Celebrating our Centenary
Dutch Burgher Union of Ceylon
1908 to 2008 Bulletin - January 2008
President’s Message Dear Member, us quite?
As we herald in the year 2008, we also Ah! Let us wake from slumber’s welcome The Dutch Burgher Union soft repose, centennial and it would be appropriate for me to quote the following poem To the new promise of a nobler extracted from the DBU Journal Vol.1‐ day; Proud of ourselves, proud to No.4‐page 189 be kin with those,
The President and the “Eendracht Maakt Macht Who won their homes from General Committee of (Original Poetry) Ocean’s grasping sway,
Who dared unvoyaged seas, the DBU wish members Union is strength; and shall not tamed ruthless foes, we unite— and their families a And held embattled France and We who have known the shame Spain at bay.” healthy, happy and disunion brings: prosperous New Year Whose hearts oft glow with dim We have many plans for celebrating the centennial, commencing with our Remembering, function on the 18th January, the day President’s Message Of days when, yet unvex’d by on which the General Inaugural Meet‐ Editorial ing was held and the Office Bearers Fortune’s spite, were elected 100 years ago! Awesome Welfare Report Our fathers sojourn’d in this land and Inspiring! Launch of first audio book DBU New Year’s Eve Party of light? Wishing you Health…… so that you may Has the long lesson of a hundred enjoy each day in comfort, Love of B’day Greetings friends and family and Peace within Tournament Results years, your heart and home! Contents
Mail Box Still to be learnt with bitterness Kem Martenstyn New Members and tears, President New Book on the Burghers And shall the fatal blindness end Dutch Burgher Union 2 Celebrating our Centenary Editorial – Compliments of the Season! very happy New Year to you Ladies resident there had a great time, all! Here’s hoping that the dancing away till late at night to the A year ahead will see peace music of DJ Aaron, and being visited and harmony in every home, which in by Santa Claus who brought them all turn will bring peace to the world. gifts. With plenty of delicious food and drink, and even Christmas Cake for all, The Christmas season saw a flurry of it was indeed very late at night that activity at the DBU, beginning with the the ladies finally found their way to Christmas Fete, where Burgher their rooms for a well deserved rest! delicacies sold out in no time, and Our thanks to Patrick Loos for continuing with St Nikolaas Day, where sponsoring the caterers, and to Lucian the children of the DBU members Pereira and Emil Cronenburg for their mingled with the children of the contributions. dancing, and truly beautiful Christmas Welfare beneficiaries, to greet St décor (courtesy of President Kem). Nikolaas and to receive their gifts, Thanks to Mrs Joyce Boks’s, (who calls Tickets were sold out far ahead of the whilst having pony rides, playing on the herself “resident of SNH for life”!) closing date and many were Bouncers and being treated to lots of disappointed, unfortunately. food and drink. The amazing talent in generous donation towards the cost of painting the Home and other these children came to the fore when a We ended 2007 and saw in our group of young teenagers performed expenses, St Nik’s was given a “facelift” before the party and was Centenary Year with a fantastic party “Jingle Bell Rock” and “Merry Christmas on New Year’s Eve, which finally Everyone” for all of us present, with looking quite smashing for the party. ended at 5.30 in the morning! incredible skill!. The entire performance Unfortunately the weather gods
had been choreographed and arranged decided to pour down some showers 2007 saw lots of fun and activities for by themselves, and was truly of rain on us that day, and the party impressive. They danced and sang with had to be moved inside the building ‐ Members and their guests at the DBU, big smiles on their faces, and the although the downpour outside did and we promise we will continue to thought crossed my mind that these not dampen the spirits of the Ladies in provide the same for you all in 2008. kids could go really far if they had the the least! So, here’s hoping to see more of you right connections and backing. Our in this our Centennial!
