History of Island Club, Sibu
Island Club is believed to be the first family club founded in 1915 by a group of British Administrative Officers who were then serving in and around Sibu. The primary objective was to cater to the needs for social gatherings and for a pint after a hard day’s work in the hot and humid tropical climate.
With the influx of other expatriates, a mere handful was transformed into a crowd. It was in 1926 that a committee was formed comprising of the following designated line up:
a) President – Resident/Judge
b) Secretary – Administrative Officer
c) Treasurer – Treasury Officer
d) Committee – European Representative of Companies
The first Club House was between the bank of the Rejang River and the Igan River. A thousand meter or so away in the front, the small Limbangan ‘River” flowed lazily joining the Rejang and Igan. It was like an island (though most part of the Limbangan River has been reclaimed now) and hence the Island Club was coined. The site was ideal as all Government Offices and Official Residences were within walking distance. All these areas have since been commercialized whereby the site of the Borneo Company is now occupied by Wisma Vasty. SESCO and sub-station were relocated and the vacant land (ex army camp) was taken over by the Rajang Port Authority. With the scenic view of the two rivers and the magnificient tropical sunset, a swimming pool was built between the Club house and the bank. This later proved to be a maintenance headache to the Management Committee as the river slowly swallowed up the bank towards the pool and the Club House.
From reliable sources, all records or minute books of the Club were sent to the Sarawak Association in London. It is a pity that so little is known about the Club during the pre and post war days except bits of write up with photographs here and there and from memories. However records of Past Presidents dated as far back as 1928 are available. There is no record on how the Club was used during the Japanese Occupation between 1937 to 1946.However a claim in 1950 for War Damage for some $10,000 was submitted but only $6,195 inclusive of $600 for the damage of rubber trees were paid. Efforts are being made to store all available data in our Club Computer.
Bowling was introduced in 1930 and many in Sibu had learned to enjoy this quaint game in the early days at the Club. Other relics of the pre-war years still in existence are the survey map done in 1926, photograph of Rajah James Brooke and Charles Vyner Brooke. They are displayed in the Club’s Bar until today. Other prized items include the Sarawak Ashes and our old faithful, the coin telephone.
In 1946 the Club was reactivated with Mr. R.G Aikman as the first post-war President. Justice D.R. Lascelles, an obviously active President was later elected as an Honorary Live Member. Earliest records showed H. E. The Governor General, H.H. The Rajah, The Ranee, The Bishop of Sarawak and Labuan and the Prefect Apostolic of Sarawak were Honorary Members. H.E. Resident or judge was always the ex Officio President.
The entrance fee then was $10 and $2 for subscription. The Club boys were provided with a free songkok plus a head cloth and sarong for special occasion. They were accorded with monthly wage, medical benefits and retirement gratuity. The two longest serving employees of the Club was Edi Bin Sleh and a gentleman affectionately christened as Gladys.
On 20th December 1946, the President J.C.H Barroft amended the Club Rules to encourage those living in Sibu to join the Club. The Grand Old Man, Ho Ah Kim, Kong Sung Seng, Ong Yen Jin, Khoo Peng Loong, Teo Kui Seng, Lee Swee Ling, Ting Lik Hung, Tan Sri Datuk Amar Ling Beng Siew, Lee Koi Choi, Kho Ho Chuan and Chiew Hock Siew, to name a few, and all those who were attached to the British Companies then or Senior Government Officers were the first local members.
With the increasing costs, the Club slowly but surely, rebounded and tried to replenish state of art items and furniture. The purchase of 6 cubic feet G.E. refrigerator at a price of $750 in 1949 had brought joy to those who enjoyed cold drinks. The bowling alley, billiard table and bar were repaired while tennis and badminton courts were added. Who would believe that we had a 19.03 acres of Island Club Golf Course in Sungei Merah? It is true but sad to mention that due to development, Land and Survey Department negotiated and compensated a mere $3,000 for it. It is believed that the Sungei Merah Town was our green and the old Sibu Airport was our cricket pitch. Any of you can recall the Race Course Road? Horse races were held there!! These are but a few of the Club activities! Sad to say we paid a price for the rapid development of Sibu. Then again we cannot have the best of both worlds.
Island Club shared a very close association with Sibu Recreation Club. In 1954, when SRC was rebuilt and opened, 6 silver tankards were presented to them. Our Tennis Court, managed by the Late Datuk Ting Ming Hoi was opened to SRC members.
In 1968, by virtue of his position as Resident, Datuk Peter Tinggom was the first local to become President followed by Datuk Ting Ming Hoi as his successor. Since then our Club’s President has always been local. The longest serving Presidents of the Club were Penghulu Chew Peng Ann (1976 to 1983-8 years), followed closely by John Lim Ung Hui (1984 to 1990-7 years) and Wong Siew Kuong (2001-2007-7 years).CHEERS!!!
History is a most valuable record of achievements and failures. Our research had unearthed very little of the Club’s background. We welcome any person(s) who has knowledge to come forward to rectify any error(s) for the benefits of our members in our future editions. Members who are willing to part items related to the Club are most welcome to do so. Perhaps we may even start an archive.
Sibu was fast growing and the expansion of Rajang Port forced us to look for alternate location. In 1972 we moved to our current Club House which was bought from The Hongkong and Shanghai Bank Corporation and began a new lease of life. The building was declared open by Tun Datuk Patinggi Haji Abdul Rahman Yaakub on 16th September 1972. The building and facilities were far from what you see today. At that time, we had a small bar. A mini swimming pool and a billiard table standing in the current bar.
Though in the Colonial era, Songkok, sarong and head cloth were provided to the Club boys for special occasions, we upgrade them to uniforms.
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