Day 1 & 2 Conference Attendees
Click on the thumbnail above to see the original picture (~ 2.8MB)
| News Release: | [July 2002] | [June 2002] | [May 2002] | [Apr. 2002] | [Mar. 2002] | [Jan. 2002] | [Sep. 2001] | [July 2001] |
Day 1 & 2 Conference Attendees Click on the thumbnail above to see the original picture (~ 2.8MB) |
After over a year and a half of preparation and much anticipation, IC2002 officially kicked off at 9am on June 29, 2002. It was actually preceded by a flurry of activities including picking up many of the out-of-town guests, a reception on the evening of the 28th and all the last minute coordination to ensure that everything was ready. There were also a lot of side-dinners either taking place or being organized as individual classes planned get-togethers with the Fathers and past teachers.
Much to our delight, our hard work was rewarded with a Conference enjoyed by all without any problems. All of the programs and activities were well attended, with the Gala Dinner drawing an over-capacity crowd of 330. The 2-day formal conference was attended by 140 and the Boat Cruise saw the ship filled with 220. We were also blessed with good weather, albeit a little on the hot side. Thus, the post-conference activities, which included trips to Niagara Falls and Midland were well attended. Some of the photographs taken are already posted on the IC2002 website under "Photo Gallery". We are continuously adding more as they are developed.
The Organizing Committee has set out to host an International Conference for all Wahyanites to meet and share ideas to strengthen the chapters and their relationship with our alma maters. We also wanted to accomplish this in a relaxing and fun milieu. From all the feedback we've received from our guests, it appears that we have acomplished this.
As we approach the Conference date, we are pleased to provide the following updates and details of the Conference Program, Spousal Activities and Afternoon Short Tours.
More Guests
We have two more past teachers who will join us at the Conference. They are:
Ms. Monica Tang, former teacher of Wah Yan College Kowloon and
Mr. Anthony Shiu-Tsang Wong, former teacher of Wah Yan College Hong Kong.
We are delighted that they will join us.
The Organizing Committee has finalized the full Conference Program. Please view it in details at http://www.wahyan.ca/ic2002/programme.html
Spousal Activities
Also finalized are the various activities under Spousal Program. They are
designed for spouses and family members while the Wahyanites are attending the
Conference on Day 1 and 2. Here is a brief itinerary:
1. June 29, 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m
Touring and shopping at the St. Lawrence Market & Queen’s Quay.
2. June 30, 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Dim Sum Demonstration by Lai Wah Heen
Three different choices for the spouses after Dim Sum Demonstration:
A) Bloor/Yorkville tour and shopping
B) ROM (Royal Ontario Museum)
C) Bata Shoe Museum
If you are attending the Conference and wish to
register for your family member(s), please E-mail their names, the activities
they wish to take part in and the number of participants to Christine Chow at
ic2002@wahyan.ca. Please also
include your name as reference to their eligibility since this program is designed
for Conference registrants’ family members only. The deatils of the activities are
listed on http://www.wahyan.ca/ic2002/spouse.html
We are also organizing some exciting local short tours in the afternoon of Day
1 and 2. Here is a brief itinerary:
1. June 29, 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Hippo Tour of Downtown Toronto, Harbourfront and Lake Ontario.
2. June 30, 3:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
One of the following:
A) Continuation of Bloor / Yorkville tour and shopping with your family
B) Shopping at the Eaton’s Centre and Yonge Street
C) IMAX Theatre or musical (if last-minute tickets are available)
D) Casa Loma, or group tour of the Sky Dome or Air Canada Centre
As some programs in the tours require advanced reservations, please
indicate the activities you and your family member(s) wish to take part in and
the number of people participating for each activity in an E-mail to David Ip at
ic2002@wahyan.ca.
