News letter of Selangor St AndrewS’S Society MAY 2015 Happy with the Election?
www.ssas-online.com
Committee Chieftain Alan Bernard chieftain@ssas.com.my Chieftain Alan Bernard Vice-Chieftain chieftain@ssas.com.my Vacant vicechieftain@ssas.com.my Vice-Chieftain Lorna Mair Hon. Secretary vicechieftain@ssas.com.my Donna Miller secretary@ssas.com.my Hon. Secretary Donna Miller Hon. Treasurer secretary@ssas.com.my Hector Ingram treasurer@ssas.com.my Hon. Treasurer Hector Ingram Committee Members treasurer@ssas.com.my Alistair Millar Bernie Williams Committee Members Kathleen Whyte Bernie Williams Ken Crawford Elaine Cameron Kenny Ross Kathleen Whyte Libby MacKay Menzie Ken Crawford Lisa Alkhalil Kenny Ross Marina Cauley Lee Smalley Yvanka Jeffery Grant Fergusn Nicola Stewart Resident Past-Chieftains Lisa Alkhalil Chuck Jeffery (2013) Ali King (2012) Johan Murison (2011) Richard Thompson (2010) Paul Henderson (2009) Resident Past-Chieftains Alistair Ali KingPaterson (2012) (2008) HectorMurison Ingram (2007) Johan (2011) John Thomson (2006) Richard Thompson (2010) RogerHenderson McGowan(2009) (2005) Paul Patrick Russell & 2004) Alistair Paterson(1997 (2008) Tristan Russell (2007) (1989) Hector Ingram Stewart Forbes (2006) (1987) John Thomson Roger McGowan (2005) Newsletter Editor Patrick Russell (1997 & 2004) Lee Smalley Tristan Russell (1989) newsletter@ssas.com.my Stewart Forbes (1987) Membership Secretary Newsletter Editor membership@ssas.com.my Libby Mackay Menzie newsletter@ssas.com.my Charities Kathleen Whyte Membership Secretary membership@ssas.com.my Alice Smith School Governor Yvanka Jeffery Charities Kathleen Whyte Web-Master John Thomson Alice Smith School Governor Grant Ferguson Web-Master John Thomson
chieftAin’S chAtter The "May Concert" and "2nd Kuala Lumpur Highland Games" events are fast approaching and are now only a few days away. Phew... all of your committee and volunteers are working hard to organise these two events and I hope you will join us in attendance. The AGM was held on the 21st March at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club and I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Hector for organising the venue & F&B. Approximately 35 members attended the meeting and voted in your new committee. Our 2015-2016 committee are a very talented and diversified team who will be organising some amazing events for you this year. Donald Millar is the new Vice-Chieftain and Hector Ingram and Donna Millar continue as the Hon. Treasurer and Hon. Secretary, respectively. On April the 18th, the SSAS golfing team retained the trophy at the Inter-Society Tournament held at Templar Park golf club, with the St Patrick's team only a few points behind. Well done to the Team and to Kenny Ross / Hector Ingram for organising. The New Members night was held on the 25th April at Sid's Handle Bar, with nearly 50 persons in attendance. Impromptu sing songs ended what was a wonderful night with great company, food and a drink or two. Well done to Libby and Marina for organising such a great event. The KL Highland Games is our focus this week and, weather allowing, it is set to be a fantastic day promoting Scottish culture.. Tickets can be purchased at the gates costing 20RM adults, 5RM secondary school aged kids and free for the primary aged. Please join us on Sunday and be part of “Bringing Scotland to Malaysia”
The Selangor Scotsman is sponsored by Asian Tigers Transpo Movers (M) Sdn Bhd Lot 6, Jalan Ragum 15/17, Seksyen 15 4000 Shah Alam, Selangor Darul Eshan Tel: +603 5565 2200 Fax: +603 5513 3788 www.asiantigers-malaysia.com
The 2014-2015 Committee Chieftain
Alan Bernard Hons. Treasurer
Hon. Secretary
Vice-Chieftan
Hector Ingram
Donna Millar
Donald Millar
Bernie Williams
Kenny Ross
Marina Cauley
Grant Ferguson
Kathleen Whyte
Libby Mackay Menzie
Lisa Alkhalil
Nicola Stewart
AGM 21st March 2015 Your new committee for 2015/2016 :The A.G.M was held on the 21st March 2015 at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club.
