Gilbert Dielenberg and his wife, Swee See

Cut and Paste -- from Teddy

Chin Chuan,
Thank you for the response and I am really encouraged to get the reunion going. I will get the old photos of events of that time, landmarks of Kulim, photos of the old St Pat and including the individual ones. It it a long process and that is the reason why the dates that we have set out. I would also need photos of the teachers and those of our class that are no longer in this world. I think I can get Auyong Teck Yoon, Lau Tuck Sang, but the rest may have to slowly work on.
The CD idea is really a good one and nearer to the event and when I have all the photos will pass on to you.
The fund raising is also a good idea as there are those who are fortunate.
I will be away this week end and also from 6 – 8 July 2007 and after that will try and meet up with you and in talking we may come up with some ideas and how to get the things done.
Regards,
Teddy

Cut and paste -- From Stewart

Dear All,

Teddy, I am impressed with your checklist document. Its excellent.
Going through your list of names and contacts:-
# Yes, about our Indian classmates, there was a Bernard Dass, and there was also a Santana Dass. Scratching the back of my mind - was there a Sumatheri (ex - Dublin Estate), a Thangavan?, a Subramaniam?
# John Loh is in Perth and my regular contact. I will get him to come. He is the brother of Loh Yoon Choy who I believe is in BM.
# Teachers. William Dielenberg's joining us is a MUST. Having Khoo Lock Sain would be fantastic! I have fond memories of Choong Yew Lam - use to involve us in boxing matches etc. His brother Choong Yew Meng might still be around. Do you remember teacher Ooi Hwa Hin (who married Peggy Wong) - I believe he lives in Keladi Gardens.
My brother Hock mentioned Johnny Thoo who is probably still in BM.
# Few more names:- Loo Yak Siew (Kulim). I have his phone number in an old diary which I will dig out for you in the next email. I think a guy we must get is Rockson Loo ? Yoke Cheong - he was a year our senior and he married Soon Lye's sister Lucy. I have Rockson's numbers as: 3237361/ 3237340 (you might have to add a number or two). Ask Kok Poh for Tang Seah Jin's contact - he is KP's brother- in -law. Does anyone know the whereabouts of Sim Chay
Say (I think he was in the army)?
# An advertisement in STAR in January or earlier to advertise the Class57 Reunion is a great way of reaching those we might not even have remembered, but are living closeby.
September is not too far away. Look forward to catch you Teddy and Eow Meng in Kulim/ Penang.(21st - 27th September 2007). My brother Hock is joining me.
Kind regards.

Teddy Dielenberg

Teddy and His wife, Lily

Class57 Check List - Reunion Get together.

Participants – St Patrick Class57 including spouses/family and Teachers.

Guide on deadlines Progress
Develop name list & contacts June to Decr’07 Ongoing
Identify & negotiate hotel rates / book June to Dec ‘07
Develop & finalise program Dec ‘07
Identify and Negotiate Hotel rates /book Dec ‘07
Send circular about Event, Program & Cost Jan ‘08
Letter to get contribution from the fortunate ones Jan ‘08
Collect old photos, Sizes for Polo shirt &
draft of scrip Mar ’08
Circular Letter on progress March ‘08
Finalize Welcome banner, backdrops with hotel March ‘08
Negotiate & Finalize Seafood Restaurant May ‘08
Finalize Menu for Dinner May ’08
Entertainment program Jun ‘08
Circular letter on progress Jun ‘08
Identify list of songs to be played Jun ‘08
Arrange with hotel Welcome Letter to each
Participant, Welcome banner, Check-in table,
Section for Class57 breakfast corner, Backdrop
Finalize script 6th Aug‘08
Meeting with few & finalize entire program 6th Aug ‘08
Finale arrangement with Seafood Restaurant 6th Aug ‘08
Check-in & Welcome 7th Aug ‘08

Addresses and Class 57 reunion Programme

ST PAT CLASS 57 & Circa and including spouses
Ron Heng Eow Meng
Brisbane
Ron_heng@ctpholdings.com
Stewart Chew Huat Guan
Perth
S.chew@curtin.edu.au
Teddy Dielenberg
KL
0193305418 / 0378763489
td@dynamed.com.my
Mah Sin Nam
KL ?

Kow Ching Chuan
K L
03-2283 6994, 0123033903
malian@po.jaring.my
Low Chin Seong
Lunas?

Choong Tet Shin
K L
035633 3825, 15, Jalan SS19/3a, Subang
Foo Teik Chong
Ipoh ?

Yap Eng Hai
Penang?

Liew Chin Nam
Kulim

Tan Siak Hock
A.Setar

Sim Say Leong
Kulim ?

Versamy

Loh Yuen Choy
BM

Ng Wooi Meng
K L ?

