Reported by Carina Amit & Diane Avery

With many years of experience, Ronnie and Helen know how to organize a New Year’s Eve Dance, and this year they did not hold back. What a spectacular way it was to end 2011 and welcome in 2012.

The elaborately decorated hall set the mood for partying and celebrating. Decorated in purple and black, the tables and chairs were complemented with silver, black, and gold balloon table arrangements, and party hats and novelties were in abundance.

Dinner was provided by Cheryl and her catering team, with a wonderful buffet of Sri Lankan cuisine that had everyone clamoring for more. Even after the wonderful dinner spread, some hearty souls were able to enjoy the kiribath, beef curry and lunu miris provided after midnight.

Of course the point of a dance is to have fun with friends and family, and the music that Ronnie and Helen provided the perfect atmosphere and was well appreciated by the 200 guests. The band for the night was a five piece: maestro Helen on keyboards, Ronnie providing vocals, Ronnie and Helen’s grandson Callum on trumpet, Danni the female vocalist for the evening, and Jean on guitar.

Not ones to let good music go to waste, Rachel and Norman Menezes were the first on the floor with the opening number “In The Mood”, and they were soon joined by many others. By the countdown to midnight everyone was on the floor to welcome in the New Year to a medley of songs from yesteryear and a rousing sing-a-long to Auld Lang Syne, accompanied by whistles and blowers.

A raffle was held that raised money for the Voluntary Outreach Club in Sri Lanka, an organization that supports families, individuals and orphanages, with prizes donated by Ronnie and Helen, and Des and Jenny Smale.

A great time was had by all, with many lingering after the music had ended to wish each other well and congratulate Ronnie and Helen on a wonderful evening.