The details of the activities are provided at
http://www.wahyan.ca/ic2002/afternoon.html
After a hectic day of meetings, discussions, sharing of information and some catching up, the first day of IC2002 will wind down with a relaxing and scenic Dinner Cruise of the Toronto harbor on board the Jubilee Queen. The three and a half hour cruise offers an intimate setting for all to socialize over a buffet dinner while taking in the beautiful Toronto skyline, Centre Island and the scenic surroundings. On board, your favourite Father(s), past teacher(s) and old buddies will have nowhere to hide from you!
The Jubilee Queen was selected as it augments our theme "Beyond Nostalgia". It is a luxurious "River Showboat", similar to the one from the movie/musical "Showboat" which used to sail through the Mississippi River in bygone years. This venue will certainly present the right atmosphere and setting to enhance our sharing of stories and memories of our Wah Yan days. To see a photo of the cruise, please go to: http://www.toronto.com/jubileequeen
Unfortunately, capacity is limited. Do sign up at your earliest convenience.
Hope to see you all on board.
Honored Guests UpdateIn addition to the record number of Fathers, Principals and Past Vice-Principals, we are pleased to report that the following past teachers have registered:
[WYCHK]Since we began registration in mid-March, we have been encouraged with the number of registrations we have received from overseas chapters. We are especially pleased with the record number of Fathers and dignitaries attending the Conference. Most of them will be speaking only at the Conference.
As the host of this event, we are calling on local Wahyanites to extend our appreciation towards their coming all this way by attending the Conference. While many have registered for the Gala Dinner, we also need your support at the Conference. There are many benefits you can get from the Conference which are not available at the other activities.
Although part of the Conference involves group discussions on how to strengthen the Wah Yan Alumni Associations, it is there that you will get the most and the latest information directly through the various Fathers, Principals and delegates from all over the world. Since the number will be relatively small and the venue is more centralized, you will be able to have direct contact and interactions with them. Unlike the Annual General Meeting, the proceedings will be quite informal with the focus on information exchange and participation. We have also built in coffee breaks and a luncheon for socializing.
Do join us as being the best possible host to our guests from the global Wah Yan family.
Hotel Rate RectificationDear Fellow Wayanites,
It has been brought to our attention that there has been a technical problem with the Metropolitan Hotel’s reservations system which has resulted in a higher quote than the $130.00Cdn. per room per night we have advertised. This is forwarded to inform you that the problem has been rectified and that the above rate will be honored.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.
We urge you to stay at the Metropolitan Hotel since it is the venue for the International Conference. Not only will you enjoy the first class amenities it offers, since Toronto is a fair size city, you will save a great deal of commuting time and expenses and maximize on the opportunity to socialize with other Conference attendees. In addition to hosting all the Conference Programs, we will be watching the World Cup Soccer Final there with the Fathers and VIPS on the early morning of the second day of the Conference. Transportation for optional activities: the Boat Cruise and tours to Niagara Falls and Midland will be provided from the Metropolitan Hotel.
Fr. Frank (Francis) Doyle, S.J. is coming to IC2002 too!It is with great pleasure that the Organizing Committee announces the confirmation of Fr. Frank Doyle's attendance at the Conference. Fr. Doyle taught in both Wah Yan Hong Kong and Kowloon and he will be coming all the way from Ireland.
Here is a picture of Fr. Doyle taken in Malaysia a few years ago. http://www.sfx.com.my/doyle.htm
The Organizing Committee is pleased to announce that “Beyond Nostalgia” will be the theme of the upcoming International Conference: we believe that the choice of this theme will help the alumni associations to address real, practical problems.
In addition, as we begin registration for the International Conference, it is with great honour and pleasure to announce that the following have confirmed their attendance:
The number of Fathers who will attend is the largest contingent of Wah Yan Fathers in the history of the International Conference. This is a unique opportunity for you to come and meet them. We will continue to update you on further confirmations of Fathers and past teachers. Please stay tuned.
The Organizing Committee is pleased to announce that we have incorporated a very significant and multi-faceted event into the IC2002 program: It is a trip by chartered bus to the Martyrs' Shrine in Midland, Ontario on the fourth and final day of the Conference.
