MELBOURNE
For two years, the Covid pandemic had placed restrictions on public events in Melbourne and as a result, celebrations of Goan events had been shelved.
With Covid-related restrictions being removed, the Goan community was delighted to meet up and celebrate their Goan identity after two years, at the Goa Day celebrations organised by The Goan Association of Australia Inc at the Menzies Hall in Melbourne, Victoria, on August 21.
There was Goan music, dance and food during the day-long celebration, which was attended by the young and old including long-time Goan settlers in Australia.
Foot-tapping music was provided by Josefato Vales who was accompanied by Sarojini D’Sa, while the audience was enthralled by a musical story performed by Josefato Vales and Vanessa, accompanied by Arnold and Alan.
Authentic Goan food included the traditional fish curry rice, channa masala, pork, fried fish and boiled rice, which was relished by everyone.
In his address, President of Goan Association of Australia Gerard Lobo thanked the guests and highlighted the objectives of Goa Day. He reminded the gathering to reflect on their Goan identity and to take pride in being a Goan. He appealed everyone to further unite in solidarity, to celebrate Goa's history, language, music, cultural heritage and traditions.
Among those present included President of Goan Overseas Association of Victoria Inc Tyrone D'Souza and members of the association, including past members like Tony and Virginia Mendes, currently based in Brisbane.
Those who attended the Goa Day event praised the organisers and the event.
“Living in the north of Melbourne it was a fair distance to the venue but I managed to get a table for the Goa Day event,” said Alan de Menezes, who attended the function.
“Nothing like a good Chouriço Pão to set the day off. Some came dressed in traditional Goan costumes. We had a lovely sing-a-long of a mix of Konkani, Portuguese and English songs. Of course, where there is music there is dancing too.”
“To top it off, we had lovely fish curry and rice with a piece of fried fish and to digest that there was more music and dancing in line with a typical Goan event… good people, music, singing, dancing and great traditional food. My Goan friends and I will be back next year. Viva Goa,” Menezes added.
Tony Mendes, past president of the Club de Goa in Brisbane and a life member of Goa Overseas Association of Victoria since 1984, who attended the World Goa Day (WGD) celebrations in Melbourne along with his wife Virgina, also hailed the event.
“The Goan Overseas Association of Victoria and its members coming together to organise this WGD for the past so many years tells us that, yes, we are far away from our motherland but we haven’t forgotten our beloved Goa.”
“The WGD gives the Goan diaspora the world over the opportunity to share Goa’s rich cultural heritage, music, food, etc. to the wider community and act as brand ambassadors for their beloved Goa”, he added.
Music maestro Josefato Vales, who has been an integral part of the World Goa Day Celebration earlier in Adelaide, South Australia and thereafter in Melbourne, says “music runs in the veins of Goans, so it’s but natural to play and share my talent during the WGD celebrations.”
Vales, who also scripted the short Konkani skit which was performed for the WGD celebrations feels that there is enough Goan talent in Melbourne.
“This talent should be channelised in the right direction to further promote Goan music and culture,” Vales said.
