Frankey Fernandes traces the origins of one of Australia’s most prominent Goan associations, the Goan Overseas Association (GOA) of Victoria, which celebrated its 40th anniversary on February 9
Migrants of Goan origin who moved to Australia from different countries in the seventies would yearn for contact with their kinsmen, to share good times and adjust better into the new country. Without emails, social media, mobile phones and the like, making contact with other Goans was often a chance event.
Pining for the good times and life that they had left behind, one full of laughter, sports, dances, music, fun and excitement, was a constant theme for many Goan migrants.
“Tony (Antonio) De Sousa, a visionary and entrepreneur who migrated from Hong Kong, felt the need to make life a better place for Goan migrants in Melbourne. A chance event of meeting Carmen Rodrigues at an office in Richmond led them discussing their challenges in assimilating into a new country and the loneliness that they felt. They knew that there would be so many others facing the same dilemma,” recalls Goa (Victoria) founding member and former president Wence Rodrigues.
Formation
Dreams of setting up a Goan association catering to the new migrants who called Melbourne their home were discussed at their homes in Glen Waverley and Malvern. “They looked up the white pages and contacted families with Goan sounding surnames. With Tony’s previous experience as founder member of the Portuguese Association and Carmen undertaking administrative work, the founder member base grew with many more committing to support the formation of the Club.”
“Tony organised a meeting and whoever could be contacted and responded, were invited to a meeting. There were about a dozen attendees who unanimously supported the objective of the meeting,” said Rodrigues.
This resulted in the formation of the Goan Overseas Association of Victoria in January 1979 and attendees at the first meeting became founder members. The first official address of the Association was the home address of Alec and Carmen Rodrigues, to save expenses to hire a mailbox address.
“Initially, functions were small, low key events due to insufficient members to hire halls and bands. With word of mouth marketing and flyers, the membership grew steadily.”
“Funds were low and most expenses like stationery and catering were met from members’ personal funds.”
“Encouraging new migrants to join the association resulted in an increase in the membership. The association offered new migrants and those who had been in Melbourne for some years, a meeting place to share their stories, exchange information on where one could get spices and condiments from back home, and generally have fun and a feeling of belonging,” Rodrigues added.
Events
Social events grew and dances, bingo nights and card events were organised. Recalls another GOA (Victoria) founding member Clim Pacheco, who has been regular on the committee, “Annual sports days were organised and they included cricket, tennis, table tennis, badminton, hockey. At its peak, sports days would have over 200 participants. The association was forward looking and even introduced the Sportsperson of the Year trophy, to enable women compete with men,” said Pacheco.
As enthusiasm for sports grew, Ruth and Nobby Da Costa worked with their friends in NSW and initiated a joint sports weekend with members of the Goan Association in NSW in Sydney over the Easter week-end.
The event became a regular bi-annual arrangement between the two associations, which broadened horizons and relationships with like-minded members across both states.
The formalisation
The philosophy of the association was simple. A place to enable Goans from different countries to meet, have social events, play sports and generally get back a life that they had known, but with the fundamental purpose of seeing that they then assimilated into the mainstream Australian life. It would not be a political organisation, but one that allowed assimilation into the new country.
“As the association grew, it was decided to become an incorporated organisation to safeguard membership and organisers from any liabilities. The process to create and adopt a constitution was led by Ossie Fonseca. The draft approved by members at a general meeting was submitted for approval by Corporate Affairs of Victoria and this led to the formation of The Goan Overseas Association of Victoria Inc.,” said Rodrigues.
Vision
The Goa Victoria has seen its share of differences of views, but one thing remains unchanged: The spirit of Goans and their descendants will always be strong and upbeat. “The association is a beacon of light for current and future generations to learn and appreciate Goan culture,” said Pacheco.
The highlight of the 40th anniversary of GOA Victoria on February 9 was the Goans Association of Australia Inc., (GAA) joining hands with the GOA Victoria, which now has 400 families in its fold.
Gerard Lobo gave up his duly elected presidentship of GAA, dissolved the body and seamlessly along with his entire team and members joined hands with the GOA Victoria.
