Page 131 - 羅富國校友會（七十五周年紀念特刊）

Echoes Towards Gratitude

In 1984, after another 5 years teaching, I joined the art department at GCE as an assistant

lecturer. By then, Mr. Lam Hon Chiu had retired already. I still did not have a university degree.
At that time, many teachers went to England to have a one-year top-up degree. I followed their
footsteps and in 1988, studied education and painting at Chester College.

In 1994, Grantham College of Education joined four other colleges to form the Hong

Kong Institute of Education (HKIEd) at Tai Po. In the same year, I was transferred to the
HKIEd. The NCE campus at Sassoon Road was demolished and became the headquarters of

Li Ka Shing Medical Faculty of the University of Hong Kong.

In 2008, I retired from the HKIEd. Some people dread retirement because they have
devoted their entire adult life to work and do not know what to do with their time once they

retire. However, retirement has provided me with the opportunity to start painting again.
Several of my former art education colleagues and friends formed an outdoor sketching

group. We met every Friday and sketched different parts of Hong Kong. Art helped us to
unite as friends and gave us a purpose in life.

In 2017 I moved to Adelaide with my husband. After settling there, I got to know more

people through various art groups. I also began to exhibit my paintings and even sold a few
of them. Though the art I made at NCE in 1967 was immature, I gradually improved over
time. I am forever grateful for what I have learnt at Northcote and the chance Mr. Lam Hon

Chiu gave me.

So, my journey continues……

Au Kit Oi, Eliza
Adelaide, Australia

Sketching with colleagues after retirement, 2015

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Northcote College of Education Past Students’ Association 75 Anniversary Special Issue 129