Australian Anglo-Indian Melbourne

Rangers Club – Newsletter – July, 2016

Newsletter- JANUARY, 2016

Reg.No. A0022051

Po Australian Anglo-Indian Melbourne Rangers Club P.O. Box 105. Noble Park, Vic 3174

Email address: melbournerangersclub@hotmail.com Webpage: http://melbournerangersclub.com.au

CLUB’S VISION

“To foster a spirit of unity & friendship in a relaxed environment; offer a range of social, & cultural

events & contribute to various charitable organizations within the Community”

The aim of the club is to promote activities bringing members together, be it social or fund-raising.

One of our founder members, Mike Smith, has recently passed away after a long illness and my condolences to his loved ones. I also, offer my condolences to our members who have lost loved ones in the past six months. I wish a speedy recovery to all our members and friends who have been ill. Finally, thanks to my great committee for all the hard work they put in to make this club what it is today. People will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel, we must keep moving forward no matter what the circumstances are?? Glaxon Saunders President - AAIMRC

NEIL O’BRIEN PASSED AWAY on 24/06/2016 O'Brien was a nominated representative of the Anglo-Indian Community in the West Bengal State Legislature from 1977 to 1991, an Anglo-Indian Member of Parliament in the 11th Lok Sabha, and the president-in-chief of the All India Anglo Indian Association. O'Brien served as the chairman of the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examination, which conducts the ICSE and ISC examinations, from 1993 to 2011. He was on the board of schools like La Martiniere for Girls, La Martiniere for Boys and Frank Anthony Public School. But he will be best remembered as the "father of quizzing" in Calcutta and beyond. O'Brien conducted the first formal quiz at Christ the King Church Parish Hall in Calcutta in 1967 with an audience of 40 after he returned from England where he had been exposed to the pub quiz culture. He remained active in quizzing throughout his life and hosted popular quiz show broadcasts, including the North Star Quiz. May his soul R.I.P. Our condolences to the family.

Dear Members & Friends,

The year has passed so quickly and we find that we are preparing for the next AGM and Christmas activities.

I am happy to see that the club has been extremely active and successful. Founder members have stood up at various functions and congratulated the committee on a job well done. As President, I will always look to our members and value their support. The 10th World Anglo-Indian Reunion was held in January, 2016 in Sydney and many of our members did attend the reunion. We also, held a mini Anglo-Indian Reunion in Melbourne in conjunction with the Australian Anglo-Indian Association, Campion Old Boys’ & Dandenong Warriors Hockey Club over three days. All functions were well attended and a profit of $16,000 was made and distributed amongst four clubs for their nominated charities in India. It was one of “the best” mini-reunions held in Melbourne. A big “THANK YOU” to Rodney Almeida of the Australian Anglo-Indian Association for arranging this event. Also I would like to thank all the members who attended this mini reunion and assisted in raising funds. $3,000 was donated to the Calcutta Anglo-Indian Service Society and $1,000 to The Calcutta Rangers Club I would like to remind our members that the AGM is in August where you can show your appreciation for our club and for the committee with your attendance.

VISION FOR THE FUTURE AAIMRC has embraced members from Calcutta and the sub-continent, making it Melbourne’s richest multi-cultural social

club. It is our committee’s vision - to incorporate young-fresh minded men and women with a progressive outlook on life while

at the same time encourage the many earlier members that have let their membership lapse over the past decade to renew their

membership – to take the Melbourne Rangers Club to a new level over the next year.

A WARM AAIMRC WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS:

1- Mark & Sharon Simons 2- Arthur & Deanne Gilbert

WHAT OUR MEMBERS HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THE CLUB:

We would like to say a big thank you to the Melbourne Rangers Club Committee for all of the time and effort that you routinely put into making every event a big success and providing your members with the best time ever, whether at the monthly club nights, dances or weekend trips. Although it’s a long way for us to travel to get to the club functions, we always look forward to that once a month enjoyable club night to catch up with many old acquaintances and make some new ones and of course not forgetting the scrumptious catering arrangements. The success of the club is mainly due to the can-do attitude, hard work and absolute dedication of a well organised committee who volunteer their time. Once again, thanks for being such a great team! You all are the best! John & Debbie Sequeira & Jeff & Jenny Colquhoun

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Joyful Company!!! Glaxon & his clan of organisers are our very best on the circuit of fun & explicit shows during the year. They continuously think of making the community built on Love & Entertainment a reality. Nothing compares to the effort & planning in every dose of an outdoor or indoor activity. We continue to support & encourage the Association in all their future & spontaneous endeavours for the coming years into the future.

