The following aricle entitled “Sweet memories of Kirkby” written in
conjunction with the Kirkby College Class of 1954 Reunion
on March 8 2003
appeared in the Star of April
6 2003
Sweet memories of Kirkby
True
friendship, strong bonding and great camaraderie were characteristics that stood out clearly at
the reunion of the 4th batch (Class of 1954) of Kirkbyites on
Saturday, March 8.
It was
as though time had stood still for the 52 ex-students of
FOND
For many, it was the first
meeting in more than four decades. So the Chairman of the organizing committee Zainal
Arshad Zainal Abidin had to introduce one by one as many of us had changed so
much in appearance! Forty nine years ago, we were in our teens travelling
overseas for the first time to study at a Malayan Teachers College 8,000 miles
away.
Now, it was a gathering of
cronies in their golden years, many of whom have become grandpas and grandmas.
But the spirit was spontaneous and unrestrained, comparing receding hairlines,
sagging jowls and spreading midriffs.
Was
it the carnival mood which set the tone of merriment or was it the feeling that
in our twilight years we should mingle as much as possible when our limbs are
still strong ? Or was it the nostalgia of the good old days in good old
‘We toil in a
warm-hearted exile
For our homeland in sun-haunted seas!
And the song in our heart is forever
Of the Golden Chersonese! ‘
Oh
those unforgettable days of 1954-1956 at Kampong Kirkby in
for in
our hearts of hearts we knew there would always be some excitement and new
experiences to be learned.
It
was a time when students bonded regardless of race, religion or creed and a
time when strong friendships formed during
lectures, on the playing field and through annual
presentation of Malayan Medley watched in awe for its colours, rhythm and
pulsating hits and beats by our orang putih guests.
It
was a time when the noisy and restless English children around
Numerous
hearts however were won and friendships cemented. So were the hearts of their
parents.
Summer
time was our glorious days. In droves, we travelled on shoe-string budget to
various parts of the
We
mingled with the locals and learnt their dialects. We admired their opera,
their ballet, fine art, architecture and the spirit of Renaissance. Their
relentless pursuit of freedom and individuality impressed very much our young
minds. Upon our return, we rushed to the College darkroom to develop the
photos, compare notes, pulling each others’
hair
and reminisce.
As
the groups travelling to the Continent were multi-racial in nature and all
speaking in one language, English, these trips further strengthened and
cemented our friendships.
Through
these informal activities, we learned self-discipline, tolerance, compassion
and adapted ourselves to different ways of life.
Though
the College was multi-racial and multi-religious in nature, we treated each
other as brothers and sisters, with no racial feeling at all in all our
activities, be they in the lecture-room or outside it.
One
thing was absolutely certain: we were all Malayans and owed our
allegiance
and undivided loyalty to our country:
“ Yet
And she calls us from afar!’
For
this particular occasion, the Kirkbyites of the Class of 1954 were thankful to
the organiser Zainal and his co-organiser Cheong Koon Hoe for tracking the
whereabouts of the ex-students and bringing us together. We have forged
friendships that bind. And the friendship forged has become strengthened as
clearly shown in the reunion.
Every
Kirkbyite from the inception of the College in 1951 till 1962 is aware and
proud of the fact that they have made significant contributions to practically
every stratum of society. And the memory will linger on….. with nostalgia for
good old Kirkby.
Chiam
Tah Wen
Kirkby
1954-56 & 1962