Ling Hua Choo has been part of Changi Airport’s team of horticulturalists looking after the plants and landscaping within and around the airport for the past 46 years. From designing and putting together the floral displays that passengers see in the terminals, to ensuring the health of plants and soil, no two days are ever the same for her. This fact, as Hua Choo later acknowledges, is part of the reason why she has remained in her first and only job in her life.
In this interview with Changi Journeys, Hua Choo shares how her role within the Horticulture team has evolved over the years, along with Changi Airport’s growth. She also shared some personal thoughts as she looks back at the long and fruitful career she has enjoyed.
A journey across 4 companies and 2 airports
Back in 1978 at the age of 19, Hua Choo was on the lookout for a job that would allow her to work with either animals or plants. She joined what was then known as the Parks & Recreations Department (PRD). Back then, the PRD had been assigned to manage the plants and maintenance works at Singapore’s former international airport at Paya Lebar. Hua Choo found herself working there for her first posting, tending to the outdoor plants and landscaping. Subsequently, when the international airport moved to its new site at Changi, she was posted along with it.
Singapore’s previous international airport at Paya Lebar, surrounded by lush greenery.
Over the next decade, Hua Choo hopped between companies as the ownership of Changi’s greenery changed hands. From PRD to the National Parks Board (NParks) when it was set up in 1990, and then to the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) a few years later. With the airport’s corporatisation in 2009, Hua Choo transferred to Changi Airport Group (CAG) as a manager in the Horticulture team.
From planting to planning
Over the past four decades, Hua Choo’s responsibilities have seen many changes as the Horticulture team’s role evolved alongside Changi Airport’s rapid growth. With the day-to-day maintenance of plants around the airport now being entrusted to external partners, her focus is now more on the wider planning and oversight roles.
Taking on an oversight role has seen Hua Choo spending more time working at her desk, resolving issues at the planning stage.
For example, as the airport ramps up construction works in the coming decade, Hua Choo and her team ensure that such projects do not affect the health of the plants and soil around the airport grounds. This sees her involved in meetings and going over excavation blueprints with stakeholders from other teams. She also makes trips down to project sites to carry out in-person inspections to ensure that any problems are promptly identified and addressed.
Nevertheless, Hua Choo still gets her hands dirty from time to time to ensure that Changi’s plants continue to grow well.
On the other hand, indoor displays and projects require the Horticulture team to consider more than just the flora’s aesthetics. Emphasis is placed on how the overall display integrates into the wider passenger experience, ultimately creating a sense of tranquility and joy for travellers. As Hua Choo describes, “Back when I was in NParks, all our discussions revolved entirely around the plants. In CAG, we need to take the wider airport operations into consideration as part of the work that we do. The culture is refreshingly different, and it has given me a deeper appreciation of how our team’s efforts play a unique role in creating the Changi experience for visitors.”
A career like no other
Till this day, Hua Choo believes that she is still going strong – retirement is not in the picture just yet.
When the subject of retirement was brought up, Hua Choo lets out a chuckle and assures that she is in no hurry to do so. After all, as she puts it, “Other people spend their own money to grow plants in their house or garden, but I'm able to enjoy this as part of my job – what’s not to like?”
Yet, contrary to this seemingly oversimplification of her role, the reality remains that her job is no walk in the park. From spending hours under the sun to getting down and dirty while tending to the plants, the life of a horticulturalist is one synonymous with hard work.
There are over 700 different flora species to take care of across the airport, each with its own unique set of needs for optimal growth. Hua Choo has cultivated a keen eye and attention to detail over the years, as any mistake could mean the death of an entire batch or section of plants. Still, she maintains that she has had little to complain about, comparing her efforts to that of raising a child – one cannot throw in the towel just because things are tough.
So, the next time you visit the airport, consider taking some time to stop and smell the roses, or whichever floral varieties happen to be in the vicinity. They just might be ones that Hua Choo had a hand in growing and putting up with her team!
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