Now that the alcohol and fatigue have finally departed from my system, I will try to write a brief summary of our Annual Ball for you, particularly for the old boys residing away from Hong Kong at present.

As you all know by now, DSOBA had staged the 2000AD on 12/31/1999 to double up as the Y2K ball / millennium ball as well. The venue was the Conrad International Hotel at Pacific Place. Desmond Yip (82) is the Ball Chairman while Wilfred Kam (78) is the President of DSOBA this year. Under their leadership, our own millennium ball took on a different look from the recent past.

There was no acting or singing by old boys this year. Instead, Roll-A-Mercedes and Children's Fashion Show were introduced in addition to the live performance by Elisa Chan, Kenny B, Yau Chan & Kin (3 former members of Wynners) and others. Guests to the ball paid $200 to roll the dice. The first one to roll six 6's will bring home a brand new M-class Mercedes Benz. That did not happen. The fashion show composed of products by Chickeeduck - a retail business run by old boys - and featured children of old boys. Conrad also provided two huge projector screens to show both the midnight race at Happy Valley and a short clip of the "Home Coming Video" shown at the DBS concert at Cultural Center past Summer. Of course there were table prizes, dinner prizes and the raffle draw. Edward Lam (78) bought the lucky ticket from Stanley Fong (78) and won the grand prize of the night - ticket for two to Germany. The grand prize was generosity of Raymond Chu (78). Other prizes included but not limited to the following. Tickets for two to Paris - donated by class of 1975 - were won by Mrs Lamson. Tea set by Daulton was donated by Wilfred Kam (78). Tickets for two to Bangkok - donated by class of 1978 (specifically the contributors are: Paul Au, Alex Chu, Stephan Chan, Stanley Fong, Terry Hum, Wilfred Kam, Peter Leung, Steven Mok, Johnson Tsang and myself) - were won by Hanson Huang (68). A set of Maxfli VTL graphite clubs donated by myself went to a male guest in the 40's who looked like an old boy. 10 memberships to City Golf Club donated by S. A. L. Rahman (71).

After the countdown to 2000 and the toast by the Board of DBS, the spacious dance floor was packed with gracious guests synchronized with the live music well past four o'clock in the morning. That was when I went for breakfast with Stanley Fong and others. Even as I returned to the hotel at dawn, I could still hear some dance music coming out from the Grand Ballroom. It was a splendid party.

To those who came to share their New Year's Eve with me, thank you for participating in what was easily the best party I ever went to. I thoroughly enjoyed the night (and morning) and there could not be better company anywhere else that New Year's Eve. To those who could not make our annual ball on 12/31, I am sure you had a good time with whatever you were doing that night. I only wish that we would be able to be at the same party again this December.

Yes, do contact Amy, our secretary, for the details. DSOBA have already booked the venue and date for the first annual ball in the 2000s.

Best regards,
Peter Yam (78)