Sydney summer weather for November turned to be unusually pleasant creating a whiff of the Christmas mood as the guests gathered for this much anticipated festival of “Nine Lessons and Carols” presented by the S.Thomas’ College Old Boys’ Association of NSW/ACT.

It is with great joy and satisfaction that we announce the newly elected OBA committee for the forthcoming period 2022-2023. The new committee was appointed at the AGM concluded on Sunday 30th October 2022.

The Chapel of the Transfiguration, of S.Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia towers majestically from the highest hillock of the campus, a silent witness to the thoughts and prayers, the hopes and aspirations of the generations of Thomian schoolboys, who have trodden it’s familiar aisles during its long history of ninety five years to date.

It was a cold winter night in Sydney on Saturday June 4th 2022, when the Thomian Mexican Fiesta went off with BIG BANG - like a loud Latin firecracker. The Roselea Community Center was HOT! HOT! HOT! All night long! as we laughed and danced and ‘sang-a-long’.

Brookie was the ninth of 13 children born to Mr. and Mrs. Hector D’Silva. Hector, like Brookie and his brothers, was an Old Thomian. Brookie attended STC as a student from 1927 to 1936 and was a boarder (Miller House) during his final years. He won College Colours in Athletics, Cross Country, Swimming and Water Polo. A Public Schools Shot Put Champion in 1936, he went to become the Ceylon National Javelin Champion and Record Holder.

The 2022 Annual RoyTho Cricket encounter with the traditional three games was held on the 26th January with RCOBA hosting the event at the Punchbowl Ovel. Whilst the full exco of RCOBA and STCOBA joined and participated in planning this event credits go the coordinators of the OBA’s David Selvan and Anuk Silva for their fantastic efforts ‘behind the scene’. We are pleased to publish the following report from Nishan Dias who narrates the action and stories of the day vividly……

Distinguished Old Thomian Barney Reid and his lovely wife Rani visited Sydney late last year on the First of December 2021, to spend time with their extended family. Barney, the ever-gracious gentleman and Thomian stalwart did not disappoint us, despite his tight schedule he availed us of the opportunity to hear him speak about his school days at the school-by-the-sea, his star-studded career as a prodigious table tennis champion, his accidental foray into cricket, through to his stint as College cricket coach in 2009/2010. The varied topics discussed even gave us an insight into what it was like to grow up in a family of sportsmen in then Ceylon.

College has given the blessing to the “Events Team” to a unique project called “Walk A Mile”. The aim of the project is to promote a healthy lifestyle and show that even Walking a mile can make a difference, while also raising funds for the school. Proceeds from the event will go towards a much-needed infrastructure development of the College including Smart Classrooms, Senior Quadrangle Project, Cricket Pavilion and the OBA Covid-19 Peer Support Initiative.

Thomian Carol Service 2021 “Thomian Choir heralds the Advent Season, Christmas Jubilation, A thought provoking yet poignant Christmas message”

What a year it has been, an invisible virus dominating our lives, our country, and I dare say the whole world. It seems we are in for the long haul.

But, for those who come from the ‘school by the sea’ we are ruled by that in tangible but very real ‘Thomian spirit’. So, let’s be realistic, wise and practical in facing 2022.

We wish you a Joyous Christmas and a Blessed New Year.

The new committee was appointed at the AGM concluded on Sunday 31st October 2021. Despite the prevailing social gathering restrictions due to COVID-19, the 2021 AGM was held “outdoors” at the Heritage Park, Castle Hill. Arranged in an atmosphere of friendship and camaraderie, interwoven with that intrinsic characteristic, “Thomian Spirit” the formal proceedings were preceded by a BBQ lunch