Saints of Nugegoda & St. Joseph’s College Nugegoda Dance – in memory of Ondray Ephraums – photos and write up by Trevine Rodrigo (Melbourne) Every year for the past fourteen years, the Saints of Nugegoda celebrate the passing of one of its founder members, Ondray Ephraums, who was snatched away in the prime of his life, a victim of the dreaded Cancer. While on reflection it is a sad occasion in many ways, Ondray’s family representing St. Joseph’s College Nugegoda and Bertie Ekanaike from home town school St. John’s College Nugegoda, have joined forces and choose to celebrate his life on this day between the respective schools. Bertie Ekanaike was instrumental in the initial pairup, after deciding to first felicitate his old school, then accepting Ondray’s proposal about a joint event between the two Nugegoda schools 15 years ago. Ondray never lived to celebrate the second event. Thus began the ...
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Sri Lankan band Mirage’s final appearance, as they signed off in style after a third sellout performance. – By Trevine Rodrigo (eLanka – Melbourne) Temperatures soared in Melbourne to nearly 40 degrees Celsius but it did little to discourage a capacity crowd attending Sri Lankan band Mirage’s final appearance, as they signed off in style after a third sellout performance. Event organisers Chris and Annie Cannon were apologetic at the hurried change of plan due to the extreme weather conditions that forced everyone inside the venue and making the hall a bit overcrowded. But the clamour for tickets could have made it worse if a cap was not put on it leaving about a hundred interested patrons disappointed. However, there was no doubt it was an outstanding success, music and delicious food wise. Thai Street Food can take a bow in that respect. From a Mirage perspective, the tour was ...
Master event organiser Bertie Ekanaike made it two from two sold out events featuring one of Sri Lanka’s premier dance bands, Mirage, at the Walawwa Master event organiser Bertie Ekanaike made it two from two sold out events featuring one of Sri Lanka’s premier dance bands, Mirage, at the Walawwa. Donald Pieries, Manilal Perera and Benjy Ranabahu showed that they are still in the forefront of Sri Lanka’s best entertainer’s in the business with a scintillating array of hits from past and present teaming up with newcomers Toosha Rajarathna and Thilak Perera who appear to be settling into the groove with their experienced members. Mirage invited guest artistes, Cherrie Chamari , Thilak Jinadasa, Esric Jackson and Hans De Zilwa to join them on stage and share their talent. Bertie Ekanaike was estatic at the crowd response to Mirage and gladly admitted he took a punt on this highly versatile musical ...
The Saints of Nugegoda annual dinner dance – By Trevine Rodrigo The Saints of Nugegoda annual dinner dance has established itself as an important day in the calendar of Melbourne’s social events. This year was no different as the Grand on Princes reverberated to the fantastic sounds of Replay 6 and No Limit, and the immense popularity of these gifted musical set ups obviously resulted in a sold out event. Old boys and girls of St. Joseph’s and St. John’s combined once more to make it an enjoyable night for themselves and their friends. Bertie Ekanaike thanked the sellout crowd for their continued patronage of the event while recalling it’s origins with Andre Ephraums who was sadly snatched away in his prime. Bertie and Andre’s brother Jerome were given instruction that the dance was to continue immaterial of the financial benefit, by Andre, a pledge they vow to keep. Bertie ...
Melbourne erupts with a frenzied rush to ’22 – by Trevine Rodrigo Fun loving Melburnians who have been starved of interaction and entertainment over the past two years due to Covid restrictions can look forward to a brighter New Year and a hope for better things in ’22. And, they have erupted into action like excited animals set free to roam once more. The effects of the crippling pandemic which brought the world to its knees has had an adverse effect on millions of outgoing people. So much so that there is an evident split in the reaction to it. Not all are in the mindset of going out anymore while others are going berserk enjoying the new freedom that has now opened up. Sr Lankan expats who have endured the longest lockdown in the world in Melbourne are breathing a sigh of relief that this year will be a much more close to norm event unlike last ...
Country and Western night at at Gaelic Park in Keysborough organized by Bertie Ekanaike and the OBA of St. John’s Nugegoda – Photos thanks to Trevine Rodrigo The bands were Rock this Country from Sri Lanka and Esric Jackson and No Limit Click here or on the photos below to view the full album of photos on eLanka Facebook page. Click here or on the photos above to view the full album of photos on eLanka Facebook page. ...
