In our primary school years, most of us studied either in Primary English School or Bukit Hampar School whilst most girls went to the Cannosian Convent School. After that, many continued their secondary schooling at Secondary English School, Segamat whilst a handful ended up at Seg Hwa Secondary School. The former was subsequently renamed Segamat High School when it was upgraded by having two classes of Form Six, one for Arts and the other, a Science stream. Some were very smart students, but many were just playful, mischievous, liable to play truants or simply a rebel without a cause. We can identify a lot of our fun years with the cartoons depicted by LAT. It was during those formative years, that we were very close, bounded by mischief, especially the batch of 74 and 75. Despite going separate ways during our career building years, many of us did stayed in touch and would catch up when we go back to Segamat during festive holidays, especially CNY.
The school that held so much memories for all of us.
1. Lim See Leong and Ai Hwa
2. David Tan and Francesca
3. Tan Kang Han and Yvonne
4. Gan Kim Teck and Susan
5. Steven Lee and Cheyrl
6. Woon Siang Tsao and Susan
7. Ballbeer and Manjeet
8. Rajendran and Navam
9. Kat Yok Ming and Kim
10. Ramesh and Ranjeet
11. Govindadas and Vanitha
12. Lim Siam Hwoi and and Bee Hoon
13. Tan Kay Hong and May
14. Lee Heng Khen and Elaine
15. Bernard Lim and Shirla
16. Tan Keng Meng
17. Lim Poh Choo
18. Tan Chor Lay
19. Eddie Tay
20. Chew Han Chee
21. Halim Jantan
22. Lim Fang Wee
23. Goh Ping Tai
24. Lee Tian Wan
25. Chon Meng
26. Chidam
27. Lim Mun Jong
28. Freddie Fung
29. Daljit
30. James Loke
31. Goh Eng Huat
32. Soh Kheng Peng
33. Eng Keong
34. Lt Gen Fadzil
35. Gengadharan
Since it was a holiday, some of us decided to start the day with a round of golf as a precursor to the evening celebration.
The usual 'suspects': From L - R : David, Kang Han, Han Chee, Kim Teck, Andy, Das and Siang Tsao.
Come evening, all 50 participants were at the Pavilion, Lake Club on Merdeka Day for a "Hot August Night". While the country celebrates her 60 years of Independence, we were celebrating our 60th Birthday with the people we grew up with. It was the best birthday celebration of them all.
The function was prominently displayed at the notice board outside the Pavilion.
The Pavilion is a sports bar at the club house.
Cocktail starts from 6.00 pm to cater for the early birds.
The signage for our party was hung high on the wall at the stage.
The Cocktail
As is normal, the evening starts with the cocktail. This allowed the early birds the opportunity to have a more personal catch up among the early arrivers.
Andy and Daljit, long lost brothers.
Have not seen Ramesh in a long time.
We do meet up regularly in KL, but today is a special.
There were too many mischievous stories to tell.
Daljit with Bernard, another long lost brudder.
Ramesh, one of the "Rebel without a Clue" during school days.
Goh, despite staying in JB comes up to KL and meet us often enough.
Freddie and Han Chee have not met since leaving school.
Remember the time when you got caught going to Pasir Cowboy instead of school!
Kim Teck with Kay Hong and Andy.
Kheng Peng flew in from Singapore just for this party.
Genga had retired from the police force. He came all the way from Tampin to attend this function and went back back immediately after. This is the first time he came for our gathering. Good to see him here.
Bernard, the ladies man.
The Dinner.
Instead of the usual buffet, we had western set, pre ordered. This is a welcome change as buffet dinner always feels like "chap fun" served in luxury style.
The spouses happy to be part of the celebration.
Good to have the better halves partake in this event.
Glad to see Bernard here. We hardly see him even though he stays in KL.
David will always have time when it comes to school friends gathering,
Kay Hong with wife May seated with Ltd Col Fadzil.
Many vaguely remembered Fadzil as he joined the Armed Forces straight after school.
