BHES & MALACCA HIGH CLASS OF 1962 - 1974 REUNION

Friday March 5, 2010

Alumni of Malacca schools plan bash to mark official retirement age

Five is a significant number to this group of friends who have known each since their primary school days.

Born in 1955, they already are, or will be, 55 this year.

While a few have kept their friendship since being pupils of the Bandar Hilir English School (BHES) in Malacca (1962-67) and later the Malacca High School (1968-72/74), a core group has been holding regular annual reunions since turning 50 in 2005.

Five is the number: Four members of the organising committee expressing the significance of this year’s reunion gathering — (from left) Cheong Koon Aik, Yoong Voon Chow, Charlie Chia Lui Meng and Willy Leong Yam Wei.
But, to mark the special occasion of the “official retirement age”, the old boys are organising something special — a “5555 Golden Year Big Bash” — on April 24 at the Tiara Golf Resort in Malacca.

About 150 of the old boys (and old girls who did their Form Six in MHS) and their spouses are expected to turn out for the party that will feature sumptuous food, entertainment and sharing of memories, all for RM50 each.

Some of their old teachers have also been invited to join in the reunion, which will also include a tour of the schools.

As in previous gatherings, the old boys will make use of the event to raise funds for Malacca-based charities and homes.

For the many avid golfers in the group, the fellowship will start earlier.

They are expected to play a round on April 23 at the Tiara Golf Resort in Jalan Gapam, Bukit Katil. Willy Leong Yam Wei, a member of the organising committee, will be in charge of the golf game.

Organising committee spokesman Larry Yong Woon Pin urged all old boys to confirm their attendance before March 31 to enable the team to plan the event better.

“It will also be helpful if they can spread the word around to others from the same batch. A BHES 62-67 & MHS 68-72/74 community has also been set up on Facebook with details of the gathering to keep the group connected,” he said.

More information can be obtained from these committee members based in KL/ PJ: Yoong Voon Chow (012-309 6276), Charlie Chia Lui Meng (012-289 3887) Cheong Koon Aik (012-213 1481), Larry Yong 019-332 5592), Ivan Low Chan Tian (012-601 8230) and Willy Leong Yam Wei (019-208 2093).

The members in Malacca are: Kamaruddin Temu (013-329 5260), Robert Chong (019-962 0636), Tay Hock Seng (012-685 5689) and Supt Gunarajan (013-936 3119).