Easter Sunday 15^th April 2001 St Luke’s Church Borella

Mohan Abraham Easter Visit To Colombo

Left to Right:

Miles Brohier, Tyronne Maye, Eric Sinnathamby, Rohan Amerasinghe, Jeremy Brohier, Frank Jayasinghe, Milroy Muthuvaloe, Clifford Rodrigo, Roshan Cabraal, Ainsley Scharenguivel, Vivian Jayaweera, Mohan Abraham

 The Committee wishes to announce that a Website is currently being designed and developed by the electronic communication “whizz” Mahendra Dissanayake. 

This will be a website with lots of information and stories on Wesley, and also include many links to Sri Lankan and Australian special features. 

This will be released shortly.  The address is www.wesleycollege.org

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21^ST JULY 01

MT WAVERLEY YOUTH CENTRE

45 MILLER CRESCENT

MT WAVERLEY

$20.00 per head – BYO Drinks

7.30pm to 1.00am

Children under 12  Half Price

Please indicate number of people attending

Adults ………………………..  Children ……………………

Please forward cheque when booking tickets

 Name …………………………………………………

 Address ………………………………………………

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SIR DONALD BRADMAN  1908 - 2001

Exodus 20 VS 3  -“THOU SHALT NOT HAVE OTHER GODS BEFORE ME”

The good book says so but I’m sure the Almighty will excuse us mortals for idolising the great Don.  After all we have actually seen him and (God willing) have to tarry a long time before meeting our  Maker.

Sir Donald was a shy and reserve man.  The lesser ones called him aloof.  He was a confident man and the same called him arrogant.

If we adjusted his batting average using his life span as the last innings he is still far ahead of the nearest contender.  We all know the Don outlived the game (as it should be played) by at least 20 years.

 When asked what he would like to be remembered for , he said ”Integrity”  We do!

 Nelson de Silva

Bradman in Sri Lanka

 A few facts about Sir Donald Bradman’s visits to Sri Lanka:

 ·         Don Bradman visited Sri Lanka four times in the years 1930, 1934, 1938 and 1948 with the  Australian cricket team’s “whistle stop” tours on their way to England.

·         The Australians played in Colombo against the All Ceylon team on 2^nd April 1930, Bradman was out hit wicket for the first ball bowled by N S Joseph, in his debut match.  This is supposed to be the first and the only occasion that Bradman got out hit wicket.  Australians were all out for 233.  All Ceylon 52 for 1 at close, the match was interrupted by rain and ended in a draw.

·         Don Bradman did not play in the Australian team’s tours in 1934, and in 1938 Bradman had a “cold”, the Sri Lankan spectators were very disappointed.

·         On 27^th March 1948 there was a crowd of about 20,000 at the Colombo Oval, to see Bradman play for the last time in Sri Lanka, Don Bradman was able to score only 20 runs as he was caught by R. L. de Krester bowled B Russell Heyn.  Australia declared at 184 for 4 an hour before close of play,  All-Ceylon were 46 for 2 when rain stopped play.

A country tribute to Sir Donald Bradman

Sir, Our Don has gone a playin’ cricket,

Across the seas to a land so far away. 

At home no rattling boundary picket. 

It’s quiet, now that Don’s in the real fray. 

May the big, tall ship carry him safe

To England, the place where he is dreaded most. 

May his willow wand some magic make

And in that country many a hundred post. 

A breathless silence;  he takes his stance. 

Those nimble feet, we could almost see them dance. 

Back and across he shuffles to glance,

As on his first run to our joy he does prance. 

He is off the mark and on his way,

To shouts of great joy from here to Ameroo. 

And we in the bush in silence pray

For the Don to make another ton or two. 

Our little town in darkness shrouded. 

Only the sound of sheep in the shearing shed. 

Men women and children all crowded; 

Listening to every word of the game that’s said. 

He drives to cover and there’s a cheer. 

A pull, a cut, a hit to the long-on fence. 

We bite our nails as the ton draws near

And hold our breath, as we stare in mute suspense. 

A nation begins to breathe again,

As a nervous silence yields to loud applause. 

