Report of the Kirkby Reunion 2006 : 12th – 14th July 2006.

 

The long-awaited day had arrived and slowly from north and south of the country and overseas Kirkbyites converged at the function room of the Ipoh Swimming Club. Four registration desks were manned to hand out name tags, souvenir programs, vitamin pills and towels printed with the Kirkby Reunion 2006 logo to the expected 114 participants. Eventually 109 participants reported and were in time to enjoy the spread of the buffet lunch catered by the Club.

A group photo session followed immediately after lunch.                                    photo

At the Registration table
 
At that point, we heard that Salma Deen’s sister,

Fatimah Deen had passed away in Kuala Kangsar.

Just before the departure for Cameron Highlands

by coaches, we gathered in the function room

to observe a minute’s silence to remember our

departed colleague. Sadly Salma had to drop out

of the Reunion and we bade her farewell as we

boarded the 3 coaches. So the 108 of us left Ipoh

on the coaches Aintree, Bolton and Croydon so

named, after buses we used to see at Lime Street

Station in Liverpool.

For the statistically minded,

a total of 28 Kirkbyites came from Australia, New Zealand and United Kingdom, 8 from Singapore and 74 from Malaysia. The batches represented were mainly from the 1958-1959 (7th batch),  1959-1960 (8th batch) and 1960-1961 (9th batch). There was one lone Kirkbyite from the 6th batch. 2 other participants joined us at the Equatorial Hotel in Cameron Highlands taking the total to 110.             

Group Photo At Ipoh Swimming Club

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

                                                                                (For another group picture click here)

 

Dance on the night
 
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It was simply magic at Cameron Highlands from the

moment we arrived there. The night was enchanting

and we lived the night again as in the old Kirkby days.

Dinner was splendid and we sang, danced and talked

through the night. Groups presented items to entertain

ourselves. Midnight came and most of us retired to our

rooms while a few ‘young at hearts’ celebrated on.

 

 

The next morning we visited Smoke House Inn with a short stopover at Brinchang. On the road again we travelled to Lumut with significant comfort stops for all the senior citizens. Given the stops, we arrived at Coral Bay Resort on scheduled time. We pursued another night of reverie of good old College Days after dinner but most retired well before 11 pm after the previous night’s bash.

A significant debate took place during the night regarding the next reunion. Finally after much verbal wrestling Mr Lye Yuen Chew accepted the job of organising the next reunion in Malacca in 2008.

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Lye Yuen Chew 2008 Organiser
 

Island Hopping at PulauPangkor

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


For the fearless, they chose to go island hopping around Pangkor while the landlubbers went on a tour that took them to temples and gardens with beautiful views. Those who went to sea had a jolly good time too and I insert a report from Kee Lee Chang.

“We were all sprayed by innumerable tsunami waves. Then only did we realise why at the beginning we were given towels anyway despite our telling the boatman we were not going swimming. ………

The trip back to Pulau Pangkor was no different : Beng Hong was still holding on to my arm and I was also still grasping the railing for dear life. Of course, Soo See was still in high spirits and going 'Da da da da da da, da da da da da...'

We made it to Sitiawan for lunch.  Our Muslim mates went for halal cuisine while the rest of us had Foo Chow food. From reports they enjoyed the local prawns with their curry. Foo Chow food. was a splendid experience. After lunch we visited the Abalone Farm in Kampung Koh near Sitiawan. It was unique to see the cultivation of these creatures in Kg Koh, brought in from far away New Zealand. The hatchery is still in an experimental stage.

From here we said our farewells and travelled back to Ipoh for our dispersal. Certainly there were a few tears. Overall we had a safe and happy reunion with no untoward event happening. The co-operation from everyone was fantastic and loving care for one another was evident all the time.

An extension program was planned for those who were free to linger on after the Reunion. 38 members who had opted for the Extension stayed overnight in Ipoh, together with those who were leaving for home the next morning. That night we had a glorious steam-boat experience at the Moven Peak Restaurant. With new-found vigour we proceeded to Gua Tempurong and sensibly ascended the easier caves. The next stop at Kek Lok Tong was easier on our old legs. After lunch at Jaya Jusco, most of us opted to take it free and easy for the rest of the day.

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Waiting for our rooms at

First World Hotel

 
 
On the fifth morning, we launched ourselves

enthusiastically towards Genting Highlands.

A short stop for early lunch was made at

Batang Kali. When we got to the station to

catch the cable-car, it was under maintenance

so we had to wait  for the

First World Hotel to send their coach to

pick us up. Thus we disembarked and waited

with our luggage for the final assault up the

Highlands.

 

As our booking was under a conference package, it gave us time to run a simple evaluation of our Reunion. It was a fun exercise with some humour thrown in by teachers who tried to act like students in the conference room facilities provided.

We were not disappointed with the events following into the night. Besides the upgraded dining facilities provided, there were local fruits galore served at dinner and of course the King of Fruits, the durian. Everyone had his or her share even though we had to queue for it. The Mysteria Show was a spectacle to watch. The highlight of the night for some of us was to try our luck at the gaming tables with the given vouchers.

                        photo

Teresa Voon who organised the

Songbird Occasion with Others

 
                                                            The final morning had come but there was yet

                                                             another appointment to look forward to at the

                                                             Songbird Karaoke Lounge in Petaling Jaya.

                                                             Kirkbyites who did not join the Reunion were

                                                             also there to greet us and we had a lovely time

                                                             recalling the past and catching up with our

                                                             colleagues. All too soon we had to say our final

                                                             goodbyes as the coach took those who lived in

                                                             the northern part of the country back to Ipoh.

                                                             The years will roll on slowly and till we meet

                                                              again in 2008, we thank all who had taken part in this 2006 Reunion.

 

On Behalf of the Kirkby Reunion 2006Committee,

 

 

Jim Lee

23 August 2006