Stewart Chew standing next to the
side of the school
gfhfhfghgf
8 years ago
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Saturday, May 12, 2007
History of Kulim
Mengimbas kembali sejarah Daerah Kulim dibuka dan didiami pada pertengahan abad ke 18 dengan jumlah penduduk 100 orang berasal keturunan Melayu Pattani. Nama Kulim diambil dari nama sejenis pokok kulim yang banyak tumbuh di situ. Kulim menjadi tumpuan kerana penemuan bijih timah. Pada tahun 1850 terdapat 400 pelombong Cina beroperasi di Kulim. Pada tahun 1854 terdapat lapan buah syarikat carigali timah dengan pekerja seramai 1,500 orang. Pada tahun 1888 tercetus Perang Nyonya Cantik yang berlarutan sehingga menyebabkan kerajaan Kedah melantik rakyat British BE Mitchell sebagai Ketua Polis Kulim pada tahun 1890. Kulim mempunyai beberapa bangunan lama yang bersejarah seperti Panggung Coronation, Sekolah Menengah St Patrick (1933), Balai Polis Kulim dan Jam Merdeka.
PS
I was searching for a background story of St Patrick's School when I came acorss this brief information about the history of Kulim
It will please you to know that the school has a distinct design and has deserved a mention. The date of its construction was 1933 (did you know that?) I wish someone would take the trouble to send me a photo of the building for posting on the blog.
Get your relative to do it NOW!!!
PS
I was searching for a background story of St Patrick's School when I came acorss this brief information about the history of Kulim
It will please you to know that the school has a distinct design and has deserved a mention. The date of its construction was 1933 (did you know that?) I wish someone would take the trouble to send me a photo of the building for posting on the blog.
Get your relative to do it NOW!!!
Friday, May 11, 2007
Dear Teddy / From Stewart Chew
Dear Teddy,
I remember your trip to Perth with your sons - they were sail-boarding in the Swan River. How are your boys? They must have grown up and left home, Grandparents yet?
Its great to catch up with news of our old friends especially like Eow Meng. All these years, I thought that he was in Brisbane. I will love to get in touch with him. Do you think, we have time between now and september, to call him to come to this reunion in sept 23rd (sunday) organized by Kok Poh for me. It will fantastic to see you and Eow Meng in september. What is Eow Meng doing in a kebun in Kalimantan???. Yes, I remember Chong Chok Kuan (He was my brother Hock's classmate - lives in Jalan Asaad - we use to play bat and ball in Malay school ground opposite his house). Can';t remember Foong Tuck Cheong though.
A few years ago, Kok Poh showed me to see Lau Tuck Sung (our maths teacher - remember his horrible pinch below the armpit?) who lives a couple of houses away from him. We had a nice chat. Apparently KP told me that he has passed away. Do you know if any of our St.Patricks teachers are still around? I believe Johnny Thoo is in BM.
I have tapped into the Kulim Alumni Website that William has set up. Let's hope that the other ex-Patricians in Malaysia, Singapore and all over the world will respond. We can build to a great St.Patricks Reunion 2009 or 2010 on St. Patricks day in march. I will certainly need your help to prepare all our friends towards this big day in two or three years.
Heard about your bypass op from William. It seems like a serious op, but these days with advanced medical technology, this is quite easy and always successful. Just got to watch your weight and eat healthily and exercise.
You have been in KL all this time. Besides Eow Meng, do you know of any of our ex-classmates or school mates settled in Malaysia or Singapore. I know there is a few in Kulim that I saw many years ago - Arunogari, Sin Nam and Chin Nam. I did not see them during my last trip in 2006. I know that Arunogari (who started the Aru Dispensary in Jalan Raya) has passed on and apparently Sin Nam is not well. Several years ago, on my other trip, I met Rockson Loo (Yoke Cheong). Do you remember him; he's two years our senior and is married to Soon Lye's sister Lucy and lives in ?Prai. I have since written to him. Anyway it was fantastic that Rockson brought me to see a few old friends. We visited Loh Yoon Choy in BM (His brother John Loh lives in Perth). We went to Lunas to visit Cheah (can't remember the rest of his name) who works in his own rubber retail shop. On the way back to Perth, I contacted Kee Soon Lye in JB and we had a great meeting - he's doing well in his cleaning business. Of course, in another trip to KL through another friend in Perth who knows them, I met Tet Shin and Kow Chin Chuan in KL. Its strange that Tet Shin appeared to us in school as a tall and tough guy and now that I have met him, he is quite average - I did not think I was going to be taller than him!! I will try and contact them for this reunion through our common friend.
