• Schooling’s granduncle, Mr Lloyd Valberg, was the fire engine’s last fire chief
• Schooling also gave a motivational sharing session to more than 60 youths from Mapletree’s beneficiaries, and children of employees working at MBC

SINGAPORE – Mapletree was pleased to host Olympic Gold Medalist Joseph Schooling at Mapletree Business City (“MBC”), where he visited the refurbished 1938 Merryweather Pump Escape Fire Engine. Mapletree invited him to visit the art piece because his late granduncle, Mr Lloyd Valberg was the fire engine’s last fire chief.

Mr Valberg played an instrumental role in shaping Joseph’s Olympic dreams. Mr Valberg was a national high jumper as well as Singapore’s first Olympian at the 1948 London Olympics, and Joseph’s aspirations were ignited by his granduncle.

In July 2018, Mapletree unveiled the refurbished 1938 Merryweather Pump Escape Fire Engine as an art piece at 50 MBC¹, as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility efforts to bring the arts closer to communities. The history of the fire engine dates back to 1946, when it was acquired by the Singapore Harbour Board (the precursor to the Port of Singapore Authority).

“It’s really cool to see this piece of history. My granduncle Lloyd made history as Singapore’s first Olympian, and realising that he could do it made me want to race on the world stage at the Olympics. I’m glad that part of his legacy is preserved here at Mapletree Business City,” said Joseph Schooling.

Following the tour of the Merryweather, Joseph Schooling also met with more than 60 youths comprising Mapletree’s beneficiaries (from Boys’ Town and Beyond Social Services), as well as children of Mapletree’s tenants and staff, for a motivational sharing session. The youths were forthcoming in their questions. They got up close and personal when Schooling shared how he persevered through multiple setbacks to achieve his dream finally. He also encouraged the youths to pursue their passions, and emphasised the importance of hard work.

Mr Edmund Cheng, Chairman of Mapletree Investments said, “We are honoured to have Joseph Schooling join us and taking the time to give back to the community through the motivational sharing session. The beneficiaries have learnt much and I hope this will spur them on to achieve their own life goals.”

¹ See press release dated 11 July 2018 here

Mapletree hosted Olympic Gold Medalist Joseph Schooling at Mapletree Business City where he visited the refurbished 1938 Merryweather Pump Escape Fire Engine as his late granduncle, Mr Lloyd Valberg was the fire engine’s last fire chief.

Joseph Schooling also met with more than 60 youths comprising Mapletree’s beneficiaries (from Boys’ Town and Beyond Social Services) for a motivational sharing session.