Aside from Kim Teck, Kat and maybe Chor Lay, we have not seen Kheng Peng and Genga after leaving school.
We also have not seen Chor Gee for many years even though he stayed in Klang.
Francesca who helped organise this event is David's wife. Here, she is with Poh Choo.
See Leong who single-handedly organises this gathering hardly had time to sit down for his dinner.
Heng Khen with Siam Hwoi enjoying their meal.
Ballbeer and Manjit savouring their lamb shank with whiskey.
Siang Tsao and wife Susan
Heng Khen again, with Siam Hwoi, See Leong and their spouses.
James, Chidam with Das and wife. See Leong and Heng Khen at the far end of the table.
Navam with Freddie. Beng Chee and wife is at the far end of the table.
Fadzil enjoying his food with Kay Hong and May.
Yvonne and I with Fang Wee and Balbeer. Seated is Mun Jong and Chor Gee.
Celebrating 60 Years of Living.
The gathering of all the school mates of 74/75 was to celebrate the 60th milestone.
The gathering of all the school mates of 74/75 was to celebrate the 60th milestone.
See Leong wasted no time in getting things going immediately after dinner.
Delivering his welcome speech.
Special birthday honor to Gan Kim Teck, our Merdeka boy.
Yvonne made this 3D jelly cake specially for the truly Merdeka boy.
He was born on 31.8.57, exactly the day the nation achieve Independence.
But the main celebration is for all who were born in 1957. This special cake has a significance as it coincides with the country's celebration.
David took the opportunity to have his memorable picture taken.
I too want this for my album.
And of course the true Merdeka boy must have his moment as well.
All three of us were born in August, the month of Independence.
This is the group that were all born in 1957.
All together for the symbolic cake cutting.
This group was born in 1958, by Chinese calendar, it is considered 60 as well.
The spouses joining in the fun during the photography session and have their moment as well.
All together now.
Happy Birthday everyone. You are 30 years old plus another 30 years of experience. Some have aged to perfection and many are just as happy and energetic as before. Birthdays are good for all. Statistics have also proven that people who celebrate the most birthdays live the longest!
He's my man.
Ah Wan, the lampost.
David kick start the evening with what he love most, singing.
In no time, a few started going on stage.
The music sets the mood.
Oh yes, swaying to the rhythm of the night.
The floor is all yours, guys.
The ladies meantime have their own picture taken outside the entrance.
Halim Jantan came a bit late but was very fast catching up with everybody.
Buddies forever.
Ai Hwa and Poh Choo singing like pro.
Sing your heart out ladies, "nyanyi dengan perasaan"!
Catching the dance fever.
"Let the rhythm change your world, on the floor".
" Live your life and stay young on the floor".
"If you're a party freak then step on the floor".
Bernard and Shirla enjoying the evening.
"Don't stop but keep it moving on the floor".
If you are not singing, you are drinking the night away.
Drinks are plentiful between singing and dancing.
Wefie for the sixties.
Brothers forever.
What a change since the school days. We were drinking "barley niow" at Nan Kwong Open Air Cafe then.
Kat still looking fresh after drinking all night long.
Fang Wee and wife.
Brothers from different mothers, and yes, different fathers too.
The night never end.
Das getting back on the floor moving to the old time local favourite song : "achi achi, buka pintu"
Everybody back on the floor, some not letting go their drinks.
"Grab somebody, drink a little more, then get back on the floor".
" Even when you are not singing. you can still be drinking on the floor".
Singing our last song for everyone "That's what friends are for".
The party ended at 1.00 am when the club had to close it's doors. It was a night to remember. Moments like this becomes rare and we must cherish every minute of it. While those in KL meets up regularly, we have not met many others for many years. The fact that we found each other again when we came together for the 60th milestone milestone celebration makes it very meaningful.
May all be blessed with healthy and happy lives as we move to our next chapter.
"Good friends knows all your best stories, Best friends lived them with you."