Love & Best wishes……Dorothy & Glen McGowan

Committee Members: Glaxon Saunders - 0418176501 George Sarkies - 0455498312

Sam Bamford - 0412438278 Ronnie Mayne - 0418855430

Freeda Talukdar - 0425775157 Nigel Rose - 0434515614

Alan Talukdar - 0427849875 Jenny Gray - 0438092909

Adrian D’souza - 0448903548 Melville Agacy - 0422939932

Nigel Nagle - 0420416137

MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL FOR FIN YEAR 2016/17 ARE DUE BY 20TH JULY, 2016. Renewal forms will be sent out alongwith this newsletter. We would request you to please fill in the renewal forms with all your details, especially your email address and date of birth, so we can update our database and correspondence via email with all our members. Please post the renewal form with your cheque/cash to “The Secretary, AAIMRC, P.O. Box 105, Noble Park, Vic 3174 by no later than 20/07/2016. OR you can scan and send it via Melbourne Rangers Club email address, and deposit the monies into the bank account directly Payments of membership fees can be made directly to the CBA bank account: BSB No. 063-175 A/c. No. 10450074 Account name: Australian Anglo-Indian Melbourne Rangers Club. Please mention your name and membership as a reference.

RECENTLY DECEASED MEMBERS

1- Mike Smith passed away. He was one of the founder member of the Club. Our sincere condolences to his

family members. 2- Eric Dias passed away. Our sincere condolences to his family members. 3- Karl Arnold passed away. Our sincere condolences to his family members

“Keeping us young at heart in our Golden Years”!!

I am delighted when, finally, this great club adopted my very early suggestion – including Anglo-Indian in it’s name. Last year’s celebration of 35 years was a glittering success, civilized sophistication, homely fun, warmth and laughter, old memories of our origins in the famous Calcutta Rangers Club. The friendship and hospitality of our heritage was beautifully presented. How lucky we are to have flourished in the safe social life of our youth, and to now recapture its charms in our golden years. In closing my speech at the recent world Anglo-Indian Reunion in Sydney in January,2016, I said we should keep each other in the first place and treat each other better than we treat anyone else, the VIP’s, the wider society, then these would definitely be the best years of our lives, as they should be. Hoping the young with their vision will join our ranks, as we go forward. God bless.

Dr. Gloria Moore

10th ANGLO-INDIAN REUNION HELD IN SYDNEY

As another year turned over, a lot of Anglo-Indians around the world, started packing their party gear to party for a week in Sydney, Australia, for the 10th Anglo-Indian Reunion. Approximately 1500 Anglo-Indians (by good authority) flew, drove, bussed, walked, to 'meet and greet' their friends in the old fashioned way. For some, scanning the lists of attendees for months and even years before had become a habit hard to break post Reunion. That is, until it all starts up again.

We have attended all but a couple of the ten Reunions and have greatly enjoyed all of them. The great Anglo-Indian diaspora that occurred after the British left India all those years ago scattered family and friends to the four corners of the globe. It was terrific meeting all the friends (and making new ones) over the decades of Reunion. Slowly we all changed but the format, fun and indelible spirit of the community and of the Reunions did not.

The 10th Sydney Reunion started on Sunday 17th January, 2016 with an Opening Ecumenical Service at St. Patrick Cathedral and then followed with Meet & Greet at Nirimba Education Precinct. There were Jam sessions, Coach Tours, Sydney Harbour cruise, family fun & sports day, bingo. Outings to Blue Mountains, Hunter Valley Wineries & tour to Canberra. On 22nd February the International Federation AGM was held at Nirimba Education Precinct. It ended on 23rd January, 2016 with a Grand Ball held at Rosehill Racecourse. 900 beautifully attired ladies and gentlemen attended this very grand function.

Once again, in beautiful, iconic Sydney, we had a great time with friends and family who had travelled far to be there along with the lovely Sydney folk who seemed to go out of their way to be friendly and hospitable. We partied till dawn, took a myriad pictures, (savouring our memories), overindulged in every sphere and at the end of the day had a great time. Why? Because we were again united with friends we now see rarely, friends living in England, Canada, India, the US, Anglo-Indian stalwarts who had taken the time and spent the money to come to meet with like- minded people who were now scattered around the world. Diaspora.

Make no mistake, this is a rare thing. People forgetting all else, put aside a week to travel to some far flung part of the world to meet their old friends, have fun, then go back to wherever they call home now. Almost 30 years of this phenomena. Who knows what time and the years may bring? Who knows what's written by that "Moving finger that writes and having writ, moves on..." Who knows what the years ahead may bring? Who knows whose lovely, smiling face we'll see today but not tomorrow? So, for now, we are here gathering up life's fleeting moments with people of our community, friends, encapsulated in a time warp, and whatever the weather - let's laugh, celebrate this time, be merry. Dance!

