Readers
of My Johor Stories are aware that I have been away from Johor as I have
not been posting pieces on Johor for a while. Instead, I shared a series of
stories in my Travelogue that took readers on a virtual trip with me in and
around Sydney, Australia.
[The
comma is a punctuation mark used to separate parts of a sentence to
clarify meaning and adds a pause or ‘breathing space’ to make a complex
sentence more readable.]
This
time-out was a timely break from my regular routine of work and family
commitments. Just time away to do something different. After all, I did have a
very eventful 2025, and that January 2026 marked exactly 10 years since dad
left us.
Time
away has let me take stock of the past five years where I completed a total of
six book projects, leading Heritage Walks, giving talks and promoting My
Johor Stories in my pop-up book stores while juggling family and domestic
responsibilities.
Following
the success of My Johor Stories: True Tales, Real People, Rich Heritage,
I worked on its sequel, My Johor Stories 2: Interesting Places and
Inspirational People, published in 2018.
Then
came the global pandemic which delayed the publication of the third and final
instalment of My Johor Stories. With the support of MPH Publishing Kuala
Lumpur, My Johor Stories 3: Proudly Johor, Then and Now, was finally
published in 2022.
It
was a wonderful way for guests to read about Johor and then go out to explore
more of Johor. And it was through reading my book in a resort that started me
on my next book project.
Soon
as the borders were reopened and people were able to travel again after the
pandemic, families took the opportunity to spend time at resorts in Johor’s
beautiful Desaru Coast.
While
relaxing in a resort in Desaru Coast, a member of the Tan family read My
Johor Stories, and recognized names of people documented in my book. They
were the same as what her father, a retired lawyer in Johor Bahru, wrote in his
memoirs.
This,
I was later told, was because his oncologist said that he did not have much
time left. This info was the impetus which compelled me to work with the Tan
family to write this tribute book without any delay.
I
did not meet the members of the Tan family but only communicated by email and
WhatsApp to exchange information, documents and photographs as we worked on
this book project with a sense of urgency.
It
was good to finally meet the Tan family members when they came to collect the
books, as I already got to know them from their names and writing about this
family.
We
were sad that her father did not live to see the book titled, Tan Kiah Teck
– A Kampung Boy’s Search for Truth and Justice. It meant a great deal to this
family to have his words documented for future generations to hear his voice
through this book.
In
a Tan family gathering on Christmas eve 2023, this book was presented to family
members and a copy was placed in the niche where his remains were interred.
Over
the years, the scope of her mission work expanded and I had the privilege to
document her life story and work in a book, titled, Realising a Vision
through Faith: The Autobiography of Colleen M. Redit, published in 2013.
[This book was distributed among the churches and now available online through
amazon.com]
As
I was reminded about this – which was in fact, my very first book project – I
decided to put into action, the plan to compile and document the story of our
own assembly and its work in Johor Bahru, that was planted more than 50 years
ago.
 |
| Cockatoos that come to rest on trees close to the balcony at Concord, Sydney NSW |
Over
the next few months, the manuscript was slowly stitched together, the cover
design completed and the book given a title, Milestones on our Journey in Faith – Johor Bahru Gospel Chapel. By the end of June 2025, this book was
ready for distribution among assembly members, both past and present.
Meanwhile
back in 2024, there was talk about the Centennial Celebrations of our alma
mater, the Johor Bahru Convent – the only Convent School in this city – planned
for August 2025. Among the ideas proposed for the year-long celebration were a
fund-raising dinner, a Convent Fun Run, Centenary Celebration T-shirts and the
publication of a 100-Year Anniversary Souvenir Book.
 |
| Spotted My Johor Stories books in the book case in Malcolm's house; Book One is missing because it was a Bestseller and already sold-out! |
I
saw the urgent need to work on this book project for the school, especially
with the fund-raising activities in view and the desperately limited time
ahead. And if this book should be ready for the Fun Run and dinner celebration
in August, we had to start on the project like – yesterday!
Working
with a small but dynamic Book Team, we met regularly online and through our
discussions, agreed to keep production costs low and create a book that will
celebrate the school’s work over the decades through the successes and
achievement of the alumni.
 |
| On the way to Burwood, Sydney NSW |
Keeping
to strict deadlines and working closely with the printer, this Book Team
managed to get the books ready for the Fun Run, held a week ahead of the dinner
celebration at end August 2025.
The
work was not over yet as the Team coordinated the sale and distribution of
these Limited Edition books to alumni who preordered and required
delivery by courier to destinations locally and abroad.
 |
| Dinner with Uncle, Auntie, Gillian, Michael, Malcolm and Yeen at La Cocina Spanish Restaurant Crows Nest, Sydney NSW |
I
am pleased with how these books have benefited others and even today, I am
delighted to receive an email with a query, asking me where he can get My
Johor Stories books! [From MPH bookstores nationwide or online from
mphonline]
I
was more than due for a pleasant change, a comma in my sentence, in a
different place, with another arm of our widespread family located around the
globe.
“Good
to see you on this side of the world,” said Eva. “I hope you had a fabulous
time,” she added. I replied, “Yes, I did, thank you.”
I
did so with the help of cousin Malcolm, my very able tour guide, who gave me
various experiences at different destinations in and around Sydney.
 |
| Gelato treat after dinner together; Crows Nest, Sydney NSW |
One
of the comments I received from a school friend went like this: “Such
interesting experiences, Peggy! Can I engage Malcolm and Auntie Polly to be my
guides if ever I go down to Sydney?”
Another
friend who visits Sydney regularly said: “It is good you can share all these
experiences and places with me. There are still many places I have not been to
in Australia.”
Yet
another said: “Thanks for your stories filled with so much fun and excitement.
Above all, precious time with your cousins, Auntie Polly and Uncle Steven… Am
sure you will bring back with you, treasured and enriching memories!”
 |
| Dinner with Malcolm, Yeen and family at Delhi Palace, Strathfield, Sydney NSW |
I
am deeply grateful and blessed by the generous hospitality of my hosts, Malcolm
and Yeen, who let me share their home and to Gillian and Michael for my
glamping stay with them at Dee Why. Words alone cannot express how much I
appreciate it.
In
addition to Auntie Polly and Uncle Steven who shared with me exciting
experiences in Dee Why and nearby Collaroy, I also had the pleasure to explore
country towns with Alex and Dex, and had the company of Ben who escorted me
around Cockatoo Island and in climbing The Rocks. Whew!
So
Thank You all, for this precious gift of a comma, a breathing space,
before I continue writing my sentence.
#MyJohorStoriesTravelogue
#MyJohorStoriesFebruary2026
