Wesley Times – November ’11 Newsletter of Wesley College Colombo Old Boys Union Australia Branch Inc. Message from the President IN THIS ISSUE From the Editor’s desk 2 Swimming Pool project 3 As 2011 draws to a close, it gives me Carol Service Notice 4 great satisfaction to reflect on yet another Condolences 5 Committee Contacts 5 great year for the “Wesley Family” in Membership renewal 5 Australia. There have been the usual Message from the Principal 6 activities that brought so many of us Dates to remember 7 together during the past 12 months and UK Branch Report 8 provided an opportunity for us to enjoy Seniors Lunch Notice 8 each other’s fellowship and add to the Where are they now? Amaresh Rajaratnam 9 good times that we seem to invariably Memories of Wesley have whenever we meet. The Double Blues and the 11 Blue , Gold and Blue I am very grateful to have had the total From the archives support of the terrific committee that we Wesley cricket 50 years 13 have, whose tireless efforts in organising ago Articles 16 all activities during the year are How famous cricketer recognised and appreciated. It is simply not what they do to Sathasivam was help the organisation, but the competent and enthusiastic way charged, tried and acquitted … in which they approach whatever the task which is most 17 appreciated. We have attempted to keep all our Old Boys Haleem Ishak – a tribute informed of the activities of the Association by way of personal Round the traps & in the News contact as well as the informative and regular newsletter that Class of 96 refurbish you would have continued to receive during 2011. dining room School Cricket news It gives me great pride to report on the progress made by the OWSC Sports news 18 College, which continues to maintain its position as an Attack on Dr N J Nonis QWSC hosts Upali outstanding institution in Sri Lanka. It has been an honour for Perera and Darrell Maye me to have the opportunity to serve as your President and to The Collette brothers continue the good work and traditions of previous Presidents visit College and their committees. The support we have been able to Double Blue Ball 2011 22 provide to the College has been received with sincere thanks The Cedric Oorloff Trophy 24 Pool project sponsorship and gratitude, and I look forward to being able to support the 24 deals Sri Lanka activities of the Association after the new committee takes over from us. E-mail correspondence I trust that 2011 has been a good year for you and your loved All members who prefer to receive ones, and wish to take this opportunity to convey my personal OBU correspondence by email are best wishes as well as that of the committee to you and yours invited to inform the Editor on for a wonderful Christmas and a safe and happy New Year. For [email protected]. Your those of you who may be travelling to Sri Lanka to enjoy the email address will then be included festive season, I hope that you enjoy the reunion with friends on our data base. This means that future OBU Bulletins will also be and family. sent to you email, not by POST. Your co-operation is appreciated. ORA ET LABORA The Editor Norton Abeydeera Wesley Times November 2011 page 1/24 From the Editor’s Desk As the year draws to a close it is refurbishing the pavilion, the functions and who will proudly a time to reflect on what has Class of 96 refurbishing the stand up and support the alma- been achieved over the past dining room and the OBU with mater when a request is made twelve months both from a the OWSC finally getting the for assistance. As a committee personal perspective and in the swimming pool up and running. we do not expect the Old Boys context of this association of Something that once was a to attend every function but at alumni of Wesley College and dream will finally come to fruition least attending one would be the College itself. hopefully next year. great and provide the encouragement to the The College has maintained her So when alumni associations Committee to keep going. momentum of striving for higher like ours conduct various standards in both academia, functions, they serve a two fold However of late there are some sport and extra-curricular purpose. old boys who like to support activities. The success of other functions of a similar Wesley in the G.C.E. O-Levels To keep the fraternal band of nature by organizing a table of and G.C.E. A-Levels has shown double blue together through a patrons to attend but when significant improvement . In the forum of fellowship and fun invited to one of our functions O-Levels a near perfect score where Old Wesleyites can meet come up with a host of lame with 100% passes in the Tamil with their family and friends and excuses. They are the very medium, Science and Maths have a good time, and. same guys who crow about how along with 100% in English To raise revenue from some proud they are to be Wesleyites. medium Mathematics. English functions to help Wesley or her Language - A step up to 98% students in a time of need. So next time you see a notice be pass rate which is an increase it for the Annual General from 95% last year. This year the OBUA has given Meeting, a Curry Night, the The overall pass rate for GCE $250 to the student Double Blue ball, the Golf Day O/L candidates an extraordinary suffering from Leukemia versus Trinity OBA or the 93% compared to 86% last year to assist with his Seniors Lunch, we would be and 63% National Average. treatment in India delighted to see you and Sport at Wesley has been $1,250 towards the welcome your support in any progressively improving with rugby jerseys which will form. good representation in all sports be used to buy a new and teams developing that set for season 2012. As an alumni association competive edge in all age $3,000 from the Double overseas, we are far removed groups. Blue Trust for the new physically from the heart of the Training and action but not so in spirit. For we However the most significant Development Centre PA all bear the unique badge of changes which have taken place system. being Wesleyites. are the enhancements of existing infra-structure and the Our current challenge is to make So be a part Wesley’s new equipment and facilities to a significant donation to the resurgence by your involvement provide the students with the swimming pool project. Wesley via this association in the many opportunity to improve their needs our help on this significant activities that are organized learning and development, to be project as they have to raise Rs during the year and responding successful in their exams. 30 Million about AU$300,000. to the requests for specific Our pledge is to contribute fundraising events for Wesley. Some of the neglected areas AU$5,000 in a combined effort over the years have been between the OBU Australia This being the last issue fore revitalized like the hostel Branch and individual donations 2011, I wish you and your familiy dormitory, the hostel kitchen from our members. Please a blessed festive season where facilities, the dining room, the consider this project as our ver you may be and I look toilets and library. The new contribution to this historic event forward to your support over the conference/meeting room will which they hope to complete by next year. have the latest audio visual Founder’s Day 2012 – 2 March equipment and modern facilities 2012. Details of the project and Ora et Labora for conducting educational how you can help is on the next workshops, audio visual page. productions and meetings. Keith de Kretser There is a core group of Old [email protected] The old boys have borne the Wesleyites who will attend all load as well with the Class of 92 Wesley Times November 2011 page 2/24 “You see things; and you say, 'Why?' But I dream things that never were; and I say, 'Why not?'” - George Bernard Shaw For the past 137 years Wesleyites have lamented on not having their own swimming pool on campus to call their own. It has been an item on the wish list of most students as they watched with envy the students of the other major Colleges in Colombo that have had this privilege. The dream of having a swimming pool gathered momentum in recent years with a number of Old Boys who met regularly at the OWSC. The concerns were where it would be located and how much would it cost? Both intimidating factors for a school and alumni community not having the spare capital to invest in such a project. However the dream did not fade away and as more ideas were tossed around and the revival of Wesley under Dr McLelland’s stewardship gathered momentum, the first planning steps emerged and serious collaboration between the OBU, OWSC and the alumni community began. As George Bernard Shaw’s famous quote expresses so vividly, the alumni picked up the courage and agreed to give it their best shot. The following pictures show the progress that has been made. The site that has been picked is next to the Principal’s bungalow on the left hand side when you face the front of the bungalow and is immediately behind the sick rooms near the back gate.