After the Perth Reunion, I wrote a poem about that reunion which I think encapsulates a certain feeling which is true for all Reunions. REUNION 2010 The days have flown past, Reunion VIII is now done. Again, it was a lot of fun! From the moment, as a group, we boarded the plane, till the time we were safely home again. The delight of encountering old friends from the past, as we hug¸ ‘meet and greet’, exchange stories, laugh! Anglo Indian diaspora in diverse countries now live, these Reunions have fostered a cultural bridge. Proposed 24 years now the idea was brilliant, to reunite people - first generation emigrants. As an ongoing concept its unique I’m sure; and something that’s never been done before! So, every three years kindred spirits draw together, to enjoy and indulge in united endeavour. We live far apart from the friends of our youth, new friends have been made, so loss of the old May be deemed somewhat moot. Then why do we fly around the world at a whim If everything’s fine in the State that we’re in? Can somebody tell me, so then I will know, If not, Reunion IX’s in Calcutta; that’s where we’ll all go!

MARILYN GOSS

GALA JAMBOREE-- MINI- REUNION HELD IN MELBOURNE FROM 29/01/2016 TO 31/01/2016

The following week after the 10th Anglo-Indian reunion held in Sydney, a mini-reunion was organised in Melbourne by the Australian Anglo-Indian Association, Campion Old Boys’ & Dandenong Warriors Hockey Club and Australian Anglo-Indian Melbourne Rangers Club. The “Meet-N-Greet” was held on Friday 29th January, 2016 where all attendees were able to meet old acquaintances whom they hadn’t seen for years to come. Then on Saturday 30th January, 2016 the Grand Ball was a prestigious event. It was an enjoyable evening with music by the band “Next Generation” and sumptuous dinner by Silver Platter. On Sunday 31st January, 2016 we had many social events organised for the full day ie. Sport activities, jam sessions, bingo, music and dancing. An enjoyable day, but as all good things must come to an end, the day ended with saying good-bye to all good friends whom they met and new friends made along the way. An event never to forget…..

CALENDER OF EVENTS FOR NEXT SIX MONTHS JULY, 2016 TO DECEMBER, 2016

31st DECEMBER, 2016 from 7.00 p.m onwards at the Hungarian Community Hall, 760 Boronia Road, Wantirna, Vic Band : ‘VIBES” & “DJ” Dress : Semi-Formal Members $35.00 Guest : $40.00 Children 5 & above $25.00

PLEASE NOTE CHANGE IN THE VENUE FOR OUR MONTHLY FUNCTIONS

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 26thAugust, 2016 at 7.30 p.m. (Friday Night) followed by dinner and music Venue: Keysborough Seniors Hall 352 Cheltenham Rd, Keysborough, Vic 3173 Nomination forms will be send out in the 1st week of August, 2016

BOLLYWOOD NITE – DINNER DANCE On 23rd July, 2016 at Springvale Town Hall, Springvale from 7.00 p.m. onwards BAND : Next Generation & Dynamic Duo Members : $40.00 & Guest $50.00 Catering : D & S Caterers - Drinks : BYO Dress :Semi- Casual

HOPPER NITE

FRIDAY 30th September, 2016 from 7.30 p.m. At Keysborough Seniors Hall 352 Cheltenham Rd, Keysborough, Vic 3173 Catering : Hopperman Drinks ; BYO Members : $15.00 Guest : $20.00 There will be Bingo and music and an evening full of melodies

OCTOBER, 2016

On 28th October, 2016 from 7.30 p.m at Keysborough Seniors Hall, 352 Cheltenham Rd, Keysborough Vic 3173 Catering : Dario’s Mauritian Food (Chow Nite) Drinks : BYO Members : $15.00 Guest : $20.00 This will be a social evening with music, fun & lots of games

CHILDRENS CHRISTMAS TREE: Sunday 4th December, 2016 at 1.00 p.m to 5.00 p.m. Venue : Keysborough Seniors Hall 352 Cheltenham Rd, Keysborough Vic 3173 “NOODLES THE CLOWN & SANTA” will be entertaining the kids Members : Free Guest : $10.00 per person

Catering : Sausage Sizzles & Drinks BYO… Please bring your own gifts for your children to be placed under the

Christmas Tree and will be handed over to the kids by Santa Claus.

SENIORS LUNCH

SUNDAY 20th November, 2016 at 1.00 p.m at Keysborough Seniors Hall 352 Cheltenham Rd, Keysborough,Vic 3173 Music by Glax the Sax & Ronnie Mayne Members: $15.00 Guest : $20.00

Please rehearse your Christmas Carols so as to bring in the spirit of Christmas

GALA DANCE

FOOD ON

SALE

&

DRINKS -

: BYO