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Back in November 1893, a circular was sent out to former Rafflesians, inviting them to support the idea of forming a Raffles Club. At first, the proposal was met with doubt — not least because the circular didn’t explain what the Club was really for. But interest soon grew, and over 200 old boys signed up, including several prominent alumni and even five of Singapore’s Queen’s Scholars.

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A provisional committee was formed at RI on 16 December 1893, with Principal R. W. Hullett as its first President, joined by D. C. Perreau (Hon. Secretary), Song Ong Siang (Hon. Treasurer), and members James Altken, Clarke, Tan Tek Soon, H. D. Noronha, S. M. Cohen, Mohamed Sedick, and Chia Keng Chin. The Raffles Club was officially launched on 15 June 1894, but sadly faded away just a year later.

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In 1911, Principal C. M. Phillips tried once more to reconnect with former students, inviting them to Founder’s Day celebrations and dinners. Despite his efforts, the idea didn’t take off — not until RI’s grand centenary in 1922, when the call to form an Old Boys’ Association resurfaced.

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This time, the idea took root. And on 23 August 1923, the Old Rafflesians’ Association (ORA) was officially founded, with Song Ong Siang as its first President and Seah Seng Kang as its first Secretary.