OBA Carol Service – Saturday 18th December 2021

Source:Thomiana Newsletter

After postponing last year due to Covid, the Carol Service was held on Saturday December 18 th 2021 at St Aidan’s Anglican Church, Noble Park with the attendance exceeding all expectations. The organization of this event faced many challenges with the practices beginning in mid-November (although planned in September) due to the lockdown. The Wardens of St Aidan’s initially approving 30 attendees for the service and gradually increasing to 75 and finally, after postponing the service from 4th December to 18th December the actual
attendance was around 120 people.

The service was conducted by Fr Gerald Loos an Old Thomian and vicar of St Aidan’s and it was a privilege to
worship at his Church. Fr Gerald was very helpful in supporting the Sub-committee with all the arrangements
of the service and his warm welcome and presence at practices.

The festival of nine lessons and Carols was well appreciated by the members with the choir performing under the directions of Herbert Felix Bartholomeus. The STC OBA Carol service was one of a few live carol services held in Melbourne. The fellowship with short eats and presentation to choristers was well appreciated.

A special thanks to Rev. Gerald Loos, Felix Barthlomeusz and the choir for making the event memorable. Also, thanks to the organizing committee comprising of Rayendra Karunaratne, Vasikaran Ratnarajah, Rayesh Gunasekera and Rajindra Bibile for their efforts in coordinating the event.

Rev. Samuel J Ponniah – New Chaplain at Mount

In January 2022, the Rev. Samuel Ponniah was appointed to serve as the Chaplain at Mount Lavinia. Rev. Ponniah is an old boy (Class of 1995) of College and previously served as the Archdeacon of Jaffna for a period of five years. Rev. Ponniah obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Theology/Theological studies from the Theological College of Lanka,
Pilimatalawa and was ordained as a deacon in 2003 and as a Priest in 2005.

As a student at Mount Lavinia, he represented the College in Table Tennis and was a member of the Hewisi Band as well as being Secretary of the Classical Association and an Altar Server in the Chapel of the Transfiguration. He was also an active member of the College
SCM.

In 1995, on completion of his A-Levels, he served the College as a member of the tutorial staff and taught English
and Divinity in the Middle School and was the Master in Charge of the under 15 Cricket team, in addition to having responsibilities in the boarding house where he eventually became the Senior Boarding House Master. Our congratulations to Rev. Ponniah. May God continue to bless you.

Premalal Fernando – Ex-President OBA Canada

It is with deep regret that we have to inform you of the passing away of Premalal Fernando (also fondly known as KPN, Kappan or Prema) in Toronto, Canada on 5 th January 2022. He was a founding member of the STC OBA in Canada and

President in 1997. He was actively involved with the Association over many decades and also hosted the then Warden, the late Mr. Neville De Alwis during a visit to Canada in 1996.

Premalal was at Mount Lavinia from 1954 to 1965. A true Thomian, he entered College into Winchester House in Form 1 and continued until Coll Form A. He remained in the boarding Copleston/Claughton House until the last few years in school. He represented College in Swimming, excelling in the backstroke. He joined the junior cadet platoon at the age of thirteen and moved up to the seniors, becoming the sergeant of the platoon in 1965, his final year in school. He was an Accountant by profession and worked for Lever Brothers in Sri Lanka before migrating to Canada in 1974. Our deepest sympathies to his family.

A good heart has ceased to beat, a good spirit has risen to the stars. In agony, we part with our beloved mate. Esto Perpetua