I AM A LION : AN OVERVIEW

I AM A LION (A LION'S JOURNEY): An Overview (1964-2005)

Reminiscing the 60s - A Rookie Lion

I remember clearly with a hint of nostalgia the day I started as a “cub” at the Lions Club of George Town way back in late 1964. Yes, it was S. K. Sharma, an insurance cum travel guy who sponsored my membership. Before that, I had attended several dinners and projects under the auspices of the LC of George Town. Somehow, I had been roped in as a member without any inkling of what Lionism was about; except that it entailed serving the community!

When I look back to those “good old days”, vivid and sweet memories begin to flood my mind. 

Oh, I remember the indelible meeting venues and the mouth-watering cuisines. Who could forget the definitive Metropole Hotel, the welcoming Mandarin Room on the top floor of See Hoy Chan Building, the charming Indian restaurant next to the Loke Thye Kee Restaurant, the quintessential Indian-Muslim restaurant Dawood, and later the Merlin Hotel with its revolving restaurant? 

And most importantly, the different, different personalities that enlivened the meetings! Wonderful memories indeed!

Back then, I was just a rookie, one of the youngest Lions in the district. Then, many Lions were in their forties or older. People who have settled down in their career and family life. Not for me, I had an early start! It was way back in October 1965 when LCI registered my name as a fully pledged Lion. A greenhorn totally!

DG Eng Ah Koon
(later LCI International Director)

One fine day, I was greeted with the news that the “Numero Uno” in our district would be visiting our club. He was the District Governor Eng Ah Koon, (later Past International Director, the first in our district) from Singapore. Everyone was excited and duly accorded DG Eng the VIP treatment, only to be told later that he had placed the club on the “status quo” for the next six months! My guess was that our club’s low membership of less than twenty active members or perhaps nonpayment of dues.

After three years as a Lion, my enthusiasm began to wane. Career came first for a young man like me. I was missing many club activities as my work in the office piled up. In addition, there was a lack of information from the club and drive to get everyone involved. I was absent from club meetings for six months. Things started to change when the late Tan Pek Eam took office as President. Pek Eam had a personal touch and he knew the art of empowerment!

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