35 members attended the AGM whereupon the Chieftain's report and Annual Accounts were presented prior to the elections of the 2015/2015 Office bearers and Committee members.
Chieftain Alan Bernard Vice-Chieftain Donald Millar Hon. Treasurer Hector Ingram Hon. Secretary Donna Millar Committee Member Bernie Williams Committee Member Marina Cauley Committee Member Kathleen Whyte Committee Member Libby Mackay Menzie Committee Member Kenny Ross Committee Member Grant Ferguson (Alice Smith Trustee Governor) Committee Member Lisa Alkhalil
The Chieftain would like to thank Hector Ingram for organising the venue and F&B as well as all those members who attended
Selangor St Andrew’s Society Chieftain’s Report 2014/2015 INTRODUCTION
The 2014/2015 Society year was a successful period for the society marked by the Inaugral Kuala Lumpur Highland Games and the organisation of a range of other successful events, supported by members and non-members alike. This all contributed to a very positive outcome for funds raised together with an increased number of members. All in all, it has proved to be a busy and successful year for the Society. COMMITTEE There were 10 formal committee meetings held in the year. The Office Bearers and Committee Members at the end of 2014/2015 were: Chieftain: Vice-Chieftain: Hon. Secretary: Hon. Treasurer:
Alan Bernard Position Vacant Donna Millar Hector Ingram
Committee Member: Committee Member: Committee Member: Committee Member: Committee Member: Committee Member: Committee Member:
Donald Millar Marina Cauley Kathleen Whyte Libby Mackay Menzie Kenny Ross Position Vacant Bernie Williams
Alice Smith Trustee:
Grant Ferguson
Resident Past Chieftains
Ali King John Thomson Richard Thomson Paul Henderson Roger McGowan Stewart Forbes Patrick Russell Tristan Russell Johan Murison
Events & Activities
21-Jun-14 01-Jun-14 17-May-14 18-May-14
New Members Nght Intersociety Golf Championship May Concert Kuala Lumpur Highland Games
The Ross’s Residence Templar Park Hilton Hotel Bukit Kiara Equestrian and Country Resort
13-Sept-14 18-Oct-14 8-Nov-14 22-Nov-14 31-Dec-14 24-Jan-15
Welcome Back Nicht Great British Ball Whisky Tasting St Andrew’s Ball Hogmanay Party Burns’ Supper
Sam’s Bar, Bukit Damansara Shangri-la Hotel, KL Across the Road, Bangsar DoubleTree, Kuala Lumpur The Millar’s Residence DoubleTree, Kuala Lumpur
In addition, the Society ran Scottish Country Dancing classes in preparation for the Annual Celebration and as a regular activity throughout the year. The Committee also appoints a Trustee Governor at the Alice Smith School, a position that was filled by Grant Ferguson. An organising team with Lead was appointed by the main committee and undertook the organisation of each dedicated Society event. This spread the workload and has proved t o be an effective way to plan and prepare for the events. Special mention is made of the Great British Ball, where the Society jointly presented a major ball together with ABWM, BMCC, St. David’s and St. George’s Societies. The 2014 event was successful both in terms of participation and also the financial aspects. This year each organisation “earned” RM24,000 (less costs due) from their participation in this event. A very special mention is made of the Kuala Lumpur Highland Games on the 18th May 2014. Over 4,000 people attending this inaugral event showcasing Scottish Cultural in Malaysia.
Membership Year AGM 2011 AGM 2012 AGM 2013 AGM 2014 AGM 2015
Life Members 141 155 169 183 129*
Term Members 65 83 120 139 154
Friends of Scotland 22 25 36 41 46
Total 228 263 325 363 329
* Total does not include Overseas Life Members. There were 38 new members for 2014-2015 generating membership fees of RM9,000
Finance As of 31st January 2015, the total Current assets of the society stood at RM175,747.98 with an operating surplus of RM24,9510, before charitable donations, for the current year and this committee stands down leaving the society on a strong financial footing. It is pleasing to note that the Society has more than achieved its goal of building up a minimum cash reserve of 25% of turnover. This is necessary given that the Society has to make advance payments for venue bookings and for such things as air tickets for visiting artistes and bands prior to the revenue generated by sponsorship or tickets sale. It also allows a ‘safety net” for any unforeseen circumstances whereby the Society is committed to contractual arrangements and would have to meet cancellation charges if a major event did not proceed as planned. In 2014/15 the society effectively donated some RM44,115 to a range of charities. The Hon. Treasurer’s Report, which provides a summarized statement of the Society’s current financial position, is presented together with this report.
