Tuesday June 10, 2008
Grand reunion for Wellington alumni
By THO XIN YI
SOME 30 years back, a group of Malaysian students in Victoria University of Wellington (VUW) in New Zealand bonded through football, cooking and music.
Over time, the bond had loosened, or even broken, as they each went their separate ways. Soon, though, there will be an opportunity for them to meet again – at the Wellington Reunion to be held in Kuala Lumpur.
“This will be the biggest alumni gathering outside of New Zealand, and Wellington Polytechnic alumni have told us they want to join in, too, as we had studied in the same place.
“That's why this reunion is named 'Wellington Reunion' and not 'VUW Reunion',” said Teoh Lay Hock, 58, who is in charge of organising the event.
Those were the days: This photo was taken on March 27, 1970 in Kelburn Park, Wellington, during a friendly soccer match between West Malaysian Cobras and East Malaysia United, all of whom were Weir House residents. He said it was initially planned that the get-together would be a simple affair with 10 to 20 participants, but it had since been expanded into a three-day event after word spread.
“Alumni now residing in Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore and Thailand have already confirmed their attendance,” he said.
The affair will kick off on June 26 with a golf session, followed by a welcome party at Dave's Pizza Pasta Vino in 1 Utama Shopping Centre, which is owned by alumni couple David Chew and May Reen.
A grand dinner will be held at The Royal Lake Club on June 27, priced at RM120 per person.
Drinks will be sponsored by alumnus Benny Tan, who had mooted the idea of a reunion.
On June 28, there will be an open house hosted by another alumni couple, Michael Lim and Mei Peng.
Historic: The Hunter Building at Victoria University of Wellington. Teoh, who did his Bachelor of Science degree in Victoria University of Wellington when he was 19, described his time in Wellington as “the best part of my life”.
“I was the captain of the Weir House soccer team – a Malaysian football team of the residential hall – that was formed to respond to the Fijians' challenge. And, we actually beat them in the end,” he said.
The Malaysians studying in VUW in the 70s also got together frequently to whip up Malay and Chinese cuisine.
“We took turns to cook and that's when I learnt to make popiah skin from scratch. David and May Reen also claimed that they brushed up their culinary skills during that time by testing their recipes on their fellow students,” Teoh quipped.
A special highlight of the dinner is the reunion of the Malaysian VUW band, which played songs by The Beatles Beatles and Bee Gees in the 70s.
Fond memories: Teoh reminiscing the good old days. “This will be the first time in almost 30 years they will be playing together,” said Teoh.
Another group of 12 will also be performing the Haka, a traditional dance of the Maori of New Zealand.
Teoh stressed that there would be no protocol imposed during the dinner.
“Back then, we called each other by our first names. We lived and ate together, and things like race or religion were not an issue.
“Since our theme is 'Reliving the Good Old Days', we will do away with titles like Datuk and Tan Sri,” he said.
Among the prominent Malaysian graduates from VUW are corporate figure Tan Sri Halim Saad, former Sabah Chief Minister Tan Sri Chong Kah Kiat and Sarawak Land Development Minister Datuk Dr James Masing.
New Zealand High Commissioner to Malaysia David Kersey, who, incidentally, is a VUW alumnus as well, and current VUW vice-chancellor Pat Walsh will be gracing the grand reunion.
“When people get older, there is a desire to meet those whom they haven't seen for a long time. As one of the alumni said: 'This may be my last chance to see all of you,'“ said Teoh.
For details on the event, call Teoh at 012-500 5779 or email teohfam@gmail.com.
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