This event is significant since the Martyrs' Shrine was built in 1926 in honour of eight Canadian martyrs who were among the first Catholic missionaries to set foot on Canadian soils in the 1600's. They are all French: six Jesuit priests, one Jesuit brother and one lay helper. It has a very strong Jesuit connection and its Directors have always been Jesuits. The current Director, Father Robert Wong S.J., is anxiously awaiting our visit and co-celebrating a mass with some of the Fathers from Hong Kong.
The Martyrs' Shrine is located in what is known as the "Georgian Bay," a very scenic and well-known tourist area. In addition to a visit to the Shrine, we have planned a 2 1/2 hr. 30,000 Island Boat Cruise as well as golf. Other attractions include Sainte-Marie among the Hurons where we can learn about the 17th-century Jesuit mission and the Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre, a 1,200-hectare wetland where large species of birds and other wildlife are protected.
This will be a whole-day trip including lunch and dinner. For more information about the Martyrs' Shrine, you may visit their website: http://www.jesuits.ca/martyrs-shrine.
In addition to a visit to the Shrine, optional activities include a 30,000 Island Boat Cruise and golf at one of the local golf and country clubs for the golf enthusiasts. These, however, require advanced commitments to ensure availability.
The IC2002 Planning Committee is pleased to announce that the venue for the Conference will be the Metropolitan Hotel in downtown Toronto. Furthermore, attendees and guests of the Conference can stay at the Metropolitan Hotel for the amazing rate of $130Cdn. per room per night.
Located in the heart of downtown Toronto with easy access to Chinatown, City Hall, the Eaton's Centre and all of the attractions and amenities as well as subway and bus stations, the Metropolitan Hotel is a first class hotel with one of the best dining facilities in Toronto. While we feel that we have secured sufficient rooms to accommodate all conference attendees and their guests, availability is on a first-come-first-served basis. For more information on the Metropolitan Hotel, you may visit their website at http://www.metropolitan.com/toronto/
In addition to planning a meaningful program for all, we are also organizing some great activities outside of the formal conference for all to enjoy. At this point in time, included are golf, a dinner cruise and a trip to Niagara Falls.
The Registration form for the Conference will be available shortly. We urge you all to watch out for it and register early. The official e-mail and web address for the Conference for the most updated information as well as questions are:
http:www.wahyan.ca/ic2002
and ic2002@wahyan.ca
You might already have plans for your summer vacation this year. What about next year?
It is never too early to think about next summer and there is a good reason. You will meet former classmates and their families, beloved past teachers and Jesuit Fathers of Wah Yan. This is a wonderful occasion you cannot afford to miss—the Wah Yan International Conference 2002 (IC2002).
Toronto, Ontario will host the first Wah Yan reunion in the 3rd Millennium from June 29–July 2 in 2002. The 4-day event begins with a 2-day conference where Wahyanites gather to learn about latest news from our alma maters, the Jesuit Fathers, and all overseas Wah Yan alumni chapters. This is a time to exchange information and ideas, to reminisce the good old days with your fellow classmates, teachers and Jesuit Fathers, and to give thanks to the wonderful schooling you received at Wah Yan. After the conference, there will be two days of social activities during which you will explore the multicultural capital of the world: the excitement, the tranquility, the natural wonders, and the numerous authentic world cuisines, to name a few.
Consisting of members from both Ontario Wah Yan chapters, the IC2002 Organizing Committee has been working in earnest in planning for the conference. With over 600 Wahyanites in Ontario from both chapters, the committee wants to be the best “match maker”! With this in mind, the organizing committee is working diligently to launch an online global database in time for the conference registration. This database will help locate any Wahyanite around the world, provide you with an excellent opportunity to find out if any of your old buddies are in Ontario! Having the most number of Wahyanites outside of Hong Kong, we are confident that you will find someone you know here.
We are all excited about this upcoming reunion. In the mean time, mark the dates on your calendar, June 29–July 2, 2002!
IC2002 Organizing Committee
Join our announcement list to learn more about the upcoming IC2002. If you have questions on IC2002, send us an e-mail!