Victoria Gold 2013

When we were young during our schooling days, we wanted to work. Be like the adults. Those were our formative years. Even those who were leaders at the time, knew not what was to come and it was those days of youth or when you were younger that somehow brought back the fondest memories in your life. Perhaps it was an age where innocence and the real world met. An age where adolescence - a stage where physical and psychological development were in transition, where puberty led to liberty or so you thought. 

Having more hair or longer hair like the hippies did would not necessary lead to total freedom because the teachers of our time were markedly different. They have character and personality just like our soccer players of old. So too the students. I still think that the khaki shorts of our lower secondary is really cool and unique. That was the reason why we came back for a big reunion on 1 February 2013 for  the Victorian Gold 2013.

The last time we have done so was in 2011 at the original Tyrwhitt Road ground which was especially memorable as folks from my cohorts grew up there. (Please see previous post from below link).

http://gforce-guru.blogspot.sg/2011/09/vs135.html (highlight link, right click and click at go to).

This time the reunion was special because those gathered there that night were Victorians from as far back as 1930s when the school was first known as Victoria Bridge School and when the school actually had primary classes. From politics to sports, culture to different captains of industries how unusual was it for a reunion of more than 300 senior and very senior old boys currently in their 60s, 70, 80s and even 90s congregating at the Siglap Link venue. I overheard someone saying "Wow! Added together, we must have thousands of years here tonight!" Extraordinary to say the least and what a great job by the organisers led by Mr. Lim Eng Chong.

I greeted our ex Principal Mr. T.P. Naidu and here you could see OVA President Mr. Tan Jee Ming doing so too. We spoke about other legendary teachers who were no longer here - Mr. Mok, his steely gaze had dispersed crowded basketball courts filled with students kicking a plastic ball. Mr. "Bulldog" Wee, no prizes for guessing why the name. Mr. Soccelaraj, he could throw the mike at you during assembly if your group was chattering away. Mr. Jelani, a Dirty Harry look alike waiting to say to you - "Make My Day" but always a soft heart to help students. Of course there are many others.

This is Uncle Dick Yip with his friends and fellow musicians. Dick is an Ukele expert having been featured on 90.5FM radio with Brian Richmond and on recent TV series "Foodage". 

The entrance where the register counter was and where many warm greetings were exchanged.

The Guru with former military chief and now a shipping giant's Head Honcho Mr. Ng Yat Chung (middle) from the same year (74-77). Saying "Hello, yeah, it's been awhile."

Mr. Harry Lim (stripes), our most passionate soccer teacher (who taught me science) other than the late Pierre Ratnam who headed the Combined Schools. 

Eric Paine (orange trim), Singapore's top goalkeeper in the 70s playing with the best ever like, Samad Alapitchay, Hasli Ibrahim, Lim Teng Sai, S. Rajagopal. Robert Sim, Zainal Abideen, M. Kumar, Mohd Noh, Quah Kim Song. 

VVIP like former President S.R. Nathan and ex Cabinet Minister Mr. S. Dhanabalan who was a high profile cabinet minister and had headed top corporations as Chairman like Singapore Airlines, Temasek Holdings, DBS Bank and GIC, etc.

Then here was Emeritus Professor Edwin Thumboo (gesturing during a conversation) who is an award winning Singaporean poet. 

The display of a giant poster embedded on the wall of the Heritage Room was of a class from my year. It brought giggles all round from folks of my time.

The famous logo - the school moto and badge prominently and proudly displayed on the school building.

From our time of humble beginnings of a single storey old building to this what seemed like a seven storey mammoth. How the times they are a-changing.

There were 35 tables for the night so there must have been easily 400 people or more. Imagine the efforts involved.

Some of the poster boys on that wall were here at this table.

Well, at least we managed to put two tables of 12 each.

Even the school boys chipped in.

For Nick, it seemed like he has finally found his school badge. 

Nil Sine Labore - Nothing Without Labour or work. Very relevant.

There were performances put out by the oldies but goodies that drew attention from the food.

A couple of school mates were actually also from my same primary school. In other words, since primary one. 

Aptly named - Victoria Gold, A Reunion of Timeless Treasures. From doctors to top architects, lawyers to civil servants, CEOs and head honchos to so many spread across our society. Victoria is something more.

Even our $2 note showed the very old school.

And the face of our first President - Mr. Yusof Ishak, a VS boy and the school later produced two more presidents in Mr. Devan Nair and Mr. S.R. Nathan. One of us present that night could be the next President.

Special thanks must be given to those who help put this together as it required huge effort and sacrifice. Mr. Lim Eng Chong and his men who selflessly made this possible. He was busy the whole night  engaging the audience as the montage was on screen for he was probably one of a few people who could connect the dots. Only Eng Chong could do this with his boundless energy and monstrous passion.

We will always end with the school song and the lyrics are imprinted on the stairs. It is "...our intent to keep her flag unfurled".

We will never be sure when such a gathering may occur again. This was yet again another historical moment. Special thanks to Eng Chong and all who put in so much effort for the event.

Victoria School is something more.

Victoria thy sons are we and we will not forget.