MCAV team, Melbourne, Australia
Australia, July 6: More than 50 Mangaloreans got together for a special event organised by the Mangalorean Catholic Association of Victoria (MCAV) - a Dinner/Dance at a very popular restaurant on the 15th July. If you were to judge the event by the laughter alone, you would know that the Mangalorean Catholics in Melbourne have never had such a fun-filled evening before!
It was hard to know in advance how many people would join in the event. Making a booking for 50 appeared to be a rather ambitious move on the part of the committee. But as the days got nearer, several people had to be turned away, as the restaurant could not accommodate any more! Sincere apologies from the MCAV committee to all those disappointed people. We had very little choice in the matter.
Jennifer Lobo, the wife of the Vice-President, Desmond Lobo, provided all members with a meaningful write-up on the history of the Mangalorean Catholics. Many were not aware of the simple facts of the captivity during the last decades of the 1700s, and how, since the fateful period, Mangalorean Catholics have regained their strength and have achieved great glory in every imaginable sphere of activity.
Bert Naik, the president of the MCAV, gave a short speech, outlining the brief history of the Association, and told the assembled how surprised he was to see how popular the Association in such a short time. More than 45 families have become members already, and several others have shown eagerness to join it.
The restaurant famed for its extremely generous buffet did not disappoint the patrons. The food was just fabulous. The music - plainly out-of-this-world. The band catered to the interests of the young as well of those who just can't get the good old days of the '70s out of their system. Modern pops, and the ever popular Rock 'n' Roll, played with high energy, made sure that everyone remained stuck to the dance-floor. It wasn't surprising to hear from many that they had never danced so much in their entire life.
To cap it all, the Band had a special surprise for the Mangaloreans. They wanted to play something they promised was uniquely Mangalorean!. Everyone waited with bated breath, and a couple of us even pulled out a couple of hand-kerchiefs and held them high in the air, ready for the big blast. Was it going to be…! The Surangini that followed next brought on loud cheer from all.
And now, the members want one more Dinner/Dance at the same venue.
The committee will have to say no! The perfect event can not be repeated!