Hearts Aflame – Sydney Sri Lankan communities’ Bush fire Fund Raising Event – By Dr Harold Gunatillake
We had an absolutely delightful formal Dinner Gathering titled “HEARTS AFLAME” at The Croatian Club Function Hall in Punchbowl on Saturday, February 1, 2020. This fantastic event came to life thanks to our enthusiastic organising committee, beautifully led by Saliya Tennakoon, and supported by 18 dedicated members from various Sri Lankan community groups. They all worked hand-in- hand with the friendly staff from the Sri Lanka Consulate General Office in Sydney to make it happen!
The master of ceremonies, Mr. Duke Ramachandra, warmly welcomed all the guests and shared how the community came together with passion and love to support the nation we all cherish as our home. Duke offered a heartfelt tribute to the victims of the bushfires and their families, acknowledging how difficult it is to grasp the enormity of this crisis. He highlighted that Hearts Aflame has established a wonderful foundation to support our brave firefighters.
Secretary Madhu Arampatta shared special messages from the Leader of the Opposition, Jodi McKay, and Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons of the Rural Fire Services, making everyone feel welcomed and acknowledged.
Mr. Jagath Bandara from Sydney Api delivered a heartfelt welcome speech, highlighting our unconditional duty to support Australia, where we’ve gained so much and embraced as our second home.
Chief guest Hon. Peter Primrose spoke to the crowd with warmth, praising their tremendous support for the Bushfire Emergency. He expressed that the Sri Lankan community should take pride in their contributions so far and the future efforts to come. Mr. Primrose also specifically recognised the small businesses that have stepped up to support the cause and shared his commitment to rebuilding the affected areas alongside his political associates.
In a wonderful show of support, the Sinhalese Cultural Forum of NSW donated all proceeds from their recent Lunch packet project. President Upul Padukka Vidana graciously handed over a cheque for $10,300 to Sri Lanka’s Consul General, Mr. Nimal Bandara, in favour of The Rural Fire Service. Additionally, a collection of $3000 organised by Nishantha Jayakody has already been delivered to the RFS, showcasing the community’s generosity and spirit.
Guests indulged in a scrumptious traditional Sri Lankan buffet dinner by Blue Elephant caterers, owned by Mr. Siva Kumaran.
The highlight of the evening was the auctioning of a cricket bat autographed by the legendary Sir Don Bradman, generously donated by our Platinum sponsor, Mr. Harry Solomons of Kingsgrove Sports. The Master of Ceremonies for the evening,
Duke Ramachandran, demonstrated exceptional auctioneering skills by commencing the auction at $2000. He passionately navigated the proceedings, effectively engaging the enthusiastic audience, who were unable to resist the excitement and displayed their generosity by placing bids from various locations within the hall.
Dr. Harold’s determination truly shone through right from the start! With a clear goal in mind, he set out to add this remarkable piece to his cherished collection of exclusive memorabilia, and in the end, he successfully won the bid for $6500. What an exciting achievement!
A delightful silent auction unfolded at the venue, featuring Autographed photo memorabilia graciously donated by Mr.Siva Kumaran of Blue Elephant, which raised an impressive $1000 for this wonderful cause.
The entertainment kicked off with an uplifting live musical performance by the Band Mystery, getting the crowd on their feet to dance to the infectious rhythms. Guest performer Mr. Desmond de Silva added to the excitement with his vibrant Baila rendition, fully engaging the enthusiastic audience. Sound, vision, and lighting services provided by Event 360 beautifully enhanced the atmosphere, filling the venue with vibrant colours and a lively ambience.DJ Shankaster kept the energy flowing by covering the entertainment session during the brief breaks from the Band Mystery, ensuring everyone had a fantastic time.
The event has proven to be an overwhelming success, raising nearly $15,200.00 for the Rural Fire Service (RFS). The partnering organisation, the Sinhalese Cultural Forum of New South Wales, generously contributed all proceeds from their Lunch Packet Project, amounting to $10,300. Additionally, a further collection by Nishantha Jayakody, totalling $3000, raised the overall total to
$28,500.00 for the evening. All proceeds will be donated to the RFS shortly at a special ceremony at the Commissioner’s office. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our guests for their generous support, which significantly contributed to the event’s success.
Original script by Madhu Arampatta, beautifully adapted by Dr. Harold Gunatillake, who is now enjoying life in the charming city of Kandy, Sri Lanka.
Cherished memorabilia find a special home at Dr. Harold’s in beautiful Kandy, Sri Lanka, delighting every visitor who comes through the door.
