SWAN SONG

Distinguished Guests, Charming Ladies and My Fellow Rotarians

The 80th year of this august club arrived on July the First last year. Together we have made it through and now we stand at the gates of our 81st year. It had been a fairly eventful year despite the fact that many of our Board members were flying in and out of the country most of the time. This of course had affected the activities which were supposed to fall under their avenues of service. There was no way out of this because these brave Rotarians were the only ones who volunteered their services knowing very well that they would face difficulties. I salute them and thank them from the bottom of my heart.

From what I have seen this far, the Incoming Board, which still lacks a Vice President, will be a vibrant, creative and dynamic Board...... including myself of course. All I can hope is that you will give Incoming President Francis and his Board much more support than what you have given this year. We really need this support so that we can continue to be the leading Rotary club in the District, not only in our own eyes, but more importantly in the eyes of other Rotarians in Districts 3300 and 3310. I congratulate the Incoming Board members on their election to office and wish them every success over the next 365 days or so.

To the Outgoing Board, I thank each and everyone of them for putting forward their best in whatever they did. You have been an inspiration to me and I shall never forget your contribution to Rotary. There are also many of our club members, including Past District Governors and Past Presidents, who were not in the Board, but nevertheless gave their time, energy, ideas and money to ensure that the club continues to survive. To these outstanding gentlemen, I say "terima kasih" and I shall always remember your noble deeds.

All of you have given me a chance to lead the club, although I had never thought of it until just before this Rotary year. For that, I am honoured and thankful. There were highlights and lowlights, but they were all part of the experience one seldom gets. It was a true Rotary experience.

I had agreed to serve as President only for two reasons. Firstly, I hate to see this club go without a President and probably lose its members in the process. Secondly, but most importantly, I believe in carrying out Rotary's work. It fits well with my philosophy, which is echoed by Etienne de Grellet who wrote:

"I shall pass through this world but once.
If therefore, there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do, let me do it now.....
For I shall not pass this way again."

As an ordinary mortal, I have many failings and shortcomings. I hope that in the course of this Rotary year, I had not failed the Four-Way Test and caused offence to any of our members or their family members. If I had, please forgive me but I assure you that they were never deliberate nor premeditated.

This is my last Presidential address at a regular meeting of this club. The theme for this year "Rotary Shares" will fade away and next year's theme will be "Make Dreams Real". Some dreams, however, may remain impossible but I think we have tried.

-SONG-

Thank you and may God bless you.

President Attan literally singing his swan song

Pres Attan handing over the Golf Fellowship Trophy to incoming President Francis	PP Rahim leading the National Anthem and Loyal Toast

Rtn Loo being handed a memento for his contribution during Pres. Attan's year	Rtn Horst being handed a memento for his contribution during Pres. Attan's year

PP Kam Fatt being handed a memento for his contribution during Pres. Attan's year	A standing ovation for President Attan

PDG Dato Beh, PDG Dato Mus, PP Kam Fatt, PP Jason and PP Kanes	Rotarians Bingley, PP Dato' Krishnan, Datuk Dr. Teo and Friedrich

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