Conclusion In conclusion, I would like to pay tribute to the outgoing committee for their commitment, diligence and contribution to the work of the Society and especially for the financial position in which the society now finds itself. I would also like to thank our resident past Chieftains for their advice and guidance, and all the members for their support throughout the year.
Alan Bernard Chieftain 21st March 2015
2015 Inter-society Golf on 18th April 2015
For the second year running the venue was Templer Park Golf Club. This is a terrific venue and the staff did a great job of running the event. And for the first time in many years the event was played on a Saturday afternoon. This followed feedback, that participants would rather not have the prize-giving etc. on a “school night”. SSAS as defending champs were in charge of the organising. Kenny Ross was in the lead with help from Jim Stevenson, Bob Boyd and Hector Ingram. On the day of the competition, Wendy Boyd, Angie Watt and Donna Millar from SSAS all pitched in to help make sure the event was a success. Anne Blacklock from AAM also aided and abetted. Once again we had 7 societies participating, the Scots, Irish, Welsh, English, Manza, AAM & CAM. In all some 122 players teed it up in a shotgun start at 1.30pm. Things started bang on time, which left us hoping we might get round without any weather problems. Sadly, this was not to be and a 75 min delay dampened spirits a bit until we remembered the bar was open, including the 56 degrees whisky! The plan was to follow golf with dinner, raffles, auction and prize-giving. In the end we managed to get through everything but maybe in a slightly different order to what was envisaged. Peter Banner ran a successful auction again and grateful thanks go to him. And huge thanks to our sponsors, Asian Tigers, Sids Pubs, Fenix Golf, Expat Lifestyle, 56 degrees and Old Golf House. Thankyou for all your support.
The result of the event was a win for the defending champs, SSAS with 411 points from St Pats with 392 and Manza with 369. We’ll get to do the whole thing again next year. You can see from the photograph above t’s just as well we’re good at golf as good looks were not so evident! As this goes to press the final amount of money raised isn’t 100% confirmed but will be in the region of RM12k. This will be donated to a range of charities by the winning team. Once again, thanks to everyone involved and see you next year.
MI50 Charity Bike Ride By Alan Bernard MS150 Houston to Austin, Texas. April 2015 For the past 5 years I've travelled to Houston every April to participate, along with 13,000 other riders, in this amazing 2 day charity cycle to Austin. This year, Lee Smalley (previous SSAS committee member and now living in Houston) and her husband Mike dusted the cobwebs off their road bikes and joined Team Gyrodata. For those of you who don't know, the BP MS 150 is a two-day fundraising bike ride organised by the National MS Society . The BP MS 150 is the largest of the 100 Bike MS events in the United States with 13,000 cyclists and 3,500 volunteers with countless spectators along the route and at the finish line in Austin. In 2014 the BP MS 150 raised over US$20 Million to support the mission of the National MS Society and to create a world free of MS. Day 1 was supposed to be a 162km cycle ride from Houston to La Grange and then the overnight camp - unfortunately, severe thunderstorms and the subsequent flooding resulted in the organisers cancelling the Houston to La Grange ride. This was a major disappointment as over night at the La Grange camp site is a wonderful team experience as is the Century ride getting there.
It was then on Sunday 18th at 3:30am the alarmed beeped - it was time to get out of my bed, get ready and head to the office to meet Mike, Lee and all the other Team Gyrodata riders. It was pitch black when we packed the bikes on the car racks and then headed in convoy to the start of the Day 2 ride, La Grange. Shortly before 8am we reached the outskirts of La Grange, where we descended from the vehicles, offloaded our bikes, applied the Butt Butter, if you don't know what it is don't ask. It was a wonderful sunny spring morning and we all set off together to join the start 5kms away and then the further 120kms to Austin.