thanks to The Eighty Club of Melbourne A traditional four course Christmas Cheers! for sponsoring the party. dinner with Turkey, stuffing, cranberry Anne-Marie Kellar sauce and all else, was served out in Secretary The St Nikolaas Home had a grand grand style at the DBU on the 17th, th party on the 8 December, where the with Carols by candlelight, music for Welfare Report – 4th Quarter he 4th quarter payment to the Bouncer and Pony rides, games and There was a guitarist to keep everyone locally sponsored children was competitions and plenty of food, ice on their toes with Carols being sung T made on Saturday the 8th of cream and soft drinks. St. Nikolaas lustily. There were games with cash December 2007. There are now 88 who was present to distribute the gifts prizes awarded to the winners and children being sponsored on this from under the Christmas Tree, made crowning of the Beauty Queen. A lucky programme. Present with me that his appearance down the staircase draw was held and there were prizes morning were Mrs. Mystica Flamer amidst the sound of bursting of of Hampers, Breudhers, Pocket Radios Caldera and Mrs. Rosemary balloons and loud cheers from all the and Boxes of Biscuits. Practically all Outschoorn. children. present received a prize. All of them in addition received cash bonuses and I regret to announce that during the Gracing this occasion were our had a spread of delicious eats and soft period under review, one beneficiary President Mrs. Kem Martenstyn, drinks and I have no doubt enjoyed passed away. The Eighty Club was Secretary Mrs. Anne‐Marie Kellar, and themselves thoroughly. informed and a new beneficiary Mr & Mrs. Rodney de Kretser Snr. Vice selected. President of the Eighty Club of Payment of the 3rd and 4th quarters to Melbourne. the sponsored children by the Burgher On Wednesday the 19th of December Association of Melbourne is scheduled 2007, the Eighty Club combined with On the 21st of December 2007, both to take place on Saturday, 12th the locally sponsored children from the locally sponsored and Eighty Club January 2008. the Christoffelsz Fund celebrated St. sponsored beneficiaries had a joint Nikolaas’ Fete. A few DBU Member's Christmas Party in the morning in the Anthea Muller children also participated. It was a DBU Hall. Also present that morning Chairperson ‐ Social Welfare morning of fun and frolic with a were Mr & Mrs. Rodney de Kretser.
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114, Reid Avenue, Colombo 4/Tel: 258 4511/E‐mail: [email protected]/Website www.dutchburgherunion.org Dutch Burgher Union 3 Celebrating our Centenary Launch of Sri Lanka’s first Audio Book
n Friday 4th January 2007, all overarching Sri Lankan identity and an identity of their own. With the those present at the Sri plainly states that Sri Lanka is the blessings of all may the venture of JB O Lanka National Library in Motherland of the Burghers–their and his sponsors reach the zenith of Colombo witnessed a historic event in only homeland. their success in a short spell of time.” Sri Lanka’s publishing history with the launch of the country’s first audio J.B. Müller’s audio book was introduced More and more young people today book. The book chosen was “The to the audience in a dramatic fashion by would rather listen to the narration of Burghers’ authored by J.B. Müller. It Master of Ceremonies Errol Alphonso, a story than read it in the pages of a was chosen because J.B. Müller made himself a Burgher. It was completely book; then, there are people who are a point in his book that brought all non‐traditional dispensing with the blind or have their sight impaired and Burghers within the fold of that usual rituals that attend such occasions. cannot read because of that Community without distinctions as to The Keynote Address was delivered by impediment. NetSeequal is catering being of Portuguese, Dutch, or British eminent academician Dr. K.D. to these consumer segments by descent. He also made the point that Paranavitana of the Department of starting this new, digital trend in book the Burghers are fully and completely Humanities of Rajarata University, publishing in Sri Lanka. It may even coequal citizens of Sri Lanka and Mihintale, who spoke with authority revolutionize book publishing with proud to be Sri Lankan–flying in the about the Burghers, providing authors seeking to put their books on face of chauvinism and bigotry that perspective to this event. In conclusion, easy‐to‐listen CDs and it could be has brought so much misery to so he said: “The Burghers remain as a done in Sinhala, Tamil, and English. many. He believes in a common and charming community in the Island with
New Year’s Eve Party at the DBU!
super buffet dinner was served at 12.30a.m. followed by breakfast of Breudher with Kiribath and Lunumiris at 4a.m.
