2008/09 General Committee
PRESIDENT
Nigel Austin
Nigel Austin was elected by an unanimous vote of the “Dutch Burgher Union “, to serve as President at this historic time when the Union is celebrating its Centenary Year.
Nigel is an established entrepreneur in diversified areas of industry and trading.
Apart from his own business interests in the field of packaging, diamond cutting, export of fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as being the exclusive Agent in Sri Lanka since the last 25 Years for “ISCOR” – the Principal South African Steel Mill, Nigel has held positions on the Boards of several public quoted companies.
He was previously Chairman of Asia Capital Ltd and a Non-Executive Director of Richard Pieris and Co Ltd and Lanka Orix Leasing Co Ltd. He currently serves on the Boards of James Finlay and Co Ltd and Dutch Lanka
Trailers Ltd.
Nigel is a past Chairman of the Employers Federation of Ceylon and currently is a Trustee of this Employer Organisation.
Nigel was appointed Honorary Consul for the Republic of South Africa in 1999, during the term of President Nelson Mandela. Nigel served as Hon. Consul until the recent establishment of an Embassy and the appointment of a Resident High Commissioner in Sri Lanka.
Outside of his commercial interests, Nigel has the distinction of being the youngest Commodore to serve the Ceylon Motor Yacht Club which was in the Year 1974. He has been a past President of the Sri Lanka Association for Motor Sports (Controlling body for Motor Sports in Sri Lanka) and a past President of the Ceylon Motor Sports Club. He currently serves on the Committee of the Colombo Club as Hon. Treasurer. He is also a Committee Member of the Sri Lanka Turf Club.
Nigel was appointed in 1999 as Bailli Délégue in Sri Lanka for the Confrere De la Chaîne des Rôtisseurs – an internationally recognized Organisation of significance to Star Class Hotels and Restaurants.
Nigel's general interests include motorsport, classic cars, a passion for horses and boating. Nigel was an oarsman and rowed for St Thomas' College in the inaugural Royal Thomian Regatta held in 1962. In the area of Sri Lankan motorsport, Nigel dominated the motor rallying scene in the mid 1970's, regularly winning such major events as the Monsoon Reliability Trials and the Lotus Rally. As an owner of race horses, Nigel had the distinction of winning the prestigious Governor's Cup in the years 2000, 2002 and 2005. He was also owner of the horse that won the Sir Solomon Dias Bandaranaike Memorial Cup presented by President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga in memory of her Grandfather, during the particular two years when this race was run in 2000 and 2001.
Nigel will serve as President in the 100th year of the DBU and will be supported by a dedicated and committed General Committee, comprising persons of diverse Talents and Skills.
The 100th Annual General Meeting of the Dutch Burgher Union was held at its premises down Reid Avenue on the 28th of March 2008, and the office bearers elected for 2008/2009 are:
President
Nigel Austin
Vice President
Kem Martenstyn
Secretary
Anne-Marie Kellar
Treasurer
Mike Anthonisz
General Committee Members
Timothy Speldewinde
Carol Prins
Anthea Muller
Keith Modder
Fleur Mack
David Martenstyn
Dallas Martenstyn
Stephen LaBrooy
David Grenier
Mervyn Dirckze
David Colin-Thomé
Ex-Officio Members
Scott Dirckze
Vernon Muller
Mervyn Andriesz
SUB-COMMITTEES FOR 2008
Entertainment
Kem Martenstyn (Chairperson), Carol Prins, Mervyn Dirckze, Dominic Kellar, Druki Martenstyn, Beverly Labrooy, Anne-Marie Kellar
Welfare
Kem Martenstyn (Chairperson), Fleur Mack, Jennifer Kelaart, Beverly Labrooy
Post Secondary & Tertiary Education (PSET)
Mike Anthonisz (Chairman), David Grenier, Warren Solomonsz
Finance
Mike Anthonisz (Chairman), David Grenier, Timothy Speldewinde
Treasury Management/Budget
Mike Anthonisz (Chairman), Timothy Speldewinde
Catering
Dallas Martenstyn (Chairman), Anne-Marie Kellar, Lorraine Bartholomeusz, Consultant – Hemalal Ranawake (Koluu)
Bar
Carol Prins (Bar Secretary), Joseph de Crusz, Monte Holsinger, David Colin-Thome, Stephen Labrooy
Constitution & By-Laws
Stephen LaBrooy (Chairman), Timothy Speldewinde, David Colin-Thome, Anne-Marie Kellar
Building & Garden
Stephen LaBrooy (Chairman), Dallas Martenstyn, Ajitha Madanayake, Pat Mamelka
SNH Building
David Martenstyn (Chairman), Mervyn Dirckze, Dallas Martenstyn, Michael Anthonisz, David Grenier
St. Nikolaas’ Home
Mervyn Dirckze (Chairman), Fleur Mack, David Martenstyn, Caryll Van Dort, Anne-Marie Kellar
Social Welfare
Anthea Muller (Chairman), Rosemarie Outschoorn, Mystica Flamer-Caldera, David Van Eyck
Genealogy, Journal & Library
David Colin-Thome (Chairman), Stephen LaBrooy, Consultant – Victor Melder
Membership Development
Anne-Marie Kellar (Chairman), Carol Prins, Mervyn Dirckze, Dominic Kellar
Bulletin
Anne-Marie Kellar (Editor), David Colin-Thome
Website
David Colin-Thome (Chairman), Anne-Marie Kellar, Mervyn Dirckze
Centennial Coffee Table Book Publication
David Colin-Thome (Chairman), Stephen LaBrooy, Consultant - Victor Melder
Centenary Year Celebrations & Fund Raising
Nigel Austin (Chairman), Kem Martenstyn, Anne-Marie Kellar, Stephen Labrooy, Mike Anthonisz, Timothy Speldewinde, David Colin-Thome, David Grenier, Keith Modder, Bobby Jordan-Hanson, Cheryl de Fonseka.