At the lunch stop, yes - you cannot ride in Texas without eating every 15kms and of course a lunch. This must be the only cycling event in the world where you consume more calories than you expend. After the picnic style lunch the Team regrouped at every rest stop and then 2 kms from the finish line stopped for a rest. Yes, the rolling hills coming into Austin knackered a few folks. The 35 strong team then rode toegther across the finish line, an amazing experience with 1000's of spectators lining the streets.
After high fives all around, it was then off to a nearby hotel to wash and change and of course ...to eat.. Roman banquet style with pulled pork sliders, nachos and some Austin Ale to wash it down. Then the long car journey home, tired but fulfilled. Finally, for the 5 times I have participated in an MS event I always end up getting more out of the event than I put in. This year was no exception. During the ride, after lunch, I passed a man on a 3 wheeled bike that is operated by your hands. This guy did not have any legs and he had been ahead of me most of the day. Based on my time I estimated this guy was averaging around 31km/hr. Later in the day when I stopped short of the finish line to meet up with all the Gyrodata riders, to go across the finish line together, I saw this guy coming so I decided to take his picture. The day after I looked at the picture, only then did I realize the guy was missing most of an arm as well. And he was riding in a charity ride to support MS! Now that is Inspiration. Looking forward to next year !! Alan
New Members Evening 25th April 2015 By Libby Mackay Menzie
Our New Members Evening was held at Sids’sHandle Bar Bangsar Kathleen Whyte and myself decorated the function area in full pride of Scottish style The Fantastic Scottish Buntings took pride of place ,all hand sewn by my P5 ACR students at ACR Pudu School. These can be reused over and over again for future SSAS functions Our event got off to a great start with over 40 attendees, of which 26 were New Members Lots of mingling and meeting new friends of the Society It wasn't long before the sizzling aroma of the BBQ got our taste buds going Ribs, chicken, cobs, veggies all washed down with a few wee drinkies Congratulations go to our Raffle Winners Lauren Mckenzie Cheryl Beattie Claire Taylor Lynne Cadenshead A BIG thankyou to our hosts and all the staff at Sid’s Handle Bar
CHARITIES UPDATE By Kathleen Whyte Stepping Stones, 16 March 2015 Charity trip update by Kathryn Mathie Yesterday we took 20 children from Stepping Stones Living Centre to Discoveria in Avenue K. We used money donated from the Scottish society and just wanted to say HUGE THANK YOU from all the children and staff. The kids had a fab time, they have been studying dinosaurs and fossils over the past few weeks and they loved interacting and learning more about dinosaurs. They had the chance to use a climbing wall, race a dinosaur, load up an exploding volcano, excavate bones and watched a 3d movie. Then they had their lunch before returning to the orphanage. It is school holidays this week and this was a wonderful treat for them as well as being educational. We really appreciate the funding you give to Stepping Stones which helps as we try to teach them new things in a fun way. Many thanks from Monday volunteer teachers and the children from Stepping Stones.
Harvest School Visit Update, 1 March 2015 Update from Kathleen Whyte It was a pleasure to join Abawi and Emily the children we sponsor to attend the Harvest School for lunch and a chat along with Carole Findlay and Rosie Williams. The children are really enjoying being at Harvest and Abawi proudly told me he got top marks 22 out of 30 for his IGCSE maths exam that morning! He hopes one day to be a doctor :) Emily is also thriving at the school and both are so happy to have this opportunity to study in the IGCSE programme. A few of the other children who are sponsored by Carole, Rosie and Abwm also joined us for lunch. It’s truly humbling to see how happy and excited they are to be there having an education.
Carole advised me that school fees will increase but she didn’t have the figures yet, therefore we may have to slightly increase our donation to them for this year. A few of the other children who are sponsored by Carole, Rosie and Abwm also joined us for lunch. It’s truly humbling to see how happy and excited they are to be there having an education. They were asking about the highland games so I said it was taking place on 17 May at same venue. They were very excited ....I enclose a few photos of the children and they loved us taking a selfie with them :)
Charity Update – Harvest School - February 2015 by Carole Findlay Here is an update via Carole Findlay, one of our members who introduced me to a wonderful initiative called Dignity For Children Foundation. Some of you may remember that we are sponsoring two children to attend this school and Carole has kindly sent me an update on how they are doing. I plan to go along with Carole after the CNY holiday to catch up with them in person but in the meantime here is an update on their progress. All is going well with the students. Carole met up with them for a chat at the start of the term and they continue to be committed to their studies. A Bawi is in Form 4 and is studying English, Maths, Biology, Chemistry and Physics. All going well he will sit IGCSEs next year. He continues to be a very likable chap, still quiet but is gaining in confidence. Emily is in Form 3. Her subjects are: Maths, English, General Science and Bahasa. Emily is still quiet but is coming out of her shell. Both students' English skills have improved greatly while attending the centre.
