This year’s response to the ACS Founder’s Day Re-union Dinner in Melbourne surpassed that of the previous years. A total of 67 gathered on 27 February to commemorate the 130th year of the founding of the ACS. Ironically, the more-than-usual number of respondents met in a smaller-than-usual venue at The Old Raffles Place in Collingwood, Victoria.

The evening began with short addresses by several ACSians, most notable of whom was former Olympian Tan Sri Dr Mani Jegathesan (Class of 1959) who was here on a visit from Malaysia. Jega, as he was popularly known during his schooldays, is no stranger to the ACSian community, especially to those in the late 1950s and early 1960s. It was a treat to have him in our midst.

In her address, Mrs Lee Gek Kim (herself an Old Girl of ACS and former teacher in ACS and ACS [Independent]) who has consistently been the catalyst behind the organising committee for the annual dinner in Melbourne, expressed her joy at seeing so many present that evening and encouraged everyone to keep the ACS spirit strong and alive Down Under.

Dr Suresh John (Class of 1978) read the message specially penned for the Melbourne Alumni by President of the ACS OBA, Cheo Chai Hong, who thanked the Melbourne Alumni for its enthusiasm in being “the first group of ACSians … who are celebrating Founder’s Day.” Chai Hong went on to say that “It is heartwarming to know that despite distance, all of you (we) have taken time and effort to pay tribute to the traditions of loyalty and brother/sisterhood” and thanked us “for keeping the ACS flag flying ‘down under’ without fail!”

Upon the request of the ACS OBA dinner organising committee, a short video recording was made of greetings from ACSians present at our dinner. The video clip was screened on 1 March at the annual Founder’s Day Dinner in Singapore. We in Melbourne were honoured to be included in the programme of the dinner at the Shangri-la.

During our dinner, a letter of commendation was presented to Sathisvaran Kanavathy who, despite his busy undergraduate schedule, has organised the Founder’s Day Dinner in Melbourne for the past three years. This is his last time as our organiser as Sathis will complete his course of study here at the close of this year. A word of thanks must also go to Quek Joo Meng (Class of 1976) for assisting Sathis in the planning of the dinner.

The camaraderie during that evening was very strong. ACSians, whose age range spanned an impressive 6 decades, reminisced over the days in school and were caught up with each other renewing old ties. This went on till the singing of the School Anthem at the end of the evening when we parted company only to look forward to meeting again at the next ACS Founder’s Day Dinner. The Best Is Yet to Be.

Lee Boon Chong (Class of 1961)