The Dutch Burgher Union
114, Reid Avenue, Colombo 4.
Telephone Nos: 2584511, 5331661
Newsletter – July 2006
President’s Message
Dear Fellow Member,
Due to the prevailing unrest in the country, it has been decided to postpone the Members monthly get-together. Members and their guests numbering over fifty who patronized the bar on the 21st of June enjoyed the evening’s entertainment so much, that we have arranged for Darlan to continue to entertain us in the upstairs Bar/Lounge area every Wednesday from 8 to 12 midnight, commencing 12th July 2006. Entrance for Members and their spouse will be free but their guests will be charged Rs.150.00 each.
The first of our Fund Raising events has been arranged with an “Evening of Music” commencing 14th July 06, from 8.00 pm to 11.30 pm onwards in the Main Hall – the popular singer Jerome Speldewinde will entertain you. On the opening night, 14th July, Jazz singers Natasha and Ryan from the USA will join Jerome. This is an event not to be missed and we hope to have as many members and their guests. Tickets are priced at Rs.300.00 per person. Please do support the DBU by attending this ‘Fund Raiser’.
On the 24th of June 2006, the A.E. Christoffelsz Child Education sponsorship Project was inaugurated and 14 children together with their parents were interviewed and paid a sum of Rs.1,500.00 each. A further 18 children will be interviewed and paid Rs.1,500.00 each on the 22nd July 2006 bringing the total number sponsored to 32 and the total amount paid for the 2nd Quarter 2006 to Rs.48,000.00.
Please do come and enjoy the entertainment provided for you every Wednesday and Friday and bring your friends along.
With all good wishes,
Kem Martenstyn
President
NEW MEMBERS & ASSOCIATES –
We welcome the following New Members & Associates:
Member – Mr Christopher Frank Stork
Associates – Messrs. Don Lalith Hilary Ganlath, Tissa Mario Benjamin de Alwis, Krishana Hiram Parathalingam, Christopher B. Halangoda, Ms Nadira R. Madurapperuma, Ms Kalpana Amalean, Ms Kshama Dias.
BIRTHDAY GREETINGS – To all our Members who celebrate their Birthdays in July we send our greetings and warm wishes, especially to – Messrs. Scott Dirckze; Michael Daniels, Hubert Foenander, Travin Gerreyn, Darryl Isaaks, Dylan Kelaart, Tony Martenstyn, Fidel Moldrich, Terrence Pendigrast, Peter Prins, Christopher Raymond, Dr Ameen Mowjood, Ms Mary Koelmeyer, Ms Catherine Mack, Ms Eugenie Mack, Ms Yvonne Outschoom, Ms Heather Pompeus, Ms Trudy Reza and Ms Nadira Madurapperuma
ST NIKOLAAS’ HOME FOR ELDERS
Would you like to donate a lunch or a dinner to the Residents of St. Nikolaas’ Home in memory of your loved one? If you do, please contact the Matron Christine (Telephone No.2717411) or the DBU Secretariat (Telephone No.2584511 or 5331661) and they will be happy to assist you.
AVAILABLE EVERY WEEKEND
Delicious Beef Smore.
Home made Ginger Beer
Milk Wine
AVAILABLE DAILY
Lamprais (mixed meat or chicken)
For large orders contact the DBU Secretariat – 2584511 or 5331661
DBU SUB-COMMITTEES – 2006/2007
Chairman Sub-Committees
Kem Martenstyn Genealogy, Archives & Journal Membership
Development, Catering Services
Mervn Anderiesz Disciplinary
David Grenier Finance
Jackie Anthonisz
Entertainment & Events
Michael Anthonisz Post Secondary & Tertiary Education (PSET)
Nigel Austin Fund Raising
Zorina de Alwis A.E.Christoffelsz Child Sponsorship Project
Monte Holsingery Bar Secretar
Dallas Martenstyn
Buildings & Gardens
Fleur Mack DBU Welfare Beneficiaries
David Martenstyn St. Nikolaas’ Home
Anthea Muller
Social Welfare
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Every Wednesday commencing 12th July ’06 from 8.00 p.m. to 12 midnight in the upstairs bar/lounge area – DarIan will entertain you. Come and join the fun and sing to your hearts content with Darlan as he plays all the oldies and ‘goldies’!
Entrance: Member & Spouse free. Guests Rs.150/= per guest
Every Friday, commencing 14th July’06, from 8.00 p.m. to 11.30 p.m., in the Main Hall – the popular singer Jerome Speldewinde will keep your toes tapping as he entertains you with an “Evening of Music”. Jazz singers Natasha and Ryan from the USA will join Jerome on the 14t July only. Tickets are priced at Rs.300/= per Member/Guest
Members are welcome to send any articles of interest.
What it means to sponsor a child’s education
Melorin Ragel is a young lady who has been sponsored by the Burgher Association Australia since the year 2000. All these years we have been following her progress and would like you to share in her joy of achievement.
In 1996 Melorin sat for the OIL Exam and obtained 10 Distinctions. In 1999 she obtained a Distinction in Chemistry and Credit Passes in Physics, Botany and Zoology for the AIL with an aggregate of 244 marks. This aggregate was insufficient for her to do Medicine. So she sat the AIL for the second time and obtained two Distinctions and two Credits. While waiting for the AIL results she followed a computer course and also an English course. On 14.5.2001 she gained admission to the University of Peradeniya to study Dental Surgery. In 2003 her father expired.
In December 2004 Melorin suffered another blow – the Tsunami! She and her family were directly affected and she went to live in the Peradeniya University Hostel. This is what she said – “…we were directly affected by the Tsunami disaster and lost all our things with our home. Our house was totally damaged. Now my family is in a school as refugees. As you know Dutch Bar is situated between the sea and the’ river. So when the tidal waves were coming there was no possible way to escape. In my village about 142 Burghers died. Most of them were children and elders. It is a terrible happening to our village… we will never go to that place again.” On 1st October 2005 Melorin wrote – “We bought a land in another place and are building a house with the help of our Faculty. Our Faculty Dean is helping through the LIONS Club…. My final exam is next May.”
On 24th December 2005 Melorin wrote – “I’m going to finish my final year studies next May. After that I have planned to do private practice at my home-town with one of my seniors. We build our new house with the help of our Faculty. Now we are settled in a standard place.”
In May 2006 Melorin passed out as a Dental Surgeon and is now starting her own practice in Batticaloa. She writes – “I will try my best to help others in my community who need help for their studies.” We offer Melorin our congratulations and good wishes and thank the Burgher Association Australia for the sponsorship extended to Melorin these past years.