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IT was a night of reunions, friendships and celebration at the Victoria Institution Old Boys’ Association (Vioba) Centenary Gala Dinner, on November 26, at the Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur.
More than 600 guests, including members from the 1960s classes onwards, gathered at the closed-door event to celebrate 100 years of the oldest school alumni group in Malaysia.
Former students of the Victoria Institute (VI) walked under the centenary archway into the stunning Grand Ballroom of the Majestic Hotel decked out with balloons in the colours of the school.
The Majestic Hotel has served as a backdrop for many glamorous occasions in KL high society including the school’s own traditions. It once again set the stage for what turned out to be a memorable night of celebration for the Victoria Institution’s alumni.
Actor and VI alumnus, Chacko Vadaketh, kicked off the celebrations as master of ceremonies alongside all the distinguished members including Datuk Dr Tan Kee Kwong, president of the Vioba, and Datuk Sri Andrew Abishegam, the organising chairman and guest of honour Tan Sri (Sir) Francis Yeoh, who led by the award-winning Victoria Institution Cadet Corp Pipers and Drummers to the tune of Scotland the Brave.
Reminiscent of Monday morning assemblies at VI, nostalgia filled the room as 600 guests sang Negaraku and the school song to mark the opening of the night’s activities.
As dinner was served – the menu was a replication of the school’s centenary dinner in 1993 – guests were entertained by the alum violinist Zachary Lim, and the dazzling up-and-coming pop girl group Wandted.
An interactive fireside chat between Datuk Dr Tan Kee Kwong, school captain of 1966, Datuk Mustafa Mohd Ali, former Vioba president and school captain of 1957, Dr Navin Durairatnam, Victor Ludorum and school captain of 1994, and Zachary Lim, Valedictorian of 2021, presented the diverse experience at VI of the former students from different generations.
Abishegam then introduced and invited Yeoh to the stage who delivered a speech that filled the room with pride. He spoke from his heart regarding his experience at school and how the VI contributed to his journey to becoming the executive chairman of the YTL Corporation.
With overwhelming generosity, he pledged to donate the entire dinner costs to the Vioba Foundation to kickstart the Vioba Foundation’s Transformation Masterplan aiming to turn the VI into a beacon of education in Southeast Asia.
The Foundation’s chairman, Abigesham, then presented a cheque of RM25,000 to the school’s principal as a stepping stone for the Transformation Masterplan.
The evening ended with cutting the anniversary cake, a humorous performance by comedian Kuah Jenhan and the famous VI clap and cheer. – The Vibes, December 3, 2022
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