Canossian Convent Segamat 70th Anniversary Celebration

01/08/2026

Whenever Canossian Convent girls gather and reminisce about their school days, inevitably someone would mention “bloomers”- and bloomers tales would come tumbling out. However, if you only started school in the late seventies, the word “bloomers” would draw a blank, and if you googled “bloomers”, the following definitions would pop up:

• 19th century loose trousers won under a skirt
• loose old-fashioned underpants
• knee-length baggy trousers won by women for riding bicycles, gymnastics and sports.

Our bloomers were loose, yes, but they were certainly not worn as underpants beneath our pinafores. They did not resemble 19th century baggy trousers and neither were they knee length. Google has definitely not encountered a pair of Canossian Convent bloomers.
They came in only one colour – blue. There were no zips, hooks nor buttons and what held it up was just an unpretentious elastic waistband. Bloomers didn’t hug your bottom like fitted shorts – they weren’t supposed to because they were designed to conceal - not reveal the contours of your bottom. At the hem of each leg, elastic was sewn in so once you have pulled up your bloomers, you would tug both sides upwards. And voila - your bloomers would literally “bloom” and your bottom would transform into a pair of blue puff balls.
Glamorous they were not, and often a subject of curiosity as only Convent girls wore bloomers for sports. However, they superseded the shorts or track pants in versatility. Bloomers were not fitting which meant that you could inherit a hand-me -down and save money and borrowing someone else’s was not an issue should you forget to bring yours. They were extremely comfortable and airy which made them the favourite clandestine uniform in class when the teacher was not around. They were loose fitting which made movements easy for sack races, three-legged races and those wild manoeuvres for creative tele-matches. And because bloomers resembled trunk hose, actors who took on male roles often wore them over stockings as a passable substitute for trunk hose, thus saving money on costumes.
Since bloomers had the generosity of one- size- fits -all, accidental swaps were not uncommon. Hence all students were required to stitch their initials in coloured thread on their bloomers to avoid such incidents. Unfortunately, it also meant that if you had forgotten to bring your bloomers and borrowed somebody else’s, the initials were a dead giveaway. In lower primary, the penalty for forgetting to bring your bloomers for sports was severe – you still had to do sports but without your bloomers. We watched with dread and sympathy for the unfortunate soul who was forced to do sports in her knickers. So as helpful Convent girls, we would help protect the modesty of the person by lending our handkerchiefs so that these could be tucked into the front and back of the panties to provide a veil of decency.
The days of the iconic bloomers were numbered when Sister Wilhelmina became the principal and declared that athletics would replace tele-matches on Sports Day. Bloomers were a hindrance to performance in track and field especially so they were retired in favour of the standard shorts and track pants. The iconic bloomers made a quiet exit physically and also from the vocabulary of the younger generation of Canossian Convent girls. However, for those of us who wore them, they are far from forgotten. They remain a topic of conversation, an era when “branded sportswear” meant a pair of bloomers with your initials sewn on them in colored thread.
Perhaps the best memories of school days are wrapped in the most unlikely garment after all.🥰🥰🥰

Contributed by Evelyn Khor Sook Hiang (Class of ‘75)

20/07/2026

The Silent Soul of the Convent - a beautiful memory narrated by one of our organising committee member,
Evelyn Khor (Class of ‘75).

Located on the ground floor of the sisters’ living quarters are the school’s office and Mother Superior’s office. Although this floor is strictly for official business, it is not uncommon to see students visiting before school or during recess. These visitors fall into two categories: those heading to the first-floor chapel to pray, and those simply seeking respite from the heat outside.
The ground floor’s most iconic feature is the staircase leading to the chapel, flanked by beautiful Italian marble. Over the years, that cold marble has borne the weight of countless students pressing against it for relief from the heat or running their hands along its smooth texture as they climbed. At the landing just before the chapel, the statue of Mother Mary with baby Jesus greets them. To many—Christians and non-Christians alike—she was simply ‘Our Lady,’ and we would make the sign of the cross as we passed.
Built in 1956 when the school’s construction began, the now-70-year-old chapel has served as the convent’s silent soul since day one. Its beauty lies in its simplicity and lack of ornate adornments—a reflection of St. Magdalene of Canossa’s principle that beauty is found in humility and simplicity. The quietness, the cool terrazzo tiles, the simple air of holiness—even the noisiest student would genuflect into respectful silence upon entering the chapel
As early as 5:30 a.m., while the rest of the school lay in darkness, the sisters gathered for their daily community prayer and meditation. Sometimes, during the day, we would spot one of them deep in prayer or meditating on the rosary. The chapel drew both Christian and non-Christian students to pray for various intentions—top of the list being exam success, or perhaps a plea to be spared from punishment over poor grades. As young teenagers, many likely shed tears over fractured friendships or family misunderstandings. Sometimes our prayers sounded more like demands for divine intervention; and when words failed us, we recited the standard prayers from morning assembly. Since most students came from non-English-speaking homes and weren’t Christians, misunderstandings naturally crept in. We weren’t aware then that we were getting it wrong – we just wondered why we had to say “hello” to God in the opening of the Lord’s Prayer and we also tried to recall whether we had actually “trespassed” across someone’s property. And when we prayed the Hail Mary, we were genuinely puzzled why there was a mention of a “foot” in Mary’s womb.
Next to the chapel, a pair of swinging doors never failed to pique our curiosity. After completing our duty of kneeling, praying or bargaining with the Divine, we could not resist peeking beneath those swinging doors, hoping to glimpse what lay beyond them. Most times, we failed—only catching a sister sitting on a dining chair, or sometimes just an empty chair—until the sudden appearance of black leather shoes sent us scuttling back down the stairs.
Seventy years have passed, and the chapel in its simplicity continues to remind us that despite our fumbling prayers, unreasonable demands or clumsy signs of the cross, all is forgiven, and we are loved.

