Heritage of Song - The Book:

What a launch, what a book!

In what turned out to be a Sunday to remember, the Sri Lankan community in Melbourne, Australia, was treated to a once in a lifetime luncheon entertainment, on July 19, when 38 musicians and singers came together to support the Lion's Sight First Hospital, a project that would help give sight to the sightless in Sri Lanka.

Most of the musicians featured in the book, A Heritage of Song, now living in both Sydney and Melbourne, generously gave of their time and talent by sharing their music with a record crowd of 752 guests at the Grand at Cathies Lane, Wantrina South, Victoria. A trio, a part of the Morton Cole Combo now residing in New Zealand also graced the occasion and provided a collection of nostalgic music.

The Smorgasbord lunch provided a wide and tasty meal while a group of musicians, comprising, Horace and Ernie Walker, Dallas Achilles, Arden Nelson, Rodney Jansz, Jeremy & Geoff Labrooy provided the smooth sounds.

Chief Guest Ishan Bahar, the compiler & producer of A Heritage of Song, accompanied by his wife Dawn, from Sri Lanka, were then presented with mementos in remembrance of this memorable event. After a few words from Derrick Junkeer and Shanthi Kumar Sivaraj, the main organisers, and a very simple and heart moving speech by Ishan, Leon Belleth introduced the artistes in his own special way.

The artists included Dallas Achilles, Chris VanCuylenberg, Horace & Ernie Walker, Arden Nelson, Rodney Jansz, Jeremy Kreltszheim, Pippa Wilson, Kerrigan Labrooy, Arthur Speldewinde, Everard Hoffman, Malcolm de Kauwe, Milroy Passe de Silva, Sandra Jackson, Andrea Maar, Geoffry Labrooy, Desmond de Silva, Dalreen Suby, Bertram Daniel, Conrad Atton, Tilani Senn, Des White, Terry Mcleod, David Senn, Ralph Edmonds, Sam de Silva, Vernon Mcleod, Tyrelle Anthonisz, Derek Stewart, Arden Foster and Ben Nathanieliesz. The curtains were brought down by Ishan who performed his signature song of the 60s, The Young Ones, followed by two other Cliff Richard favourites.

All three songs accompanied by a stunning display of guitar artistry by Cliff VanCuylenberg, who did a fantastic rendition of 'Hank Marvin' on every note he played in backing Ishan.

Ishan was then joined by his wife Dawn to a duet of the Merle Haggard hit song 'Somewhere Between'. All the musos who performed were then invited onto the bandstand for a collective rendition of 'What a wonderful world', before the audience stood to join Ishan and the musicians with 'May the Good Lord Bless and Keep you', which left most of the audience in a pensive and tearful mood.

Two shows were also staged, at the Walauwa in Sydney on July 26 and at the Sandown Regency in Melbourne on August 2, to sellout crowds.

Artistes who performed were Derrick J, Ishan Bahar, Chris Van Cuylenberg, Gordon Rebeira and Roger Menezes with Nihara, daughter of the great guitar maestro Gazali Amit, getting on stage to perform with the guys in Sydney.

Derrick, Ishan, Chris were joined by Dallas Achilles, Derek Stewart and Dalreen Suby and by chef turned comedian Riza Mutaliph, who kept the audience in stitches.Proceeds from the sale of 'A Heritage of Song' from all shows, which stood at Rs. 1,700,000.00 are being donated to the SightFirst 2020 Vision of the Lion's Sight First Hospital in Sri Lanka for cataract operations.

All copies of the book 'A Heritage of Song' were sold out in Australia.

There are plans to stage a mega show featuring internationally acclaimed artistes along with musicians featured in the Book, for its re-launch in Sri Lanka.

This will be in aid of cataract operations at the Lions SightFirst Hospital in Sri Lanka.

(A Heritage of Song - The Book was launched in Australia in an event oraganised by Derrick Junkeer in aid of the Lions Sight First Hospital in Hendala, Sri Lanka)