Anyone you ask about the day we dedicated the Annexe building in honour of our alumnus Datuk Dr Sam Abraham will respond to you with a smile.
We couldn’t have asked for more beautiful day, autumn settling in coupled with the glow of the sun washing about everything. Sam’s family that managed the trip from Malaysia (and they were many) were gracious and vibrant, as one would imagine the family of Sam to be. It was a pleasure to have them fully in the Lincoln Community on such a momentous day.
Those who knew Sam did not hesitate to express their view that Sam would have enjoyed the spirit of the day, and told story upon story about his humour and generosity. For those of us who never had the chance to meet him, every story added perspective and every warm smile added more depth to an understanding about who he was and what he stood for.
It was alumnus John Gibb Maitland who first suggested something be done to honour Sam, and within a short time it was decided that the renaming of Annexe in his name was quite apt. You see Annexe was where as a young Malaysian university student Sam lived, cooked curries on its verandah, and made genuine life-long friends. Renaming the Annexe building Abraham House is an important step for our current and future students. Endowing it with respect for what human beings can do for others, it says to our residents that you too can be great, you too can make a difference, and when you make a difference like Sam, you change lives, you touch people and you inspire others to greatness.
On the morning of the dedication we were blessed to have Sam’s wife, Datin Dulcie Abraham, speak to the community, and when she did you could hear a pin drop, the pride and love in her voice taking everyone’s breath away. Sam’s daughter, also an alumna also spoke with much admiration for her father and her understanding of what Lincoln means to those who lived here. Dr Geoff Scott, past Principal offered blessings, and did so with a sense of celebration and humour that had everyone saying aloud “Amen!”. Other speakers included President of the Alumni Association, Paul Hicks, the Chair of the Lincoln College Council alumnus Graham Edmonds-Wilson, and current Principal Bec Pannell. Alumnus Dr Prof Basil Hetzel, Sam’s old Tutor at Lincoln, officially opened the building, cutting the ribbon in front of the west door.
John Gibb Maitland and the ‘Original WA Boys’ could not make it to Adelaide for the event, however they donated the plaque that is now affixed to the building bearing their friend’s name, Abraham House. This plaque was eagerly uncovered by Sam’s beautiful grandchildren Aidan, Johaan, Thea and Mischa. It reads:
SAM ABRAHAM
1929-2007
This building is dedicated to the memory of Datuk Dr Samuel CE Abraham, MBBS, FRCP, FRACP, FRCPH, who was a student at Lincoln from 1954 to 1958 and lived in this building for much of his tenure. He was blessed with many talents but at all times he remained a modest and humble man, full of honour, mischief and a great affection for humanity. He was integral in bridging early race ignorance and prejudice among Australian and Asian students at Lincoln and then more broadly at the Adelaide University when he became the first Asian student to be elected President of any Student Representative Council in an Australian University. Later he became Vice Patron of the University Alumni Association and was conferred the Distinguished Alumni Award in 1995. Graduating in medicine from the University of Adelaide he specialised in Paediatrics and became one of the most highly respected medical practitioners in Malaysia. A committed social activist he worked for 30 years for the Malaysian Government Medical service, believing this to be the instrument for change. And change there was. He was the driving force in settling up the Johor Baru Spastic Centre, Dignity and Services (Championing the right of people with learning disabilities), the Sentul Project (disadvantaged children) and many more Government Health policies and projects. Subsequently in his private practice he often treated disadvantaged children for free, pressing a fruit or sweet upon them. He was the first President of the Malaysian Paediatric Association and served on the boards of many international health bodies. His many honours include: The Companion of the Order of the Crown of Johore, The Companion of the Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Kelantan, The Malaysian Government’s Order of Distinguished Service, The Sultan Ibrahim Medal, Knight Commander of the Order of the Life of the Crown of Kelantan which carries the title ‘Datuk’ and The Outstanding Asian Paediatric Gold Medal Award. In spite of the above, Sam would always say to anyone addressing him as ‘Datuk’ or Dr Abraham......’just Sam will do’. He was a unique man, an idealist – some say ‘an ideal man’ who served God, country and people of all ethnicities and religions with love and compassion. One thing is sure; he touched the lives of all who knew him. This building was named ‘Abraham House’ on April 4, 2009 to honour Sam’s contribution to humanity and Lincoln culture.
Plaque donated by his Western Australian mates.These mates are:
John Gibb Maitland
Graham Watkins
Dr John Williams
Dr Gordon Baron-Hay
Dr Neil & Beverley Cumpston
Dr Harry Hanson
Dr Malcolm Hay
Dr John Olden
Our current residents, a pleasure to work with and have at Lincoln, volunteered to help out with the set-up, food service, and building tours for the dedication. Many residents also attended as guests. Something seemed to have changed in them during those hours - they have shared an important event in the history of Lincoln, and the years between them and Alumni became irrelevant. Their friendship group suddenly became that much larger. We feel very strongly that Sam's accomplishments are proving inspirational to these young adults.
In the guest book from the day a student wrote "I feel honoured to be living in Abraham". What more is there to say.
