Marie Pietersz

    Josephines’ Wild West Nite a definite winter warmer: Story: Marie Pietersz – Pics: courtesy well-wishers Pics: courtesy well-wishers Outside was a freezingly cold Melbourne mid-winter’s night on 22nd June, but inside the Good Shepherd Hall, Mulgrave, the warmth, sights and ambience greeting you thawed you out like it was summer. It was an atmosphere that lifted one’s spirits as it usually does at the Josephines’ theme nights, always well supported not only by numbers in attendance but also the extent to which the former pupils and guests ‘dress up’. Cowgirls and cowboys in such an array of country and western clothing and accessories paraded around, comparing outfits and engaging in greetings and small talk. The décor was elaborate and beautiful – typically Texas/Mexican in design and painstakingly hand-made by Judy Fernando. DJ Damian struck up the music on the dot and as usual Delreen Cramer, the MC, was ...

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Melbourne prays for Sri Lankan victims Contributed by: Marie Pietersz, Melbourne With around 50 percent of Australian-born Sri Lankans living in Melbourne, it is no wonder that there were many multi-faith vigils and prayers held in many parts of Melbourne in the days following the Easter Sunday bombings which took place in Sri Lanka on 21st April 2019. It left two Australians of Sri Lankan heritage among the dead, along with many overseas tourists and a death toll on the rise numbering hundreds. Once such special memorial service was held at St Paul’s Cathedral, Melbourne, on Sunday 28th April, arranged by the Consulate General of Sri Lanka, Mr Prasanna Gamage, in association with the Very Rev. Dr. Andreas Loewe, Dean of Melbourne.  Hundreds of people gathered in Federation Square holding posters of support and then on the steps of St Paul’s Cathedral, whilst inside the Cathedral over 1000 Sri Lankans, ...

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MasterChef Contestant DEE WILLIAMS LAUNCHES YOUTUBE CHANNEL – DEE-LICIOUS –  Story by Marie Pietersz, Melbourne     MasterChef Judge Matt Preston’s reaction to Dee’s dish of Sri Lankan chicken curry, dhal and coconut sambol, is about to take on a life of its own, when Dee launches her YouTube channel Dee-licious on Wednesday, 8 May. Dee’s short but very happy time on MasterChef has had a very positive experience on her, so I will follow this up in my personal and candid chat with her. Dee Williams, 37, is the first Sri Lankan female MasterChef contestant who made it into top 24 contestants on season 11, 2019. Dee is from Kandy, Sri Lanka. The oldest of four children, Dee’s family lived on a tea plantation and in 2007 she packed up and moved to Australia to complete a Bachelor’s degree in Hotel Management at Holmesglen, graduating in 2011 and now works ...

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Rugby: HSBC/Cathay Pacific World Series Hong Kong Sevens 2019 – Photos and write up by Marie Pietersz (Melbourne) It’s that time of the year again for Rugby Week in Hong Kong when rugby fans all over the world converge on Hong Kong to play (and party) at the HSBC/Cathay Pacific World Series Hong Kong Sevens 2019. Hong Kong had much to live up to its self-anointed claim as Asia’s and put on wow with its high quality facilities. The 40,000 capacity Hong Kong Stadium was sold out with supporters of 28 teams vying for the coveted title. Australians were there in their thousands, but apart from Hong Kong supporters, Fiji had the largest and loudest contingent. The competition was fast and furious, with quick changeovers and entertainment to boot. Look-alike entertainers performed the music of Queen, Mick Jagger, the Beatles, Amy Winehouse and more. Outrageous and innovative dress–ups provided an ...

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Author Corner: Nalini de Sielvie: Thistles in the Wind – An autobiography : Story by Marie Pietersz, Melbourne Nalini de Sielvie is a Sri Lankan-born Melbourne author whose recent novel Thistles in the Wind has made it on the world stage. Published by Authorhouse (UK) in November 2018, it was displayed at the Tucson Book Fair, Arizona (US) Campus, in March 2019, and is also available on Amazon, online book stores and at Australian libraries.   Many books have been written and published by Nalini since she arrived in Melbourne more than forty-five years ago, but this autobiography, comprising over a thousand pages, is about her own story in detail and is crammed with stories about life in Sri Lanka and Australia that will make you both laugh and cry. Part 1 ‘The Lotus Island’ is about family history, childhood, teenage years and getting married at eighteen, while Part 2 ‘Southern Stars’ deals with ...

