Penang Reunion 2005
Report
by Geoff Flemming

The R.A.A.F. school reunion was held in Penang from the 2nd until the 9th September 2005 and was staged at the Bayview Beach Resort in Batu Ferringhi.

The reunion was a celebration of an almost magical time in the lives of many people who spent 2 or 3 years as children or teenagers living and going to school in Penang in the 60’s, 70’s or 80’s. Some were even lucky enough to have had a couple of visits as their parents were posted to Butterworth on more than one occasion. Others went to school in Penang and had later joined the forces themselves and were posted to Butterworth. In total about 180 people attended the reunion.

Although some reunionists arrived earlier (and left later) the main contingency arrived in Penang on Friday the 2nd September. There were ex students and ex teachers many with their partners and siblings, as well as various friends. Attendees were in their 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s and beyond! To some of the children attending I have no doubt some of this was all a bit strange.

The reunion had been a long time coming and was conceived by a wonderful lady who spent a magical time as a teenager in Penang with her parents and has never forgotten the experience. Her name is Cynthia Matuschka and as a blonde haired teenager had unforgettable memories of school with friends, the tropical weather, the Penang swimming club, the Hostel and living a life that friends at the time back in Australia found difficult to comprehend.

Cynthia put together a committee to organise the event and ensure that everyone had the opportunity to relive our old haunts in a place that had changed a lot (in some cases 30+ years) but was somehow, in some places was still the same Penang we remember. The committee was headed up by Ross White and much organisation went into getting access to places where security was tight in areas we had previously had access to. Ross did a fantastic job in coordinating the committee and managed to pull it all together.

Friday was day one and was the opportunity to relax and overcome the travelling fatigue and the chance to visit with people we have not seen for many years. Also the opportunity to acclimatise to the tropical weather. Friday night for some was the first opportunity to ‘hit’ the Batu Ferringhi markets and sample the original replicas!!

On Saturday the travelling fatigue had gone and we were ready. For some it was hiring of motorcycles or cars, some in rattly old buses into Penang and for many just around the pool. Quite a few hit the local tailors to organise bargain clothing.

Saturday night saw our fist official function being the Welcome Dinner which was attended by virtually everyone at the reunion. The Bayview put on a superb meal and made us feel very welcome and comfortable. This was a night for recollecting old stories, organising schedules for the week and just relaxing in the thought that we had actually made it to the reunion after talking and dreaming about it for so long.

Sunday afternoon saw a visit to the Chinese Swimming Club (had not changed at all after many years) for the Australia vs. Penang swim meet. For simplicity there were 2 categories for the event; the first was the 25 -49 year olds and the second was the ‘too old to swim 100 metres’! We competed well considering most of the locals swim every day (as we used to), had an absolutely fantastic day and came away with a few trophies.

Monday was a highlight with a visit to the old school. This is now a secure training facility for the R.M.A.F. Although the basic structure of the school had not really changed there were a number of new buildings and the old rooms were now air conditioned! We never had air conditioned buses or class rooms and never knew any different. The Commandant greeted us warmly and we had full access to roam and reminisce. This was a highlight for many on the trip and brought back a flood of memories of friends, fun and the smell of durians at the front gate!

Then the buses went over to Butterworth for all the mainland dwellers. This was very different as there was no bridge when we lived there and we caught the ferry every day to and from school. Visiting the base and settlements like Tan Sei Gin and Robina Park was very strange as the place had changed dramatically and looked very run down compared to what we had been used to.

Tuesday night was the visit to the Penang Swimming Club. The pool was a bit like a second home and, apart from the RAAF Hostel was the place to hang out. There were dances held at the club as well as many a swimming carnival. On the night were welcomed by the President and some of the committee members and treated to another fantastic finger food meal.

The rest of the week was for many spent touring the Island, being tourists, searching for their old homes, shopping for bargains or relaxing by the pool. At the Bayview it was a very relaxed atmosphere in either Jet skiing, wandering down the beach or just having a drink by the pool – or in the pool!

Thursday night for most was the finale and was celebrated with a sunset dinner out on the grass. Again the food was sensational and the service was what we had become accustomed to during our visit. There is something very special about watching the sun go down in the balmy air of the tropics in Penang and sharing with so many we had been friends with many years ago. The Sinclairs even brought their Bagpipes and played at the end of the night.

The trip for all of us will be long remembered. In our normally busy schedules we took a week out to spend in Paradise with 180 others so we could feel and remember how good it was. We’ll be back!!!!