Old Edwardians enjoying themselves at the 54th annual reunion dinner.
IT WAS a night filled with fond memories for former students of King Edward VII, Taiping, Perak.
In conjunction with the 140th year of the school, they organised a 54th reunion dinner at SSL Traders Hotel in Kamunting.
Organised by the Old Edwardians Association of Malaysia, the dinner commenced upon the arrival of guest-of-honour Left-Jen (Rtd) Datuk Masood Zainal Abidin, who is an old boy.
The association’s president Mohaideen Mohd Ishack, in his welcoming address, said the association had been regularly supporting the school’s sports, academic and student activities.
VIPs cutting the anniversary cake to commemorate the 140th year of the school.
He said the association gave RM2,000 to the Golden Jubilee Scholarship Fund every year, from which the school would give RM200 to 10 selected students.
“We also help students under the Long Heng Hua University Scholarship Fund and for this, we give RM1,500 to six students and RM400 to 10 students,” he said, adding that via the same fund, former student Tiger Goh Boon Teik gave RM500 each in scholarships to six students.
“Another 10 students going to university received RM400 each, with the association contributing RM2,000 towards this while another RM2,000 was donated by Puan Latifah Omar,” said Mohaideen.
He said one student received RM1,500 from the Dr Toh Theam Hock Scholarship Fund for university expenses.
“This fund was earlier managed by the late Dr Toh’s wife, Mona Toh.
“However, when she passed away three years ago, she wrote in her will that the association should receive RM100,000.”
Mohaideen stated that RM7,000 had earlier been distributed to students so the association received RM93,000, which had been allocated for use under the Dr Toh Theam Hock Scholarship Fund.
“I would like to record our appreciation to the late Madam Mona Toh for her contribution to the association as well as to the school,” he added.
The association also manages the Tan Sri Dr Abdul Shukor Abdullah Scholarship Fund, Toh Eng Hoe OBE Scholarship Fund, Datuk Shalihimin Ahmad Shaffie Scholarship Fund, Fauja Singh-Bhagwan Singh Scholarship Fund and Mariappan Scholarship Fund.
Mohaideen (right) presenting a souvenir to Masood who was the guest of honour.
Mohaideen said the presence of former students at the annual event was an indication of the close fraternity and comradeship that existed among them.
Masood, in his speech, said he was honoured to be present at the auspicious gathering of old boys.
“This wonderful school of ours has produced many outstanding military and civilian leaders who have served and continue to serve with distinction.
“They have contributed greatly to bring glory to the nation in both the academic and sports fields.
“I was a student of this school from 1966 to 1972 before proceeding to the Royal Military College,” he said, adding that King Edward VII prepared him well to take on leadership roles.
Masood said he was proud to have been part of the school’s rugby team, cadet corps and athletics squad.
“My experience as a school prefect, deputy head prefect, athletics captain and commander of the cadet platoon showed me how to exercise the six pillars of character building, namely, trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship.
“In 1972, as a 4x400m relay runner, I was part of the team that broke the Selangor AAA record at Stadium Merdeka, running on the country’s first bitumen track.
“It was one of my proudest moments,” he added.
A highlight of the event was the presentation of the annual Tiger of the Year to Lim Ka Huat, a former student and current Parent-Teacher Association chairman.
About 300 people attended the dinner comprising old students, former and current teachers as well as guests.
