June 1919: Eurasian Association (EA) formed by a group of Eurasian leaders who saw a need to bond the community and to help the needy in areas of education and welfare. 1960s-LATE 1980s: Uncertainties brought about by Britain’s withdrawal, the confrontation with Indonesia, Singapore’s separation from Malaya, and the Vietnam War triggered an exodus of Eurasians, with many heading to Australia. The community shrank from 80,000 to 12,000 at one point. EA membership also plunged from 306 in 1981 to a low of 91 in 1986. 1989: Dubbed the year of the “Eurasian Awakening”. A new team of young Eurasians took over at the EA and launched new programmes and activities. They also went on recruitment drive which resulted in 1,000 new members signing up. 1990: The EA took part in the National Day Parade for the first time, performing a dance item. 1994: The EA was accorded the Self-Help Group and the Institution of Public Character status by the Government, which gave it recognition and also a steady source of funding from the community. JULY 2003: President S R Nathan officially opened the $6 million Eurasian Community House at Ceylon Road, built with funds from the Government and the community. Prior to this, the EA operated from premises at Mountbatten Road leased from the Government. This article is taken from The Straits Times July 18, 2009.