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Deno is 70, hip, hip, hooray – Story and pics by Marie Pietersz, Melbourne Denver (Deno) Keegel, popular identity within Sri Lankan social circles, celebrated his milestone birthday on 15th March at the Grand on Princes in Mulgrave.You could be forgiven for thinking you were at a Collingwood finals dinner or awards night, with the venue elaborately decorated in Collingwood colours and memorabilia and 250 guests dressed in the black and white theme for the occasion requested by birthday boy and ardent Collingwood fan, Denver. The party kicked off with a grand entrance by Denver dressed in club colours to a rendition of the club song.  Laughter followed roaring applause from guests when spotted with Denver in a sea of black and white, were three of his grandchildren wearing the colours of rival club, Hawthorn, adding to the fun and excitement of the night’s activities to come. Denver was born in ...

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Anniversary of the Independence of Sri Lanka, 2019 –Contributed by Marie Pietersz, Melbourne The 71st anniversary of the Independence of Sri Lanka was celebrated in Victoria at the Box Hill Town Hall, Box Hill, on 4 February 2019, following the official flag-hoisting ceremony in the Office of the Consulate General in Melbourne. Sri Lankan flags adorned Federation Square. The celebration commenced with the singing of the national anthem in Sinhala and Tamil and observance of two minutes silence in memory of those who sacrificed their lives for the country. The traditional lighting of the oil lamp was followed by multi-faith religious observances conducted by clergy representing four religions in Sri Lanka to bless the nation and its people. Among the distinguished guests attending were senior government officials from both sides of Parliament, the Hon Josh Bull MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs, representing the Premier, and the Hon Craig Ondarchie ...

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Miss South Asia Australia Pageant 2018: Story: Marie Pietersz, Melbourne; Pics: courtesy Hiru Photography Story: Marie Pietersz, Melbourne Pics: courtesy Hiru Photography When VIPs keep attending your events year after year despite their busy schedules, you know they value and are acknowledging your efforts. This is what happens with Dilkie Perera’s Miss Sri Lanka Australia (MSLA) and Miss South Asia Australia (MSAA) Pageants. Among the number of VIPS who attended this year’s double Pageant held at the Savoy Vibe Hotel in the Melbourne CBD on 16 September were Julian Hill MP, Federal Member for Bruce, stopping by on his way to Canberra, and Inga Peulich MLC, Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs, leaving a family party early to attend. VIPs from all countrie represented by participants were also present in a solidarity show of support. The impressive line-up of other dignitaries included: Liz Beattie, former Victorian MP Marianne Lau, Vice Chair ...

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Colombo No.7 (London Dry Gin) – A TASTE LIKE NO OTHER Story and pics: Marie Pietersz, Melbourne For the second year running, Colombo No.7 Gin was selected by organisers Caroline Childerley, the Gin Queen (Australia) and Olivier and Emile Ward (co-owners, Gin Foundry, UK) to showcase their brand of spirits at the Juniperlooza Melbourne 2018 Gin Festival held at the Meat Market, North Melbourne on 27 and 28 October. Juniperlooza (Juniper = berry, the main ingredient in Gin, and Looza = festival or celebration) Melbourne made its debut in 2016 and this year again was a sold-out, over-subscribed event with some 2500 gin lovers eager to sample the variety of international and local Gin products on offer by established distillers and newcomers to the industry. Olivier confided that when choosing exhibitors for these famed gin festivals held in the Spring in Melbourne, London and Hamburg, they look for the characters ...

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Sri Lankan Consuls meet  Contributed by Marie Pietersz, Melbourne During a recent visit to Melbourne, Hon Consul for Sri Lanka in Queensland, Mr Anton Swan, and wife Bronwen, made a courtesy call on the Consul for Sri Lanka in Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania, Mr W G S Prasanna, at his offices in Melbourne. A cordial meeting and informal time was spent together, with both Consuls discussing matters that will improve the services to Sri Lankans in the respective States under their jurisdiction as well as nationally in Australia.   L to R: Hon Consul Mr WGS Prasanna, Bronwen Swan, Hon Consul Mr Anton Swan ...

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