Loh Kee Chiang
Klang

AuYong San Foong
B M
04-5512936 / 0164742286
Heng Boon Kwong

KL

Alan Kee Soon Lye
JB
07-542 651
Victor Paul (Circa)
KK
088-428 666 amnkk@tm.net.my.
Auyong San Foong
BM
0164742286 / 045512936
Cheah Kok Poh (circa)
Kulim
0164015994
Chong Chock Kuan (circa)
KL
0122979820 ckchong@teledynamivcs.com.my
Goh Choo Thin
KL

Sydney Lee Kok Yew (Circa)
Penang

********************************************************************************

TENTATIVE PROGRAM
Date, Day & Time
Program
Notes to programs
7th August, 2008 Thursday
2.00 to 7.00 pm
Checking – in
Hospitality Suite Open
Special Checking – Table for
Class57.- Banners out/in Hotel, Rooming list to be available (prepared by hotel) At
Check-in give out Polo shirts with St Pat
Class57 logo (Already designed, Green polo shirt with logo in white and nick names stitched on. Nearer to event will need to organize to sizes of everyone so that the Polo shirts will fit them.
Photography for NOW.
Hospitality Suite available and would have blow of some faces. Guess who is this. And others
7.30 to 9.30 pm
Dinner (Restaurant- Outside of Hotel )
Sea Food – Buffet style , free seating
Place specially reserved for Class57
Place to dress up – background music 60s
70s. Photos to be taken
9.30 to 1.00 am
Hospitality Suite Open

8th August 2008
6.30 to 7.00 am
Morning Walk those interested
Need to advise in Circular about bringing walking shoes
7.30 to 10.00 am
Breakfast
Section-off for Class57
10.30 to 7.00 pm
Have various activities for the day
That those interested could participate, but those preferring to take free and easy as an alternative
Organizing a visit to the butterfly farm, or nature’s work, Eating durian and others for the whole day
Provide list of facilities available at the hotel , swimming pool, games room and
Others.

7.00 to 11.00 pm
Dinner and Dance
Chinese Seat down dinner – Seating plan
but check preference if any, Back drop
Class57 –blow up of an old photo
Give the ladies a rose (from husband to wife) as they go into the room) Door gifts
Cocktails from 7.00 to 7.30
Dinner by 800 pm – Welcome speech (Short) Moment of silence for those no longer in this world (Photos & Names, if available) Say Grace ?
Presentation focus as follows ;-
YEAR57,& Circa St Pat – Start St Pat & Kulim, Landmarks (St Anne Convent?) and MERDAKA Year (Need photos)
Followed by Individuals Class57 & Circa covering. Then – (collect old photos earlier & together script to refresh memory, rekindle relationship and generate a togetherness – to be funny. Important that the presentation do not highlight success or position of anyone., All titles will not be used. Participants must feel that they are like what it used to be back in 1957
Now – recent photos, include family. And those taken at Check-in and dinner at Seafood restaurant. Organize Karoke or entertainment – quartet &
Preferable songs of 60s and 70’s – Singers
from the floor if willing & DANCING
Closing – songs of farewell
Provide list of participants and current
Address and contacts .
9th August 2007
7.30 to 10.00 am
Breakfast
Section for Class57
Check out by 12.00

New Industrial hub of South Kedah

Kulim to have LRT system and airport by 2020

Kulim, once a marketting and administrative centre of South Kedah famous only for her rubber production, is poised to be a Smart City by 2020 complete with a Light Rail Transit (LRT) system and a regional airport according to the Star Newspaper.

Its closeness to the port of Penang and the industrial estates of mainland Penang will make Kulim an important city that will outrival Sg. Patani to the north and Taiping, Perak, in the south.

The proposed LRT system from Bertam in North Seberang Prai to Kulim Hi-Tech Park in Kedah through Padang Serai will complement the development of Penang's integrated transport network.

A regional airport for light and medium aircraft has been proposed in Padang Meha. The proposed airport will not create air traffic conflict because it is located 50km away from the Penang International Airport in Bayan Lepas and 100km away from the Sultan Abdul Halim Airport in Alor Star. It will cater for private jets, community airline services such as Malaysia Airlines' FireFly and medium-sized cargo planes.

Other proposed mega projects to boost development in Kulim include the Central Spine Highway, South Kedah Highway (LEKAS), a spacious 112.22ha container depot in Padang Meha and an extended railway system linking Penang to Kulim. The Central Spine Highway is part of the Kedah Structure Plan to construct an alternative central highway stretching from Jitra in the north to Bandar Baru in the south.

LEKAS will link the eastern part of Kulim to Selama in Perak through Mahang and Baling.

Mrs Chew

Stewart, Mum and David at their home in Kulim

Design par excellence

St Patrick's School as seen from the open space. An excellent design for a building built in 1933

Kulim Clock Tower

One of the landmarks of Kulim-(District capital of South Kedah)

Wallah!!!!! Look, all the boys of Std 5.

Sorry about the quality of the photo

Teachers: Lim Thean Poh Theo Kok Hin

(Double click on the photo to enlarge it)

Iimages of St Pat's

A/ The view of the top floor from the back of the school (from the badminton court- if I am not mistaken)

B/ The front of the school from the road

St. Pat's alter boys with Fr Seliar in the middle

See if you can name all the others.

