This year our spring hike took place in Heber Down Conservation Area north of Whitby.

Heber Down Conservation Area is host to a mosaic of plants and animal communities. It is located within the Lynde Creek drainage basin; it is a part of the provincially significant Heber Down Wetland Complex.^[1] The area is composed of two types of broad terrain units: a valley formed by the creek and the Glacial Lake Iroquois beach.^[2]  Close to the city, yet country quiet, Heber Down Conservation Area is a great place for a quiet walk.

Twenty-eight members and friends registered for the event. All but one showed up. It was a pleasant afternoon and we hiked along the trail leading to a small pond. We finished the 7 Km hike in about three hours. After the hike, twenty-two of us went along to a big feast in a restaurant in Markham.

Reported by Hannah Cheung

The 33th HKUAAO annual dinner, held at Premier Ballroom & Convention Centre on April 27, 2018, was well-attended by alumni, mentee, families, friends, as well as guests from other university alumni associations from Hong Kong. As the dinner coincided with the visit of a delegation team of HKU deans and senior professors to Toronto led by Professor John Kao, Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Global), we welcomed as our guests of honor a number of deans and professors from various faculties of HKU.

The president, Wilson Chan, gave the welcome message and thanked all alumni, founding and current board members, supporters and volunteers for their invaluable support.

Ms. Kathy Chan, Director of The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office was also in attendance, and delivered her greetings and welcome to the HKU delegation. In addition, she updated dinner participants on the latest economic situation of Hong Kong and the city’s active participation in the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area.

Professor John Kao, our keynote speaker, gave an informative presentation to update us on exciting new developments at our alma mater. His presentations were followed by those of other deans and professors, including Ms. Juan Du (Associate Professor at the Department of Architecture), Professor Dong-Yan Jin, Associate Dean (Internationalization and Partnership), Graduate School, Professor Ying Shing Chan, Associate Dean (Development & Infrastructure), and Professor Quentin Parker, Associate Dean of Science. A short message was also delivered by Ms. Monica Wong (Associate Director, Alumni Affairs).

Other highlights of the dinner include recognition of alumni Peter Chang, who is one of 23 people appointed to the Order of Ontario, the province’s highest honor, an entertaining song guessing game featuring golden oldies, and of course the various rounds of lucky draws.

We thank Margaret Law and Eddie Ho, our excellent MCs, as well as many alumni and volunteers who together delivered another successful and memorable HKUAAO annual dinner.

Reported by May Fung

Click here to view photo album 

Hello fellow alumni,

We will hike the trails in Heber Down Conservation Area on Victoria Day May 21 (Monday). It will be about 10 Km which will take 2.5 to 3 hours.

Meeting time/place: 2 pm on May 21 at Lyndebrook Rd. (east end)  roadside parking.

Directions: (from the south) get on 401 to Whitby, take Exit 399 to Brock Rd. north, turn right on Taunton Rd., stay on for 10 km, turn left on Country Lane, turn right on Lyndebrook Rd. and meet at the end of the road parking area.

Or, (coming from the north) go east along Hwy 7,  past Brock Road and Hwy 412, first road  turn right to the south (Country Lane) and turn left on Lyndebrook Rd, drive all the way to the end of Lyndebrook Rd.

Please register with Hannah Cheung ( hannah@acrobag.ca ), sending your name and phone number, as well as a name/phone for a person to be in touch in case of emergency.

Optional dinner (about $30) at Grand Lake Banquet Hall at 6 pm.  For dinner, please register with Augustine Chan (augustinetoronto@hotmail.com).

Please email us before May 19 for your participation.  We look forward to hearing from you.

Reminder: The trail is not considered difficult.  Nevertheless, you are advised to wear either hiking boots or sturdy shoes with good traction.  A hiking stick is also recommended.  You should assess whether you yourself are suitable for such activity. HKUAAO is not liable for personal injuries. You must inform the hike leaders/coordinators before the start of the hike about any health problems and allergies and the location of special medications.  They must follow the leaders’ directions.  Parents and guardians must supervise children in their care.

 All registrants and their guests are asked to read the waiver attached.*

Click here to read HKUAAO – Waiver of Liability and Assumption of Risk

By registering, you are acknowledging that you and your guests have read, understood, accepted and will abide the terms and conditions of the said waiver.