Wesley Times – September’12 Newsletter of Wesley College Colombo Old Boys Union Australia Branch Inc. Message from the President IN THIS ISSUE From the Editor’s desk 2 Condolences 4 I trust that all of you have been well this winter. This Tributes time of the year brings sniffles, coughs and colds Abu Fuard 5 and I thought of bringing you some news and Saybhan Samat 6 developments that the OBU has in store to help you A grand Old Lady of Wesley 7 Student loses battle with through those winter blues. 7 cancer Pirncipal’s Report – Prize 8 Those who were able to make it to the Winter Giving 2012 Warm-up in May enjoyed themselves and a Where are they now? 10 successful night was had by all. Over 250 patrons Athula Wickramasinghe attended with a notable presence of alumni and the A tribute to Wilfred & Elna 10 return of old boys that we haven’t seen in some time Wickramasinghe as well as some first timers. The committee was Double Blue Ball 2012 11 most encouraged by the success of the event and we are hoping this is a First Wesleyite to skipper a good precursor to the Annual ‘Double Blue Ball’ to be held on the 6th League Champion Rugby 11 Team – Henry Terrence October 2012. If anyone is still requiring tickets please contact one of the Your Committee committee members listed. Tickets are limited so I would encourage you Membership renewals to hurry! Cedric Oorloff Golf Tournament 12 For those avid golfers or those that prefer army golf (left, right, left, right) Dates for your diary there will be the Annual Cedric Oorloff Golf Tournament between Trinity Snippets of news from College and Wesley College to be held on the 21st October at the Morack Wesley Golf Club (refer page ?). It would be nice for those skilled golfers to get Winter Warm-up 2012 13 Advert for book - Wesley some practice in so that we can regain the trophy that has been won by 14 Cricket History 1892 - 2012 Trinity for many years. Memories of Wesley cricket 15 Wesley Rugby 2012 20 Mr Peter Christie from the UK and former Teacher Mr Fred Abeysekera Around the traps 21 from Sri Lanka were in Melbourne and graced us with their presence. UK Branch Report 21 Friends of the pair hosted them around town and a dinner was held in List of Old Wesleyites 22 Fred’s honour and a good time had by all. in Australia OWSC Rugby 24 A number of members are leaving for Sri Lanka in the next week to attend th the Cricketers Re-Union on 8 September and the reunion of the classes E-mail correspondence th of 1968-72 celebrating 50 years of friendship which is being held on 15 All members who prefer to receive September. We wish all those attending from across the world a most OBU correspondence by email are enjoyable and safe time. In this issue we have featured some memories invited to inform the Editor on of Wesley’s cricketers of the past. I hope you enjoy reminiscing. [email protected] Your email address will then be included on our data base. This means that I hope to see many of you present at the Double Blue Ball to share a time future OBU Bulletins will also be of fellowship and a few laughs. The committee has worked hard and is sent to you email, not by POST. very excited about the upcoming event. Your co-operation is appreciated. The Editor ORA ET LABORA New Facebook page the address is http://www.facebook.com/pages/ Ben Nathanielsz Wesley-College-Colombo-OBU- Australia/296647643739345 Wesley Times September 2012 page 1/24 From the Editor’s Desk The sustainability of our alma mater The source of this comment is a 4. To do all things necessary has been a matter of concern to new player on the scene whose to preserve the honour and alumni across the world for many interest in Wesley College came dignity of the College. years. Two issues come to mind long after the formation of the which were prompted by a recent OBUA, the first overseas branch of Since our formation in 1979 we cheap shot by an Old Wesleyite of the College. The ill founded have served our charter with wealth and privilege, one might say commentary is based from his diligence and honour. We have not a member of the nouveau riche. privileged position in life and from shied away from our duty and as The two points I wish to address in the wealth he has acquired by his expressed in our objectives, this editorial are: hard work. Therefore he sees fit to assisting the College ranks as our 1. The effectiveness of the be judgemental on how much funds third priority when we have had the OBU Australia and assistance we give the College funds to do so. Over the years our Branch(OBUA) in that would meet his expectations of contribution to the College has been supporting the College, and what is “reasonable”. significant and it is not a matter of 2. The “cap in hand” mentality being judged on the quantum of that the College relies on The membership of the OBUA is dollars given but what we could for sustainability. predominantly based in the State of afford at the time and the need that Victoria. The individual concerned had to be met. We have given So serious is the accusation, that I has no idea of the facts and the A ride on mower for the believe the members of the OBUA difficulty in raising funds particularly grounds should be made aware of its in Melbourne where there are over The erection of the contents and to refute such 60 Sri Lankan organisations scoreboard based on the unfounded remarks with the facts. I competing for a slice of the same Tamil Union Scoreboard do not apologies for the length of pie from alumni associations of design which is located at this editorial as it is necessary to set every College from Sri Lanka to the far end of the ground the record straight and to remind various charities both local and opposite the pavilion which the membership of what the OBUA those in Sri Lankan. The ill advised is still being used today stands for. commentator poses the notion that College Ties for the 125th we are in some way obligated to Jubilee celebrations which Recently I had an audacious and ill support the College regardless of has now been adopted as founded comment made to me in whether we are in a position to the tie of choice by Old one of many emails I receive. It was afford it or whether it is considered Wesleyites. Proceeds from about the OBUA and its to be a priority. The OBUA’s the sales went to the ineffectiveness to help the College, discretionary funds available for College. to quote directly from the email such support may not be as Blazer fabric for the College “There is a lot of hot air significant as that of our critic. Striped Blazers emanating from you guys but in Furthermore it is his choice who he Funds for clothing, the context of what could have wishes to support and the quantum equipment and been done for College, the of support that he is prepared to consumables for Cricket performance of the OBU in give be it to Wesley College or any and Rugby Australia has been pathetic.” He other deserving organisation. Funds towards the Chapel concludes by stating “The support Funds for the Cartman the Australia OBU gives Wesley From the outset when we first Library is a joke.” formed, our objectives were quite Funds for the Swimming clear, and it is appropriate to re- Pool It is a slur on the efforts of the many iterate them for the record. Funds for a sick student Committee Members that have The objects of the Branch shall be: served the OBUA with distinction 1. To unite in one fraternal Funds for a PA system since 1979, I might add that it is band those who were Funds for computers also a voluntary role. Also a quick educated at Wesley College Plus individual donations by check of the definition of pathetic Colombo and/or who have members of money states – “miserably or contemptibly had a direct association The list goes on. inadequate”. with the College, 2. To afford an opportunity of Our critic may wish to support the The question is: “Has the OBUA bringing together past and constant “cap in hand” mentality been so miserable and present students of Wesley, that has evolved at Wesley College contemptible in its endeavours to 3. To assist in meeting the over the past five decades. Any support our alma mater and are we needs of the College as form of philanthropy is to be a joke?” they arise admired and we do. However, that does not mean that the OBUA and Wesley Times September 2012 page 2/24 its Members are worthy of the also provided an opportunity for expects others to either match his criticism levelled at them. unscrupulous individuals with efforts or even better them. influence to abuse the system. On the second point, the Church These characters must be exposed The Church and its hierarchy need and its hierarchy in their wisdom and kicked out from any to decide as a matter of urgency elected to take Wesley College involvement with monetary matters whether to return Wesley to a fee down the pathway of being a non- or other with the College.