BLACK AUSTRALIAN Chapter 2 - :

Daryl Cook

by Sunil GOVINNAGE

Daryl received a memo from the Managing Director confirming that he had been promoted as the Director of the Information Technology Branch, with immediate effect. The Board had unanimously endorsed the promotion which came with a significant salary increase. Daryl's responsibilities had been expanded not only to include the information technology functions but also to ensure effective coordination of all information technology systems across the company.

He responded immediately, accepting his promotion, but requested two new staff members to work on the old mainframe computer system. Due to staff shortages, the support and maintenance services for the mainframe computer systems were contracted out to the Regional Computer Centre at the University of Western Australia. Daryl also indicated the need to evaluate and implement a new project management system that could be used across all the branches of the company. He emphasised in his reply that elimination of multiple computer systems could reduce costs. Despite his training in computing and civil engineering, Daryl had never worked with mainframe computers and wanted help. On a previous occasion, he had refused receiving training on the workings of those giant machines comparing mainframe computers to dinosaurs.

The Managing Director responded quickly by approving two new staff positions; a junior person as permanent staff, and an additional two year contract position for technical services. Daryl was advised, however, that the savings should be made through cost savings of computer systems across the company.

After receiving approval to fill two new positions, Daryl advertised the vacancies in the newspapers. There was a good response. After sorting through all the applications received, Daryl decided to interview an applicant from Sri Lanka first. Of the several job applications for the technical services position, one applicant with both computing and engineering qualifications stood high above the rest. The same person had also applied for the junior position, but was far too qualified for the job.

The applicant with the unusual name was a civil engineer from Sri Lanka. His qualifications included a Master's degree in Computer Science from an international university in Thailand and an MBA from the University of Western Australia. Having just completed his course, he was working there as a research assistant. Daryl was also surprised to learn about his language skills:

Language skills

Sinhala (Fluent - Written and Spoken)

English (Fluent - Written and Spoken)

Thai (Spoken)

Japanese (Spoken and Written)

French (Spoken and Written)

Above all, a line in the applicant's résumé indicated that he had studied for one year of high school at Wesley College - the school Daryl had attended. According to his age, Daryl concluded the applicant must have been four to five years his junior at his old school.

"Hello, my name is Daryl Cook. Thank you for your application. You've a fascinating résumé and a very interesting mix of skills in civil engineering, computing and management. That's great!"

"Oh, the qualifications are due to accidents in my life!" Siripala Wickramasinghe responded with an Asian accent. Daryl liked his pleasant manner.

"Everything in my life seems to happen by accidents! I'd have preferred to be an expert in computing than a civil engineer. I also like management studies. That's why I did my MBA without doing a PhD in Computer Science. In fact, I was offered a scholarship to do a PhD in computing but I wanted to study Management. I'd like to work in a civil engineering firm doing computer work. That's one of the reasons for applying for this job."

Siri explained what he had been doing at the university and the relevance of his studies and work experience.

"Why did you apply for the junior position? You are over-qualified for that job!"

"It's a permanent job, isn't it? I'd like to have some permanency in my life! I want to buy a place to live. The banks look after people with long term jobs!" Siri was genuine and Daryl liked those who tell the truth.

"We can work something out because of your qualifications, provided you're happy to help me run the IT Branch. There's also a need to develop a good project management system."

"It's simple. I like challenges and I can work long hours. My whole life has been a series of challenges!" Siri smiled.

"Is that how you learnt all those languages? Where did you study languages?"

"Oh! I was always interested in other languages and cultures. I studied Thai and French while in Thailand. I did study Japanese in Sri Lanka. I don't pretend to be an expert on any language. But they help me to get along with people. I like travelling."

"That's good. As you know, we try to get into the Asian market. There's a boom in the Asian construction industry and we want to bid for international tenders, so your language skills and cultural awareness will be very useful."

Daryl explained more about the company, its philosophy and the salary scales that he could offer.

"I'm very happy to accept the position."

"Have you worked with Robert Young in the Regional Computer Centre?"

"Yes, of course, I know that good American fellow!"

"Do you mind if we contact him for a reference?"

"No worries! He has nothing but good things to say about me" Siri responded laughingly.

