The establishment of The Old Frees' Association exactly 100 years ago was the result of this letter which Harold Cheeseman wrote in the Penang Free School Magazine of October 1922. It set in motion a series of meetings by the Old Boys which led to The Old Frees' Association a few months later.
(TO THE EDITOR, THE PENANG FREE SCHOOL MAGAZINE)
SIR,
October 21st. of this year has passed away almost unnoticed. Nothing took place on the anniversary of the foundation of the Penang Free School to suggest that it was a day of any particular importance to those who can claim the honour of being past or present boys of the school.
No one who has any acquaintance at all with the real facts of the case will be so foolish as to suppose that this omission indicates any lack of affection for or interest in the school. Past and present boys alike glory in its traditions, in its ancient foundation (for with the youthful institutions around us may not one hundred and six years be regarded as ancient?), in its splendid and stirring record. We have but to cast our minds back to the celebrations at the school centenary in 1916 and to recollect the scenes of devotion and enthusiasm that
were then witnessed to realise that there is a
strong feeling of loyalty and affection. We must not conclude from the absence of an Old Boys’ celebration that there is any lack of interest on the part of old boys, any more than we should conclude that present boys lack loyalty from the absence of any effort to organise a school celebration on the part of the Head Boy and his fellow prefects or on the part of the School Cricket and the School Football Captains (to whom it did not occur to arrange matches with Old Frees). The real reason for all this apparent apathy is to be found in the non-existence of an Old Frees Association. Such an association should undoubtedly be formed. There is not merely interest in its formation; there is keen desire that it should be started. But no progress is made because there is no one to take the initiative. I had the honour of serving on the Centenary Celebration Committee and the reason why that Committee did not proceed to the formation of an Association was because all the schemes put forward were grandiose and impossible. There were plans for a club house, for the acquisition of property. If I may venture the opinion, I would suggest that it would be most unwise to embark on any such hazardous undertaking. There are many excellent clubs in the town; it would be a mistake to start what could not but be a rival club. My suggestion is that a modest commencement should be made with an Association that would, for instance, have a register of members, keep old boys in touch with each other and with the school, and ensure a re-union at least once a year. This magazine might form an excellent medium for keeping members in touch with each other and with the School. Every member could receive a copy of the magazine and doubtless arrangements could be made by which the Association could be granted space in it so that the magazine would be its official organ and would also supply news of Old Frees, their whereabouts and doings. The Association would presumably arrange occasional matches, debates, etc., with the school (incidentally it is perhaps surprising that the Debating Society has never yet
arranged a debate with Old Frees
participating). The subscription would not need to be large, just sufficient to cover the cost of the magazine, the cost of keeping the register, and the usual incidental expenses. The reunions when held would be paid for by the subscriptions of those attending. From such modest beginnings as these we might venture later to more ambitious developments.
It is possible that there may be some initial expenses in connection with the formation of such an association, but it is well known that there are funds ample for this purpose with the Hon. Secretary and Treasurer of the Centenary Celebration Committee. That is money lying idle that might well be profitably employed. We have the interest, we have a scheme, we have money. All we require is somebody to take the initiative. Who is to make the move? I suggest that the proper body to make that move is the Centenary Celebration Committee. I would urge that members of this Committee should request the Honorary Secretary to call a Committee meeting to consider whether these funds may not be diverted to this purpose and also to consider whether the time is not ripe for requesting the Headmaster of the Penang Free School to call by advertisements in the local papers) a meeting of old boys to discuss the practicability of forming an Old Frees Association.
I make no apology for writing to the school magazine on this subject. I feel sure it will arouse deep interest among all your readers, not only among old boys but also among present boys particularly those boys who in a few short weeks will be leaving school.
Yours truly,
H.R. CHEESEMAN
Penang,
30th October, 1922.
