OFA history (hip version)

I'm wondering whether I should submit this story to the Penang Free School Magazine for publication in this year's publication, since their editorial board had been asking me for a contribution. 😆 Or perhaps I should tone it down and make the story more proper and presentable? 😄

The Old Frees' Association, the original bunch of Penang Free School alumni, hit the grand One-Zero-Zero in 2023. Yep, we've seen a hundred years of greatness, and we're calling it the OFA Centenary – a special time for the old and the current gang.

Before 1923, when you wrapped up your time at the Free School, you were pretty much on your own. No official alumni club or anything fancy. The old school pals just did their own thing once they stepped out beneath that arch.

Way back in 1916, when Penang Free School reached its 100-year milestone, some folks had the idea, "Hey, let's make an alumni group!" But truth be told, the idea just sort of hung around.

For about six years, not much action took place. Then, in late 1922, a former teacher from the school, Harold Cheeseman, decided it was time to shake things up a bit. Cheeseman had been teaching there since 1907, leaving a lasting mark on every student he encountered.

Come August 1922, Cheeseman moved up the ladder to a different school. Suddenly, he found himself with some free time and thought, "Why not start an Old Boys club?" He penned a letter in the 1922 School Magazine, saying, "Let's start small – a club with a list of members, keeping everyone connected and having a reunion once a year. Maybe some games and debates with the school, and we'll pitch in for the parties."

That letter got the old gang excited. Yeoh Guan Seok, a big-shot lawyer, rallied the troops, and on February 20, 1923, over a hundred Old Boys and PFS teachers gathered for a meeting.

Familiar faces like Quah Beng Kee, Dr Lim Guan Cheng and a host of others were present. At the meeting, they all agreed – time to make The Old Frees' Association official. Anyone who was an Old Free or had taught there for over five years could join. They entrusted Khoo Heng Kok, Harold Cheeseman and Tan Kiar-Lew with the task of drafting the rules.

Around two months later, on 17th April 1923, they held their first gathering, and Yeoh Guan Seok stepped up as the natural leader. They brought the crew together – Khoo Sian Ewe, MHM Noordin, Dr Ong Huck Chye and more – and decided to set up shop at No. 10 Leith Street.

Come 21st October 1923, the clubhouse officially opened just in time for Penang Free School's 107th birthday bash. A couple of days later, the Old Frees and the school clashed on the football field, the game ending in a 2-2 tie.

In 1932, they shifted to a new place on Hutton Lane, and in 1939, they found a home at No. 2 Mandalay Road. Finally in 1963, they settled at No. 41 Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah. In 2012, they added a spot in Bay Avenue for Old Frees around that area.

Coming back to the here and now, the OFA Centenary holds more weight than a simple mark on the calendar. It's a nod to an extraordinary accomplishment – not just surviving but thriving over a whole century. The Old Frees' Association has kept those meaningful ties going strong, weaving together Old and Present Frees from all walks of life.

As we toast to a century of rich history, the OFA Centenary also invites a moment of reflection. We raise our hats to the alumni who paved the way, whose vision and dedication have solidified The Old Frees' Association, allowing it to stand tall today. What's more, our shared heritage has given rise to two other official groups – the Old Frees’ Association Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, and The Old Frees’ Association Singapore.

Together, we carry on the Old Frees' spirit, strengthening the connections among the Old and Present Frees, and sparking inspiration for generations to follow. The OFA Centenary serves as a gentle reminder – once a Free, always a Free. The camaraderie and fellowship we cultivated back in the Green Lane days? They're here to stay, no matter where life's path may lead.

So, there you have it – a hundred years of Old Frees' awesomeness! Here's to raising a glass for the OFA Centenary! Hip, hip hooray!! 🎉