By Lt Rita Ling
KUCHING — Members of the 16th Kuching Company, Boys’ Brigade in Malaysia have been recognised for their hard work and commitment on Awards Day, one of the most anticipated events of the year for BB members. The special ceremony fell on Saturday, 25 March with the presence of our Kuching Archbishop Simon Poh, our rector Fr Nicholas Ng, BB State Commissioner Honourary Captain Sim Tze Sian, parents, relatives, members and all officers.
The Boys’ Brigade has a progressive programme and awards structure, which allows members to acquire badges by discovering their talents and interests, undergoing adventures, studying about the community and involving themselves in sports and physical activities. This awards system, called the Awards Scheme, is available to children and young people from ages 5-18.
The younger members were most exhilarated by the presentation of Junior and Pre-Junior awards. The Juniors were all smiles, marching up on stage enthusiastically with wide grins on their faces, upon receiving the Purple, Blue, Green and Red awards. Junior Jonathan Chan attained the most awards this year with a total of five badges as well as Link Badge upon promotion from Junior to Senior section with immediate effect!
Next was the presentation of Senior awards. The first badges given out were the Target badges to the recruits followed by badges earned during badgework hours and outside of BB followed by the Community Service badge. Private Isaac Lim bagged the most badges including the Bronze Scholastic Award (Pri. 6 level), given for recognition of a member’s efforts put in his studies during service in the BB. The final activity of the programme involved our Archbishop Simon Poh, presenting the letter of appointment for our new warrant officers.
As the event came to a close, our Captain Desmond gave his speech thanking God, the Church, all parents, members and officers for their support towards the Boys’ Brigade. After the final closing prayer and singing of the BB Vesper, all guests adjourned for the next highlighted occasion Q1 birthday party for those whose birthdays had fallen between January and March. Light refreshments were provided while members stayed back a little longer for the church parade.
Although this truly enjoyable event had ended, the awards and promotions given to the members who rightfully deserved them would carry on, engraved in the member’s histories. Congratulations and celebrations echoed around for the day had been well spent, in anticipation for more activities planned for later this year.
