Social activist’s biography gifted to Aussie students

Holding Lee’s book are (from left) NEGS deputy head prefect Gracie Boughton, head prefect Vanessa Baker and van Genderen.

A TOTAL of 120 students in New England Girls’ School (NEGS), Armidale in New South Wales, Australia, received individual copies of Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye’s biography titled Call Lee Lam Thye: Recalling a Lifetime of Service.

The book will be formally presented to the girls as part of the upcoming celebrations for their annual Speech Day on Dec 9.

Lee, who is Alliance of Safety Community (Ikatan) chairman, said he was pleased that the students appreciated reading his story.

“I have spent more than 50 years serving my country and it is very nice that the younger generation are reading about it,” he said after looking at photos that were sent by NEGS.

Delighted to receive the generous gift, NEGS principal Liz van Genderen said Lee was a true testament to a life lived in service of others. “From moving from politics to social service, Lee Lam Thye always worked for the people in his care, aiding where he could and providing advice where he couldn’t.

“His life of service is commendable and celebrated, an aspiration to both myself and our students,” van Genderen added.

Reflecting on reading the biography, NEGS marketing director Lyn O’Neill said it was powerful to be a politician to whom everyone was in favour of, despite the political affiliation.

“To move with and for a group is incredible. This is the impact of Lee Lam Thye; his lifetime of political and social service is admirable, something NEGS is instilling in our students each and every day, to have a global outlook and make a difference,” she said.

The donation of the books was facilitated by former NEGS student Dr Aneeta Sundararaj.

“From the moment we first met, Tan Sri Lee has been unassuming, kind and awfully generous with his time and energy.

“I wanted the girls to read about this man who is selfless to a fault. He is a hero to so many Malaysians and I hope, by reading this book, he’ll become the hero to all at NEGS,” said Dr Aneeta.

Call Lee Lam Thye: Recalling a Lifetime of Service is priced at RM70 for the hardcover and RM50 for the paperback version.

Lee said its net proceeds would be donated to charity.