THRILLING TIME AHEAD: Chong (third right), Goh (right) and organising committee members having discussions about the reunion.
KUCHING: Several former boarders of St Thomas and St Mary Schools are organising a once-in-a-lifetime reunion gathering here.
All ex-boarders from both schools and their spouses are invited to attend the four-day event beginning Nov 14, 2013, said Willie Chong, ‘Thomian and Marian Boarders Reunion’ organising committee member.
“No matter where they are in the world, we hope they (ex-boarders) will attend this historic union which will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It is unlikely to be repeated,” he told thesundapost.
Chong, who was a St Thomas’ School boarder from 1954 to 1961, said the organising committee expected between 200 and 300 ex-boarders to show up.
“Many ex-boarders have done very well in their lives. We have not seen each other for more than 40 years. That is why the organising committee thinks that it is time for us to reunite and say hello to each other.”
Another St Thomas’ School ex-boarder, from 1955 to 1963, Andrew Goh said they decided to make this reunion a reality “after seeing most of our fellow ex-boarders passed away”.
“This is probably the last chance for all ex-boarders to meet,” said Goh, who was with the school from 1955 to 1963.
Chong said tour and accommodation could be arranged for those who needed it.
The organising committee has drawn up a number of programmes for the reunion. They include a round of golf on Nov 14, a visit to the Sarawak Cultural Village and Santubong Village the following day, and a visit to Semenggoh Wildlife Centre on Nov 16.
“On Nov 17, all ex-boarders who joined the reunion will attend a church service at St Thomas’ Cathedral. There will be a church parade, a re-enactment of boarders marching to the cathedral complete with uniforms (white long-sleeved shirt, white trousers, black shoes and belt as well as navy blue necktie,” said Chong.
The reunion dinner would be held at the Sarawak Club on Nov 17.
“Participants from overseas can register through email or through their representatives,” Chong said.
The fee for the reunion is RM100 per person for those who signed up by Aug 31. Those who signed up later pay RM30 more.
For further enquiries, contact Willie Chong at 014-6869689 or email to [email protected], Edward Mansel (013-8097747, [email protected]), Fanny Chu (016-8680285, [email protected]), Samson Juan (019-8272763), Andrew Goh (0168660282), Albert Blassan (011-29936861) and Christopher Chua (013-8188868).