THE
51ST STCG-OBA AGM-FEB 2010
1. The 51st AGM & Re-Union Celebrations of the STCG-OBA
took place during the weekend February 19-21st 2010.
2. On entry each Old Boy was handed over a Note of Welcome
from the Headmaster. A new Code of Conduct had been introduced
this year, and the Headmaster solicited the support and co-operation
of all Old Boys in conforming to the guide lines laid down.
3. A Wrist Band was also issued to all Old Boys at the point
of entry, so that “Strangers”, “Gate Crashers”
and “FOB Passengers” were left out.. Only members
of the OBA were permitted entry. A sum of Rs.2000/- was levied
against the Food & Other incidental expenses to be incurred
by the College, and towards an exgratia payment for the Support
Staff. This innovative procedure proved very effective.
4. A total of 179 Old Boys participated this year. 96 members
had arrived in time for Dinner on Friday Evening. It was noteworthy
that larger numbers from the younger age groups were not only
taking part but also playing an active role in supporting
the College and the Headmaster.
5. By Breakfast time Saturday, 133 had registered. The Education
Faculty Committee led by Wansapriya Gunaseela spearheaded
a Project strongly supported by Senior Vice President Prabhath
Jayasundara for the supply to College of a Multi- Media Projector
with the Screen. They also donated 15 White Boards with a
large stock of Marker Pens and Ink for use in the Class Rooms.
Upali Jayatilaka, a Mount Thomian donated 06 Paintings for
the Headmaster's Office. These presentations were made on
Saturday after Breakfast, before leaving for the Main Grounds.
6. In the Cricket Match between Old Boys and Present Boys
the Old Boys won the toss and having been put in to bat, the
Present Boys were all out for 170 runs. In their allotted
20 Over’s, the Old Boys could reply with only149 runs
and were all out in the 17th over.
Trophies were awarded as follows:-
W A N Silva of the Present Boys for Best Batsman & Best
Bowler
Rameeshan of the Old Boys for Best Batsman
Dasmal Liyanage of the Old Boys for Best Bowler
W N Silva of the Present Boys for Man of the Match.
7. Special mention must be made of the Refurbishment of the
Swimming Pool now available with clean water for swimming
which added lustre to the entrance of the College. Once the
Tiling, Lighting, Diving Boards and Landscaping are completed
the Pool and its environs would greatly enhance the beauty
and value of the School. A Swimming Meet was organized by
Shervon Fernando and his Friends. The Old Boys won the Medley
Relay against the Present Boys.
8. Lunch was not unduly delayed despite the busy programme
of the late morning. The number of Old Boys at Lunch had swelled
to 172.
9. Whilst some Old Boys took time off for a snooze others
continued with the Sports Events. The Basket Ball match was
won by the Old Boys 28:26. In the Volley Ball match 02 games
were won by the Old Boys and one by the Support Staff.
10.The presence on the Campus of about 75 Boys and Girls
during the Re-Union Celebrations to witness the Cricket Match,
the Swimming Meet, the Basket Ball and Volley Ball Matches
added colour and a sense of normalcy to all these events and
proceedings taking place, as in the good old days of the Hayman
era. It was nostalgic to note the manner in which the Present
Boys and the Old Boys cheered their respective Members and
Teams when the Sports Events were taking place. In the last
02 decades the entire Boarding was given a more or less compulsory
Mid Term holiday, and when the Old Boys moved in to the Guru
Campus on Friday Evening it had taken a Ghost Town atmosphere
sans the Boys who infused life to the place. Perhaps it would
not be too much for us as Old Boys to hope that next year
too and in the years ahead, come OBA Re-Union Weekend Celebrations,
with the New Code of Conduct in place and with any adjustments
being made thereto as would be felt necessary and relevant
at that time, it will be possible for the entire student population
of the College and more particularly the Boarding to be at
hand during the Celebrations to participate actively in the
Sports Events.
11. 151 Members attended the AGM of the OBA. It was heartening
to note that all Old Boys were attired as requested to lend
dignity and decorum to this important Meeting.
The following were elected Office Bearers without a contest.
Senior Vice President – Christo Gonawela
Vice President - Nihal Wanniarachchi
- Krishantha Weerawardena
- M. Thirumurugamoorthy
Secretary - Milinda Hettiarachchi
Treasurer - S. Raj Mohan
Assistant Secretary - A D Sandakelum
Assistant Treasurer - Thanura Fernando
12. Fellowship took place as usual with a live band providing
the music. Thereafter, 140 Old Boys sat down to Dinner.
13. On Sunday morning whilst the Service was going on in
the College Chapel the planting of a 100 Fruit Trees with
the idea of reviving the Orchard, (which was the dream of
Mrs.Mary Hayman on her last visit to College), proceeded.
14. The Headmaster and his Staff together with the OBA Ex-Co
and Organising Committee for the Re- Union Celebrations had
blended well and co-ordinated superbly to put in place a well
prepared Programme to make the Event an Outstanding Success.
The New Code of Conduct as well as the production of the Membership
Card compulsory to gain entry to the Campus, also went a long
way to enable a smooth and trouble free Celebration. The quality
of the food and service was exceptionally good and received
the approbation of all participants. In short all Old Boys
participating were full of praise for the Chief Architect
and the Man Behind the Scene, Headmaster Fr. Marc Billimoria.
15. The Headmaster had written previously to Old Boys with
regard to development work etc at Guru. This letter is placed
on the Home Page of this website. Those who attended the Re-Union
Celebrations could see for themselves the improvements effected
since he took over. One could sense a note of expectancy in
the air. Many Old Boys who had previously written off Guru
as a lost cause have rallied round the energetic Headmaster,
of whom it could be said, is moving heaven and earth Towards
the Revival of Guru. A well prepared Report was presented
by the Headmaster to the Old Boys at the AGM, which was well
received. Perhaps in continuation of this same spirit and
sense of urgency a High Powered, Energetic, Efficient and
Dynamic Leadership to the Ex-Co was elected to Office to lend
muscle and support the Headmaster to the hilt.
16. We suggest that Old Boys interested in continuing to
assist Guru contact the Headmaster with their Offers of Support.
A visit to Guru and a chat with the Headmaster will be the
best evidence anyone needs to satisfy himself THAT GURU IS
NOW IN GOOD HANDS.
17. Special mention must be made of Ananda Gallearachchi
an Old Boys of our vintage from Bandarawela who is resident
on the Campus, as Manager – Administration. He has many
years of Planting experience, handling labour and management.
He was found everywhere organizing activities and being of
immense assistance to the Headmaster who has acknowledged
the invaluable role played by Ananda in the running of the
School.
18. Apart from the coverage given by our 03 Cameras, Bandu
Wanigasekera and Lasantha Perera have sent in their contributions
too, which are also placed below. |