A Brief History of ANZGAM
The Australian & New Zealand Graduates' Association of Malaysia
ANZGAM was founded on 31st August 1958, a year after Malaya was declared independent, in Penang by a group of Australian & New Zealand graduates, comprising of architects, engineers, doctors, accountants, and others, as a body of alumni to persuade the Malayan Government of the time to give recognition to Au
stralian and New Zealand Universities degree qualifications. This was achieved in due course. In that early times, gender equality was achieved with the election of the first Chairperson by the name of Dr Mrs Elaine Wong, wife of Dr Wong Poh Lam. At the beginning the name of the Association was originally called “The Australiasian Graduates Association of Malaya”. This was amended to include “New Zealand” as the then High Commissioner of New Zealand to Malaya, Col. Bennet queried and mentioned that “Australiasian” did not quite represent his country, “New Zealand”. In 1959 a panel of graduates of various professions was formed to advise and assist students going to Australia and New Zealand for further studies. This was the fore-runner of the Association starting an Education Counselling Centre in 1987 which still exist till today, having its office at the Penang Chinese Town Hall, on the 7th floor, at Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling, in George Town, Penang. In 1961 the National Executive Committee took action to bring to the attention of the Public Services Commission certain irregularities of appointments in respect of ANZGAM member doctors, engineers and architects regarding the recognition of their degrees. This resulted in more ANZGAM members being then appointed into government service. In 1965 in response to the Brisbane International House Appeal, ANZGAM members helped to contribute towards the donation of a room at the cost of Australian Pounds Seven Hundred and Fifty. At the 10th Annual National Conference on 11th May 1968, the name of the Association was further changed from “Malaya” to “Malaysia”, thus becoming, “The Australian & New Zealand Graduates Association of Malaysia”. Prior to the proposed Dangerous Drugs (Special Preventive Measures) Bill 1984, ANZGAM Penang Branch submitted a Memorandum to the Select Committee Conducting the public hearing, saying that, “While appreciating the objective of the proposed Bill, the Penang Branch of the Australian and New Zealand Graduates Association of Malaysia have reservations in the efficacy of such a move. The Bill undermines the fundamental liberty and right of the citizen to be tried, convicted and sentenced in a Court of Law. Like the Bar Council, Malaysia, we strongly hold that no person should be deprived of his or her liberty without the due process of law.”
In 1990 the New Zealand Education body under the ambit of the New Zealand Trade Commission appointed ANZGAM as its Education agent for the Northern Region of Peninsula Malaysia. Over the years and by 1998 at a Get-Together with His Excellency, the Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia, Mr David Evans, at the E. & O. Hotel, he presented ANZGAM with a cheque for Ringgit Malaysia Two Thousand to start off the ANZGAM Penang Branch Education Scholarship Fund. In 1995 ANZGAM was honoured by the appointment of one of its Past Chairmen, Dato’ Dr Denis Mark Lee as the Honorary Consul for Australia in Penang. In 2005, the 10th Anniversary Celebration of Australia Education International, held in K.L. it was attended by our then Vice-Chairman, Mr Jimmy Woo Tuck Ping, accompanied by our Student Counsellor. In 2008 the Penang Branch of ANZGAM successfully organized the 50th Anniversary Celebration Dinner held at the Evergreen Laurel Hotel, which was attended by the Australian High Commissioner, Ms Penny Williams and the New Zealand High Commissioner’s Representative, apart from local State dignitaries, The Air-Vice Marshal of the IADS, Butterworth Base and our members and friends. Among the celebrants was Dato’ Ir. Kam U Tee the only Founder Member and Life Member. still resident in Penang. Australian and New Zealand High Commissioners’ visits to Penang; over the years, saw the these Excellencies and their families spending their week-ends meeting up with our ANZGAM members, in the persons of Mr Brian Parson, Mr David Evans, Mr William J. Farmer, Mr Peter Varghese, Mr James Wise, Ms Penny Williams and Ms Sarah Dennis. Such visits and get-together helped to keep the bonds of ANZGAM members with Australia and New Zealand warm.
