Life luck and learning: Gracious Grigson gives back – By Marcus Uhe Source : dandenong.starcommunity Having worked for the UN in both New York and the Middle East, Rod Grigson now calls Botanic Ridge home, and teaches creative writing at the Balla Balla Community Centre. 279564_01 Purchase this photo from Pic Store : 279564 Precede: Rod Grigson’s ambitions to travel took him to New York, the Middle East, and now Melbourne, where he has settled with his wife in Botanic Ridge. The IT specialist turned published author spoke to Gazette Journalist MARCUS UHE about his experiences and how they have shaped his outlook. Pull quote: “All my life, I have been able to move forward because someone has helped me. When you have the opportunity, you have to grasp it, you have to move forward yourself, but that initial leg-up is because someone has helped me.” A series of fortunate events ...

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Legendary singer Desmond de Silva passes away Source:-adaderana.lk Veteran Sri Lankan singer and entertainer Desmond De Silva has passed away at the age of 77 in Melbourne, Australia.  Regarded as the ‘King of Baila’, the legendary singer was born in Matara in 1944 while he launched his career in popular music in 1963 as the lead vocalist of the Fire-Flies. He also performed with leading Sri Lankan pop groups – ‘Spitfires,’ ‘Gabo and the Breakaways,’ and the ‘Jetliners.’  In 1976 he decided to form his own band, “Desmond and the Clan”, which performed in various countries in Southeast Asia, including the Maldives. Known for his popular renditions of Sri Lankan ‘baila’ music, Desmond celebrated 40 years in show business in 2019. He has had a string of baila hits including: ‘Polkatu Hande,’ ‘ Yaman Bando (Wally Bastiansz),’ ‘Chuda Manike,’ ‘Mamma No,’ ‘Miss Sri Lanka,’ ‘Hai Hui baby Achchi (Wally Bastiansz),’ ...

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