Ian de Silva writing for Ozlanka

Cricket, lovely cricket!  Could be the theme song of most Sri Lankans who have made Australia home.  Love of cricket it was that drew a group of Sri Lankans together to bring about the birth of the Islanders Cricket Club in 1986.  And over the next nearly 22 yeas this Club has entered teams in the Southern Districts competition of the NSW Cricket Association and fared extremely well, on occasions reaching and the finals; fostered friendships among the families of the players; and promoted some tourist knowledge of this lovely country by organising bus trips to various interesting places in New South Wales and Canberra.

All were welcome in the Islanders Cricket Club, whether they were cricketers or not and many fair dinkum Aussies were also part of the ICC family who supported and joined in the many activities – Curry Nights, picnics, bus trips, New Year’s Eve dances, with baila thrown in, Christmas parties with carol singing, bingo nights, etc., all organised by very efficient Social Secretaries.

The Islanders Cricket Club has had the good fortune and great pleasure in nurturing and producing some excellent players, names of whom are recorded in the ‘Highlights of the ICC’  Book kept carefully in the ICC memories treasury.  Annual Awards Nights recognised and rewarded the outstanding performers.

The success of the Club was without doubt due to the tireless and dedicated work of those who faithfully strove from its inception, all through the years to keep the ICC flag flying  -  ladies who voluntarily cooked and served tasty food, pan rolls, etc., at the Saturday matches, and gave their unstinted support at the Curry Nights and for all the Club’s activities; and committee members willing to work hard for the success of our Club.  Without toil there can be no treasure.

The Club has always had dedicated committees, including seven presidents, all voluntary officers, over the past 22 years; beginning with Bryan De Souza, Anton Jarkey, Darrell Maye, Churchill Vanderwert, Ronnie Steinwall, Ian De Silva and Russell Welsh.  One of these (the oldest) carried the flag for nine years with a break or two in between.  All gave of their best!  Younger members and sons and heirs of the older stalwarts of the Club did their stints on the cricket pitch, with brilliant performances, but now have moved on and out to other fields.

And so, as all good things must end, so does this happy Club - On Friday, 4 July 2008, the final dinner was held at The Flavour of Ceylon Restaurant, Parramatta, with the  small number of 27 members.  Whatever the bank holds at present of the Islanders Cricket Club will be given to a charity.  Happy memories and good friendships will carry on and last.

We bring you a small selection of photos from the event