IN LOVING MEMORY Dr. Verner Bickley MBE March 19, 2026 It is twelve months since the passing of Dr. Verner Bickley MBE, long time Council Member and former Chairman of Royal Commonwealth Society Hong Kong Branch. We cherish the memory of Dr. Bickley’s life and works, and remember with gratitude the valuable contribution that he made to the growth and development of our branch in Hong Kong. RCSHK Chairman and Council members
Knighthood for Vice Chairman RCSHK Vice Chairman Nicholas Tam was appointed a Knight Commander of the Orden de Caballeros de Rizal (Order of Rizal) at a ceremony in Manila, Philippines on 17 February 2024. The Order of Rizal was founded in 1911 to uphold the legacy of Dr Jose Rizal, the Filipino doctor, intellectual, and author who is revered as a national hero in the Philippines and considered the father of Philippines independence who played an influential role in ending Spanish colonial rule. Awards in the Order are made to recognise an individual’s achievements and commitment to the Rizalian values of patriotism, internationalism, civic virtue, and social discipline. Nicholas was awarded the status of Knight Commander for his services to international peace-making through his advocacy for the Commonwealth of Nations. Henceforth, Nicholas is now entitled under Philippines law to the style and title of Sir Nicholas Tam, KCR. Also knighted at the same ceremony was President Stjepan Mesic, the former President of Croatia, who led that nation into independence. Other persons to receive the same knighthood include every Philippines President since 1935, King Juan Carlos I of Spain, US Senator John Ensign, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim of Malaysia, and the late US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger.
Ashley Tam wins Commonwealth Day Writing Competition 2024 March 5, 2024 Congratulations to Ashley Tam of Harrow International School Hong Kong, the inaugural Winner of the RCSHK Commonwealth Day Writing Competition. The winner’s certificate and cash prize of HK$1,000 was presented at the Hong Kong Commonwealth Day Interfaith Service by New Zealand Consul-General, Mr Peter Lund, RCS Vice Chairman, Sir Nicholas Tam KCR, and RCS Council Members, Dr Brian Brewer and Dr Adam Janikowski. The RCSHK Commonwealth Day Writing Competition was inaugurated by RCSHK this year to recognise the contribution of young people to society and in furtherance of the Commonwealth Youth Ministers’ Meeting designating 2024 as the ‘Year of Youth’ to promote youth empowerment and engagement in advancing the common good. The competition invited school students aged between 15 and 18 years of age to submit a written composition to be judged competitively by the RCSHK Education Committee, with the winner receiving a HK$1,000 cash prize presented at the Commonwealth Day Interfaith Service. A copy of Ashley’s winning entry can be read HERE.