With that I awake to feel the pain; 

For Don’s gone and I must now in honor pause. 

Our Don has gone a playing cricket. 

Across the sky to a place he’ll be safe I pray. 

At home no rattling boundary picket. 

It’s quiet, for Don has left and gone away.

 Bryan Claessen

Dinner Dance Survey

  The October 2000 issue of our Newsletter contained a questionnaire regarding our members preferences for our Annual Dinner Dance.  The replies and subsequent analysis were intended to provide the Committee with an indication of the members wishes and preferred format.  The results which emerged are as follows:

Thus from a statistical point of view it could be said that 73% are in favour of the format of the last 2 or 3 years. 

BUT THE TRUTH IS THAT THERE WERE ONLY FIFTEEN REPLIES OR 8% REPLIES.  THIS WOULD INDICATE EITHER SATISFACTION WITH THE STATUS QUO OR IS IT APATHY?

 Secretary

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Membership Subscriptions

Membership rates  Full  -  $12, Pensioners  -  $10,  *Seniors  -  Voluntary * Members over 70 years of age are to inform the Treasurer of their age to qualify.

The Subscriptions for the calendar year January to December 2001 are due and should be paid as soon as possible, to the

Treasurer

Wesley College (Colombo) OBU

Australia Branch Inc

Box 123  Glenway MDC

Mulgrave 3170

THE OBU  -  UK

The Old Boys Union in UK, is making steady progress since it came into being in 1992 and is striving to increase its numbers by a sustained membership drive.  They have had varied activities organised and planned by an energetic committee headed by Paul David as President, Azahim Mohamed as Secretary and Iqbal Cader as Treasurer.  The purpose of it all being to increase the participation of old boys in UK in the different programmes. 

The main events were the festival of Cricket, the “River Boat Dance” the Double Blue Ball and the Wesley/Methodist College joint carol service.  Ana Thevathasan as President of the Festival of Cricket, with Azahim Mohamed assisting found the Wesley OBU playing a key role at the festival.  The UK branch cricket team was captained by R Subramanium.   

The Annual River boat dance proves popular as it is enjoyable for old school friends and families, while enjoying the cruise down the river Thames.  The eight annual dance souvenir had messages from the principal NAB Fernando, the President Wesley OBU Colombo, Rienzie Wijetilleke and the OWSC president Capt Navin de Silva.  There was also a very complimentary message from the Sri Lanka High Commissioner Mangala Moonasinghe.  It is a happy augury to find the Methodist College OGA joining in the planning of the first carol service.   

It is encouraging to note, that apart from the social functions there are also sporting events, especially cricket where the team plays during the summer.

CRICKETING HALL OF FAME

WESLEY’S PROUD HERITAGE 

Wesleyite takes all 10 wickets before Lunch.

 M.N, Samsudeen, left arm pace bowler is the only Sri Lankan player to take 10 wickets in an innings against a recognised visiting team (with Test Players).  Between 11.30am and 1.00pm on 2^nd October 1960 his figures read 20.30, 3M, 26R, 10W.  All ten batsmen were caught.  Samsudeen was playing for the Ceylon Services vs Pakistan Services.  Samsudeen played for Wesley 1952 to 54.  He played under Radley and Bryan Claessen.

MILLENIUM CLUB 

Last years Newsletter of March carried the story about the setting up of the Fund and our October issue carried details with a donation form. 

We have two member donors todate from Australia Harold Matthysz of Ferntree Gully, Victoria and Ivan Wijetunge of Boondal, Queensland. 

Extracts of last Octobers article and a donor form are reproduced below for your contribution.

 The aim of the “Millennium Club” was to raise Rs1,000,000 that would be invested as a Fixed Deposit in the bank and the interest generated could then be used by The Principal in running the school. 

Dr Louis Adhetty, in his speech at the 125^th Jubilee Dinner in March 1999, stated something along the following lines ..”surely a school like Wesley College with such a long and colourful history should be able to find 200 old boys that can donate Rs5,000 to set up a fund that would generate a handsome interest to help the Principal with running the school”. 

