The Dutch Burgher Union
114, Reid Avenue, Colombo 4.
Telephone Nos: 2584511, 5331661
Newsletter March 2007
President's message
IMPORTANT NOTICE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING - 2007
will be held on FRIDAY, 30th MARCH 2007 AT 6.30 p.m.
Fellowship will follow soon after the meeting in the down-stair Hall. We hope to see all our members at this AGM.
Dear Member,
Valentine's day was celebrated at the DBU Hall in grand style on 14th February 2006 with our own "Hearts on Fire" Dance. Tickets were sold out well in advance and we were sorry to have to turn away so many latecomers due to lack of space. The hall was decked with red hearts, cupids and red balloons and most of the members and guests were attired in red contributing to the spirit of this beautiful day. With super music, dancing and games everyone present had a great time.
We were very proud and happy to have in our midst the reigning Miss Sri Lanka for Miss Universe, the lovely Jacqueline Fernandesz and Sri Lanka cricketer, Michael Vandort. We hope to see more of them at our future functions.
My thanks goes out to all who were present at this function and helped to make it the success it was and my congratulations to the Entertainment committee for a job well done.
As I look back on the past 12 months, I am proud of what we have achieved. Thank you to my wonderful team - the office bearers, committee members and staff for their enthusiasm, loyalty and support throughout the year. Thanks must also go to the members of the DBU for participating in all the activities and for their unstinted support of our welfare work.
Ms. Kem Martenstyn
Historical Notes
In the seventeenth century, the Dutch became very interested in trading directly with the spice producing countries of South East Asia. To this end, the Dutch East India Company (VOC) was established. Many trading ventures were embarked upon, including that of Balthazar de Moucheron, a merchant, who fitted out an expedition of three ships - the Shaep, the Ram and the Lam - under the command of Admiral Joris van Spilbergen. Since de Moucheron was a friend of the Prince of Orange, he was able to obtain a letter from him, addressed to the King of Kandy, Vimala Dharma Suriya, promising Dutch help to drive the Portuguese out of Ceylon.
According to the journal kept by one of Spilbergen's officers, the three ships set sail from the harbour on the 15th of May 1601. After many adventures and the loss of contact with one of the vessels, the party reached its destination, Batticaloa, on the thirty-first of May 1602. Here, the Admiral was welcomed by the local chief's representatives, and settled down to await the royal invitation to Kandy. After a month's delay, the emissaries who were sent ahead to the King returned with the expected royal summons. They were accompanied by two of the King's agents, both Portuguese deserters. Three days later, Spilbergen left for Kandy, with 10 compatriots, two of whom were musicians, and numerous gifts. The Wanniya of Batticaloa supplied elephants and palanquins for the journey.
Spilbergen and his party were warmly received by Vimala Dharmasuriya. They left Kandy after a 5-day stay laden with gifts, reaching Batticaloa on July 22nd. The successful visit ended when Spilbergen sailed away from the island on September 2nd 1602.
The painting depicting the cordial manner Admiral Joris van Spillbergen, the first Dutchman in Ceylon (Sri Lanka) was received by an official representative of the Kandyan King, in 1602, adorns the upstair bar/lounge area of the Dutch Burgher Union.
Burgher Delicacies
Will be available for Easter. Phone the DBU Secretariat (2584511 and 5331661)
and book by 5th April 2007.
• Freshly baked 2 Ib and 1 Ib Broedhers,
• Foguetti
• Ginger Beer
• Beef Smore
We warmly welcome the following members who joined in January and February 2007
Member by Invitation: Mr Stuart Hatch
Temporary Honorary Membership was approved for Mr. Bas Molenaar and members of the VOC Chamber of the Hague, whenever they visit Sri Lanka.
Honorary Life Membership, with full voting rights, was bestowed on Ms Christine Spittel Wilson and Mr Rodney Vandergert.
BIRTHDAY GREETINGS
We wish all our Members celebrating their birthdays in March good health and continued happiness in the New Year, especially Mrs Ruth de Kretser, Mrs Susan Francis, Mrs H.M.F. Nugara, Ms Gilian Young, Miss Rosanna Flamer-Caldera, Mrs Rebecca Ferdinands, Mrs Ulrike Jager Fernando, Ms Tamara Holsinger, Mrs Sunela Jayawardene, Mrs Leana Pieris, Mrs Maryann Sherine Yvonne Perera, Messrs. Melville Assauw, Christopher Anthonisz, E.C.A. Vandergert, Richard L. Juriansz, Oscar James Frederick Joseph, David Martenstyn, Randal Angelo Nelson, Jeremy David, Mohamed Abdul Gaffoor,
A CHARITY CONCERT
One of Europe's Finest Jazz pianists and Composers, Michiel Bortslap held a Charity concert at the DBU on Wednesday, 28th February. The concert was presented by the Wings of Support Foundation (an initiative by staff of KLM and Martinair to support global charitable organisations), along with the Royal Netherlands Embassy in Sri Lanka.
Proceeds from the ticket sales were all donated to the Parakrama Boys Home.
MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTIONS 2007
Please renew your membership subscription for 2007 as soon as possible.
Welfare - DBU Child Sponsorship
Project Members will be happy to hear that our DBU Child Sponsorship Project has been growing slowly but surely and we now have 79 children sponsored by some of our members and a few well wishers. I hope that during the course of2007 we will be able to reach the exciting target of 100 under the above project!
If you would like to be part of this very meaningful project, please get in touch with the DBU Secretariat and they will be happy to assist you. The rate of sponsorship is a minimum of Rs.1 ,500/= per quarter.
While thanking all those who have already sponsored a child/children, I would kindly request that payments be made as early as possible as we hope to pay the 1st quarter 2007 allowance to the children in March 2007.
Mrs Anthea Muller
Chairperson - Welfare
Darlan's Music
Wednesday night entertainment in the up-stair bar/lounge area has been temporarily discontinued, until further notice by the Committee.
