Nalin Perera

Aubrey Joachim's appointment to the global Presidency of CYMA the prestigious worldwide Accounting body was celebrated on Saturday the 5 September. It was a grand function well attended, held at the “Western Grand” a function centre with one of the best dance floors we have experienced.

Aubrey is a well known Srilankan personality in Sydney and other states as his work has taken him throughout Australia and overseas in presenting seminars and lectures. He is remembered as a student of St Josephs' College Colombo and at St Peters College Colombo .

Aubrey and Nelum entered the hall to Bollywood music appropriately attired in colourful Salwa Kamis. The night was a fitting tribute to a great human being. Speaker after speaker conveyed their own experiences that they have encountered with Aubrey. One made comparison to President Obama for achieving his ambition what ever barriers that he may have endured in achieving his goals and showed the world that nothing is impossible if you have the drive and ambition. Another took him down the memory lane to reminisce the good old days and how he met his lovely wife Nelum in Srilanka and his passion for motor bikes. Another speaker took us through the times during his period as a novice accountant climbing the corporate ladder to the top and during his CYMA time as the president of the NSW institute to the ultimate top position.

Nelum was presented with a bouquet of flowers for being there for Aubrey throughout and helping him to achieve this great honour.

Slides of photos of memorable occasions and milestones of Aubrey were shown.

Then it was Aubrey's turn to reply. He gave us a fitting “lecture” of the importance of school education and teachers who have paved our way for us to be who we are now. He revealed a secret, that he was a student of one of the best girls' schools in Srilanka St Bridget Convent. The many bridgeteens who were present were delighted to claim him as one of their own.

Once the formalities were over, the stage was taken over with a surprise performance by three beautiful dancers who entertained all with there routines especially the belly dancing to the rhythms of Bhagra. They coaxed Aubrey, Nelum and many couples to join in the fun. Aubrey was in full swing getting his opportunity to dance with the best.

Guinn Ragal and his Night Shift band took us way back to our good old days playing music from 60s to current and as the night wore on the tempo of the music escalated as guests showed their dancing talents though out the night showing off their skills on waltz, rock N roll to baila. Guinn also carried out the MC duties with flying colours.

Special thanks to Roger Billimoria, who had the function centre organised with very elegant table décor, chair covers in the college colours of St Josephs & St Peters and Aubrey's table in CYMA colours, the personalized bottles of wine and a sumptuous meal cooked in authentic Srilankan style served to titillate ones taste buds.

Aubrey ever the PR man visited all tables and was seen shaking hands with all guests and having a chat with them.

The organisers wish to make special mention of the help given by OzLanka for their support in advertising this event and for publishing the photos.

The night was a fabulous night and please sit back relax and enjoy the photo gallery.

Click here to view the photos as sent by the organizers