Tribute to Past Chairmen of St Paul's School Board

Past Chairmen play vital role in St Paul's School-Beaufort

As ex-St Paulians walk down the memory lane in the school's 50th anniversary celebration on August 18th,2008 they will recollect the important role played by past chairmen of the school Executive Council.

Reginald R.Lawes, a rubber planter and GM of the Woodford Estates was the Chairman from 1962 to July 1969. He is married to a local Sabahan and one of their children, Nicholas John Lawes (born in Beaufort) is back in Sabah. He took a keen interest in the school affairs and helped the school in many ways. Word had it that he was always generous in his donations to the school and society. He reportedly showed a keen interest in sports development in Beaufort. At one time, he was the only football referee available in the district. Lawes was succeeded by J I Mathews ,also a planter and later the GM of Woodford Estates. he was held in high regard by the Beaufort Community for his philanthropy, his initiative to conduct type writing classes for Kampung folks and his role as Chairman of the Sabata Beaufort Branch.

Interestingly, four of his children studied at St Paul's school - Datuk Harris Matthews (ex-GM of Sabah Rubber Industry Board) Datuk Dr. Allan Matthews (Chief representative of DKSH Holdings (M) Bhd as well as past president of the Rotary Club of Likas Bay and twice President of the Sabah Pharmaceutical Society), Nelson Matthews ,then the school captain in 1969, was a teacher in Lahad Datu, Beaufort and Membakut, and daughter Beatrice Matthews ,an ex staff nurse at Beaufort Hospital (now residing in Brisbane ,Australia). The senior Matthews passed away in 1973.


Special Report
DAILY EXPRESS
10th Aug 2008