Carole had a chat with Christina (the head of admin at the centre) and she told her that the centre is hoping to provide a 50/50 study/work training programme: Skills Training and Education Programme (STEP). They are looking at three main areas: Food & Nutrition, Hairdressing and Child Care. This will be aimed at students who are not so academically minded and this is something that may suit A Bawi and Emily. We will see how this year goes as it’s a great initiative.
Carole was shocked at the hike in monthly fees since last year saying that IGCSE courses and exams were costly but she has asked Christina to consider offering reduced welfare rates for these students. She will update us on this next time. For more information on this initiative please google www.dignityforchildren.org
The Alice Smith School Update By Grant Ferguson
Term 3 at The Alice Smith School is now well under way which is always one of the busiest in the school year at both campuses with Trips Week, plenty of sporting, arts and social events, and of course exams! This term will also see the official opening of the new state-of-the-art English, Maths, MFL and Admin wings at the Equine Park Campus and the launch of a series of events to celebrate the Schools 70th Anniversary in 2016. Since the turn of the year the Council of Governors has seen some significant changes. To fill the vacancy created by my appointment as the St. Andrews Society’s representative on the Council of Governors, Paul Rennie from the British High Commission was appointed by the Council as a Parent Governor and in February, at the Annual General Meeting of members of the Alice Smith Schools Association, Zalina Shamsudin and Campbell Tupling were elected Parent Governors. Also at the AGM, Lorien Holland stepped down as Chair of the Council after 3 years in the role, a period that culminated in the School being recognised as outstanding by the British Schools Overseas inspectors in November 2014. Lorien will continue to serve as a Governor, Charlie's Lim as taken on the role as Chair and Marama Schnickter will serve as Vice-Chair. Maura Quigley has been appointed a Trustee Governor representing the St. Patricks Society of Selangor.
Notwithstanding the changes in personnel, the Council continues to develop in its role to preserve the heritage of the school while planning for its future in a rapidly changing world. Much of the focus in 2015 has been on reassessing our vision for the School in light of the current and likely future requirements of our students and other stakeholders, and the adjustments that this might require to strategic plans and key operating initiatives.
Scottish myths, folklore and legends Kelpies
The Loch Ness Monster (‘Nessie’)
The mythical kelpie is a supernatural water
One of Scotland’s most famous unsolved mysteries is that of the Loch Ness Monster (or ‘Nessie’ as it has affectionately come to be known).
horse that was said to haunt Scotland’s lochs and lonely rivers. The kelpie would appear to victims as a lost dark grey or white pony but could be identified by its constantly dripping mane. It would entice people to ride on its back, before taking them down to a watery grave. Selkies Selkies were mythical creatures that could transform themselves from seal to human form and back again. The legend of the selkie apparently originated on the Orkney and Shetland Islands where selch or selk(ie) is the Scots word for seal. Tales once abounded of a man who found a beautiful female selkie sunbathing on a beach, stole her skin and forced her to become his wife and bear his children, only for her to find the skin years later and escape back to seal form and the sea.
The large dinosaur-like creature is reputed to inhabit Loch Ness in the Scottish Highlands. The first recorded sighting of the monster was nearly 1,500 years ago when a giant beast is said to have leaped out of a lake near Inverness and ate a local farmer. Since then the myth of the Loch Ness Monster has magnified. In 1934, a London doctor snapped a photograph that seemed to show a dinosaur-looking creature with a long neck emerging from the water. Dozens of sightings have since been claimed, many of which have turned out to be hoaxes. In 2009, a newspaper reader claims to have spotted ‘Nessie’ whilst browsing Google Earth’s satellite photos of Loch Ness. Regardless of the truth, the suggestion of the monster's existence makes Loch Ness one of Scotland's most popular tourist attractions with thousands visiting it shores each year with the hope of catching a rare glimpse of the famous monster
JUST A WEE LAUGH