Honouring a Legacy: Frank Bunnik receives inaugural Humanitarian Award in Sri Lanka

Frank’s connection to Sri Lanka began in quite extraordinary circumstances. Just one week after the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami devastated the region, Frank answered a call from our local partners, boarded a plane and arrived in Colombo with 120kg of donated tools, $17,500 in aid funds (raised by Bunnik Tours and our clients), and a determination to help.

Aftermath of the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami in Sri Lanka

A retired builder by trade, Frank travelled south with local driver Udeni and began rebuilding Sambodhi House, a residential facility for people with severe disabilities. The army had only recently cleared the site and aid was desperately needed. Frank and Udeni worked tirelessly, soon joined by other volunteers. Within weeks, the Australian Ambassador and Speaker of the Sri Lankan Parliament attended a ceremony where Frank was honoured for his efforts.

Frank would return to Sri Lanka three more times that year, and another six times over the next four years, to help rebuild homes for families in need. Together with his brother Tom and Rotary friend Peter, and with support from local Lions Clubs, they constructed homes for those hit hardest. Over time, the bond between Frank and Udeni grew stronger. In fact, Frank and his wife Marion would go on to support the education of Udeni’s children, right through to university.

Frank & Marion with Udeni and his wife at recent 30th celebrations in Sri Lanka

At a time when tourism in Sri Lanka was struggling due to civil unrest, Frank turned his attention to supporting the local industry. He began escorting annual small group tours during the famous Kandy Festival. These tours sold out year after year, eventually becoming the foundation of our broader Sri Lanka program.

Frank Bunnik on a small group tour to Kandy, Sri Lanka

On his second tour, Frank met tour leader Priya. The two formed a strong friendship, united by a shared passion for helping those in need. Each year, Frank extended his stay to join Priya on grassroots community projects – from delivering a life-changing wheelchair to a disabled young man, to supporting a remote village school through the donation of books, furniture and even a generator. Over time, this small school grew to three classrooms, and for the first time, its students went on to college and university in Colombo.

Frank has now visited Sri Lanka more than 20 times. His compassion, humility and hands-on impact have shaped not only our programs but our company values. In the words of Dennis and Sacha Bunnik, “Frank is the reason why Sri Lanka is such an important part of the Bunnik Tours story”.

It was with immense pride that his sons presented him with our inaugural Humanitarian Award in recognition of his extraordinary legacy, and the lives he’s changed along the way.

Congratulations to Frank Bunnik – the recipient of Bunnik Tours’ inaugural Humanitarian Award.