From the President…. 

Gentlemen,

 This issue of the Newsletter, contains a wealth of information regarding Wesley College, which will be of great interest to us all. 

The Newsletter also lists the new Committee elected at the Annual General Meeting of 31^st March.  I wish to take this opportunity to welcome the two new members Bryan Wijeyekoon and Neville Ludowyke, both loyal old boys who I know will give of their best for the Association. 

On behalf of the entire membership our thanks and gratitude to the two outgoing members Ben Nathanielsz and Felix Berman for their tireless service, hard work and dedication during their spell on the Committee. 

The affairs of this Association are managed by the Committee on behalf of its members.  I urge all old boys to participate to a greater level in our activities.  Your advice and assistance is invaluable to the Committee to ensure that all interests are served and the aims of the Old Boys Union in Australia are maintained.

 ORA ET LABORA

 REG BARTHOLOMEUSZ

 

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

 

From the Editors desk….

Democracy.  Government by all the people.  A form of society ignoring hereditary class distinction and tolerating minority views.  The meaning of the word as set out in the Oxford English dictionary.

 We agree that we are very lucky to be living in a country that practices democracy to the very extreme unlike certain countries which are democracies only in name.  There are many such countries in the world today which are in reality dictatorships. 

On a smaller scale but no less important, I like to think that the Wesley College Old Boys Union (Aust Branch), like so many other organisations around this country adhere to, practice and respect the principles of democracy in their day to day operations. 

The constitutions, rules and regulations of organisations such as ours were formulated with the best interests of the club and membership in mind, but like the good book it was written in a different time and for a different need.  The constitution should be subject to change if the situation warrants it, and the correct set of circumstances presents itself.  Furthermore it is the duty of all members to bring about change, if it is constructive.  I don’t believe it was ever intended that the constitution should be set in stone. 

The last AGM was the forum for one such intended amendment, in that case the proposal being defeated by the operation of the rules of that very same constitution.

It is not always easy to get consensus on any subject but at the end of the day respect of others’ opinions however distasteful they may be is of paramount importance.  “I don’t agree with what you say, but I respect your right to say it”.  Sums it up best. 

The direction which the club takes is governed by the committee you the members elect and unless there is a steady stream of volunteers to take on what is in most cases a thankless job, there is a grave danger that clubs such as ours will eventually cease to exist.

 The efforts put in by previous and current committees is to be lauded, and I am sure the current committee would welcome suggestions from you as to the type of activities the club should offer.  Your help, whether it be with the organisation of the Annual Dinner Dance or any other activity would be more than welcome.

 I would like to congratulate Reg Bartholomeusz on being elected President for a second term and wish him and the new committee a great year ahead. 

Bryan Wijeyekoon

 

EDITORS NOTES 

On a recent visit to Adelaide I had the priviledge of meeting Mr Douglas Claessen.  Douggie as he is affectionately known kept us in fits of laughter with some very interesting and amusing anecdotes about life both at Wesley and on migration to Australia.  We would like to hear more, Douggie!!

 

 

 

NEWS FROM SRI LANKA

Winds of Change at Wesley 

Times flies, time is not ours, for we cannot hold on to time, it keeps running away from us, even as we write these lines.  And so with the swiftness of time, we bade farewell to the Principal Mr N.A.B.Fernando, welcomed interim Principal Mr Dunstan Fernando who will serve in this capacity until the return of Mr M.A.P. Fernando, in June, after fulfilling his contractual obligation in Saudi Arabia.

 All three of them as stalwarts of Wesley, gave heed to its clarion call in the true spirit of those lines in the College song, “And when Wesley’s call shall sound, Ready aye shall all be found”.  The winds of change are certainly blowing over Wesley and only time will tell, whether it be a fair or foul wind.  It’s quite a rare occasion to have the hand of three Principals, within  the spate of ten months.  But for everything there is a season and a purpose, “a time to enter and a time to leave”.  We thank the three Fernandos for their zeal and commitment and wish them the very best in their respective spheres of work in the years ahead.

 

A Million Rupees from Parakrama’s Show

 Parakrama Wijemanne is fast proving that he is not only a successful business entrepreneur, but also an enthusiastic showman with the ability for meticulously organising top level entertainment.  This was very much in evidence at the spectacular star spangled musical extravanganza held on the 3^rd of February at the prestigious BMICH.

