IfirstmetGregwhenwecame to
Perth25yearsago.
I was not a Baha’i then, but he was a great
inspiration forme to start thinking about the
Faith.
When I finally did become a Baha’i I was at
Minnie’s house inRedcliffe andwe celebrated
withGregandMalini,withwhatelse?butcake!
My two children Mei Swan and Tor Leong
attended Baha’i children’s classes at Belmont
HighSchool onSundayMornings.
GregwasTorLeong’s teacher forBaha’i classes
and music of course was a highlight of the
day, withGreg teaching the children somany
wonderful songs, ‘Virtues Stomp’, ‘Education’,
‘KrishnaBuddha’.
Tor Leong’s memories of that time, were of
great happiness, and of his Baha’i memories
inhis childhood, these are themost loved.He
always talks fondly of those days and I think
Greg isoneofhisheroes.
A year or so ago we went to visit Greg at
home, andwewere all sayingprayers, andTor
said a prayer fromhis youth, fromhis days at
Children’s class, and it really touchedme that
withthisperson,Greg,he felthisspirituplifted
toutter aprayer, thathadnotbeenuttered for
somanyyears.
When Ibegan teachingchildren’sclassesofmy
own, IrememberedGreg,andthevibrancyand
joy with which he had taught our children. I
always carried those memories and example
when I taught my class. His songs from the
PeacePackwere lovedbymychildren’sclass, it
was thehighlightof the lesson.
When I was working at Commander Centre,
Greg came towork there too. I remember the
first time he came in, like a happy whirlwind
with big hugs for all. It may have been a co-
incidence but it was at that time, I felt a new
surge of Baha’i spirit and courage and arose
to embark on developing my potential as an
activeBaha’i.
Then there is thechoir!
Mei Swan declared some 4 years ago, and
soon after, she joined the choir. After much
hesitation, feeling very shy and lacking
confidence I joined thechoiralso.
IamalwaystouchedbyGreg’schoirphilosophy
that there is always room in the choir for
whoever wishes to be there. So it was with a
great love that Iwaswelcomed.
I am always amazed at how easilyhe is able to
teach us a new song, section by section, part
bypart, and at the endof the eveningwehave
learnt anew song!
Three concerts later, afireside at theBCL and
performances for raising awareness for Lung
Cancer, over 3 years or so, I have travelled
a most happy, spiritual, challenging, loving
journeyas aparticipant in thechoirwithGreg
at thehelm.
I remember the prayers chanted together, the
great spiritual embrace as we gather together
to sing, topray, toperform.
My heart is full of gratitude for Greg, for
bringing together all the beautiful souls that
make up our choir, for being the instrument,
withhis vision and talent, to ignite the love in
ourheartsand theheartsof somany….
MaggieLim
