This year's entertainment theme: Late Night with DSOBA took on a new challenge to raise funds for DBS's Music Practice Room renovation. There was a skit with interviews by Patrick Dunn (80) with the Mongkok Chan Ho Nam (Albert Cheung, 82), famous socialite Ms. Lam Dai Lin (Mahmood Rumjahn, 74), SAR's C.H. Tung (Victor Tan, 80) and DBS's new Headmaster Terence Chang (himself, 65). It was a rare opportunity for fellow old boys to acquaint themselves with the new head of the school and learn about his goals and philosophy on leading the best boy's school in Hong Kong into the new millenium.

The auctioning of school memorabilia including Lowcock's autographed cane, Terence's calligraphy, boarding school's dinner gong, retired arts teacher Y.T. Kwong's silk screen, the Petrus, Margaux and Cheval Blanc donated by Adrian Fu, Collector's Bank Notes from Richard Leung and John Li, and airline tickets to Australia raised as much as $230,000 collectively. There were active bidding on most items especially the cane that seemed to have found the hearts of a few past victims who probably had dropped their pants for it one or too many times back in the good ole days. Music by the Police Pop Music Band was much appreciated while Patrick Dunn, Mahmood and Rahman got on stage and gave their best personal renditions of some all time favorites.

There were some very attractive raffle prizes this year including a $10,000 dinner voucher at a Japanese restaurant, a $10,000 gift of golf equipment and membership, a $13,000 jewelry, a $15,500 vacation package to the Maldives and numerous gifts including digital cameras, dvd players, electronics, cigars, wine and others.

At the end of the evening, it seemed all the cylinders had been firing at this year's Ball which generated a record surplus to launch us in the right direction of future fundraising campaigns. A good round of applause to everyone for their selfless contributions without which could not have resulted in such a mindful and entertaining evening for all of us. My heartfelt thanks to everyone on the Ball Committee including Desmond Yip, Albert Cheung, Selwyn Chan, Wilfred Kam, Peter Yam, Raymond Chu, Sylvester Lui, David Tsui, Ronnie Cheng, Anthony Siu, Mahmood Rumjahn, Patrick Dunn and Steve Lu - our MC's and last but not the least Amy, for laboring endlessly to make the Annual Ball a great success. It has been my pleasure in working with thisÊfine bunch of 'brothers', thank you!

Yours truly,

Victor Tan
2000 Ball Chairman