OBA - Regional and Clubs
The Old Antonian Social Club (Inc.) was formed in Melbourne Australia on the 18th January 1981 with Mr. Tony Schrader elected as its first President. In its twenty four years of existence, the 'Old Antonians Club' has grown to be one of the most popular Sri Lanka Schools Associations in Australia with a well attended 'Annual Dinner Dance' and a 'Curry Nite' each year. They also participate each year in Cricket and Rugby tournaments amongst other Old Boys Clubs of leading Sri Lankan schools, which also includes a traditional fixture against hometown rivals -'Old Trinitians'.
The total membership of the Club stands over 200 Old Antonians from around Australia, who are regularly updated on SACK news through a well-compiled Newsletter, titled 'ANTONEWS'.
A new branch was inaugurated in Brisbane, Queensland, in 1997, under the Presidency of Mr. Brian Offen with a gala Dinner. Funds raises at this event were used to supply the College Cricket team with much needed caps in college Colours. Antonians living in Australia graced the Sesquicentennial Celeration by visiting Sri Lanka in numbers. The Australian Branch will continue to do its utmost to keep the Antonian spirit alive in Australia in many years to come.
Committee - 2009
President Marlon Von Hagt
Vice President Lucas Bogstra
Secretary Adrian Dunuwille
Treasurer Lester Herathge
Asst Treasurer Indika Kaluarachchi
Social Sec Robin Koelmeyer
Sports Sec Allan Kelly
Members
Michael Rabot
Prasanna Goonewardena
Mohan Gomez
Kumar Fernando
Jayantha Peries
Merrilyn Guneratne
Chaminda Adikari
Nirash Amarasinghe
Sujith Dunuwille
Maurice Barsenbach
Public Officer Martin Pereira
More of their current Activities, News, Contacts, and Membership Application can be found from their website www.antonian.org.au
UK BRANCH
The official birth of the UK Branch took place in 1988 with Rohana Ranaweera as its first President. Dr. R. Makuloluwa, Harold Candappa, Mangala Boyagoda and Chandana Seneviratne were some of the live wires behind the formation of the UK Branch. From small beginnings, the branch has grown in recent years; actively participating in the annual Old Boys Cricket quadrangular staged each year in London. They won the trophy in 1984. On a friendlier basis, they also play the Old Trinitians and follow up each encounter with a 'Social'.
However, the highlight of their social calendar has been their 'Annual Dinner Dance', which also raises funds for College. They came up with a very valuable and useful consignment of Laboratory Equipment worth over £ 6000.
CANADA BRANCH
The Canadian Branch of St. Anthony's College Old Boys' Association was born in 1995 with Ronnie Jansz as its first President, ilary Oorloff, Secretary and Niranjan Kumar, Treasurer, Othee members of the first Executive committee were Hiran Wijesinghe, Lakshman Heenatigala, Trevor Brown (Social Secretary), Michael Willis, Roy Martenstyn, Millroy Inch, Yogi Thambapillai (V. President), Dixon Wanigasekara, Drucilla Brown (Asst. Secretary) and Drake Rayner. The Branch is still active and continues to support the College in many ways.
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES BRANCH
SACK OBA UAE was formed in the Emirates with a group of 19 old boys from various parts of Sri Lanka who are residing in United Arab Emirates in year 2005. From then onward it has grown up to a membership of 92 by this March 2007.
More on SACK OBA UAE including membership info, committee, events etc can be found from their website www.antonians-ae.org
USA BRANCH
Formed in 1994 under the guidance of Mr. Merril Dunuwille, 'THE SACKOBA USA' is based in Los Angeles, California. Soon after their formation, they donated Rs. 10000/- to the 'Bishop Leo Nanayakkara Pavillion Fund' and sports equipments to the College.
THE HILL COUNTRY BRANCH
The Hill Country Branch of the OBA was the brainchild of Jayantha Udukumbura, whilst he was Chief Manager, Bank of Ceylon, Nuwara Eliya. He has the luxury of a palatial Bungalow at his disposal where he lived alone, his family around him to share his Palace and re-live the Old College days. Accordingly, the Hill Country Branch was born in 1988 with Jayantha being the first President. Some other stalwarts who banded together were Maxi Van Culenberg, Chinnappa, Ian Fernando and the current President, Michael de Silva. One of the major contributions made by the Hill Country Branch to College was the supply of grass for the Turf Wicket.
Two other local OBA branches are the Kegalle Branch and Anuradhapura. Recently, more other branches are being inaugurated.
Besides the branches, Old Antonians have also formed themselves into several Groups and Clubs under OBA.
The first of these was 'Group 88', which was to date remains very active and supports the College in many ways and has on many an occasion been of great service to the Parent Body. The other groups formed were the "Group '93" and "Group '95".
"The Old Antonians Cricket Wing" is a young group pf former cricketers devoted to uplift the standard of cricket at St. Anthony's. They assist the college from ground guidance to other needs to raise the levels of cricket back to its old glory. Having inaugurated on the 7th July 2001, OACW has drwan plans very carefully to improve circket from junior level.
Old Antonians' Cricket Wing 2002/03 Committee
"The Antonian Badminton Club" was formed in February 1994 under the Presidency of Mr. R. N. A. de Silva and has continued to function with a host of past Badminton Players. They hold their AGM in Colombo with representations from the Parent Body and Colombo Branch.
'The Past Scouts Association' is also active, building a new Scouts Den at College.
The Old Boys of St. Anthony's College have thus displayed that wherever they may be, their loyalties to their Alma Mater have not been forgotten, and that they will continue to give back in abundance, what they so richly inherited this great Institution.