Newsletter of Wesley College(Colombo) Old Boys’ Union Australia Branch Incorporated

AUGUST 2003 ISSUE 3

Message from the President

The school at Karlshrue Gardens has past pupils scattered all over the world. There are associations of “old boys” in USA, UK, Canada, and Australia and of course in Sri-Lanka. The Australian branch has members in all States in Australia as well as overseas members in far-flung corners of the globe such as Switzerland, Malaysia, New Zealand, Texas and Hawaii(USA), Philippines, England, Canada, and Tokyo.

It is interesting to reflect that all these sons of Wesley belong to associations which bind them in “one fraternal band” – a band of double blue brotherhood. To be present at a typical gathering of these “old boys”, in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, London, Colombo, or anywhere else they may meet, is a worthwhile experience. The ages will range from 90 to 25, all shapes and sizes, various backgrounds and occupations, with a typical sample showing, motor mechanics, accountants, TV technicians, a hairdresser, an engineer, a printer, doctors, company executives, musicians, public servants, university professors, railway drivers and guards, stock brokers, businessmen, journalists, as well as the retirees. They are as diverse in ethnic and religious origin as the population of Sri- Lanka is, however they are all as ONE. This is the one common legacy bestowed upon all of us by our beloved Wesley.

In a world today where violence in the name of ethnic freedom or religious fervour is commonplace it is a wonderful statement on the understanding, tolerance and love of old Wesleyites to see them in true fellowship and camaraderie, with the only thought of colour being “double blue”. I fervently hope and pray that we could not only continue this for many more generations to come but by our example show the bigots and intolerant ones the true brotherhood of man.

The Annual Double Blue Ball is scheduled for the 18 of October and the Committee hopes to see as many of our “old boys” as possible make a special effort to attend and to bring their family and friends along to enjoy the evening.

ORA ET LABORA

Trevor Collette

Editorial….

A couple of months ago Mr Langston Joseph, an old boy of Wesley College, respected senior member of the O.B.U. in Melbourne, former Editor of this Bulletin and long time family friend, passed on to me two heavy cartons marked simply “Wesley College correspondence and archival material”.

The cartons remained unopened in my garage for several weeks until last Sunday evening when I decided to take a look at what Langston had entrusted to my care.

I came across lots of old photographs, letters, a Prize Day programme dated 1938, a copy of the Wesley College Magazine dated September 1935, newspaper cuttings, cricket fixture cards and press reports on inter collegiate cricket matches, all of which were many years old.

The cartons are like a Time Capsule from another era, which gives us a glimpse of what life at Wesley College must have been like when our Dads were still schoolboys.

I noticed that the sentiments expressed nearly a century ago are identical with the views we write about and speak of today. Very little has changed.

I believe that there is an urge within us – the need to preserve those things that we regard as important – to ensure that we pass on to future generations something of value which defines what and who we were.

That is why Langston held on to these items. He knew what they represent, and what they meant to boys of Wesley so many years ago.

We all possess this instinct, to perpetuate ourselves. That is why I also believe that the human race will survive. We are here for the long haul. We have already survived the Ice Age, Stone Age, Bronze Age, Iron Age and Space Age. We are facing a tough time, globally, right now but that also will pass. There will be hard times ahead, but we will overcome them.

“Past and present kindly meet,

Each the other proudly greet……”

We are the custodians of a mighty tradition.

A new look at old Books……..

by

“It was in the month of May, and before either railways or motors had carried their blessings into the northern plains of Ceylon, that a friend drove me in his pony trap along a grass road through the forest some twenty miles south of the buried city…………..”………….. MAGIC!

These words were first printed in January 1930, when the author’s travels took him deep into the jungle, looking for the sites of forgotten cities, lost in history and overrun by a thousand years of tropical growth.

It is a beautifully written work that has never been out of print. The copy on my shelves, to which I frequently return, is almost forty years old. John Still’s affection for Ceylon (as it was then), it’s village people, customs and natural beauty, all as they were before the onset of WWII, is a delight to read.

It is rare, almost impossible to discover contemporary works that are so beautifully expressive as the author describes travelling through jungle and plain in an ancient land for the first time.

This is an excellent book, so beautifully descriptive of a time that has long gone, but about places that still exist.

- Strongly recommended…. Get yourself a copy -

Here are some U.K. Press opinions:

Illustrated London News

“Mr Still combines an exquisite touch in word-painting and a power of vivid narrative…. …

His book is, indeed, a work of genius”

London Mercury

“At describing the jungles of Ceylon, and their inhabitants, and their buried cities, he has no living equal”.