The show itself became the talk of the town through the display of banners in the city and the publicity given by the print as well as electronic media to draw the attention of many a music lover.  An appeal to the students was also made, when Parakrama addressed them for their support at the college assembly, which was well received.  Amongst the galaxy of stars performing was old Wesleyite Anil Bharethi and to steer the show through was compere Vijay Corea.  A plaque was presented to Parakrama Wijemanne in appreciation of his untiring efforts and selfless devotion towards a worthy cause of raising funds for the development of the school. 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Brief Review of Sports from Kenenth De Silva

It is encouraging to see that sports at Wesley is on the rise again with good progress being made in at least five of the nine sports we participate in.  Some of the commendable achievements are listed below.

 Highlights

 Three of our sportsmen performed with distinction to be selected to the national Teams, Farvis Mahroof was selected as Vice Captain of the Sri Lanka under 15 cricket team that participated at the Junior World Cup Tournament in August.

 Steve Perera and Lahiru Boteju were selected in the Sri Lanka under 19 Rugby Team that participated in the Junior Asiad held in Sri Lanka in December. 

The piece de Resistance of our success was our under 13 Rugby Team winning the all island schools “cup” championship for the 2^nd consecutive year.

 This team was the pride and toast of Wesley, not only in the field of rugby but of all sports, in that they were school champions for the second successive year.  They won all six matches defeating Prince of Wales 47/0, Nalanda 42/0, Dharmarajah 42/0, Lumbini 33/0, St Sylvesters Kandy 14/5 and in the finals St Anthonys Kandy 33/0.  A superb performance indeed.  Our sincere thanks go to our Junior Rugger coach, Mr Dishantha Priyadarshana, for his dedication and whole hearted commitment to the job.  In a short spell of one and a half years to win two consecutive all island under 13 cup trophies and achieve a runner-up berth at the under 15 all island, is magnificent to say the least.

 Other Rugby successes were the u/19 team emerged “Bowl” champions at the Singer sevens, the under 17 team became “Plate” chanpions at the Western Province Seven A Side and the under 15 team narrowly missed major honours to end runners up at the all Island “cup” semi finals.

The under 19 and under 17 Chess Teams won two invitation Schools championships and the under 17 team excelled to win the Western Province Schoolds Championship.

 At Soccer our under 16 Team were runners up in the Colombo District Schools Football.  Association Tournament.  They have also reached the semi finals of the All island Division 1 Tournament which is to be completed in January 2002.

 The Wesley College cricket team did well to regain the E.R. de Silva Memorial Trophy by beating Richmond College after a lapse of ten years.  Farvis Mahroof and Thushara Waduge shone for Wesley in this cricket encounter.

 Our under 13 Cricket Team performed exceptionally well to win 6 out of 8 matches and head the division two group table.

 They went on to reach the semi finals of the all island Division two tournament.

 Table tennis is reviving with the under 12 and under 16 teams becoming runners up at the Western Province Schools Tournament.

 

“Big Siva” Sponsors

The refurbishment of Billards Saloon

The renovations and refurbishing of the Billiard Saloon, was an urgent priority.  And it did become a reality through the generosity of old boy Mr P Sivasubramaniam from way out in Australia.  To do the honours on behalf of his brother at the opening, was Mr S (Patta) Sivasubramaniam, who flew from Australia for the purpose.  Speaking before the fellowship dinner, Mr Sivasubramaniam said that all his brothers save one, was educated at Wesley, and that his mother too was associated with Wesley as a teacher for well over twenty five years.  He emphasized the fact that the family therefore owes much to Wesley and assured the club of their continued support in the future as well.  There was also a phone in conversation by the donor Mr P Sivasubramaniam, after which the President of the club Capt. Navin de Silva spoke.

 

OWSC & OBU

 The best thing that happened in recent years, was the coming together of the OBU and the OWSC.  The main purpose behind this alliance, was that they be jointly engaged in the raising of funds through varied projects, for the upkeep of their respective Associations, and more importantly, for the development of the school.  This mutual healthy partnership, between the OBU and the OWSC was marked by two high profile fund rainsing projects viz.  A one day seminar on “Professionalism Through Customer Interface” at the Galadari Hotel Ballroom and the other the “Stars of 70’ musical show at the BMICH.