Victor Legand is celebrating his 91st birthday!-by Harold Gunatillake
Victor celebrated his 91st birthday on September 16th. I enjoyed seeing a wonderful collection of photos from his joyful gathering at Broadmeadows, where friends, family, and a Catholic priest (from Sri Lanka) celebrated this special milestone.
He is one of the few dedicated individuals who passionately collected a wonderful library of books, magazines, and newspapers about his beloved homeland, Sri Lanka, which holds a special place in his heart.
The Victor Melder Sri Lanka Library was founded in 1968 when Victor Melder, who moved from Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon) to Australia, decided to create a space that celebrated his homeland. When he first arrived, he only had one book about Sri Lanka. Filled with love for his country and eager to share its rich culture, he started collecting books and resources at his home in Broadmeadows, Melbourne, turning it into a welcoming place for others to learn about Sri Lanka.
Over more than fifty years, this modest personal endeavour has blossomed into a wonderful collection that includes nearly 7,000 books, 2,000 magazines and journals, decades of Sunday newspapers, and many audio-visual tapes. It is often regarded as perhaps the only library of its kind outside Sri Lanka, making it a cherished resource for researchers, expatriates, writers, and students passionate about exploring Sri Lankan history and culture.
Origins and Legacy
- Victor Melder, the Founder, warmly remembers his childhood in Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, where he attended St. Sylvester’s College in Kandy. His love for village life inspired his heartfelt dedication to safeguarding his homeland’s rich history.
- The Collection: What began as just a single volume has wonderfully expanded over time to include more than 7,000 pieces of fascinating historical information.
- A New Era: As Victor neared his 90s in recent years, his extensive collection was carefully moved from its long-time home at his Broadmeadows residence. To keep it safe and well-preserved for the future, the collection has been temporarily relocated to a community-managed site, ensuring it remains protected and accessible. Unfortunately, the owner sold the new ‘home’, and the collection is now in storage, awaiting a ‘new home’.
I hope this legend enjoys many more years of his amazing efforts that never seem to stop.
Written by Dr Harold Gunatillake OAM, who has known Victor for more than 40 years.