It's alright that you do not have those old school pictures - but I'll appreciate any pictures of you and your family
With kind thoughts.
Stewart (Huat Guan) Chew.
I remember your trip to Perth with your sons - they were sail-boarding in the Swan River. How are your boys? They must have grown up and left home, Grandparents yet?
Its great to catch up with news of our old friends especially like Eow Meng. All these years, I thought that he was in Brisbane. I will love to get in touch with him. Do you think, we have time between now and september, to call him to come to this reunion in sept 23rd (sunday) organized by Kok Poh for me. It will fantastic to see you and Eow Meng in september. What is Eow Meng doing in a kebun in Kalimantan???. Yes, I remember Chong Chok Kuan (He was my brother Hock's classmate - lives in Jalan Asaad - we use to play bat and ball in Malay school ground opposite his house). Can';t remember Foong Tuck Cheong though.
A few years ago, Kok Poh showed me to see Lau Tuck Sung (our maths teacher - remember his horrible pinch below the armpit?) who lives a couple of houses away from him. We had a nice chat. Apparently KP told me that he has passed away. Do you know if any of our St.Patricks teachers are still around? I believe Johnny Thoo is in BM.
I have tapped into the Kulim Alumni Website that William has set up. Let's hope that the other ex-Patricians in Malaysia, Singapore and all over the world will respond. We can build to a great St.Patricks Reunion 2009 or 2010 on St. Patricks day in march. I will certainly need your help to prepare all our friends towards this big day in two or three years.
Heard about your bypass op from William. It seems like a serious op, but these days with advanced medical technology, this is quite easy and always successful. Just got to watch your weight and eat healthily and exercise.
You have been in KL all this time. Besides Eow Meng, do you know of any of our ex-classmates or school mates settled in Malaysia or Singapore. I know there is a few in Kulim that I saw many years ago - Arunogari, Sin Nam and Chin Nam. I did not see them during my last trip in 2006. I know that Arunogari (who started the Aru Dispensary in Jalan Raya) has passed on and apparently Sin Nam is not well. Several years ago, on my other trip, I met Rockson Loo (Yoke Cheong). Do you remember him; he's two years our senior and is married to Soon Lye's sister Lucy and lives in ?Prai. I have since written to him. Anyway it was fantastic that Rockson brought me to see a few old friends. We visited Loh Yoon Choy in BM (His brother John Loh lives in Perth). We went to Lunas to visit Cheah (can't remember the rest of his name) who works in his own rubber retail shop. On the way back to Perth, I contacted Kee Soon Lye in JB and we had a great meeting - he's doing well in his cleaning business. Of course, in another trip to KL through another friend in Perth who knows them, I met Tet Shin and Kow Chin Chuan in KL. Its strange that Tet Shin appeared to us in school as a tall and tough guy and now that I have met him, he is quite average - I did not think I was going to be taller than him!! I will try and contact them for this reunion through our common friend.
It's alright that you do not have those old school pictures - but I'll appreciate any pictures of you and your family
With kind thoughts.
Stewart (Huat Guan) Chew.
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Saturday, May 5, 2007
Dear William,
Yes, the ANU I referred to is the Australian National University in Canberra. They offered me an MA scholarship to do Pol Science and I did a thesis on Malaysia. The scholarship was very generous in that they also provided me with subsidized university accommodation at their flats in Graduate Court in Civic. There was also an allowance for my wife and both of us were full time students from 1979-80.My wife did a Grad Dip in Computer Studies while I did my MA.I enjoyed my stay very much in Canberra in the time I was there.The ANU campus was of course very beautiful and conducive for research. You said you moved to Canberra in 1991. Which part of the city are you staying?It is good of you to start a St Patrick's Alumni blog. For a start, I am attaching in this email some photos of Kulim, including one on St Patrick's School. (Please see captions). Feel free to put them in your blog.
Reply
Thanks David,
I have to congratulate you for the achievements you have made. I thought it would be the Australian National University. Those were the early days and Canberra was still a country town. It is now a thriving place with lots of activities. You have to come back to see it for yourself.
We are on the South side just outside Tuggeranong in the suburb called Gordon.
Keep writing and please let all the ex Patricians know about this blog.
Take care.
