Latest updates - Bro Columba in Kuching

Jan 6, 2009 - A dinner was organized at the Sarawak Club for Brother Columba. You can view more photos at the Picasa Web Album uploaded by Dr. Chan Lek-Lim. It's great to see that everyone had a great time with Brother Columba!

Dr. Chan writes about the reunion:

"A dinner was organised by former students of St Joseph's School, Kuching for Br Columba Gleeson in the evening of 6 Jan 2009 at the Sarawak Club, Kuching. These group of students were from Form 5 of 1971 and Upper 6 of 1973. When Christopher Kho Ting Hua (who lives in Sydney) first received news in mid-December that Br Columba was visiting Kuching, he starting phoning and emailing classmates about the possibility of having a dinner with him. When the possibility was firming up to reality, he called Br Columba to fix the date mentioning a few names. So when Br Columba was picked up for the dinner on 6 Jan, he thought he was going to dinner with 2 or 3 former students. The number turned out to be 20. He said he was pleasantly surprised and enjoyed the evening very much.

Ting Hua had specially arranged to fly back all the way from Sydney to attend the dinner - a decision made about 2 weeks before the dinner. Another former student, Peter Chin who lives in KL also flew in for the function."

Photo credit - Dr. Chan Lek-Lim

Thanks to Dr. Chan for allowing me to share his story and pics in this post.

Where are you now, Class of '76?

Following the two postings on Brother Columba over last weekend, I am now in contact with another "new old boy" James Yong who left a comment in my blog yesterday.

James, based in Singapore was also present during the Brother Columba's reunion gathering. He is now compiling the Class of '76 name list through his blog St Joe - Form 5 in 1976. If you know of anyone who was in Form 5 in 1976 in St Joseph's Kuching, please pass on this information for reconnection, xD.

Oh yes, I found another blog of James' to be interesting. Again we witness what quality seeds St. Joseph's has sown. He has done St. Joe and Sarawak proud in his field of work. We wish you well, James! Two thumbs up!

Latest updates - Bro Columba

Thanks to the Borneo Post, today's edition in the Home Section (on page 10) features Brother Columba's visit to Singapore and the reunion dinner on Jan 2, 2009. The write-up includes the history of Brother Columba's years at St. Joseph's Kuching, the ex-students who are prominent professionals based in Singapore and also on the coming reunion in Kuching on Jan 17.

I was pleasantly surprised to know that our Urban Development and Tourism Minister Datuk Michael Manyin also joined them for the reunion gathering in Singapore.

Bro Columba in Singapore

At last I've received information from my sis Ruth on Brother Columba's visit to Singapore! We communicated this afternoon and I was able to talk to Brother Columba briefly too. I'm glad that our beloved principal sounded well and happy. Still going strong at 75!

Twenty eight ex-Josephians (SJS Kuching) including some of their spouses joyfully gathered to welcome Brother Columba last night. The previous gathering was two years ago; but this time round the number was almost double. Impressive!

The reunion venue, recommended by Dr Pierce Chow, was at the Royal China Restaurant, Raffles Hotel Arcade. I wasn't there but I would imagine everyone had a fabulous time reminiscing the good old days with the La Salle Brothers (how the men in white gowns struck fear into us, hahaha!). My sis also told me that Dr Lemmy Teo and Dr Chow helped to decide on the food menu; Song Seng Wun brought along copies of the School Rally with Michael Chin helping to lead in the singing. Michael also invited Brother Columba to fellowship at all the three tables at different times.

Needless to say, no reunion can be complete without the Guest of Honour saying a few words. Brother Columba thanked everyone for the dinner and warm friendship, and mentioned that in a way his visit served as a catalyst for ex-Josephians to get together.

Group pic of the proud "forever" Josephians with the best principal in the world! Brother Columba saying a few words of appreciation. Just look at the "principal" poise - what a presence! We can never truly appreciate enough how much impact he and the other selfless brothers have made in the lives of many generations of Sarawakians. They were the true educators of our time! From the bottom of our hearts, we say a big "Thank You" to you Brother Columba! Everyone present signed on this copy of the School Rally. My sis will scan it and email back to them as a souvenir. Ahem, what a eco-friendly way (digitally) to remember the reunion! Photo credit: Group pic - Dr Lee See Chung; Brother Columba's pic - James Yong.

I really look forward to meeting Brother Columba on Jan 17 in Kuching!

SJS Class Of '78 Reunion Gathering

Were you in the Class of '78 in St. Joseph's Kuching? Or have you ever taught the students of the Class of '78?

If the answer is yes, then we invite you to come join us in the reunion dinner with our beloved principal Brother Columba! Here are the details:

Date - Jan 17, 2009
Venue - 360 Hotel, Horizon Cafe, Kuching
Time - 7:00pm
Price per pax - RM80.00 inclusive of drinks

To participate, please email Seng Kong at richardwong05@yahoo.com or Kho Ping at khoping@eritel.com.my

I can't remember exactly when was the last time I met up with Brother Columba. I left St Joe in the third term of Form One in 1974. After that I met Brother Columba once when I was in my 20s, and that's it!

This photo was taken in Singapore two years ago during a gathering coordinated by my sister Ruth. I can't recognize most of Josephians except for Dr. Pierce Chow. In case you've missed the details of Brother Columba's visit then, you can read up here.
I also managed to retrieve some scanned photos from here - the classes of '78. Let's take a nostalgic walk down the memory lane and view the pics, shall we? xD
Form 5 S1

Form 5 S2

Form 5 A1

Form 5 A2

I've confirmed attending so see you all there! xD