Every table of 10 was given a bottle of Smirnoff Vodka, and heaps of prizes were given away for a host of fun ore than a 100 members competitions and games all through and guests saw the old the night, in between the dancing M year out and the New to non‐stop music by DJ Aaron who Year in at the DBU on New Year’s Eve did a great job. Everyone competed with a super party. The tables were excitedly for the best prize of all, an all laden with tinsel garlands, whistles, ‐expenses paid Weekend for Two at a noisemakers, caps, streamers and fabulous exotic resort on the Fihalhohi confetti for all, and when the Big Ben Island in the Maldive Islands ‐ which chimes were played by DJ Aaron was eventually won by Brinsley and “Italy”, “Australia”, “London” etc!! heralding the dawn of 2008, everyone Mary Atton. When a prize was called Prizes were given for the “Man with screamed out the countdown along out to the person who had traveled the hairiest legs”, “the girl with the with compere Nathan, and the air was the furthest to be there that night, we shortest skirt”, “longest ear rings” and filled with the sound of fire crackers had people rushing in screaming others which invoked lots of laughter and the throwing of confetti, party “USA”, “Canada”, “El Salvadore”, and fun. Guests varied in ages from 86 string, whistles blowing and heaps of years of age to 5 years! noise whilst everyone sang Auld Lang Syne and wished each other on a Our sincere thanks to Niroshan crowded dance floor! Jayasinha, General Manager Fihalhohi Resort Maldive Islands for providing Soon after, everyone flocked outside us with the holiday in the Maldives. to watch the fabulous fireworks Also, our thanks go out to Darrel display lit by the DBU staff. Lots of Soertsz, District Manager Emirates cameras were clicking away and loud Airlines Maldives, for the 4 gift packs, cheers were heard from everyone! A and to Devika Ellepola, Sales Manager
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114, Reid Avenue, Colombo 4/Tel: 258 4511/E‐mail: [email protected]/Website www.dutchburgherunion.org Dutch Burgher Union 4 Celebrating our Centenary
Emirates Airlines Colombo, for the gift who kept the party going with their compliments paid on the organisation pack. Thanks also to Sandy Kellar of hilarious quips and humour, and who of the party with the best one of all Emirates Maldives and Universal did this free of charge for the DBU! coming from a gentleman who came Resorts Maldives, for his part in Everyone present had a blast, (all this to the DBU for the first time, when he obtaining all the above prizes for us. for the cheapest price of Rs 1,500 per said “I had such a great time that I’ve Our super Comperes for the evening head), with the last few party goers already told all my friends they have were Radio DJ Nathan (of Gold FM leaving the DBU at 5.30 in the to join me on New Year’s Eve 2008 at fame), and Dominic Kellar (of E FM) morning! Many were the the DBU”!!
Birthday Greetings
We wish all our members celebrating Abhayaratne, Wilhelm Bogtstra, their birthdays in January good health Anthony David Claasz, John de Niese, and happiness. Malcolm de Zilwa, Ranjith Dharmapala, Jerome Fernando, Lalith Mrs Zorina de Alwis, Mrs Gladys Ganlath, Brinsley Gomez, Travice Anthonisz, Ms Shirin Abeyesinghe, Mrs Holsinger, Russel Juriansz, Chitrasena G. Bogtstra, Ms Christobel Chapman, Jayawardene, Jerome Koch, Patrick Mrs Cheryl de Fonseka, Mrs Jeanne de Loos, Roger Martenstyn, Ralph Vos, Mrs Jenifer Gunasekera, Mrs Moldrich, Dale Rabot, George Stork, Mavis Kerkoven, Mrs Annemarie Mahinda Seneviratne, Chaminda Garnier, Ms Jennifer Van Rooyen, Tilakumara, Beverley Vandergert, Messrs. Victor Rohan Anthonisz, Thevarayan Velraj, Glen Wambeek & Vernon Abeyesundera, Praveen Edward Wijesuriya.
