Boxing Day STOBA BBQ @ Yarra River bank

Although we had intermittent showers from 11.00am when we started arriving at the BBQ site down by the Yarra we nevertheless had had a fairturn out of the ole faithfuls and the not-so-faithfuls.

We had plenty of food and booze to go around thanks to the contributions from various people. There was the ubiquitous fried mee hoon, congee, BBQ sausages and lamb, glutinous rice (?), rendang, 老鼠粉, bread rolls, 烧肉 (from 新发记) + more 烧肉 from Springvale, VB and Penfolds Koonunga Hill. Special thanks to Richard Leong Choy for his fantastic coffee!

Beijing Calling

28th night we met up with Kin Fong, Ivy, KC Mak and Wooi Lan @ Century Walk for a cuppa and a Guinness. Kin Fong and Ivy just had dinner with KC Mak and partner earlier in the night. KC nowadays hails from Beijing where he has his practice and business. Their son John was with them also.

It has been at least 25 years since we last met. Many things had gone under the bridge in 25 years. I have had many ex-class mates and friends whom I have not seen in longer years than 25. Each has gone on with their lives and become who we are today. It is a strange feeling looking back those years and wonder what might have been had we kept in touch yet it is a natural feeling of "loss opportunities", and a feeling of running on empty..... The older we are the more we reminiscent the past and the more inadequate we feel of time having slipped away..... And so I look forward to my catching up with some old class mates in Singapore and Ipoh during Feb 2009.

The Three Stooges having a Guinness @ Century Walk

The Group Picture

We talked about our goal of setting up a reunion gathering in 2010 (when we are about to go over the hill) for all Sam Tet Form 5S1 (1978) mates and we got to discussing whether it should be in Ipoh or China. China seems to be an interesting choice as our mates are scattered all over mainly in Malaysia or Singapore. It will mean that some of us may feel more enthusiastic if the reunion is held some place away from base. The reunion can be part of a wider activity of a tour around a few Chinese cities such as Beijing and Shanghai. Having a reunion in Ipoh is another strong option. It is our birth place and it is probably apt that we return to our roots. Anyway it all depends on responses from these mates as to the eventual venue of the reunion.

A tentative date of 16 Feb 2010 (2nd day of CNY) was tossed up for wider discussion in the ST Class of 1978 Google Group. We will see where this leads us in coming months.....

For those who may require access to the Group here's the link groups.google.com/groups/sam-tet-class-of-1978

Meantime KC told me he had been in Beijing for the last 10 years and may things have changed in the sense of "development" of the city. Since he has photos of the past and the ever changing present and future of the Beijing City I encouraged him to write something about the changing phases of the great city. KC and Wooi Lan leaves for Sydney Tuesday. Take care.

Boxing Day BBQ 2008

STOBA Members And Spouses

Richard Leong Choy invited Sam Tet Old Boys Association (STOBA) members and spouses and his badminton kaki over to his house in Vermont for a BBQ on Boxing Day.

It was a glorious day, not too hot but sunny.

As usual there were lots of food and booze.... Sausages, chicken wings, lamb chops, pork chops, friend bee hoon, fried noodles, curry puffs, water melon, cherries, mangoes, beer, cordial, and everything in between.

There were lots of good company; the normal suites are Vincent (chairman), Richard, Kin Fong, Khai Yip, Kim Kee, and Chee Seng who is holidaying from Jakarta. I must confess I have forgotten at least a dozen other names.

STOBA Australia has been in existence for many decades. I still remember being welcome by STOBA members at the Melbourne airport when I first arrived to study in a high school back in 1979. Its members have kept in touch over the years and have endeavored to have regular social events for its members to meet and reminiscent the past(?!) and to foster relationships. For those of us who have emigrated to Oz I think it is important we have connections with our roots and the people we know of the same culture in order to feel we belong to the community and the familiarity of the past.

I had a freak accident just before picture taking time and cut my little toe on the right foot. Ex-Red Crescent Captain Chee Seng immediately swung into action and took charge of looking after the injury. All was well after I had my GP take a look at the injury and he had the toe wound stitched up.

Evidence Of A Caring Community

Tending To The Needy

The Offended Toe

Got To Use A Clutch For One Day

Following is a picture taken during a "welcome lunch" for Ben Hue at The Sofia Restaurant on Burwood Highway 13 Dec 2008. Ben was visiting Melbourne with his family from Malaysia.

Group Picture Of STOBA Melbourne Members @ The Sofia Restaurant