Times Literary Supplement

“Both for the expert knowledge which it contains and for the care and workmanship put into it, it is a book to be read and returned to:.

- Editor -

“………if one perseveres and works on without minding the rest, if one tries honestly and freely to fathom nature and does not lose hold of what one has in mind, whatever people may say, one feels calm and faces the future quietly. Yes, one may make mistakes, one may exaggerate here or there, but the thing one makes will be original”

Vincent Van Gogh

(1853 – 1890)

Caring for the less-fortunate

Let’s give credit where credit is due.

The Eighty Club Melbourne Inc., was founded several years ago to provide financial assistance to folk living in Sri Lanka who, for various reasons, were no longer able to fend for themselves.

Over the years, membership has increased dramatically and, through the efforts of a dedicated committee who consistently come up with fresh fund raising events, plus generous voluntary contributions from members, the Eighty Club now regularly assists an increasing number of persons to meet the financial demands of education for school-age children, medical expenditure, house rent, provisions, and other various living expenses.

They also operate a programme of student sponsorship that provides free vocational training to students who have been successful at G.C.E. or other examinations.

A fund raising luncheon was held on Sunday 13 July, and it was good to see several members of our own Wesley O.B.U. among those present, especially as they had also patronized the O.B.U. Curry Night the previous evening.

We salute the Eighty Club of Melbourne Inc., for undertaking such a worthy cause and doing it so well.

We can all take lessons from these good folk.

All correspondence should be sent to:

The Editor

Double Blue Bulletin

Box 123 Glenway MDC

Mulgrave 3170

VICTORIA - AUSTRALIA

Dates to Remember:

2003 October 18^th - Annual Dinner Dance

November - Trip to NSW

December - Seniors’ Night

2004 February - Club Night

February - Cricket Tournament

President Trevor Collette

Tel: (03) 9706 1084

Vice President Bryan Wijeyekoon

Tel: 0409 554 582

Hony Secretary Dayantha Makalanda

Tel: (03) 9407 9416

Treasurer Kenneth Mahamooth

Tel: (03) 8707 2897

Editor George Robertson

Tel: (03) 9782 4789

Committee Reg Bartholomeusz

Tel: (03) 9949 3141

Rodney de Kretser

Tel: (03) 9848 4623

Daryl Koch

Tel: (03) 9408 7300

Keith Rozairo

Tel: 0419 312 849

Postal Address Box 123 Glenways MDC

Mulgrave 3170

Email obua@wesleycollege.org

Website www.wesleycollege.org

HSAT Peiris- a dyed in Blue Wesleyite

HSAT Peiris or Shelton Peiris to past and present Wesleyites can boast of a connection with Wesley spanning nearly 70 years. Perhaps, it was not entirely co-incidental that he was born on March 2nd, which is also celebrated at Wesley as Founder’s Day.

Shelton entered Wesley on the 10th May 1934, admission No 8812, when Rev John Dalby was the Principal. His class teacher was none other than the devoted Miss Rachel Lembruggan. His talents in public speaking were evident from those early days and he won the Class recitation Prize in the very first week of his admission and he continued to win the reading and recitation prizes, and English prizes on a regular basis.

During the 2nd World War, Wesley’s Buildings were commandeered by Military Authorities, and Wesley was literally dis-banded except for a small number of pupils, which included Edmund Dissanayake and Shelton who had to move to improvised accommodation at Kitiyakkara. Shelton, now a senior student was assisting the newly arrived Rev.James Cartman in 1945, taking on teaching tasks in the lower classes. Due to the efforts of Rev Cartman, Wesley was able to re-gain its legitimate premises, and Shelton along with Edmund Dissanayake, led the march back to hallowed original premises, on the 3rd December 1945.

Shelton was the Senior Prefect in 1945, Editor of the College Magazine, and not un-expectedly leader of the College Debating Team. His Christian upbringing was well founded and he was natural choice for the position of President of the SCM. He threw himself into many varied activities of the school, and one of which was becoming the Histographer, for Kenneth de Lanerolle organized tours of the ruined cities of Sri Lanka. His academic ability and all-round performance resulted in his being the first recipient of the Highfield Merit Award, initiated by Rev. Cartman.