Snooker & Darts Tournament Results DARTS 301 Winner – David Martenstyn Runner‐up – Jerry Anderson
Round‐the‐clock Winner – Dallas Martenstyn Runner‐up – Dorian Gray
BILLIARDS Winner – Upali Seneviratne 4 1 Runner‐up – David Martenstyn SNOOKER Singles Winner – David Colin‐Thome Runner‐up – Mahinda Seneviratne
Doubles Winner Monty Holsinger & Anvar Moosajee Runners‐up Dallas Martenstyn & Yanick Martenstyn 2 5
President Kem Martenstyn handed out the awards to the winners. Seen receiving their awards in this selection are 1. David Martenstyn 2. Upali Seneviratne 3. Mahinda Seneviratne 4. Dorian Gray 5. Dallas and 3 Yanick Martenstyn 6. Jerry Anderson 6
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114, Reid Avenue, Colombo 4/Tel: 258 4511/E‐mail: [email protected]/Website www.dutchburgherunion.org Dutch Burgher Union 5 Celebrating our Centenary Mail Box Thank you for the December We received a copy of the DBU "broeder" given is, in English, Bulletin. I wish I could have Newsletter from a friend and it "pudding". The word attended some if not all of the was excellent. You do a "breudher" is not listed in that fantastic job. dictionary. Our usual Christmas festivities at the DBU. I send you, the Chairman, Tammy Ferdinands pronunciation of the word "broeder" is correct. Best the Committee and the Melbourne, Australia wishes for the New Year. members of the DBU my very best wishes for the season and Dear Anne‐Marie, Scott Dirckze I wish each and everyone of Apropos a note in the last DBU Sri Lanka bulletin, I believe the correct you a Peacefull, Healthy and spelling is "Broeder" not Congratulations on an Happy New Year. "Breudher". I have a Dutch‐ excellent production!
Cubby VanderGert English dictionary published in Doyne Caspersz United Kingdom 1727, in which one of the Australia meanings of the word
Welcome New Members We warmly welcome the following Brown, Mr Olof M. De Weerdt, and new members – Temporary Members ‐ Ms E. Hekman, Mr. Martijn Hekman, Ms Anke Mrs Dorothy Anne de Zylwa, Dr. Mario Heitkamp, Mr. Johan Cremens, Mr. Gomez, Mr. Douglas Carl Fernando, Herman Reindert Jacob Kviper, Ms. Mr Carl Rohan Obeyesekere, Mr Sean Miriam Mueumans, Mr. Michael Julius Richard Pompeus, Miss Wendy Alexander Zuyderdwjn, Ms. Evelyn Sanchia Brown, Mr Wayne Alister Zuyderdwjn, Ms. Susanne van Lieshout
Thank you Members! From the DBU
To all Members who contributed generously towards the ♦ Lamprais (chicken or mixed “Treat to the less‐advantaged ‐ 2007” and to the numerous meat Curry) Rs.235 per packet donors who provided special meals to the Residents of the ♦ Beef Smore 450gr. Rs.350 St. Nikolaas’ Home and cash gifts towards renovations at the Home. A special Thank You to Ms Caryll Jansz of ♦ Pork Badun 450gr. Rs.415 Australia for her generous donation to St Nikolaas’ Home. ♦ Home-made Ginger Beer - Rs.125 per bottle
Carols at the DBU Christmas Party – more images next page
Reminder! Your annual DBU membership subscription is due by the 31st of January 2008!
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114, Reid Avenue, Colombo 4/Tel: 258 4511/E‐mail: [email protected]/Website www.dutchburgherunion.org Dutch Burgher Union 6 Celebrating our Centenary DBU Photo Album DBU Christmas Party – Below St. Nikolaas’ Home Christmas Party – Below
Book – Burghers of Ceylon – Worldwide by Ivor Kelaart
ABOUT THE BOOK It has 398 pages with 40 in colour. Segments include:
[1] A Calendar of Events [21 pages] [5] The Church of our Forefathers ‐ The Dutch Reformed Some interesting historical facts about Ceylon from early times, Church at Wolvendaal [5 pages] the European overlordship of the island [some 500 years] and the Troubles that has beset the island in recent years. [6] The Eminent Burghers ‐ Men and Women of Yesterday and Today with pen pictures and photos [112 pages] [2] The Regiment de Meuron ‐ a Swiss mercenary regiment [7] Genealogy of the Abraham Joseph family [20 pages] employed by the Dutch to garrison the Cape of Good Hope and Ceylon. [10 pages] [8] Joseph/Lawrence Wedding pictures ‐ from 1888 to 2007
[45 pages] [3] Details of the European conquests and occupation [10 pages]
[4] The Dutch Burgher Union of Ceylon [7 pages] [9] Trivia ‐ Emigration from Ceylon [20 pages]
The book is indexed with the names of the main people appearing in the Joseph genealogy.
The book comes in a hard laminated cover ‐ cost A$90.00 + p&h, however, a professional hand bound copy can be arranged for those who desire it at an extra cost of A$50.00 per copy.
Click on link to contact [email protected]
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114, Reid Avenue, Colombo 4/Tel: 258 4511/E‐mail: [email protected]/Website www.dutchburgherunion.org