Wm
Yes, the ANU I referred to is the Australian National University in Canberra. They offered me an MA scholarship to do Pol Science and I did a thesis on Malaysia. The scholarship was very generous in that they also provided me with subsidized university accommodation at their flats in Graduate Court in Civic. There was also an allowance for my wife and both of us were full time students from 1979-80.My wife did a Grad Dip in Computer Studies while I did my MA.I enjoyed my stay very much in Canberra in the time I was there.The ANU campus was of course very beautiful and conducive for research. You said you moved to Canberra in 1991. Which part of the city are you staying?It is good of you to start a St Patrick's Alumni blog. For a start, I am attaching in this email some photos of Kulim, including one on St Patrick's School. (Please see captions). Feel free to put them in your blog.
Reply
Thanks David,
I have to congratulate you for the achievements you have made. I thought it would be the Australian National University. Those were the early days and Canberra was still a country town. It is now a thriving place with lots of activities. You have to come back to see it for yourself.
We are on the South side just outside Tuggeranong in the suburb called Gordon.
Keep writing and please let all the ex Patricians know about this blog.
Take care.
Wm
Dear Bill,Thanks for your prompt reply. I knew you would be wondering who I am. I remembered I have always been a quiet and subdued sort of bloke in class unlike the stirrers like Veerasamy, Mah Sin Nam, Loh Yoon Choy, Heng Eow Meng and even Teddy Dielenberg!! (Remember them?).
I believe that Eow Meng has lived in Aussie Land for probably longer that I have. Met him in Brisbane quite a few years ago - I was accompanied by another friend and he had to look so hard at both of us before deciding (incorrectly!) who I was. Do you remember John Loh (Loh Yoon Choy's elder brother)? He is the only Kulim friend I have in Perth. He is happily retired and has three sons who are all doing extremely well professionally.
I have two married daughters from my late wife. The elder one Sharlene, a psychiatric nurse, who just got married (to an Italiano) last year, lives in Perth. The younger Serena who married a NZealander lives in Sydney. I have been blessed with a very happy grandson Reuben. I will visit Serena in late July when she gives birth to the second child. I have been married again for nearly 6 years, to Amy who has two children of her own. It was coincidental that she lost her husband to cancer a year before I lost Nancy.
Enclosed a couple of pictures. Hope you can retrieve them. The Chew Clan - singing a song for my nephew's wedding in Singapore a few years ago ar (L-R)::-
Suan Imm (Singapore), Catherine Lim (Poh Imm)(Singapore), SC, Kim Imm (Calgary) Siew Imm (Ballina), Hock (Singapore), Lai Imm (Sydney), Lean Imm (Brunei & Melbourne), Gaik Imm & Cheng Imm (JB). Not included is my second brother, Beng Imm (JB) and Chye Imm (Kulim).
And my family L-R Sharlene, Alyssa, Jeremy, Serena, SC and Amy (front).
Would love to receive some pics from you.
Kind regards.
Friday, May 4, 2007
Cut and Paste
Dear William,
My brother Stewart gave me your e-mail last month (march) after he contacted you where you both exchanged e-mails. I had meant to write to you earlier, but couldn't find the time until now.You taught me various subjects - Art, History, Maths, PE - in St Patrick's in 1959 and 1960 when I was in Forms 2 and 3. I was in the same class with James although I also knew Francis and Teddy (not so much as he was my brother's classmate). I heard about James' death from cancer from my elder sister who still lives in Kulim a few years ago. I also know Angela's family very well as one of her brothers was my classmate in Badlishah School in 1961-2. In fact I attended their wedding in Penang in the early 1970s.I also knew Gilbert, both as my teacher (Std 6 in 1957 when he taught me history) and as a colleague in Bagan Serai (1972-74) where I happened to stay in the same house with him and a few others.You probably won't remember me as I was one of those quiet boys in class, but you did like my art to the extent that you told me to paint a mural at the back wall of our classroom, the one nearest the canteen, after our LCE exams in 1960 when we had no more lessons and in need of something to keep us occupied. I remember I liked Elvis Presley very much and did a crude painting of him playing the guitar amidst a background of other musicians...good for Kulim standards from a then 14 year old. I'm 61 today, and still working as a freelance journalist, editorial consultant. I have come a long way since the days of St Patrick's. After Form 3 in St Patrick's, I did my Forms 4 and 5 in Badlishah School. After teaching temporarily for a few years, I joined MTCKL (the successor to Kirkby) in 1966-67. I think I met you once in 1967 when you came with the badminton team of La Salle Klang to play in our college gym.After my training, they posted me to a Malay kampong in Perak for 4 years before I was transfered to Bagan Serai where I met up with Gilbert after several years. I did my HSC through self study by correspondence with Stamford College in Singapore, and when I completed my 5 year bond with the govt, resigned from teaching to do my Bachelors in Wellington in NZ. I got a scholarship from ANU to do Masters (1979-80). I then returned to Singapore where I have been since, having worked as Senior tutor at the University and journalist with Straits Times (over 10 years).I have been in Singapore for the past 26 years.My wife and 2 