“The Diamond Anniversary with a difference” by Desmond Kelly “the Star of eLanka”

Firstly, my thanks to Charles Schokman & Randolph Melder, two proud Sri Lankan Aussies I am priviledged to know, for bringing us the “Special Story” on two other worthy Sri Lankans, Doris & Noel Thurgood who have just celebrated ” The Diamond Anniversary with a difference”, their 60th wedding anniversary, in Melbourne, on the 29th of December, 2016. Still another wonderful Lankan couple I have been extremely proud to know for many years now.

Congratulations, Doris & Noel.many happy “returns” of what must have been a truly nostalgic “memory-bank” of your wedding day, 60 long years ago. As an “entertainer” & your friend, I’d say to you both, right now” True love is like a fan-club, with only two fans”

Why, with so many other couples also celebrating their 60th wedding anniversaries on the same date, is THIS one very “special”?. Well, first & foremost, I am unaware of any other Lankan couple who married on the same date. Secondly, here were a Mum & Dad who came to Melbourne in 1958, simply to give their” special trio,” two sons, Ricky & Derek & Debbie, their only daughter the best possible chance of living a happy & successful life in their new Country.

Nothing special about that, either. Many Burghers migrated to Australia for the same reason. However, as I’ve written in one of my songs, “We’ve had good times, we’ve had bad, sometimes happy, sometimes sad”, for Doris & Noel, as caring parents, disaster struck, when, in 1980, Ricky Thurgood, who was both a successful & very popular jockey at the time, was only 21 years of age when he was thrown off & severely crushed underneath the horse Taras Regent who suffered a heart-attack and collapsed on the track.

Ricky Thurgood (who was also known as Elvis, for obvious reasons, he was a one-eyed Elvis fan), was not expected to live, but again, because of his parents’ unbelieveable care and sacrifice, Ricky survived, and, although he is now a quadripligic, still survives, to listen to, and enjoy his favourite Elvis songs.

Yes, Doris & Noel, together with their young family have enjoyed good times just like the anniversary that has just passed by, but although we pray that Ricky will continue to live as long as God wishes him to, I am certain that Doris & Noel will still look after their son, no matter what they have to sacrifice in order to do just that. This, then, is the reason that every parent should feel proud of them, this is why I consider it a very special anniversary, although, sadly, I could not be there myself & this is also why I feel so proud of this guy, Ricky. He loves good music. Need I say more? .

Our sincere thanks must also go to everyone who helped the Thurgood family in the aftermath of the tragedy that Easter Saturday in 1980. The racing fraternity, various other jockeys, trainers, in fact, many others who ensured that this little jockey Elvis would be looked after in the years to come. Doris & Noel would want to thank them all from the bottom of their hearts.

From & on behalf of eLanka, the Lanka Times & each & every Lankan Aussie, let me now simply say :- May the good Lord bless & keep you (as the lyrics of another beautiful song says)

Desmond Kelly.