Class of 65's 40th Anniversary Bash

The idea to celebrate our 40^th anniversary was hatched over a year ago at the now defunct “Wiggy’s”, where our cohorts used to meet monthly. It became a reality on 08 July, when over 100 schoolmates from the Senior Cambridge Class of 65 and the Higher School Certificate Class of 67 gathered at The Tanglin Club for our 40^th Anniversary Bash.

All present received a nametag with their photograph taken in the 1960s, and a bag of goodies, which included an ACS VCD and a mug to mark the occasion. As they caught up with each other over cocktails, many crowded around the large blow-ups of our Secondary 4 and Pre-University class photographs, which were displayed to great effect – thanks to Wong Ee Choon who made it possible.

You could tell that many were unable to make out who the rest were as they were spotted taking peeks at one another’s tags. That is how much we have changed or shall we say ”aged” as some had gray hair and others no hair. Most well preserved was Ivan Goh, the school athlete, who flew in from Vancouver for the occasion. His face showed no sign of aging, his hair was real and there was not a single gray follicle. We checked. Another cohort, Kee Chin Heng (affectionately known as Ma Lau), flew in from San Francisco. He has not changed – just as cheerful, cheeky-faced and hyperactive as he was forty years ago.

Talking about preservation, it is marvellous that Mr Lee Hah Ing who is in his nineties still goes to work five mornings a week, and Mr Benjamin Khoo, aged 82 and very fit, still gives singing lessons.

After cocktails, we sang the School Anthem with pride and gusto, accompanied by Robert Liew on the guitar. Eugene Lim then said grace before dinner started. The food was fantastic and lived up to the very high standards of The Tanglin Club, thanks to Khew Teck Fook, who risked his position as Vice President of the Club to accommodate us.

“The Young Once”, led by ex-Speaker Hairy Tan Soo Khoon, then entertained us with songs from the sixties and the seventies, to the approval and applause of the audience. Moneer, despite a bad throat, also obliged. His performance brought back fond memories, prompting three adoring fans of the fairer sex to unabashedly scramble onto the stage to present flowers to him.

By the way, Moneer is the first Singaporean cohort to be a grandfather. Preceding him is Alkaff, a Malaysian.

Soon it was cake-cutting time, with Mr Lee Hah Ing leading in the proceedings. A speech by Earnest Lau, which made us proud to be ACSians, followed. He noted the uniqueness of our alma mater and praised us for organising the bash. On a more serious note he told us that there are several teachers who are now unable to support themselves, hence the need for us to contribute to the ACS OBA Teachers Welfare Fund. As a result of this, all 30 books of his Forty Years On were snapped up as the proceeds were to be donated to this fund. In addition a classmate generously donated $1,000.

The fantastic evening finally drew to a close with everyone putting his or her signature on the large banner for posterity. We are grateful to Soo Khoon for agreeing to store it in his mansion and Wee Gee the storage of the photo blow-ups.

Thanks to the untiring efforts of the organizing committee (comprising Archie, Eugene, Cheng Wee, Russell, Bob San, Wee Gee, Walter Tan, David Wee and yours truly), the evening was a great success. We must also acknowledge those have donated cash and/or in kind towards, in particular: Lim Cheng Wee, Bob San, David Wee, Eric Tiong, Walter Tan, Joseph Ong, Wee Joo Yeow, Pang Kim Hin, David Wong, Phillip Ngo, Robert Tan and Walter Tung. Special thanks also go to David Wee and Bob San who donated several cases of wine for the evening.

To everyone who attended, those whose hard work contributed towards making this evening such a memorable one, your generous donations, a huge ‘Thank You’. Your generosity will also see $3,500 going to the Teachers’ Welfare Fund.