VICTOR MELDER SRI LANKA LIBRARY – By Charles Schokman
When I read the attached article on “Victor Melder Sri Lankan Library” by Beverley Pinder, my thoughts led me to reminisce about my association with Victor and it was heartening to recall the way we came to know each other.
After I had migrated to Australia in1972 my late brother Shelton jnr. introduced me to Victor who was a contemporary of his, working in the Ceylon Government Railways.
What intrigued me most was the modus operandi they pursued to communicate among their group of friends and this was only by the telephone (Land-line). Computers and iPhones were non-existent at that time. If anyone from their circle of friends had news worth sharing it somehow or another got around. Any information on someone’s illness or death were never left out.
They also kept a record of the ex-Railwaymen receding in Australia and organised an annual Get-together under the caption “Rhythm of the Wheels” which were well attended and looked forward to every year.
The other link of communication was through the articles Victor supplied to the Sri Lankan Organisations for publication in their Newsletters.
Well, these were the Building Blocks which culminated in the establishment of his library and helped him to reach out to as many Sri Lankans. This also paved the way to take advantage of modern technology, resulting now in his wide network of contacts.
It did not take me long to get to know Victor for his sincerity of purpose. Like great leaders Victor has the passion to inspire, motivate, and guide one toward success. He can shoulder immense responsibility, navigate complex challenges, and dedicate himself to empowering others. Yet, amidst the daily grind, his contributions can sometimes go unnoticed. It’s time to shift the spotlight.
Hats off to Beverley Pinder and Hemal Gurusinghe who have realised the importance to help Victor maintain his Library rather than see it fade into oblivion. A big thank you to the two of them for taking the initiative to establish this library so that the burden may be eased off Victor and his wife, Esther.
It is now up to all Sri Lankans to extend their co-operation and help in whatever way possible. Let’s put our shoulder to the wheel and make this dream a reality.
PAGES WORTH PRESERVING – By Beverley Pinder OAM
A memorable visit to the Victor Melder Sri Lanka Library six months ago left me in awe of the work undertaken by Victor over the past 50+ years.
The location of the Library, at his home, is one that Victor has very kindly afforded Sri Lankans in Australia to be able to access whenever the need existed for research and information.
Alas, the Library was needing to be relocated so that the burden may be eased off Victor and his wife, Esther. With the help of retired IT professional, Hemal Gurusinghe and myself we have found a new location for this valuable resource.
Following a visit to the VMSLL in March this year, I began to canvas the need for space for alow rental fee. We explored a garage in Deer Park as well as several other possible ‘homes’ with the intention of relocating to a central place where Hemal and his team could provide ongoing care and support of the myriad books, journals, College newsletters and other memorable tomes so diligently collected by Victor for more than half a century.
We have been bestowed with two years’ free rental space by the La Moneta Foundation the occupier, and Aultun the owner of the building in Cheltenham, a south-eastern suburb of Victoria.
In Victor’s words: “My hope is that this legacy continues and generations to come will oversee the maintenance and the richness of such a collection dating back to the Portuguese, Dutch and the British eras and comprising a vast anthology of Lanka, Taprobane, Serendib, Ceylon and contemporary Sri Lanka publications. For now, I need to hand over the baton and Hemal is the anointed one.”
A Committee will be formed with an objective of raising seed funding to enable the key aspects of this relocation to continue, and more information on this will follow in coming weeks..
“We will need all the help we can get and we will strive hard to identify generous donors as well as Pro Bono services so a Constitution may be devised with registration with Consumer Affairs Victora,” said Hemal.
Philanthropist and Order of Australia awardee, Beverley added: “As a start-up we require donations and we are appealing to readers of e-Lanka and other channels so we may be able to continue the great work of the revered Mr Victor Melder,”
Further information can be obtained by emailing Hemal Gurusinghe hemguru@hotmail.com www.vmsl-library.com
