Extract from 125th OBA Anniversary Special Edition
Originally written in 1991 entitled “From The Archives” by Marc Billimoria
The S. Thomas’ College Old Boys’ Association was inaugurated in 1886, thirty-five years after the founding of the School, by the Ven. E. F. Miller, 5th Warden of the School. On 25th November 1886 a letter signed by a group of fortynine Old Boys was addressed to Warden Miller calling for the formation of an Association for old Thomians and following this on 4th December 1886 Warden Miller convened a meeting of 27 old boys in the College Library at Mutwal. L. W. de Silva has given a record of what took place and who was elected to the first committee etc. Needless to say the names of those present at the meeting reads like a veritable ‘Whose Who’ of Sri Lankan elite personages of the day. Following that first meeting and the Resolution proposed to establish the Association, a further meeting was convened on 21st December 1886, (St. Thomas’ Day according to the Calendar of the 1662 Book of Common Prayer that was used at the time) attended by 78 Old Boys who were elected members of the new Association. Thus began the Society that celebrates 125 years of existence in 2011. The first Honorary Secretary and Treasurer of the OBA was the Revd George Arndt, appointed in January 1887. The first ‘Old Boys’ Day’ was held on 1st February 1887 that included the first Garden Party in the shade of the Banyan Trees followed by a Service in the Cathedral at which the Bishop of Colombo, Patron of the OBA, preached. This was followed a General Meeting attended by 140 members at which 8 honorary members elected. The first present boys vs. old boys Cricket Match was played on Old Boys’ Day 1889. The annual Old Boys’ Lunch hosted by the Warden as Hon. President of the Association was first given in 1897. L. W. De Silva writes, ‘The dry curry and coconut sambol served on this occasion are to Thomians what roast beef is to Old England. Since Bacchus has drowned more men than Neptune, the customary drink is water which rivals the clearness of Bandusia’s fountain.’ Things must have been very different then!!!The annual Old Boys’ Dinner, although proposed in 1896, was first held in 1901 at the Bristol Hotel in Colombo to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the College. Old Boys’ Day 1937 witnessed the start of the tradition of having various exhibitions by students of the School for the benefit of old boys. These included Art, Woodwork and Science exhibitions as well as other displays of student activities such as gymnastics, swimming and diving with a concert bringing the day to a close. Every year since then the programme of events has evolved reflecting the dominant activities of the School of the day. One of the features of the day has also been the unveiling of the portraits of notable Old Boys, long serving staff members and Sub-Wardens, as and when required, usually as part of the AGM agenda or at the lunch (the portraits of retiring Wardens being unveiled on Prize Day). Old Boys’ Day had been held close to Foundation Day on 3rd February of each year since 1887. A change came in 1948 when at AGM, attended by both the Prime Minister Mr D. S. Senanayake and the Chief Justice Sir Arthur Wijeyewardene, a Resolution was passed that Old Boys’ Day should be held during the second weekend of February to avoid the inevitable clash with Independence Day on 4th February. The STC OBA has many ‘branches’ all overthe world, each independent of each other but bound together by the common bonds of loyalty and devotion to the old School. The first proper branch of the OBA was formed at Kurunegala in 1902, at Galle in 1931, at Kandy in 1933 and at Batticaloa in 1935. L. W. De Silva writes that a ‘branch association for Old Boys of St. Thomas’ College, Gurutalawa, was formed in 1959 and was affiliated to the parent Association after an amendment of the relevant rule.’Subsequently branches have been formed for Uva and Sabaragamuwa. The OBA celebrated its Golden Jubilee in 1936, the Diamond Jubilee in 1947 and the 75 anniversary in 1961 while the Centenary was celebrated in grand style in 1986. At the end of 125 years all those associated with the OBA today can justly echo the OBA historian of 1961 L. W. De Silva, who has written, “All the available material points to one conclusion: since 21st December, 1886, the O.B.A. has been an inspiring consecration to the College.” The celebration of significant milestones in the history of an institution or association affords an opportunity for reflection and introspection. When the OBA was founded in 1886, those who framed the original ‘Rules of the Association’ identified its objectives as follows: 1. To increase the sense of fellowship in Old Boys both with one another and with the College. 2. To promote good works among them, and 3. To afford guidance and encouragement to the younger generation.” A look at the STCML OBA website confirms that while these objectives remain unchanged, three more have been added with regard to the functions of the Association in relation to the School, the Branch Schools and Affiliated Associations. The STC OBA has done much over the years to further the Aims and Objectives with which it was started, and indeed during the period its contribution to the life of the School has been immeasurable. Any evaluation of the life and work of the OBA therefore must be undertaken in the light of its stated aims and objectives, its vision and mission. Certainly in relation to the original three objects the Association has been true to them, despite several limitations and indeed problems that plague any society of this nature over the years. Over the years the OBA has emerged as the strongest support of the School. The OBA hasfunded Scholarships and Prizes, building works and other projects to develop the infrastructure of the School, sports and other extra-curricular activities and much more to develop the School as a centre of excellence. Being a member of the OBA brings with it many privileges, not least of all the prospect of being able to admit one’s sons into the School without much ado, provided membership has been obtained during a stipulated period. However, as has often been stated, with great privilege comes great responsibility, and thus Old Boys have much more to offer their alma mater than mere sentimentality. What is expected from Old Boys is far more than the displaying of bumper stickers or windshield slogans, far more than wearing the ‘old school tie’! The words spoken by the late Neville de Alwis, 15th Warden of the School, at the OBA AGM of 1984 contain the challenge that is ever before us, the alumni of S. Thomas’ College: ‘Our College has not reared us without expecting from us in return some nurture fee. She has given us nurture in order that she might engage for herself our best energies and talent, permitting us to use for our needs so much and so much only as she does not require for her own. The College needs your help to survive. Every old boy must give the College the nurture fee he owes.’ Repaying our nurture fee however, does not give us the right to interfere with the internal running of the School – that prerogative lies with the School’s Chief Executive – the Warden. The duty and responsibility of the OBA is to perform a supportive role, to offer constructive criticism certainly to further develop the school, but not to attempt to ‘call the shots’! Warden Miller, the architect of the OBA, preached a sermon on Old Boys’ day 1888 which he ended thus: ‘For what is it which brings you here – men of different ages, pursuits, circumstances? Why have the Old Boys of the College seen fit to form themselves into a society? It is not merely, I believe, a sentimental attraction towards a place where your early years were spent; not merely an affection for those who were your companions in those years; not merely a wish to renew old associations. Am I wrong in attributing your attachment to this place to something more than this – to your consciousness that you gained something here which has been of priceless value to you throughout life? You gained some good here. Men with all the responsibilities and cares of life upon them would never com together, as you have done today, unless the memories evoked by the occasion were memories of good received. Something you received when here, which has in varying degrees remained with you all through life, however the troubles or anxieties of life may have tended to obscure it – something which has helped you in your hour of need and care and trial, something which, however much you may have lost sight of it yourself, you long that your children should receive.
Esto Perpetua
NMPB (1991)
