Joyous reunion for Thomian Class of 74/76

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Former Boys’ Brigade band members start the night off.

KUCHING: A total of 130 illustrious former St Thomas’ Secondary School students from the Form 5 Class of 1974 and Upper 6 Class of 1976 reunited here last Saturday.

Many met up with their former schoolmates for the first time in 43 years to walk down memory lane, sharing memories of school experiences, and catching up on where life has taken them.

The Thomians came from Bintulu, Miri, Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur and Penang as well as from Brunei, Singapore, Sydney, Adelaide, Melbourne, London, Vancouver and Los Angeles.

The organising committee took eight months to prepare the programme, which began with a march in by former Boys’ Brigade band members who sounded the bugle call amidst a roll of drum beats.

This was followed by the singing of the school song ‘Aim Higher’.

Emcee Robert Wee and organising chairman Dr Wee Thian Yew then gave their speeches.

Dr Wee also presented a moving video remembering 15 fallen comrades – the latest being Lim Leong Chuan, who had planned to attend the reunion but passed away about two months prior.

A 15-strong choir, part of the 1974 Kuching Inter School Choir champions under the late teacher Tan Jek Lai, sang ‘Santa Lucia’ and ‘Chan Mali Chan’.

Four guitarists then played the 1977 Eagles’ hit ‘Hotel California’.

Peter Tan then demonstrated the Praying Mantis form of wushu, former army Captain Norman Chong showed his taichi skills, while Tuai Rumah Henry Nuni performed the ngajat.

The games Ping Pong Relay and Shuttle Throwing between the houses aroused a competitive streak among the former schoolmates.

Teacher Alice Wright then delighted all with her line dance routine, putting many to shame.

The much-awaited arm wrestling bout between Colourful Lau Kaw (Mark Law) and Arm Bender Ben (Benny Lim) was fought long and hard over three action-packed rounds.

The night ended with the singing of ‘You Raise Me Up’, made famous by Josh Groban, and the hymn ‘Lord Dismiss Us With Thy Blessing’.

Additional activities for the reunion included a golf tournament, three-night stay in Mulu, day trips to see the orang-utans in Semenggoh, Bau Lake, as well as the Fairy and Wind Caves.