Australian High Commissioner visits Sandakan Heritage Trail
SANDAKAN (Aug 15): The Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia, Danielle Heinecke, visited the Sandakan Heritage Trail, which was recognised as The First Historical Tree Trail in Malaysia by Malaysia Book of Records recently.
She was here to attend the Sandakan Day Memorial today.
The Sandakan Heritage Trail was launched by Sandakan Municipal Council president Walter Kenson who is on a mission to revitalise Sandakan beyond tourism.
On hand to receive and welcome the High Commissioner was the founder and chairman of Sandakan Heritage Trail, Lai King Hang and his team members.
She was given an overall introduction of the heritage trail that covers 10 main heritage sites which has been established since 2003.
At the MPS Square, Heinecke was shown the William Pryer Monument, the founder of modern Sandakan and the Sandakan Liberation Monument which is next to it. Present to give an overview of the first historical tree trail in Malaysia was Dr Arthur Chung who is also the Deputy Conservator of Forests Sabah. As a gesture of everlasting friendship, a special souvenir was presented to the High Commissioner by the Sandakan Heritage Trail volunteer group.
Sandakan was in fact liberated by Australian forces on October 19,1945 marking 80th anniversary of the end of WW2 this year.
To conclude her programme, the Heinecke's delegation also visited the well-known Agnes Keith's House and St Michael's and All Angels Church which are popular stops of Sandakan Heritage Trail.
'It is a privilege and deep honour to be given the opportunity to share Sandakan's remarkable history as an outpost of the British era to the devastation of World War Two. The revival of Sandakan post war is a testimony of the hardship and preserveration of the community in facing one of the darkest periods in recent times,' added Lai.
In attendance was Sandakan Tourism Association president Teo Chee Kim.
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