CLUB PROJECTS
scholarship program
In 2014, the committee members of the Old Antonian Social Club came up with a suggestion of a project to help young Antonians who are presently studying at College. Though the club has been continuously supporting Cricket, Rugby, and other activities, we wanted to pioneer in a project specifically supporting the well-being of very young Antonians whose parents find it tough to meet the needs of those children due to various personal circumstances.
With the fullest support of the general membership the club decided to select suitable candidates on strict selection criteria such as educational performance, family background, the potential of the child to perform better in fulfilling his school ambitions. Rationale was simple as it provided a channel for our membership to payback what our Alma Mater had given us during our college days.
Recognizing our genuine efforts, Rev Fr Rector, Henry Wijerathne appointed a student counsellor to coordinate the scheme on behalf of college. The counsellor shares the students’ academic reports and other progress reports on a quarterly basis, to support the disbursement of monthly payments.
At present, six young Antonians and three former students of the college who are continuing higher studies are benefitted under this scholarship programme. Its noteworthy that few Old Boys from Melbourne and Sydney have come forward to sponsor selected recipients, also we salute The Alwis Foundation for sponsoring few more students from the inception of this scheme.
In 2014 we started by donating each recipient Rs 5,000/- monthly directly in their bank account and now with your support monthly amount has increased up to Rs 15,000. Our annual commitment is Rs 180,000 on average and the Club support students till they do their Advance Level subject to performance criteria attached to the scholarship.
Our annual College Day celebrations, and specific donations from old boys and well-wishers have been earmarked as the main fundraisers for the scholarship programme. First time since we started this scheme, we are also very proud to sponsor a young Antonian Seminarian who is aspiring to be a OBS Priest one day. I thank the Deputy Principal Rev Fr Dushantha Perera OSB for giving us this opportunity to show our gratitude to many Benedictine monks who have served the College for many years.
We have already seen the results of this worthy project and extremely proud of the fact that two past recipients got selected to universities and another found employment at Hatton National Bank. One of the university students has volunteered to coach the college chess team.
During the AGM (L), Umesh, one of our scholarship recipients, received the prestigious 'Emerging Old Antonian Award'. He proudly wore the college tie at his graduation ceremony (R), marking the completion of his tertiary education.
Old Antonian Social Club’s KEY contributions to college
| Year | Amount (AUD) | Project |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 2,810.00 | Contributions towards the printing cost of the book "Story of Antonian Cricket – a season by season by review". 400 copies were handed over to Cricket Wing. |
| 2017 | 1,000.00 | Contribution towards the purchase of a school bus |
| 2016 | 3,500.00 | Old Antonian Cricket Wing |
| 2015 | 3,000.00 | Old Antonian Cricket Wing |
| 2014 | 3,000.00 | Old Antonian Cricket Wing |
| 2014 | 2,300.00 | Fr Stephen Abraham’s jubilee celebrations |
| 2013 | 5,000.00 | Old Antonian Cricket Wing |
| 2012 | 4,000.00 | Colombo OBA Sports Fund |
| 2011 | 2,000.00 | Colombo OBA Sports Fund |
| 2010 | 4,000.00 | Colombo OBA Sports Fund |
| 2009 | 10,000.00 | Refurbishment of college hall |
| 2008 | 4,000.00 | Ceiling fans for the college hall |
| 2006 | 1,500.00 | Old Antonian Cricket Wing |
| 2004 | 10,000.00 | Funds towards 150 year celebrations/ repair to college hall |
| 2002 | 4,520.00 | Cricket covers for the college grounds |
| 1999 | 3,000.00 | Computers for the college laboratories |
| 1998 | 857.50 | Cricket caps with the college crest |
| 1995 | 1,500.00 | Funds towards laboratory equipment |
| 1994 | 312.50 | Contribution towards Fr Lanfranc Amerasinghe’s eye operation |
| 1993 | 1,562.50 | Contribution towards the college pavilion (SRS 50,000) |
| 1992 | 2,008.00 | Housing for minor staff |
| 1991 | 2,053.75 | College ties and badges |
| 1985 | 395.00 | College badges |
| 1984 | 250.00 | Contribution towards a professional cricket coach |
| 1982 | 300.00 | Lawnmower donated for the cricket pitch |
Note: In addition to the above, our club has also made donations to a number of charitable institutions in both Australia and Sri Lanka. Individually, our members have made strong contributions towards the Sports Trust Fund as well. Funds collected as part of our Scholarship Program is not included here.
DONATION OF A LAWN MOWER IN 1983 – One of the first contributions by the Old Antonians in Australia.
For over forty years, the Old Antonian Social Club Australia (OASC) has been a strong supporter of College activities. As the most dynamic and robust SACKOBA group abroad, OASC has consistently supported College sports initiatives, which started off with their donation of a lawn mower in 1983. Now, more than four decades later, OASC continues to play a significant role, actively contributing to the ongoing project to revitalize the turf wicket.
We have contributed Rs 425,000 towards this project which is nearing completion as seen in the photos. Unfortunately, the turf has been neglected over a long period of team (top photo) and according to Ranjith Peries, we have got the assistance of a good curator, who is expected to visit us on a fortnightly basis and provide guidance on its maintenance.
Pic (1): The state of the turf before we started this new project. Pic (2) & Pic (3): Turf being revitalized. Pic (4): Preparing the upgraded turf for trimming.
