Dear All,
It is with great honour and privilege that I become your 131st elected Chieftain of the Selangor St Andrews Society. Firstly, I would like to give special thanks to our Past Chieftain, Linda Ross. It was an absolute pleasure working alongside you as your Vice Chieftain during the last year which was amazing for the society. Well done to you and all the committee. I wish you and Ken all the very best as your start your next chapter in life together back home in bonnie Scotland with your family.
I would now like to congratulate David Barron on his role as my Vice Chieftain. Your energy and enthusiasm will be an asset both to myself and to the society. I wish you great success in your new role.
One of my first tasks moving forward in 2023 is to reintroduce the Chieftain’s Chatter. We need to publicise our events and share our successes.
2022 Highlights
On Saturday 22nd January, 2022 we had our Burns night at the ‘Cedar’ Room in the Impiana. Tickets were sold out very quickly, with everyone clearly showing how they wanted to get back to as normal a life as possible after having endured 2 years of lockdown. With a few SOPs still in place, numbers were restricted but we were still able to pull off a great event.
Sunday 22nd May, 2022 was the Intersociety Golf Tournament held at the Glenmarie Hotel and Golf Resort. This was organised by the St Patrick’s Society as they were the winners from the year previous. It was a fun day out with the Selangor St Andrew’s Society regaining the title.
On Saturday 24th September, 2022 we hosted our 7th Highland Games at Bukit Kiara. A very successful day with somewhere in the region of 5,000 attending. It was extremely hard work for the committee in terms of planning and running the event, but when you see all the happy faces and hear the positive feedback, you know you’ve done a great job. This is the biggest reward when you achieve your goals, such a proud moment for the society.
Remembrance Service took place at Taiping War Cemetery on 13th November, 2022 and was attended by Chieftain Linda Ross and Past Chieftain Ken Ross to pay their respects and lay a wreath on behalf of Selangor St Andrew’s Society. To end the year, we had the St Andrew’s Ball on Saturday 26th November, 2022 at the Hilton Hotel DoubleTree. We welcomed the return of Clappy Doo, our favourite ceilidh band who flew in from Scotland. We also enjoyed the brilliant sound of St.John’s Alumni pipe band. It was a great night with delicious food and great entertainment.
Membership
During 2021-2022 we welcomed 23 new members. Life (7), Friends of Scotland (6) and Term (10).
Charities
During 2022 and 1st quarter of 2023 we donated monies to various charities. Such a great feeling to be able to once again ‘give back’ to the those that need it. The charity donations made are listed below: –
Batu Grace
Grace Education Centre
MEC Kids Sports Day
Mobiliti
Rumah Charis
SPCA HWI
Peace Education Centre (I-PEC)
Voice for Paws
Yayasan Chow Kit
Persatuan Makanan Ehsan Free Food Society
2023 Highlights so far
We had our Burns Night at the Four Seasons Hotel on Saturday 28th January, 2023. A new venue for our society and an excellent one at that. The event was a sell out with everyone excited to experience the new venue. The hotel and staff were amazing, a fabulous job with the best steak ever. We have already reserved the hotel again for next year and will welcome back the fantastic Vox Suara choir.
On Saturday 11th March, 2023 had our AGM and Whisky Tasting night at Tatto where I was elected as your new Chieftain, made all the more special for me as my parents had just arrived in KL from the UK. It was a great night and big thanks to Tatto for providing the venue and the delicious food. Well done to our whisky tasting, quiz and raffle winners.
I’m very much looking forward to all the events and activities which will take place during the course of my year as Chieftain.
This year’s Intersociety Golf competition is set for Saturday 20th May at Tasik Puteri Golf Resort and the flyer is out. All golfers of any experience are welcome to take part.
My husband and I will be attending the Batu Gajah Remembrance Service on Saturday 17th June to lay a wreath and pay our respects on behalf of the society.
This year’s presentation for the Humanities Award at Alice Smith School will take place at the end of June. I will be representing the prize giving awards on behalf of the Selangor St Andrew’s Society. Further details to follow.
The 8th Highland Games will take place on Saturday 23rd September. With increased sponsorship and the return of the heavies and pipe bands, we are looking forward to another successful and fun filled day with a bumper crowd and great weather.
Planning for the St Andrew’s Ball plans is already in progress. This year we will be having this event at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel on Saturday 25th November. Yet another new and exciting venue for the society. We will have our favourite ceilidh band, Clappy Doo, returning along with St John’s Alumni pipe band. The flyer for this event will be issued later in the year.
Given the successes of this year’s Burns Night at Four Seasons Hotel, we have booked the hotel again for next year. Date is Saturday 3rd February, 2024.
As your new Chieftain I will carry out my duties with passion, commitment and dedication and continue building on the successes from previous years ensuring the very best for our members. I would like to thank you personally for all the past support and look forward to your continued support for your society. I would also like to extend a special thank you to all our sponsors and volunteers. Let’s make 2023 a superb year.
Cheers,
Carol Wallace
131st Chieftain Selangor St Andrew’s Society