daughters are Singaporeans but I'm still Malaysian though a PR of Singapore. I guess I love Malaysia too much even though I, like many of us abroad, resent the govt for all the mess they continue to make to such a beautiful country as Malaysia. I have been back many times, especially to Penang and Kulim, both in the course of my work as a journalist, and also to visit relatives,friends, etc.My brother and I have visited St Patrick's on several occasions, and we are very sad that the school has degenerated into a typical Malay school,save for its name. The HM, the teachers, right down to the office boy are Malays, so are the majority of the students. Much as I would like to rekindle the old boy spirit, I find that I just can't do it, because the school is not what it used to be for us to feel proud. Poor Mr Auyong must be rolling in his grave if he were to see how his school,once the apple of his eye, has become something of an eyesore today.I still keep in touch with Wan Ho, the old office boy, who has retired (he is 67) and stays in a housing estate in one of the suburbs of Kulim. He has a lot of nostalgic stories about the school. As we reach our twilight years, I'm very happy to meet up with my former teachers through the e-mail or other means. I hope I can catch up with you one day in Australia, or if you ever drop by in Singapore. Hoping to hear from you.Best wishes and kindest regards,
David Chew (Huat Hock)
Reply
I have to admit I can't remember a thing, especially the mural I asked you to do. Was it ever completed?
This is a good way of catching up with the past, don't you think?
More nostalgic stories please.
Wm
My brother Stewart gave me your e-mail last month (march) after he contacted you where you both exchanged e-mails. I had meant to write to you earlier, but couldn't find the time until now.You taught me various subjects - Art, History, Maths, PE - in St Patrick's in 1959 and 1960 when I was in Forms 2 and 3. I was in the same class with James although I also knew Francis and Teddy (not so much as he was my brother's classmate). I heard about James' death from cancer from my elder sister who still lives in Kulim a few years ago. I also know Angela's family very well as one of her brothers was my classmate in Badlishah School in 1961-2. In fact I attended their wedding in Penang in the early 1970s.I also knew Gilbert, both as my teacher (Std 6 in 1957 when he taught me history) and as a colleague in Bagan Serai (1972-74) where I happened to stay in the same house with him and a few others.You probably won't remember me as I was one of those quiet boys in class, but you did like my art to the extent that you told me to paint a mural at the back wall of our classroom, the one nearest the canteen, after our LCE exams in 1960 when we had no more lessons and in need of something to keep us occupied. I remember I liked Elvis Presley very much and did a crude painting of him playing the guitar amidst a background of other musicians...good for Kulim standards from a then 14 year old. I'm 61 today, and still working as a freelance journalist, editorial consultant. I have come a long way since the days of St Patrick's. After Form 3 in St Patrick's, I did my Forms 4 and 5 in Badlishah School. After teaching temporarily for a few years, I joined MTCKL (the successor to Kirkby) in 1966-67. I think I met you once in 1967 when you came with the badminton team of La Salle Klang to play in our college gym.After my training, they posted me to a Malay kampong in Perak for 4 years before I was transfered to Bagan Serai where I met up with Gilbert after several years. I did my HSC through self study by correspondence with Stamford College in Singapore, and when I completed my 5 year bond with the govt, resigned from teaching to do my Bachelors in Wellington in NZ. I got a scholarship from ANU to do Masters (1979-80). I then returned to Singapore where I have been since, having worked as Senior tutor at the University and journalist with Straits Times (over 10 years).I have been in Singapore for the past 26 years.My wife and 2 daughters are Singaporeans but I'm still Malaysian though a PR of Singapore. I guess I love Malaysia too much even though I, like many of us abroad, resent the govt for all the mess they continue to make to such a beautiful country as Malaysia. I have been back many times, especially to Penang and Kulim, both in the course of my work as a journalist, and also to visit relatives,friends, etc.My brother and I have visited St Patrick's on several occasions, and we are very sad that the school has degenerated into a typical Malay school,save for its name. The HM, the teachers, right down to the office boy are Malays, so are the majority of the students. Much as I would like to rekindle the old boy spirit, I find that I just can't do it, because the school is not what it used to be for us to feel proud. Poor Mr Auyong must be rolling in his grave if he were to see how his school,once the apple of his eye, has become something of an eyesore today.I still keep in touch with Wan Ho, the old office boy, who has retired (he is 67) and stays in a housing estate in one of the suburbs of Kulim. He has a lot of nostalgic stories about the school. As we reach our twilight years, I'm very happy to meet up with my former teachers through the e-mail or other means. I hope I can catch up with you one day in Australia, or if you ever drop by in Singapore. Hoping to hear from you.Best wishes and kindest regards,
David Chew (Huat Hock)
Reply
I have to admit I can't remember a thing, especially the mural I asked you to do. Was it ever completed?
