Anne’s 70th birthday was a milestone that was unforgettable. – By Trevine Rodrigo in Melbourne.
For the full set of photos, please visit eLanka Facebook page
It was a party befitting a lady who never holds back when there’s someone in need.
Anne’s 70th birthday party at Epicurex restaurant in Mulgrave delivered a well deserved celebration for a lady that shouldn’t get anything but the best.
And so it was for a selected few, due to limited capacity venue and the decision to include her neices and nephews and other members who could not be included at my party for the same reason.
Thanks to our close knit group, Fairlo Wijesinghe and Esric Jackson Epicurex owner Nalin Rathnayake and myself set about planning a night for Anne to remember. And it delivered on all fronts.
Initially meant to be a surprise, the idea evaporated as quick as it was conceived thanks to Anne’s uncanny intuition and ability to extract information like a super sleuth.
So with her in the team, we navigated together and managed to put together a party that was different in all aspects but effective, and the idea of a ‘Twilight party’ was a start.
A cocktail party, with grazing food stations, made it different, but lacking nothing for a sumptuous food feast, plenty of drinks and fabulous music put together by Cameron Colombege, Esric Jackson with Ben Nathanielsz and Nashali Fernando Vanderwert completing the planned musical experience.
Adding to it was the fabulous voice of Tanya Erica Foenander, Chris Mant and not to be left out, yours truly adding to the variety.
Nalin Rathnayake and Epicurex outdid themselves with the fabulous spread of food and desserts which included home made Sri Lankan delicacies that made the experience fulfilling.
Anne’s sister Faye Jansz, an established professional, produced yet another spectacular birthday cake for the occasion.
Glowing tributes from her sons Jason and Andrew, nephew, Darren de Vos and brother Ralph de Vos, underlined the caring, sharing and always putting others ahead of her own needs kind of person she is.
The only surprise I was able to pull off was the appearance of Sri Lankan musical icon Corrine Almeida’s appearance for a short time just to wish Anne for her special birthday. Corrine and I engineered her attendance with a few white lies just to achieve the impact which was achieved.
Milestone birthdays don’t come around everyday. So, thanks to our dear friends, including Kal and Lucky Jayasinghe, and Kokilani Weerasuriya, Anne’s brothers Georgeand Ralph who volounteered their help, it was mission accomplished.
Thanks for your beautiful photos Jerome Varney and Michelle Solomons.
For the full set of photos, please visit eLanka Facebook page
