Formation of The Old Frees' Association

The Old Frees' Association was founded on this day, 102 years ago. On 17th April 1923, the inaugural general meeting was held at the Penang Chinese Town Hall on Pitt Street, where prominent local lawyer Yeoh Guan Seok was elected as the Association’s first President.

Serving alongside him on that first committee were Khoo Sian Ewe and MHM Noordin as Vice-Presidents, Khoo Heng Kok as Secretary, Tan Kiar-Lew as Assistant Secretary, Dr Ong Huck Chye as Treasurer, Ooi Thean Soo as Auditor, and E Mahomed Hashim as Sports Captain. The other elected committee members were Harold Cheeseman, Husein Hasanally Abdoolcader, Quah Beng Kee, Lim Keong Lay, Ong Boon Swee, Samsudin, Dr Lim Guan Cheng, and Dr A.O. Merican.

Recently uncovered from the collection of a prominent Old Free in Penang was an incomplete copy of the Penang Free School Magazine (Vol. VII No. 3), published in April 1923. Only the first eight pages have survived, but among them was a valuable account of a preliminary meeting held on 20th February 1923 to discuss the formation of an Old Boys’ society.

As recorded in Centenary—the commemorative publication released in 2023 to mark the Association’s 100th anniversary—the Straits Echo (mail edition) reported on 27th February 1923 that “about a hundred Old Free School boys attended the meeting.” The school magazine version of the report, reproduced from the Pinang Gazette and Straits Chronicle dated 22nd February 1923, was nearly identical in content, with only minor corrections to names and spellings. Here is the School Magazine version:

Old Boys' Association to be Formed

The question of forming an Association of Old Boys of the Penang Free School was fully discussed at a largely attended meeting held in the Chinese Town Hall, on 20th February, 1923. 

Amongst those present were the Hon Mr Yeoh Guan Seok, (in the chair), Messrs Quah Beng Kee OBE, J Gawthorne, Ooi Thean Soo, Gopal Das, S Manicram, Dr Lim Guan Cheng, Dr Merican, RH Pinhorn, HR Cheeseman, DR Swaine, HH Abdoolcader, Khoo Heng Kok, MA Bakar, Tan Kiar Lew, Quah Beng Hoe, Hamid Khan, MHM Noordin, SMO Merican, Chee Kok Fee, Ho Hup, Khoo Thay Jin, Khoo Sian Ewe, Lim Keong Lay and Md Eusoff.

The Hon Mr Yeoh Guan Seok said that as they all knew why they were there it was needless for him to detain them long to explain the reason for the meeting. It had been agreed that an Old Frees’ Association should be formed. It had recently been stated that all the English public schools had “Old Boys’” societies, which did excellent work in fostering the traditions of their schools, maintaining touch between the old boys and the teaching and governing bodies and enabling their members to render one another mutual help and assistance. But it was not necessary to go so far afield to find an example, The Anglo-Chinese School Union had been in existence in Penang for some time and had thoroughly justified its existence.

Many of Penang’s most distinguished citizens are “Old Frees”: the school enjoyed a fine reputation far outside this Settlement; and any ex-pupil ought to be proud and happy to belong to an association which would enable him to keep up his connection with the comrades of his youth and the place where he received his education. On the more material side, also, such a link was badly needed and should prove of real value. He also pointed out that there were many of Penang’s distinguished citizens, who were Old Frees in Ipoh and he had received the following telegram from an Old Boy in Ipoh. “Best wishes for success Old Frees’ Association.” Mr Tan Kean Lew had also received a letter from a distinguished Old Free from Sungei Patani in which he stated he hoped for and looked forward to the success of the meeting. As they had all agreed that an association should be formed the next thing to be done was to propose certain resolutions.

Mr Yeoh Guan Seok then proposed the following resolutions:-

1. That an Association be formed of all Old Frees and Masters of over 5 years’ service;

2. That all persons present at this meeting shall be original members of the Association;

3. That the name of the Association shall be Old Frees’ Association;

4. That membership of the Association be confined to Old Frees and Masters of 5 years’ standing;

5. That Mr Khoo Heng Kok be appointed Hon Secretary (pro-tem) of the Association; and that Messrs Khoo Heng Kok, HR Cheeseman, and Tan Kiar Lew be appointed a provisional committee to draft rules for the Association;

6. That such draft rules be submitted to an adjournment of this meeting;

7. That the officers of the Association be elected at the adjourned meeting;

8. And that this meeting do now adjourn to a date to be announced later in the newspapers.

Mr Quah Beng Kee said that after what the Hon Mr Yeoh Guan Seok had said in favour of the formation of the association he had not think it was necessary for him to take up any more of their precious time. He hoped they would support the resolutions put before them which he had much pleasure in seconding.

After these resolutions had been carried, the Chairman added, the meeting would be adjourned to a later date when the provisional Committee would submit draft rules. After the passing of these rules the officers would be appointed to put the association on a legal basis.

The meeting terminated with a vote of thanks to the chair.