This is a good way of catching up with the past, don't you think?
More nostalgic stories please.
Wm
Genesis
I am glad someone found my email address and started writing to me. That someone was Stewart Chew. He will be able to tell us all how he worked out that the email address he came across one of the comments I made on one of the articles, from the blog on Kulim, was mine. That was how it all started.
I am William Dielenberg. I was one of the twenty odd students who enrolled at St Patrick’s School , Kulim just after the war. I believe we were the first few students who went on from there to finish School Certificate either in BM High School or somewhere else. I hunger for the names of those who were with me and especially those who taught us. I Remember a few like Auyong Teik Yoon, Stephen Loo, Lim Thean Poh and a few of the De La Salle brothers who travelled daily from Penang to administer the school.
My leaving Certificate has it that I joined the school on the 13/01/47 and the class that I was admitted to was std 3. Date of leaving 21/01/52 and reason for leaving --to join BM High School to complete my school certificate. Remarks: (among other things) - a school prefect and a scout patrol leader. (can’t remember all that).
This gives me the impetus to search for more information and I hope this Blog will bring us closer and all the memories that we are looking for --- with your help of course.
Incidentally, I forgot to add that all the male Dielenbergs went through St Pats. in subsequent years. After I completed my School Certificate I joined St. Pats Afternoon as a temporary teacher. In 1953 I was selected to complete my TTC at Kirkby. On completion of the course I was posted back to St Pats where I remained till 1960 when I was transferred to De La Salle School Klang.
I am William Dielenberg. I was one of the twenty odd students who enrolled at St Patrick’s School , Kulim just after the war. I believe we were the first few students who went on from there to finish School Certificate either in BM High School or somewhere else. I hunger for the names of those who were with me and especially those who taught us. I Remember a few like Auyong Teik Yoon, Stephen Loo, Lim Thean Poh and a few of the De La Salle brothers who travelled daily from Penang to administer the school.
My leaving Certificate has it that I joined the school on the 13/01/47 and the class that I was admitted to was std 3. Date of leaving 21/01/52 and reason for leaving --to join BM High School to complete my school certificate. Remarks: (among other things) - a school prefect and a scout patrol leader. (can’t remember all that).
This gives me the impetus to search for more information and I hope this Blog will bring us closer and all the memories that we are looking for --- with your help of course.
Incidentally, I forgot to add that all the male Dielenbergs went through St Pats. in subsequent years. After I completed my School Certificate I joined St. Pats Afternoon as a temporary teacher. In 1953 I was selected to complete my TTC at Kirkby. On completion of the course I was posted back to St Pats where I remained till 1960 when I was transferred to De La Salle School Klang.
Cut and Paste
Dear Teddy and Bill,
I have found an old archived BW photo of some of us that you must see and have a giggle (particularly on seeing my flabbergasted facial expression!).
Bill, I like your idea of starting a website for all St. Patricks Old Boys. For starters, you can put this picture in. I am sure (L to R back row) Kee Soon Lye, Choong Tet Shin, Tan Siak Hock and (front) ? (I have forgotten his name) would love to see this picture.
Met Soon Lye in JB several years ago - I think he has a cleaning buisiness. Tet Shin is a retired architect in KL - met him in a common Perth friend's house in PJ only a few years ago. I am sure I can contact him through my friend. Saw Siak Hock in KL many years ago while I was working in KL (1971). I believe our Malay friend went into the army and became quite prominent.
Kind regards.
Reply
Thanks Stewart for the photos. I can recognise Kee Soon Lye. They have all done well. Good on them
Wm
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