To many in the mid 1940’s, two persons stood out from among the students, and that was Shelton Peiris, standing tall in his clean white starched suit as Senior Prefect, assisted by Edmund Dissanayake his Lieutenant and Cricket Captain. Many a boy froze with some fear when they encountered Shelton’s disciplining stare through his bottle rimmed glasses! But behind the glasses was a compassionate helping hand.

Upon leaving School Shelton was persuaded by Rev.Cartman to join the College staff. He functioned as the first Secretary of the Parent Teacher Association. He also initiated students into forming groups that attended Welikada Prisons and instructed inmates in English, Sinhala, and Tamil. He took charge as master in charge of Boxing, Prefect of Games, and functioned as the Chief Librarian. He was also the Scoutmaster 14th Colombo Group.

On leaving Wesley, his efforts continued unabated. He was the obvious choice to become the Editor- in- Chief of the Centenary Souvenir. His efforts in this matter can now be sufficiently appreciated as it was the time of limited funds, and above all the absence of Computers and Word Processors which has greatly simplified such work now. Shelton hammered out every single word all by himself on a manual type-writer. In the Centenary Year at the College Prize Giving he was selected to give the vote of thanks to the Chief Guest, the Hon.Sirimavo Bandaranaike, being the acting Honorary Secretary of the OBU.

He was always seeking out Wesleyites, to whom honour was due. Ranis Appuhamy the school attendant, who served Wesley for 60 years, was remembered by a plaque placed in his memory at the base of the south tower of the College Building. This was sponsored by Shelton.

He organized the Centenary thanksgiving for the life and work of Rev. Henry Highfield (1895-1995). Shelton drew attention to MH Mohammed a distinguished Old Boy who completed 50 years of public service and he was honoured by having his photograph un-veiled in the College Hall. Similarly, Fred de Mel a Head Master of repute at Wesley had his photograph un-veiled as result of Shelton’s initiative.

Once again when the 125th College Anniversary was celebrated, Shelton was the obvious choice to be the Editor- in- Chief of the Souvenir, to which he brought his wide experience from previous times. The writer had the honour to assist him in this arduous task. Edmund Dissanayake gave of his encyclopaedic knowledge of Cricket at Wesley over the years and edited the entire section on cricket. A very fine souvenir was produced mainly due the joint efforts, led by Shelton. As a part of the 125th College Anniversary celebrations, a tableaux

“From Dam Street to Karlsrhue” was staged with Shelton as the playwright, and was directed by Ranjani Fernando, and very successfully performed at the BMICH on two occasions before a large and appreciative audience. He also composed a 125th Anniversary Anthem that is set to music.

With regard to Anniversary Souvenirs, Shelton occupies a unique position, in being associated closely with the 75th, 100th and 125th, a record few will equal. In the 75th he was the official photographer with Prof. W.Justin F. Labrooy as Editor-in- chief. And as mentioned previously for the 100th and 125th he was the Editor-in- Chief.

Shelton initiated the idea of erecting a plaque to commemorate Wesley’s fallen heroes and he delivered a moving address at the un-veiling ceremony.

Shelton had a long and abiding relationship with Rev. James Cartman, bonded with respect, affection, and admiration. After his school career, Shelton enrolled at the Law College to follow studies in Law, but Rev. Cartman decided otherwise, and visited him at home and convinced him that his true vocation was to teach at Wesley. Shelton could not resist this call of duty and joined the Wesley staff. When Rev. Cartman was writing his thesis on Hinduism, he escorted him to several Hindu Kovils and obtained explanations of prevailing religious practices. Even after Rev. Cartman left Wesley, Shelton continued his contacts with him right up to his passing away in 1998. Whenever his daughter Christine and her husband Michael Weaver visited Sri Lanka they would unfailingly be in touch with him, and visit Wesley. In continued admiration for him he initiated the“James Cartman Memorial Trust Fund”.

He has been an active member of the Old Boys Union for several decades as a Vice President, and latterly as a Vice Patron. He has represented the OBU as a member of the College Governing Board. His most recent activity was to form the Past Teachers Fellowship of which he is the Founder President.

For a number of years he was active in the YMCA membership Secretary, and continues as a preacher to this day. He was an active chaplain and later President of the Gideons International. He was the Hon Secretary of the Denipitiya Medical Mission in the South and helped vigorously in their work.

