The Ceylon Society of Australia AGM and Social Sunday 19 December 2021 – By Adam Raffel (Photos thanks to Mahal Selvadurai)

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The Ceylon Society of Australia (CSA) Annual General Meeting and Social on 19 December 2021 was a fitting finale to a very challenging year of lockdowns due to the Covid19 pandemic. The venue was the Main Hall at the Pennant Hills Community Centre, festooned with Christmas decor and the tables beautifully decorated with Christmas themed table cloths and little Christmas trees, arranged by Pauline Gunewardene, the President of the CSA, and Committee members Amal Wahab and Adam Raffel with Rosani Wahab. Although the NSW Government had just relaxed all restrictions, the CSA made checks for double vaccination certificates at entry, and guests were appreciative of the Committee’s concern for their safety.

The AGM commenced with a minute’s silence in respect for Tulsi Karunanayake who passed away in 2021. Tulsi was a Life Member of the CSA and wife of CSA’s founding president, Hugh Karunanayake.

Special thanks should go to the hard work of CSA’s President Pauline Gunewardene, who performed her duties with aplomb, agility, efficiency and good humour. Pauline chaired the AGM, delivered the President’s Report and the Financial Report for the preceding year, before switching to running the Social as MC.

Due to ongoing health challenges, Doug Jones retired from the Committee at this AGM, after 12 years as Editor of the CSA journal, The Ceylankan, and then serving as Publications Officer. Nominations to the Committee for next year were confirmed, with the 2022 Committee being President Pauline Gunewardene, Vice President Dr Srilal Fernando, Secretary Sunimal Fernando, Treasurer & Public Officer Deepak Pritamdas, Public Relations Officer Harry de Sayrah, Publications Officer Earlson Forbes, Editor Adam Raffel, Social Convenor Amal Wahab, Ex Officio Members Thiru Arumugam and Kumar Rasiah, and Life Members Hugh Karunanayake and Doug and Hyacinth Jones.

As the closing formality for the AGM, Pauline presented a Memorabilia Plaque and $200 Gift Card to CSA Life Member Doug Jones, in recognition of his outstanding contribution and service to the CSA as Editor of The Ceylankan from 2009 to 2021. A message from Hugh Karunanayake to Doug was also read out by Pauline in making the presentation.

At the conclusion of the AGM, Pauline switched the microphone from her President mode to that of the MC and convivial hostess for the Social. The 124 maximum permitted at the venue under the 2sqm restriction dropped with a few last minute cancellations to 116 eager partygoers. Social distancing was observed, and everyone was comfortably accommodated. Everyone was seated at 6.30 and ready for the flavoursome entree of patties and bola cutliss provided by the Flavour of Ceylon caterers. A fitting prelude to a mouthwatering buffet dinner and dessert.

Music for the evening was performed by the versatile and talented Roger Menezes. The whole function was captured by the superb photography of Mahal Selvadurai.

The Raffle prizes were 10 bottles of expensive liquor very generously donated by Senanie de Silva in Sunil’s name. They were a drawcard and all 1,000 tickets were sold, giving a much needed boost to the CSA coffers. Sales were organised efficiently by Amal and Rosani Wahab and drawing of tickets was by Senanie de Silva. The Entry Door prize winning tickets for the Gourmet Gift Hampers were drawn by Octavia Perera.

The CSA was very grateful for the most generous donation from Prema and Octavia Perera, as well as an ad sponsorship from Avinder Paul of RAMS, and a donation from Harry Solomons in lieu of attendance.

Thiru Arumugam ran his signature Trivia contest, which resulted in an astounding ‘all correct’ answer sheet by Daya Gonsalkorale. Thiru should be congratulated for his tireless efforts at writing the quiz questions and efficiently running it, in addition to setting up the sound system.

The highlight of the evening was the Singalong of carols and old time favourites, led by CSA Singers Daya Gonsalkorale, Lucien Wijetunga, Aubrey Joachim, Melanie Rankine and Rosani Wahab, conducted with gusto by Hyacinth Jones. Shirani Rodrigo lent her brilliant piano playing to accompanying Roger Menezes’ music, and Pauline’s roving mic encouraged audience participation. Roger’s lively renditions of old favourites and the great music he provided as always enticed almost the whole hall to the dance floor and everyone enjoyed swinging around after such a long lapse. The singing of We wish you a Merry Christmas and Auld Lang Syne brought the evening to a close.

A good time was had by all from the feedback received, and it was reckoned to be “a memorable event”.