"I'll give you a call within a day or so and let you know whether we can offer you a permanent position with the salary scale we discussed."

That day, Daryl sent a memo to the Managing Director outlining Siri's qualifications and advising that he wanted to upgrade the junior position. He explained the advantages of not hiring a person for the technical position as this applicant with superior qualifications was capable of doing both jobs. In addition, the proposal would make a significant saving immediately since the short-term contract position attracted a higher salary. Daryl suggested a compromise and savings for the company right from the beginning.

He received an e-mail approving his proposal. The next day, Daryl telephoned Siri.

"Yes, I can send you an e-mail confirming the arrangements with an increased salary. It's a permanent position. I can send you a letter in a day or two. Is that okay?"

"Yes, Sir, I agree Mr Cook," Siri responded.

"When can you start work?"

"Well, I need to give my employer a minimum of two weeks' notice."

"Okay, then you'll start working with us two weeks from today."

"Yes, I can."

"You can have my assurance and give notice to your employer today. Are you happy to do that?"

"Of course!"

"Great! It's a privilege for us to have someone with your skills and experience. Your work at the university and experience with mainframe computer systems will be quite useful to us. We look forward to having you in our team!"

Daryl Recalled Siri's first day at work, the discussion on Sri Lankan names, and his failure to persuade Siri to adopt a name that Australians would be more comfortable with. He also remembered the difficulties Siri had with one or two people at work, particularly with Frank. The unpleasant encounters soon faded as Siri adapted to his new environment. Staff who had been using the mainframe-based e-mail system were happy to swap over to a new system within four months. By reducing dependency on the expensive mainframe system, Siri saved the company a lot of money. Within a year, Siri got a promotion and became deputy to Daryl in the IT Branch.

Friday evening found Daryl and Siri walking to their favourite pub on Hay Street. Outside, the weather was pleasant although there was grey sky above with a shadow of overcast. The bar was filling up with people who were coming to wash another week with beer or two. A young woman who sat next to Siri was pumping out cigarette smoke like a chimney as while sipping a glass of red wine. Siri started coughing.

"Are you allergic to cigarette smoke?"

"No, but I'm allergic to smokers!" said Siri.

"Okay then!" Daryl said with a low voice and winked at Siri.

"May I?" Daryl sought Siri's permission to light a cigarette.

"I don't know how you people pump up your lungs with this deadly stuff!"

"Sometimes, you need to do unhealthy things to survive! You're not yet in charge of the Finance and IT Branches. When you are, you'll need regular stress busters like cigarettes!" Daryl said.

"I don't want to have stress. I don't know whether getting married will cause stress, but I'm going to get married soon!" Siri said. "I want you to hear this important news from me first!"

"Wow! Who's the lucky girl? I'm sure she's an Aussie! Who is she anyway?"

"Her name is Rajini. She grew up in Melbourne, but she is from Sri Lanka. And she is a Tamil!"

You must show me her photo."

"No, you'll see her in eight weeks in flesh!"

"So, you're marrying a Tamil person! Isn't that great? Well, I thought you are Sinhalese and you people didn't like Tamils! I can remember the problems you had with Frank just after you joined the company. In fact, at one point you told me that he bullied you because he was a Tamil and you were a Sinhalese!"

"He is not a Tamil! He is an Aussie now! Anyway, all that is water under the bridge. In fact, I'll invite Frank and his wife to the wedding as well.

By the way, Daryl, the Sinhalese people got no problems with Tamils. We have been living with them in peace for centuries."

"Isn't that great? Tell me how one can differentiate a Tamil from a Sinhalese? I know that you people are having a war there.

Tell me why there's a civil war between Tamils and Sinhalese in Sri Lanka. Will your marriage to a Tamil person create problems at home? I mean in Sri Lanka."

"That's difficult to explain. Tamils and Sinhalese, and for that matter, Muslims lived in harmony for centuries in Sri Lanka. But the civil war is a different issue. I think the current problem is a direct side effect of the British occupation in Sri Lanka."

"So the bloody Poms created the problem between Tamils and Sinhalese in Sri Lanka! I didn't know that," Daryl confessed.

"Technically, that's correct, but there are other factors," Siri continued.