P/S Any of you can relate to the above? Share your memories in the comments below 🥰🥰🥰

18/07/2026

We fully support our Canossa Sisters in Melaka for their appeal to reclaim the land of the Sacred Heart Canossian Convent. 💪💪💪

PUTRAJAYA: The Court of Appeal today reserved its decision on an application by two Catholic mission organisations to introduce fresh historical evidence in their appeal over ownership of land occupied by the Sacred Heart Canossian Convent in Banda Hilir, Melaka.

A three-member bench chaired by Justice Firuz Jaffril said it would deliver its ruling on a date to be fixed after hearing submissions from both parties in what was described as a case of public interest.

Justices Ismail Brahim and Dean Wayne Daly sat with Firuz on the panel.

The application was filed by the Canossian Sisters and the Portuguese Mission, who are appealing against a High Court decision dismissing their judicial review over a parcel of land known as Lot 6.

Lawyer Joy Wilson Appukuttan, assisted by Benjamin John Dawson and Kelvynn Foo, said the organisations had uncovered historical records dating back to 1936 that were unavailable during the High Court proceedings.

Among them was a building application executed by “A.M. Coroado for the Portuguese Mission”, identifying the mission as both the building owner and ground owner of Lot 6 for the construction of a chapel.

The application was approved by the then Malacca municipality.

Appukuttan also relied on maps and building plans from 1934 and 1943, which he said showed that while no chapel stood on Lot 6 in 1934, one had been built there by 1943.

He submitted that the material could have an important bearing on the appeal because it supported the appellants’ claim that they had a pre-existing interest in the land.

Appukuttan said records surfaced only after the High Court delivered its decision, when historians and researchers alerted the appellants to documents discovered at the National Archives in Kuala Lumpur.

He said the nearly century-old records had not been properly catalogued under the Sacred Heart Convent, making them difficult to locate despite earlier searches carried out by the appellants.

Dawson also urged the court to adopt a flexible approach to the admission of fresh evidence, particularly where historical records and matters of public interest are involved.

He said the law requires only reasonable diligence in searching for evidence before trial.

Opposing the application, Melaka state legal adviser Khairul Azreem argued that the appellants had failed to satisfy the requirements for admitting fresh evidence under the Court of Appeal Rules 1994 and the principles laid down in Ladd v Marshall.

He said allowing the application would open the floodgates for parties to seek to introduce new evidence after their cases had already been decided.

The appeal arises from a February 2025 High Court decision dismissing the organisations’ judicial review after finding that they had failed to prove ownership of Lot 6.

In his judgment, Justice Radzi Abdul Hamid held that references to the “Portuguese Convent” referred to the building on the land rather than ownership of the land itself.

He also found that the organisations had failed to establish any legal or beneficial ownership before the current land registration system came into force.

06/07/2026

Proud of you girls! Continue to shine! 🥰🥰🥰

26/06/2026

Happy reminiscing……For many Segamat folks, there was no better way to beat the heat than to settle into a breezy café and tuck into a bowl of ice kacang or sip a refreshing glass of ice-cold lime juice. And when it came to satisfying that craving, there was only one destination: Nan Kwang Open Air Café, or simply Open Air, as the locals fondly called it.

It was not just the irresistible mountain of finely shaved ice drenched in colourful syrup and evaporated milk that kept us coming back. The delicious curry mee, rojak, nasi lemak and legendary Hainanese coffee were equally hard to resist. For decades, Open Air was the place to meet friends for a leisurely catch-up or, occasionally, a discreet rendezvous—one that might later become the talk of the town.

Founded in 1948 by the late Loke Jee Nong, an immigrant from Hainan, together with his eldest son, the late Loke Kian Siang, the café quickly became renowned for its Hainanese fare. It was not only locals who were drawn to its food and airy ambience. During the colonial era, British servicemen stationed in the district were often seen enjoying an ice-cold beer while mingling with residents, adding to the café’s vibrant cosmopolitan atmosphere.

