By Dr Sonny Yeoh (Class of 1958)
It was in October 1952 (63 years ago) that a batch of about 100 freshmen (from Malaysia and Singapore) matriculated at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya in Singapore. It was the first time that the King Edward VII College of Medicine had accepted so many students in a single academic year. Our class was also unique that there were at least 10 ladies in the group. After six years of strenuous studies, about 60 of them graduated in May 1958 and by then, the graduates had bonded so well they had morphed into a close-knit family.
Since 1958, our class has held numerous reunions with the following milestones:
- Silver Jubilee (25th) at Sentosa Island, Singapore in January 1983
- 30th anniversary at Awana Genting Highlands, Malaysia in December 1988
- Golden Jubilee (50th) at Cameron Highlands, Malaysia in September 2008
There were also a number of mini reunions in between those years. By then, we suddenly realised that quite a number of fellows had left us permanently. So it was decided that henceforth we must have an annual get-together instead. They were as follows:
- 51st anniversary in Malacca, Malaysia in 2009
- 52nd anniversary in Singapore in 2010
- 53rd anniversary in Perth, Australia in 2011
- 54th anniversary in Melbourne, Australia in 2012
- 55th anniversary in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 2013
- 56th anniversary in Penang, Malaysia in 2014
We can safely claim that no other group of graduates has had so many reunions after their graduation.
For our 57th anniversary this year, the celebrations started with a bang at the Rendezvous Hotel in Singapore, with a scrumptious buffet dinner at Straits Café. Everyone received a door gift of a beautiful custom-made glass paper weight. 15 doctors from the Class of 1958 showed up as well as seven other doctors from the Class of 1957. Together with their spouses, a total of 36 people were present.
A trip down memory lane on 15th August 2015
This was probably the high point of the three-day get-together. The afternoon was devoted to a tour of our former campus at Sepoy Lines which has changed and improved tremendously over the years.
The old examination hall at King Edward VII building has been converted to a very impressive lecture theatre. I think the grand staircase on the ground floor was not there before.
Tan Teck Guan building was beautifully preserved. The frontage remains the same but the anatomy dissecting room is now a well-equipped gym. I recall we had histology classes on the first floor. The original anatomy lecture building is no longer there.
It was good to see the buildings of Harrower Hall and King Edward Residential Halls as well, but their interiors were all partitioned. What we missed most was probably Ah Leng’s canteen overlooking the former cricket playground.
The medical museum at SGH Bowyer Block showed how much medicine has advanced over the years. All these places evoked a big dose of nostalgic memories.
The second high point of this day was when all of us adjourned at the former residence of Tan Sri Tan Chin Tuan at Cairnhill Road. It was also the birthday of Dr Chew Kheng Lian (our reunion organiser). She laid out a sumptuous dinner for her classmates and also for her close friends and relatives. Needless to say, it was an evening to remember.
On the third day, the afternoon was spent at Gardens by the Bay and the reunion was brought to a close with dinner at Majestic Bay Restaurant hosted by the Singapore colleagues.
The dinner was graced by the presence of Prof and Mrs Tan Chorh Chuan. We felt so honoured and privileged by their presence. Prof Tan surprised everyone with an exclusive souvenir – a reproduction of his recent ink painting of the King Edward VII College building. This made a perfect ending to our reunion, which was arguably the best one so far. We certainly owe a big thank you to Prof and Mrs Tan Chorh Chuan.
Final thought: Dare we think of a Diamond Jubilee (60 years) in 2018?
Day One reunion dinner at Straits Café, Rendezvous Hotel Singapore.
Classmates reminiscing the good old times at their former examination hall, which has been converted into a lecture theatre, at the King Edward VII building.
Dr Sonny Yeoh (left) dedicating a song to the birthday girl and organiser of the reunion, Dr Tan Kheng Lian (right).
Day Three reunion dinner with NUS President Prof Tan Chor Chuan (Back row, eighth from the left) and wife Dr Evelyn Lee (Seated, third from the left).