numbers itself, while
letting everything else run its course. True to
her beliefs in one year, the Girls performed
so well during a display that it caught the
attention of principals and teachers at Christ
Church Secondary School. Years later, the
18th Company, Christ Church Secondary
school was started.
But as time passed Jenny realised it was time
to move on. “Your hands are burned, you
are out of ideas, as the years go, things are
different, the Girls of this generation are
different from the past”. Having held the baton for decades,
she knew that for Girls to receive the best, a new generation of
leadership was needed. Jenny indicated that she would step “Ms Jenny Nai is a
down by the 40th anniversary of the Company’s founding.
lady of inspiration.
And in 1990, she released the captainship to Ms Lisel Lee – an
After stepping down
from GB as a Captain,
Though retired, Jenny continued to help out in any way she
could. Even when she was diagnosed with breast cancer,
she continues to
it did not stop her from giving back to the Brigade. She support the Company
continues to seek a positive outlook in life and is even keen to fervently. During
get back to her full-time job if and when she has recovered.
Enrolment Services
There is so much we can learn from Jenny. She might be and GB Fortnight,
the most ordinary, but certainly the most extraordinary
she will intentionally
person you might have met. Her personality, good traits and
perseverance provided a model and impetus for many to approach Girls to
follow in her footsteps – to lead, guide and nurture generations know them better. Her
of Girls to come.
commitment to GB
remains steadfast and
WE CAN ONLY BE GRATEFUL faithful – which is truly
At the point of publishing this article, Jenny’s condition admirable.”
drastically deteriorated. She passed away on 28
July 2020 in the company of family, friends, and
-MS JESS GOH, CAPTAIN OF 88TH
COMPANY, PIONEER PRIMARY
of her journey – and her legacy.
SCHOOL
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 GB LOG Magazine October 2020 Issue

GETTING THROUGH

UNCERTAINTY
EMERGING WITH

GREATER OPPORTUNITY
#STAYHOMEWITHGB

At the time of writing this article, Singapore had officially reached the
20,000th mark in COVID-19 cases. In a blink of an eye, an epidemic
turned into a global pandemic. Plans were staggered, postponed and then
subsequently canceled. No one would have expected a calamity of this
magnitude to befall the nation and the world.

the things you intended to do with your friends. Yet you’re not 100% sure you’ll still have
chance. You might have just joined the GB this year, and never got the chance of a full
‘UG experience’. No Passing out Parade, all the effort rehearsing for Drill Competition
gone. How much more demotivating can it get?

WHAT’S HOLDING YOU BACK?

As the saying goes “when there is a will, there is a way”. Amidst the chaos of Home-

creative ways to ‘keep the GB connection alive’. From Tabata exercises to cooking
challenges, it has been an awesome journey of redesigning the UG experience for our
Girls! Here’s a catalogue of some ideas crafted by various Companies:
While some doubled down on their own endeavours, others preferred to dip into
a slew of daily challenges offered by the Brigade Headquarters, especially the
79th, 45th, 3rd S and 56th Companies who made it to the top of our leaderboards!
Whatever form it may take, it’s every little thing that counts. Every effort to bring
relationships together are rewarded by greater returns than before. The days of
meeting each other face to face may still be far off. But with each attempt, we are
one step closer to how it was like before the circuit breaker – maybe even better.

Some will grunt at lost opportunities. Yay-sayers will weave through challenges to
emerge stronger. Which will you be? As Miss Frances Hesselbein, a well-known
advocate for female development once said, “We do not know what lies ahead,

caring that embraces and sustains.”

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Awards Ceremony Booklet 2020

President’s
MESSAGE

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 GB LOG Magazine October 2020 Issue

A Pioneer’s Described by Jenny as jovial and

accommodating, Mrs Lyne, in her English ways
would invite Girls to sit down and sip tea with
her. During a visit to her house, Mrs Lyne had
noticed Jenny’s crumpled uniform – a result of
sitting in the bus on the way to her house. The
observant Mrs Lyne gave her advice she would
never forget till this day “Next time, put your
hand at the back of your skirt, pull it down. This
way, your uniform will not get crumpled.”

In another encounter, Jenny recalled the time

when she had to present the council agenda
Visual Signalling is a method of utilising

This method was taught to Girls in the

early days as part of their badgework.
shivered uncontrollably throughout the whole
speech. To her surprise, Mrs E. Handy, then
principal of Methodist Girls’ School (Who would
WHAT LEGACY WOULD WE LEAVE
later become the GB President) approached
BEHIND?
her and offered to show her the ropes of public
speaking. At that time, her gentle composure
Rarely do most live up to the best of their
and patience caught Jenny off guard. It was
intentions. But for Jenny, gracious and
something she had never expected from a
merciful in her ways, many can attest to her
principal of such stature. The tips she gave left
extraordinary generosity despite how ordinary
a lasting impression on her. From then on, public
she claims to be.
speaking became a breeze to her. She never
shivered from fear again. The genuine display
Jenny does not have any children. Nonetheless,
of warmth from these two mentors created a
ripple effect in the way she treated her Girls
one could imagine. She would serve food,
later in life.
answer your doubts eagerly and check in on
you regularly. Caring for others has become
THE 7TH COMPANY
an instinct for her. Years of dedication to the

Jenny’s Company was a trailblazer of its kind.

taught her that it was always better to give
than to receive. That has shaped the way she
lived her life.
At the age of 82, Ms Jenny Nai, who now journeys with a recentl y Enrollment Service with the Boys’ Brigade,
discovered cancer, knows for sure that she has lived her life with 2
Band.
no regrets. Jenny spent a large part of her youth building young REMEMBERING ELSIE LYNE AND
The Girls were exposed to press-worthy youth
lives, making the best of it by serving others. THOSE WHO INSPIRED HER
rallies, won multiple awards at competitions
and ranked top in the Battalion3. To Jenny, it
To a Girl muddling through a GB Knowledge
Jenny is a collector of old photographs. Printed in monochrome but vibrant in their story, was the heyday of her youth. Her enthusiasm in
test today, the people behind our history would
every piece captures a proud moment of her accomplishment. One was a picture of a group the Brigade thrived in tandem with its growing
seem distant. But not for Miss Jenny Nai, who
achievements. When her mom prohibited her from
had a chance to get close to history itself. As an
2
as her Company band marched through going to parades during rainy days, Jenny would
NCO, Jenny was assigned to collect uniforms
the streets of old Singapore. As a veteran of the Brigade, Jenny’s journey in GB commenced cling to the window grills eagerly waiting for the
and claim badges – A familiar routine to
more than half a century ago – in a time where Visual Signaling badgework existed, and moment for the rain to subside. As soon as it did,
Captains, but in those days, headquarters was
typewriters were the means of communication. Yes, a long time ago. she would dash out to board the bus that took her
Founder and Commandant Elsie Lyne’s cosy
to her parades.
home.

2
Fife: A wind instrument commonly played in Scotland.
3
A GB unit with headcount of approximately 800 members or less.

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