The equivalent of Rs5,000 in Australian Dollars would be about $125.  If you wish to donate more that $125 it is up to you.  You may wish to make a donation in memory of a family member, teacher or classmate.  The Wesley College (Colombo) OBU Australia Branch invites YOU to make a contribution to this worthy cause.  All donations will be acknowledged and a receipt provided.  Please make cheques payable to the OBU Australia Branch and ensure they are crossed “not negotiable”.

 MILLENNIUM CLUB DONATION

DONOR NAME                                                                                                                                           ...................................................................................................................................  

ADDRESS                                                                                                                                                    ...................................................................................................................................

IN MEMORY OF (if applicable)..................................................................................................................

AMOUNT DONATED...............................................................................................................................

 Norman was enrolled as a student of Wesley College Colombo in 1935…  He received his entire education at Wesley and was privileged to be a pupil under the Principalship fo the Revds Dalby, Izzet, Holden, Cartman and Mr C J Oorloff.  Norman proudly claims that he is a “born and bred” Wesleyite”. 

Norman was an outstanding sportman.  He excelled in cricket and athletics, also played hockey, tennis and was a promising boxer.  As a cricketer (1946-48), Norman will be remembered as a fiery opening pace bowler., arguably the fastest schoolboy pace bowler in 1948.  He was a member of Harold Matthysz champion team of 1948 and vividly remembers our big match against the powerful Royal College side.  Norman took (4/40) and N S Jayasundera (3/32) to dismiss The Royal College side for a mere 136 runs.  Wesley replied with 172, this match remembered for the magnificent 119 runs by Harold. In the second innings Norman was unwell and Wesley deprived of their key strike bowler, resulted in  Royal winning this match by 36 runs. 

Norman continued playing club cricket for the Colts CC and CCA. 

Norman’s outstanding contribution to Wesley College sport was in the field of Athletics.  He was a member of the great Wesley athletic team that included Mohammed Sheriff (Hop-Step & Long Jump) Harold Matthysz Pole Vault / Javelin) Trevor Van Rooyen (Hurdles) and Ian Campbell (High Jump). 

At the Public Schools Meet 1948, Wesley just missed out winning the Tarbat Challenge Cup.  Our 4 x 400 Relay team was disqualified for dropping the baton in the final leg of this event.  Norman was placed first in the High Jump and Putt Shot events at this meet. 

Norman won the Wilton Bartlett Challenge Cup for the outstanding performance in the AAA meet of 1951/52 and later that year also won the prestigious G K Thornhill and C C Dissanayake trophies as the outstanding athlete of the Government Service Athletic Meet.  He was selected to represent Ceylon at the Asian Games in 1953, at New Delhi in the high jump event.. 

Representing Wesley at the Stubbs Shield Boxing meet in 1947 – Norman was awarded the best loser’s trophy in the heavy weight division, it was quite a remarkable achievement, as Wesley did not regularly participate in boxing.  This was his one and only appearance in the ring, the pasting he received that day convinced him that athletics and cricket were his preferred options. 

Norman alludes to the great sporting spirit that existed between St Joseph’s College and Wesley.  He remembers the moment when Lucian Dep of St Joseph’s College, Colombo, who had completed his regulation jump in the Pole vault event and realising that Harold could not complete his final jump, as his vaulting pole had snapped, offered his pole in an unselfish sporting gesture – HAROLD WON THIS EVENT.  At the same Public School’s meet, Norman who had trouble with his “spikes” accepted Shirley Perera’s offer, also a Josephian, to jump in his “spikes” resulting in Norman winning the high jump event.  Sportsmanship of this order is sadly seldom seen these days. 

Norman immigrated to Australia in 1958 ..  He lives a full life, plays golf off an enviable handicap, and enjoys the activities of the WCC OBU.  He is closely associated with the ACF, the Burgher Association and the Ceylon Masons. 

Above all Norman is a true son of Wesley, loyal and proud of his Alma mater, a man of grit and Industry 

CONGRATULATIONS NORMAN  -  Wesley to the fore

Annual Double Blue Dance

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