Raises funds for the Our Lady of Dolours Church in Mumbai
PANAJI
The Goan Ozzie Association of Melbourne hosted a Christmas Show, which included a Tableau Nativity Play enacted by children aged 1 to 12 dressed in costumes enacting the scene.
Attendees included friends, family, and neighbourhood community from the South Eastern Suburbs of Melbourne.
Activities, such as Sausage Sizzle, Raffle, Guess the Weight of the Cake, and the number of Lollies in a Jar, facilitated the raising of a substantial amount of funds for Our Lady of Dolours Church in Mumbai.
Gifts were distributed by Santa to all the participants, and the Association awarded each participant with a Certificate of Appreciation.
An amount of Rs 96,000 was transferred to the bank account of Our Lady of Dolours Church, Marine Lines, Mumbai for the restoration work of the Church, which is in progress.
THE ASSOCIATION
The Goan Ozzie Association of Melbourne Inc. was established in 2015 with the objective of promoting Goan culture and heritage among Goan youth and other broader communities to foster unity and harmony.
“Our maiden venture, a Konkanni Tiatr titled ‘Bhogsonnem’, was staged at St Louis de Montfort Hall in Melbourne on April 11, 2015, which was attended by over 350 people. The ensemble collectively performed five scenes peppered with songs and humour in good doses, and the audience loved every minute of the evening,” said the Association President Vernon Franklin.
“The Federal Member of Parliament Julian Hill and the State Member of Parliament Heang Tak attended the Event. Letters of Appreciation were also received from the Chief Minister of Goa Pramod Sawant, Minister Mauvin Godinho, MLA Rodolfo Fernandes as well as former chief minister Churchill Alemao.”
The Association Secretary Grace Franklin said the Goan Ozzie Assn of Melbourne organised a Charity Dinner Dance on October 22, 2022.
“Our star performer was the popular Goan Carlton Braganza from Bandra-Mumbai, with Melbourne’s popular band Codamix and DJ Ben in attendance. About 450 people attended the event, the largest assembly of Goans in Australia,” said Grace.
“A cheque for $3000 was proudly presented to the CEO of Cornerstone - Naomi Patterson at the event. Cornerstone provides free meals and coffee to the homeless thrice a week,” said Grace.
