Wenceslaus Anthony

Early years

Wenceslaus Vailankanni Melchoir Anthony was born on 28 September 1957 in Myanmar, in a Tamilian family to Anthony and Gracy. He had a brother and three sisters. He did his schooling at Don Bosco, Calcutta and after graduating with B.Com (Hons), he did his M.B.A. from Loyola College, Chennai. He was married to Susan and the couple had two children, Sneha and Akash. He died on 23 July 2017 at Apollo Hospital, Chennai, succumbing to multiple organ failure.

Career in India

Wenceslaus started his career at Godrej and Boyce and subsequently moved to Hindustan Computers Ltd.. Later, he became the Deputy Director and Secretary to the Board of Studies for Loyola Institute of Business Administration in the well known Loyola College, Chennai, India.

Career and other appointments in New Zealand

Wenceslaus migrated to New Zealand in 1999 and established WAML Group with offices in New Zealand, Australia, India, Sri Lanka, Singapore and other countries. In 2001 Wenceslaus was member of New Zealand Ministerial Delegation to India with the Rt. Hon. Paul Swain, Minister of Information Technology. He was also an important member of the Official Delegation of New Zealand Prime Minister Rt. Hon. John Key during his state visit to India in June 2011,where he attended a State Banquet with then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

In June 2012, Wenceslaus was appointed as a Director on the Board of Bank of Baroda (New Zealand).

Wenceslaus was passionate about education and was also the Chairperson of Business Advisory Group of International College of Auckland The college has instituted a student scholarship in his name.

He was the first person of Indian origin to be appointed Chair of the India New Zealand Business Council -INZBC that looks after Trade and Business between India and New Zealand and completed his term in June 2013. He was the head of Government Relations in INZBC. He continued to be actively involved in India New Zealand trade relations. He was a special guest at the fourth anniversary of the New Zealand branch of the Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) held at Alexandra Park in Greenlane, Auckland on Saturday, 27 October 2012 . The Hon'ble Speaker of India Parliament, on her official visit to New Zealand, presented a memento to Wenceslaus in appreciation of his contribution to the community.

He was also on the Advisory Board of New Zealand India Research Institute, Victoria University of Wellington and on the board of directors for various companies in Auckland.

He was appointed the chairman of the recently formed Multicultural New Zealand Business Advisory Board to provide support and advocacy for small and medium businesses.

Faith and other community activities

Anthony was a practising Catholic and was involved in many church and community activities. He was appointed to the board of the Catholic Caring Foundation by the Most Reverend Patrick Dunn (bishop) Bishop of Auckland. Having known and worked closely with the late Mother Teresa he was the chairman of the Mother Teresa Interfaith Committee, which organises yearly gatherings on Mother's birthday between people of different faiths and religious leaders to honour her work of reaching out to all people irrespective of religion and background. He was also in charge of the New Zealand branch of Divine Retreat Centre, Muringoor. He was the founder Director of Conquest Club in New Zealand which aims to form young men to grow in character and virtue to be future leaders in their community. He was also a member of various other church and community organisations.

New Zealand Order of Merit Award

On 31 December 2013, He was awarded the title of the Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit by Elizabeth II in her right as Queen of New Zealand, on advice of the New Zealand Government, for his services to New Zealand – India relations. Functions to honour his achievement by the various communities he serves in were held across Auckland and in India.

Awards