"There are a lot of similarities between Sinhalese and Tamils, but we have been living in total isolation, I mean culturally. The national policies introduced in the late 1950s such as Sinhala Language Policy aggravated the problem. I don't want to bore you with details of our recent history," Siri said, and looked at the woman sitting next to them.

"Anyway, before I order another round of drinks, I want to ask you a favour.

Would you please be my best man?"

"Oh, what a privilege Siri, your wedding photo will have black and white colours! Of course, it's an honour. Do you plan to have a church wedding?"

"No, because of our racial and religious differences, we are only going to have a private function at Matilda Bay. No grand ceremonies!" Siri said.

"Oh! I'd love to see all those fancy dress ceremonies in oriental weddings. Very exotic! When I worked in Malaysia I went to an Indian wedding, and it was great."

"So, when is your wedding?"

"It's a June wedding. I hope it will not rain on the sixth of June," Siri said.

"I'm looking forward to meeting her. Well, I was waiting for an opportunity to tell you the latest news on me. I'm planning to move out! I found a good job in Melbourne. My wife has a lot of friends and relatives there." Daryl shared a secret known only to the Managing Director. "You may have to take over the Computing Branch in January. I'm trying to split my other work too. Only the Managing Director knows me leaving. I meant to tell you my plans once everything is finalised, but nothing in life can be completed in full!"

"So you have already decided to leave us behind," Siri said with a sad voice.

"In fact, you might have a new boss soon!" Daryl continued. "I don't know what will happen. The company will take radical steps to overcome the slumps because of the Asian economic downturn. I want to go and face a few more challenges before our kids start spreading their roots in one place. I think we'll come back to Perth, perhaps in three or four years' time. Who knows the future? Can you predict the future, Siri?"

"I dunoo!" laughed Siri.

Siri took a deep breath. He felt sad about losing his boss, a good friend and a mentor.

"A great young Sheila called Maya will join the company. Keep it a secret, okay?"

"Who is Maya'? Is she an illusion, as the name suggests?"

"How do you know the meaning of 'Maya'? Yes, that's what it means. I'll introduce her to you soon. If you stay another half an hour or so you can meet her here! She is a distant relative through marriage, but we're good friends. She's very pretty and not attached! I think she had a special friend in Italy. But anyway, it's too late for you now! She's a very charming person with a lot of work experience in Asia. She worked on several World Bank funded projects in Asia. She had travelled extensively, and I think she's been to Sri Lanka also. She wants to come home and settle down in Perth. She asked my opinion and I'm going to give her a good one! There is no place called home where you can settle down for ever these days! Home is where we live and where we have a lot of friends. Look at you. Perth is your home now, isn't it?"

"Where is my home? I really don't know!" Siri took a deep breath and coughed to clear the cigarette smoke in his lungs. "No, I can't meet Maya to night. I've got to go early. I want to call Rajini about a few things," Siri said and looked at his watch.

"She's not sure whether her parents will come to the wedding or not. I don't think they're happy about this marriage. My mother won't come either.

In fact, she doesn't know anything about my plans because she wants me to get married at home!"

Siri gulped the last of his beer. "I've got to leave you with the smokers!" he said, glancing at the woman drinking alone next to them. "Got to go!"

"That's fine, I'll see you on Monday, Siri. Give my regards to Raji ...

whatever her name is! The lucky one from Melbourne who is going to call Perth home!"

Siri took another deep breath to clear his lungs as he walked out of the bar hurriedly. The day was still young. He walked back to the office to pick up his car and go home to call Rajini.

Driving down the Mounts Bay Road, he saw a few dark clouds forming over the Swan River. The sky which carried a few black clouds indicated the signs of a heavy rain. But Siri was happy humming a song by Amaradeva as he drove along the Mounts Bay road which ran in parallel to the Swan River.

"This is my home", said Siri to him as he parked the car in his garage precent.

Footnotes:

No worries - An Australian slang expressing of forgiveness or reassurance (No problem; I can do it or forget about it)

Poms - Englishmen

Hay Street - A well known street in Perth which stretches from East Perth to a suburb call Subiaco and through the City of Perth.

Sheila - An Australian slang word for woman.