Association presents aid to three schools
KUCHING: The Malaya Borneo Veterans Association (MBVA) presented aid to three schools in Bau yesterday.
The contribution is to help SK Suba Buan, SK Stass, and SK Serabak with co-curricular activities.
Sarawak Tourism Federation (STF) Heritage Development Committee chairman Datuk Lim Kian Hock said the three schools were adopted by the association during its 50th anniversary reunion here in 2016.
The association comprises Australian veterans deployed to Sarawak during the Indonesian confrontation between 1964 and 1965, who were stationed at the border areas of Lundu and Bau.
“In 2016, the MBVA delegation of Australian veterans and some family members led by their president Brian Sebly visited Kuching. During their trip, they visited various operation locations in Kampung Serikin,
In 2016, the MBVA delegation of Australian veterans and some family members led by their president Brian Sebly visited Kuching. During their trip, they visited various operation locations in Kampung Serikin, Stass, and the Bau Lake area. — Datuk Lim Kian Hock, Sarawak Tourism Federation (STF) Heritage Development Committee chairman
Stass, and the Bau Lake area,” said Lim prior to the handing over ceremony.
Australian honorary consul in Kuching Datuk Dr Philip Ting handed over the aid on behalf of the association to headmasters Medin Norey (SK Suba Buan), Ginnea Nyoneg (SK Stass), and Lipeng Nyogien (SK Serabak).
A letter from MBVA president Brian Selby stated that the donations were raised by members from the South Australian and Northern Territory Branch, as well as from Ting.
“We have very fond memories of our visit to each school in August 2016, and send our very best wishes to all of your staff members and the students,” Selby said in the letter.
Lipeng said the schools are grateful for the assistance, which will help them to conduct activities or field trips beneficial for the students.
A minute of silence was also observed for World War II Z Special Unit commando Jack Tredrea, who passed away on July 17 at the age of 98.
Tredrea played an instrumental role in fighting the Japanese occupiers in 1945 together with the community in Bario.