YLCO (Yeoh, Lim,Chew & Oh) Families: Busy Morning For YLCO Members At SMI Auditorium

L/r: Mr Ravindran, Professor Gary Lit, Principal Phoon Keen Loon, Oh Teik Hee, Ruth Chan, Christine Chew, Linda Tan, Oh Teik Oon, Yeoh Chee Pui, Yeoh Qing Li, Yeoh Lam Swee, Yeoh Choo Hoon, Marc Koo, Ignatius Chew, Agnes Chew, Suzie Hsu, Pauline Chew, Cecilia Hsu, Yeoh Poh See

It was a busy morning at St Michaels Institution auditorium on Thursday 21 September. The school had invited Professor Gary Lit the author of the book “If The Sky Were to Fall” and Ignatius Chew the curator of the YLCO (Yeoh, Lim, Chew and Oh) Museum to present a talk under the “Brother Paul Memorial Lecture”. Before it ended there was a financial presentation for achievers after the two hour lecture.

The guests were met on arrival by Principal Mr Phoon Keen Loon and Mr Ravindran before proceeding to the auditorium.

YLCO members were greeted by Principal Phoon Keen Loo and prefects.

The distinguished guest list. However Dato Lim Si Boon was unable to attend

A full auditorium of guests and students

Mr Ignatius Chew from YLCO group was a former MD of Ban Hoe Seng was asked to speak on his ‘My School life’. He did so but he described it as being ‘boastful since he was talking about himself’ and “Memories of Bro Paul Leadership”. Ignatius’ memory of the late Bro Paul was 50 odd years before hence his speech was a sharing at best of a time gone by.

Ignatius Chew addresses the audience

Professor Gary Lit’s turn was to narrate about his book which delved into the turbulent years of the Japanese occupation of Malaya and the injustices of war.

Ignatius Chew’ grandfather and uncle had been captured by the Japanese and a handsome ransom was paid for their release.

Professor Gary Lit enthralled the audience

Additionally Prof Gary honoured the YLCO clan when he mentioned past YLCO members were ex-SMI students and they were very successful in their careers. Yeoh Ghim Seng was a former Michaelian who became a renowned surgeon and was the acting President of Singapore.

The lecture came to an end after distributing scholarships to deserving students for their academic achievements in the SPM and STPM trials. Included in the days presentation was a sport achiever, 18 years old World Champion Wong Wei Zheng who won the Gold medal at the International Taekwon-do Federation championship held in Finland recently.

The high achievers for SPM

...and STPM

(L) Sports achiever and Taekwon-do World Champion Wong Wei Zheng receives a reward from Ignatius Chew (R) Wong posing with his Gold medal after winning the ITF World Championship at Finland 2023

Ignatius and Professor Gary receive the token of appreciation form Principal Phoon

The guests were given a tour of the school after the event was over. Professor Gary contributed the story of General Yamashita and his looted treasure could somehow be found within the four wall of this great school.

Professor Gary pointed out the brass hooks on both sides of the staircase was to hold the red carpet for General Yamashita's visit in 1941

It was noticed that the forefathers of the clan members were regular donors to the school as they toured the school. This was evident by the Benefactors List of 1941, 1950 and 1961.

YLCO members grandparents and parents listed on the 1940 Benefactors List: Lau Pak Khuan, Chew Boon Juan,Chew Boon Hong, Yeoh Khuan Joo, Yeoh Ghim Khoon and Yeoh Ghim Cheow