The arrival of the iconic jukebox transformed Open Air from a popular café into Segamat’s trendiest social hub. Playing the latest hits in multiple languages, it attracted both young and old, who eagerly queued with coins in hand for the chance to hear their favourite songs. The music infused the café with a festive spirit, making it the venue of choice for birthdays, reunions, celebrations and countless memorable gatherings.

And what is a celebration without cake? Ever enterprising, the owners expanded their business by establishing Nan Kwang Confectionery in the 1970s. Soon, the enticing aroma of freshly baked cakes drifted from the kitchen, tempting patrons to indulge in a slice—or two—with their drinks. In those days, when pocket money was often scarce, even a modest celebration felt special. A single candle perched atop the café’s iconic butterfly cupcake was enough to create a birthday memory that would last a lifetime.

After serving the community for more than seven decades, Open Air relocated to its new premises in Taman Tan Leng Ann. Today, under the capable stewardship of Loke Chee Yen, representing the third generation, and his son Loke Ji Wen, the fourth, the legacy of Nan Kwang—meaning “Southern Glory”—continues to flourish. Customers who once gathered there as youths now return with their children and grandchildren, regaling them with stories of friendships forged, celebrations shared and cherished moments spent at Segamat’s beloved Open Air Café.
🥰🥰🥰

15/06/2026

The sisters’ quarters in the process of being given a facelift for the upcoming celebrations. We are so excited!!🥳🥳

26/05/2026

Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Adha to all celebrating.

May this blessed occasion remind us of the values of sacrifice, compassion, gratitude, and togetherness. May our hearts be filled with peace, our homes with joy, and our lives with endless blessings.

Wishing everyone good health, happiness, and meaningful moments with loved ones.

11/05/2026

While you may not be able to recall much of what you learnt in your science or math classes in school, you are likely to remember your Domestic Science or Home Science lessons. It was a subject which was considered vital for girls to master, as cooking and sewing skills were deemed necessary for our future roles as wives and mothers - or for sheer survival. You were taught to bake ( which we loved as not many of us have ovens at home ), cook, sew, mend ,iron, organise household chores and plan meals. If you have never stepped into the kitchen, cooking lessons taught you how to slice onions without slicing the skin off your fingers. Kitchen mishaps which gave your exasperated domestic science teacher many heart failures were also not uncommon. Sewing classes had mishaps of a different kind - like getting your measurements wrong and wondering why your master piece was a size too small. Students alternated between sewing and cooking classes and sewed the aprons and simple cloth caps to be used later in the cooking class.

Perhaps what we remembered most about Domestic Science is how we gritted our teeth through repeated cycles of sewing and unpicking before finally producing that imperfect blouse or watching anxiously at our cake rising majestically in the oven only to deflate with a sigh just when we had to show our masterpiece to the teacher.
Sounds familiar? Do share your stories in the comment section…

10/05/2026

Happy Mother's Day
to all the tough, hard-working, patient, loving, and all-around amazing moms out there! You are this and so much more!💖💖💖

03/05/2026

*The Segamat White House*

Canossian Convent Segamat never fails to draw attention as one travels along Jalan Buluh Kasap. With its sprawling grounds, the grotto on the hill ( in the past ) and the rising spire of St. Philip’s church, the Convent lent a sense of grandeur along that particular stretch of the road.

Competing for attention just across the Convent along this stretch of Jalan Buluh Kasap is a mansion which is worth a mention. Dubbed the ‘White House’ by many, it was the home of the Cheah family whose daughters also studied at the Convent .

There are not many records about the White House except that it was built by Cheah Koon Hooi with funds from his father who was in China. According to his grandson, Mr. Cheah was an Anglophile who used to dress in his khaki outfit and drive his beloved Beetle around town. The architecture of the White House reflects his love for all things British. Painted white, the house had symmetrical facade , wide verandas, prominent columns , a tennis court and en suite bathrooms in all the bedrooms ( unheard of then in Segamat ). Built probably some time before WWII , the architectural elements resembled the White House in Washington, hence locals dubbed it the White House.

During the Japanese occupation, large houses were often requisitioned by the Japanese army though there are no records that the White House was the headquarters of the Japanese forces. However , stories abound among locals of people who were taken to the White House to be tortured by the Japanese soldiers and killed. Inevitably these stories also led to the belief that the White House was haunted and cries of tortured souls could still be heard along the corridors.

After the war, many of the large rooms in the house were tenanted and the location was ideal for families with school going children. Some of us who befriended the grandchildren of Cheah Koon Hooi have memories of playing hide-and-seek in the mansion or wandering and poking our heads into the rooms and admiring their magnificence.

Sadly, the White House was later sold and completely demolished by the new owners and rebuilt into something that has no resemblance to the original. Nevertheless for many of us who will be taking a walk down memory lane during the 70th anniversary celebrations, we will remember that once upon a time , there was a White House in Segamat that stirred our imagination of wandering ghosts of tortured souls….