Picture taken in 1959

Kulim Nostalgia

William,
Finally found the time to scan the old photos of Kulim and St Patrick's and e-mail them to you. They are all on JPG format and were taken on two occasions, 1983 (when I was visiting Kulim alone) and 1989 (with Stewart). The sleepy hollow of Kulim in the 50s and 60s that we know had not changed by the 1980s and the photos taken then would still reflect those eras. Change to Kulim's landscape started to creep in from the 1990s because of economic development. Some of the changes were reflected in demolishing old houses in the town to erect new buildings, turning many roads into one-way streets, etc. Today Kulim of course looks very much different, to the extent that former residents like us do feel like strangers!I have also enclosed 2 old b & w photos of my childhood days in Kulim. The first is a Class photo (Std V) in 1956 with Lim Thean Poh and our form teacher Teoh Kok Hin.You can see a young James (3rd from left back row) and myself (seated extreme right front row). The second photo was one of the altar boys taken with Father Seliar in 1959 in front of the church. I am 2nd from left back row and you can see James and Francis.The photos of Kulim in a website you referred to (where Stewart came across your e-mail) were actually taken in the 1990s and later, and show the great changes that Kulim had undergone. I find them very interesting, particularly the photos on the old chettiar shop houses in Jalan Raya which had been part of the environment which Stewart and I had grown up.Feel free to put the photos in your blog or peruse them in whatever way you think fruitful.I no longer work full time for any newspaper though I used to be with the Singapore Straits Times for over 10 years. Now I am on my own as a freelancer where I not only string for foreign and local newspapers, but do political risk reports for banks, investments companies, etc. Freelancing is really tough and stressful work, but the tradeoff is that you are your own boss and do what you feel you should be doing and not what the boss tells you what to do (which can sometimes be wrong as most of us have discovered). You get your work published in newspapers by liaising with the editor of the respective paper who pays you a fee usually based on number of words per article. Some papers, the more reputable ones, pay more, others less.I am also working on a PhD thesis from the information I have gathered over the years on Malaysian politics as a journalist, both in Straits Times and as a freelancer. This is part of my eventual retirement plans.You mentioned in your blog that you were born in Singapore. What about your siblings from Gilbert downwards? How did all of you end up in Kulim from 40s up to 60s?
Best wishes and take care,
David

Comment
I remember you from the picture of the alter boys.
Glad you have made it. Congratulations.
William

St Pat's Reunion

William,
Through my emails with Stewart Chew and Ron Heng we sort of decided to organize a St Pat Class57 reunion some time in August next year.
As proposed by me that we have a 2 nights and 3 days affair in Penang. It will not be exclusively class57 , (those around that time are also welcome) but the main focus will be those of class57.
It will be quite an exciting event as some of the convent girls of that time may even join us. We wonder how these girls will look when the turn up ?
Wonder if the hearts will still throb or drop? It will be fun. We are going to have two nights of feasting, the first night dinner will be in a seafood restaurant . It will be informal so
that we could chat. Then there will also be a hospitality suite where those interested could go for drinks and chat.
Second morning, a get together for a morning walk or swim or round of golf for those interested and then a breakfast corner reserved for the class57 participants. The second night
dinner will be in the hotel, a sit down Chinese dinner with entertainment. We will organize a presentation 'Then & Now', with a funny script provided of each.
We will also have items to take home ie T-shirt with a logo St. Pat. CLASS57. But before we start the presentation and dinner we will have a short pause in memory of those are no longer in with us. We know a few that are no longer around .
I have suggested next year because it will take a while to inform the people and put the program in place. Firstly the list of fellows and their whereabouts . I can only come up with 15 names out of a class of about 40. Eow Meng could only come up with 5.
This event is keeping my mind ticking with excitement. 50 years is a long time. It should be great fun .
What do you think of the idea, especially meeting of the old girls and the whole event?
Teddy

Response,
The time may be inconvenient for us. The idea is excellent.
Keep working at it. Hopefully this blog will help with the numbers if it is spread around. Try not to limit to one year group.
Good Luck
Wm

Spot these people: LOW YOON CHOY
and MAH SIN NAM.
Taken at the summit of Bukit Mertajam 1960
Photo sent by Stewart Chew

Dear Bill,
I remembered this picture in the blog of my visit to St. Patricks with my brother David at least 10 years ago. We shared this experience of tremendous pride for our small but historic school. We mutually recollected the joys of our student days, our classmates and our teachers. I remembered clearly that we gratefully stood in front of our school as if to pay our humble respects before we departed. Can you remember its unique facade with sloping sides which one could accidentally trip when running around the school?
We revisited St.Patricks again about 3 years ago. Sadly, the spirit that we had from our previous visit very quickly dissipated when we were greeted by a strangely unfriendly school, talked (in broken Malay) to the teachers and looked into the classrooms. Despite moving away from the classrooms to the adjoining basketball courts, this feeling of sadness did not quickly leave us. As David and I head for the aging gates, we took one more look at our old school and told ourselves that it will be a long time before we make another visit - if ever !!
(Keep up with the good work on St Pat's blog).

Comment
It is unfortunate that, on my several visits to Kulim, I failed to take a second glance at the school that laid my scholastic foundation. Only now I realise what a mistake that had been. I can believe the drop in standard since we all left. I have emailed the school for the history of the institution but have yet to receive a reply. I will try again.
Wm