‘SEWA' at Harmony Day celebrations 2007
Justin Weerasooriya

Annually the John Pandazopolous Public Hall Doveton Committee of Management comprising of the Elders of the Berwick Greek Services Association, Sri Lankan Elders' Welfare Association “SEWA”, Elders' of the Mauritius Silver H Club, Elders' of the Corona Italian Club, Hungarian Seniors Club, Elders of the CLEO Club, Elders' of the South Eastern Chinese Club, Elders' of the Pilipino Younger Generation, Elders of the Poland 40+ Club, Xin Jan Senior Citizens Association and the Adult Day Care MRC jointly celebrate the Harmony Day. For the ninth year in succession the 2007 Harmony Day was celebrated on Wednesday 21 March 2007 .

The proceedings of the day commenced with the playing of the Australia National Anthem every one standing to attention. This was followed by the welcome address of the President of the John Pandazopolous Public Hall Committee of Management former Mayor of the City of Casey Mr. Brian Oats . Brian briefly traced the history of the John Pandazopolous Public Hall Committee of management efforts in providing facilities at the hall on behalf of the City of Casey for the benefit of the Elders' Clubs/Associations housed at the hall and highlighted the strong unity and togetherness of the Clubs/Associations built over the years culminating in grand Harmony Day celebrations being conducted for the ninth year. He thanked the sub-committee led by Grace Woltanski of the Polish 40 + Club for a job well done.

The activities for the day commenced with a costume parade. There were over fifty participants clad in their national costumes including colorful sarees of the Sri Lankan ladies.

Next the Elders of the Filippino Younger generation took the stage with two items of their traditional dancing. It was followed by two items from the South Eastern Chinese Club a display of fan and a sword dance. The item for the Polish 40 + Club was given by a couple engaged to be married in April. She is from the Polish community and he is from the Greek community. She recited a poem in English followed by a recitation in Polish composed by her. He recited a poem in English and one in Greek followed and finished off with a lovely English song. Elders of the Filippino Younger generation came back with another traditional dance.

It was last but not the lease. With the past experience every one was waiting for this movement. If I say that this stole the show it is not an exaggeration. Yes it was the Sri Lankan dance by two young girls of the Sri Lankan Traditional Dancing School Vishver Rangayathanaya of Rashika. The dance was about a loss love and in dance form it was an appeal for the lover to return. The hall was pin drop silent. The applause at the end told it all. There were stream of inquires for future bookings. Tissa directed them all to Rashika. The final item for the day was a solo harmonica instrumental play by Graham Ferdinand a veteran entertainer at SEWA. He played three numbers one Sinhalese and two English. The applause hit the ceiling. This proved what the Sri Lankans can do.

The lunch was served next. No rush. Arrangements had been made to call table by table to collect lunch ably managed by Charlie and Pat of the Greek Elders' Club, ably dished out by Gizella and Eva of the Hungarian Elders' Club. The lunch was fantastic with a big chunk of roasted chicken accompanied by Cole-slaw and a bread role. Soft drinks were freely available.

After lunch the entertainment continued. The entertainers on the stage were introduced as Henry & Ingrid Armstrong BOE HR and Lino Dapos. The curtains were drawn at 2.30.p.m.bringing an end to a very well organized function.

Tissa from SEWA was the MC