On behalf of the newly elected committee, I am pleased to share a summary of the RCOBA NSW & ACT Annual General Meeting for 2026–27, held on Sunday, 29 March 2026 at Thornleigh Community Centre.
The AGM was exceptionally well attended, reflecting the strength, unity, and continued momentum of our Royal College community here in NSW and ACT.
A Year of Progress and Impact – 2025-2026
In his address, President Selvan David reflected on a year defined by growth, engagement, and meaningful impact.
Key highlights included:
- Royal Loyalty Pledge Scholarship Program – Supporting 12 students
- Continued investment in leadership development initiatives
- Strong 2nd Edition of the Sydney Cup Tennis Competition, building on the success of the inaugural event in 2024
- Encouraging turnouts at our events including Boys’ Night Out and Bradby Livestream Family Night
- Establishment of a Cricket Advisory Committee to elevate the competitive standard of the Cricket teams
The Secretary’s report reinforced a clear direction:
- Strengthening member engagement and participation
- Enhancing governance and operational discipline
- Elevating member value and connection
From a financial perspective, the association returned to a healthy surplus (~$13.8k) — a testament to disciplined management and successful fundraising initiatives.
A copy of the detailed AGM Minutes is attached below for your reference.
2026–27 Committee – Election Outcome
We are pleased to announce the leadership team for the year ahead:
Office Bearers
- President: Selvan David
- Vice President: Uvindhu Gopallawa
- Secretary: Sanjeewa Karunatilake
- Treasurer: Abeegithan Jeyasothy
Committee Members
- Sanjaka Silva
- Gnanapragasam Krishanthan
- Uthayakumar Rameshkumar
Auditor
- Darshan De Costa (Re-appointed)
Meet Your Committee
Selvan David – President
A long-serving RCOBA member and a pillar behind many of RCOBA’s valued initiatives, Selvan has played a central role in landmark sports and charitable events including the Annual Royal-Thomian cricket encounter in Sydney. His hands-on commitment to the community, combined with a steady vision for growth and connection, solidified his re-election to lead the association for a second term in 2026–27.
Uvindhu Gopallawa – Vice President and Sports Secretary
Uvindhu brings a strong background as a seasoned professional in product management and operations, paired with a long track record of commitment to the Royalist community. In his second year as Vice President, he will drive coordination across the committee’s key initiatives and ensure consistent, high-quality delivery for members throughout the year. He also steps forward to take on the additional responsibility of Sports Secretary, bringing renewed energy and focus to sporting engagement initiatives.
Sanjeewa Karunatilake – Secretary
A seasoned Finance Executive, with a career spanning Senior Leadership roles across Europe, Middle East and Asia Pacific, Sanjeewa brings financial acumen and strategic depth to help drive disciplined governance and informed decision-making—ensuring RCOBA’s operations are managed with both precision and professionalism.
Abeegithan Jeyasothy – Treasurer
With a PhD and 15 years of international experience in finance and high-tech industries, Dr. Abee is a proven leader who founded and led multiple organisations at NTU Singapore. Recently relocated to Sydney, he brings fresh energy and global perspective to the RCOBA community.
Sanjaka Silva – Committee Member
Sanjaka is a Senior Data and Analytics Leader with extensive experience across large-scale enterprise environments. With his extensive track record in technology leadership, he brings strong analytical rigour and a systems-thinking mindset to the committee and its operational governance.
Gnanapragasam Krishanthan – Committee Member
A former prefect and Interact Club Secretary, Krishanthan is a seasoned technology and management professional in the telecommunication and financial services sector. A returning RCOBA committee member, he brings experience, dedication, and a deep commitment to the association’s traditions.
Uthayakumar Rameshkumar – Committee Member
A Royal College alumnus turned medical Doctor, Rameshkumar served as Secretary of the Tamil Dramatic Society and was an active debater at school. A graduate of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, he brings integrity, compassion, and a strong sense of service to the RCOBA committee.
Priorities for the Year Ahead
The incoming committee is aligned on a clear set of priorities:
- Strengthening member engagement and participation
- Elevating event quality and flagship experiences
- Enhancing communication, transparency, and responsiveness
- Expanding youth and next-generation involvement
- Continuing impactful initiatives across education, sports, and community
We also look forward to delivering an exciting calendar of events, including the Royal Valentine’s Ball planned for February 2027.
Member Referrals:
We encourage current members to introduce new members to the association. Please send your referrals to secretary@rcoba.org.au.
Sports Participation:
We are actively welcoming new players across Cricket (Open, Classics & Vintage teams), Tennis, Golf, and Badminton. If you or someone you know is interested, please reach out to sports@rcoba.org.au.
Call for Nominations – Cricket Leadership Roles
As we continue to strengthen our cricketing community, we invite nominations for leadership roles across our teams for the upcoming season.
We are seeking nominations of suitable candidates for Captains and Vice Captains for the following teams:
- Open Team
- Classics Team (Over 50’s)
- Vintage Team (Over 60’s)
These roles are critical in shaping team culture, driving performance, and fostering strong camaraderie within the RCOBA cricketing community.
We encourage members who are passionate about cricket and leadership to either nominate themselves or put forward suitable candidates, outlining cricketing background and stats by emailing sports@rcoba.org.au latest by 14th June 2026.
Member Survey – Shaping Our Events for the Year Ahead
To ensure we are delivering events that best reflect the interests and preferences of our members, we are launching a short survey to gather your feedback on event formats and priorities for the coming year.
This will cover areas such as:
- Preferred event formats (e.g., formal balls, casual dinners, family events, sports-focused events)
- Frequency and timing of events
- Pricing expectations and accessibility
- New event ideas and areas of interest
Your valued inputs and feedback will help shape the RCOBA events calendar for 2026–27.
Member Survey Link: Member Survey
Acknowledgement
We extend our sincere appreciation to the outgoing committee and all members who continue to contribute their time, effort, and passion to RCOBA.
Your commitment is the foundation of everything we achieve together.
As we look ahead, we do so with confidence, purpose, and a shared commitment to strengthening our community.
Floreat.
