Old Antonian Social Club – Australian Branch – ST ANTHONY’S DAY CELEBRATIONS – 13th June 2010 Speech delivered by Chris Drieberg – The Beginnings of the Club
Most Antonians migrated to Australia in the late 60s and early 70s and most of them had settled in Melbourne. Majority of these Antonians met in the Eastern Suburbs of Melbourne. During the late 1960’s it was Ron Barber who organised some day excursions for Antonians in Melbourne.
Then a memorable event comes to mind. It was the sports day and barbeque held at Wattle Park in Warrigal Road, Burwood in 1974. The main feature of the day was the keenly contested softball cricket match, which brought back some of the atmosphere of the games played in Sri Lanka with cheering, singing and a lot of drinking.
Another occasions, was when Antonians from the Western suburbs played those from the Eastern suburbs in seven-a-side basketball games in Melton. The day ended with the wives playing a mixed softball cricket match, much to the delight of the cheering Husbands. Some of the Antonians from the Western suburbs were Deryck Barthelot, Michael & Louis Macky, the Goonaratne brothers Freddy, Paddy, Gerry and Merry, Patrick Van Ryk, Robin Duff Tytler; those from the Eastern suburbs were Ron Barber, Barney Daniels, Annesley Dias, Desmond Macky, Andre Titus, Basil Hyde, Chris Drieberg, Tony, Mark and Hans Schrader, Mike Corteling and Leyrisse Vanderwert. Other stalwarts who have frequented cricket matches and social functions have been the late George Kehl, Noel Templer, Tony Hayward, Reggie Barber and Fred Rode.
Nothing seems to have happened about the formation of a club until a visit to Sri Lanka and the inevitable “pilgrimage” to College by Tony Schrader in August 1980. This was a few years after College was taken over by the government, and Fr Stephen Abraham expressed the plight the College was in financially in relation to sport. To send the College cricket team to Colombo for one match alone cost Rs1000, which the College could ill afford. On hearing this, Tony was really fired up. On his return to Melbourne he contacted several Antonians I had already arranged for Alston Koch and his Band Dark Tan and Roger Menzies’, Band from Sydney to play at a dance in Melbourne. So we decided to call it the Old Antonian Nite, in November, 1980. The chief Guest at this dance was Charlie and May Bailey.
Most of the “Old Boys” rallied round to the call with Gordon Cooray, Maurice Barsenback, Rodney Kehl, Bertram Pereira and Percy Madawela giving good support. Many members still recall jovially how Maurice Barsenback, late at night, would telephone his many friends cajoling support – but this was done in his boss’ time!
The first meeting was held at Gill’s and my home. Yvonne made gothambas and the other ladies the curries. The men had to contribute $2 as membership and thus began the club.
A second meeting was organised at Tony Schrader’s home in Dingley on the 18th January, 1981, when 12 attended and 5 apologies were received. A.C.M.Lafir, the first Antonian to play cricket for Sri Lanka on his first visit to Australia, was among the guests. The committee elected for 1981 was:
President: Tony Schrader
Vice President: Merry Goonarantne
Secretary:Chris Drieberg
Asst. Secretary: Jackie Robertson
Treasurer: Deryck Barthelot
Asst. Treasurer: Maurice Barsenbach
Honorary Auditor: Desmond Macky
The other Antonians present were Ralph Barthelot, Errol Van Culenberg, Basil Hyde, Gordon Corray, Andre Titus and Rodney Kehl. It should be stated that the start of the club was due to efforts in various ways by all present at the meeting.
A Constitution was to be drawn up by Tony Schrader and it was to be presented to the First Annual General Meeting to be held on the 15th Nov.‘81.
Just like the Tsunami, the second wave of Committeemen came along to do a great job, the likes of Merrick Poulier, Leyrisse VanderWert and Robin Koelmeyer. Robin is has still not taken a break from being in the committee.
Two highlights come to mind during the early years of the club. The first was the visit by the Principal of the College, Fr Stephen Abraham during a short say in Australia. The second was the visit, also in 1981, by the Honourable Mr A.CS. Hameed, the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister, and old boy of the College, and Mrs Hameed. He spent some hours with the Old Boys, reminiscing old times, classmates and the Tamarind Tree.
We also hosted two Principals of our College on two memorable evens in their lives. Fr.Stephen Abraham celebrated 25 years as a priest with us and Fr.Theadore Robinson celebrated 50 years as a priest. The Antonians here in Melbourne funded both celebrations and enjoyed the day with each of them separately.
The success of this first dance at the Moorabbin Town Hall and all the subsequent functions are well known. In the old days we started the year off with a Children’s Christmas Party. We had a Curry Nite during the year and even a food fair. The cost of a Dance ticket was $10 with a caterer in attendance and people bought their own food. The Curry Nites were totally catered for by the wives and at the Food Fairs we brought the food and most of it was bought by us the organisers. We did an amazing bus trip to Adelaide and we frequently made bus trips to the
Pokies across the boarder, thanks to Maurice and his bus mates. The credit for these must go to the annually elected office bearers and the committees. From observation, the office bearers each year have taken their duties seriously and leave nothing unattended. The loyalty of their families and staunch supporters made their task a lot easier.
Most members are well aware of the help the OBA is rendering locally and to college in Kandy. Over the years we have sent college ties, college tie pins, cricket balls and even a roller-mower for the cricket pitch and Marlon in his previous Presidency donated covers for the pitch. We donated a house for a Minor Staff member in Fr.Stephen’s 25th anniversary as a priest. In the early years we even paid for the services of Owen Mottou to coach the College cricket team. In our schools 150th year we donated $10,000 to College and recently we have totally refurbished the College Hall.
I feel this has all been a great achievement on our part. It is all of you who in some way have contributed to the success of our club. It is said that behind every successful man is a woman. I believe that our wives have to be thanked for much of the success of our club.
Today’s gathering of Antonians in itself to celebrate St.Anthony’s Day is history repeating itself. We got to thank the current committee who are doing a great job. Marlon our President, Adrian his Secretary who has put this whole day together and Lester is doing a wonderful job as Treasurer. I would like to single out Junius whose skills as Editor of the Antonews has done a fantastic job. The flyer which went out for this day’s celebration speaks for itself. Last but not the least our Webmaster Afzal. Our Website is something Antonians around the world are commenting on being the best collection of material in relation to Antonians in Australia, Sri Lanka and else where.
I wish every Antonian here blessings from St.Anthony. May we continue this celebration for many years to come.