Shelton’s wife Dolores has been his support over the years, and they have been blessed with two children, Charles Peter who is a Wesleyite, who was an active sportsman and athlete in College, and daughter Therese Rosanna, who is an old girl of Methodist College. She did much of the typing and secretarial work for Shelton when he was the Hon. Secretary of the OBU. We wish him many more years in the service of Wesley and that he will continue to enjoy life with his wife Dolores and children and grandchildren.

Yohan’s Mission to Mars

Former student of

Wesley wins Prestigious

International award……….

Twenty-one-year old Yohan Ferreira became the first Sri Lankan to attend the International Space School (ISS) at the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Johnson Space Center (JSC) in Houston, Texas. Yohan was among thirty-five students from nineteen countries that attended the prestigious school that provides space related academic instruction and an introduction to the space industry to international students. The foundation’s orientation emphasizes to these students the importance of the worldwide collaboration necessary to open the limitless frontiers of space. Students may use the experiences provided by the ISS in choosing and attaining their academic and professional goals, including those in non-space-related fields.

In an unrelated event, Yohan beat contestants from around the world to win the 2002 Hakluyt Prize, awarded annually by the International Mars Society for the best student letter to world leaders advocating a manned mission to Mars. Yohan sent his letter via e-mail to 319 world leaders and deputy leaders, members of the United States Senate Science Sub Committee, the Council of Europe and the European Parliament. The Hakluyt Prize is name after Richard Hakluyt, the tireless pamphleteer whose writings convinced Queen Elizabeth I and the circle around her to take the policy decisions that made possible the British settlement of North America.

Yohan flew to London, from where he went on to the U.S. to attend the ISS and also to receive the Hakluyt Prize - a Bushnell Voyager telescope and an all expenses paid trip to the 5^th Annual International Mars Society Convention at the University of Colorado in Boulder, Colorado. He received a standing ovation from the gathering at the convention banquet after reading his prize winning letter.

Lecturers at the International Space School included legendary astronauts such as John Young (Apollo, STS-1), medical researchers, flight surgeons, engineers such as Max Faget (designer of the Space

Shuttle, Apollo, Mercury, Gemini spacecrafts), managers, and technicians from Johnson Space Center and companies associated with the space program. Lectures covered a wide variety of topics ranging from space law, aerospace medicine, astronaut selection process, space robotics, space science funding, space geography, space geology, logistics, orbital mechanics, interplanetary missions planning, life support system design, long-duration mission planning to rocketry and spacecraft design.

Students also worked as members of one of four teams on a simulated First Human International Mission to Mars. The four teams were: Logistics (Green), Getting There (Red), Living There (White) and Working There (Blue). Yohan was the Mission Control Prep Officer for the Logistics (Green) team and also responsible for the mission’s time line.

The program also involved several tours around the many facilities at JSC, including the world famous Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) used to train astronauts in a weightless environment, the Advanced Space Propulsion Laboratory (ASPL) to witness the latest in rocket technology – a plasma engine in operation, Space Shuttle simulator at the Jake Garn Mission Simulator and Training Facility, the International Space Station and Space Shuttle Mock-up Training Facility, the Sonny Carter Training Facility, Ellington Field where T-38 astronaut training aircrafts are based, Rocket Park, the Astrobiology and Astromaterials Research & Exploration Science Institute where meteorites are analysed , the Moon Lab where lunar rocks are analysed, the Space Shuttle Mission Control Center, the International Space Station Mission Control Center and the old Apollo Mission Control Center.

A memorable graduation ceremony was held at the Clear Lake Community Center with the participation of the students, host families and special invitees, including several astronauts. The ISS is a program that inspires and motivates students to achieve academic excellence in their chosen fields. The International Space School Foundation was founded in 1994 by Geoff and Annette Mules, and daughter Kathy Mules Grant.

Yohan has been a NASA volunteer, working as an Education and Public Outreach Coordinator for NASA Quest and several other NASA outreach programs via the Internet, since September 2000. NASA Quest is a Kindergarten to Grade 12 (K-12) educational outreach website based at NASA’s Ames Research Center in California. It is designed to interest students, teachers and the public in math, science, technology, astronomy and space exploration, and puts them in contact with experts working in the various programmes of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) of the United States. Yohan is the Q&A Lead.for NASA Missions at the NSA Quest Questions and Answers Project, and is responsible for answering questions from students, teachers and the public related to past present and proposed NASA manned and unmanned missions. He is part of the Q&A Smart Filter team.which liaises.between NSA experts and the public. Yohan is also the Moderator of the NASA Quest Discuss Group, a form for teaching space science in classrooms and distributing information regarding NASA. He