Australia: Mangaloreans in Melbourne Celebrate Annual Dance Day
Media Release
Melbourne, Jul 12: The Mangalorean Catholic Association of Vic, Inc (MCAV) celebrated its Annual Dance on 11th July, 2009, at St Patrick's Hall, Murrumbeena, on the outskirts of Melbourne, with great fanfare.
About 220 members of the community and their friends gathered at the venue and had an unforgettable evening of fellowship, music and dance.
Wilson Castelino (Vice President) welcomed the audience.
The proceedings of the evening were admirably compered by Cuby Martis and Allan Mendonsa. Cuby explained to the audience that the MCAV was established in 2006 with the purpose of providing a platform for social interaction among the members of the Mangalorean Catholic community resident in Melbourne. Cuby further stated that the MCAV has become very popular among all age groups, in particular the young.
A delicious dinner of Vindaloo, Biryani, and Parathas was served.
Bert Naik, the Founder-President of the MCAV, began his speech with a quote from St Dominic Guzman (1170-1221) who said "What affects all, should be decided by all of those affected". Providing a brief turbulent history of the community since the arrival of the Portuguese in Goa, Bert stated that several thousand Goans left their home about 300 years ago, unable to bear the many tribulations they faced in their homeland, and reached Mangalore and established what is now known as the Mangalorean Catholic community. A hundred years after they settled in Mangalore, the entire community was captured by a local ruler, Tipu Sultan, and marched off to Mysore. A large number of the males of the community were conscripted into the army of the Sultan, helping Tipu Sultan achieve many victories against the forces under the employ of the East India Company. The community returned to Mangalore upon the death of the ruler 15 years later.
The community has always remained a very small minority, exposed to the harassment meted out by various numerically stronger groups throughout its history. Hence it was important that the community establishes its self-esteem through forming Associations wherever it settles and provides mutual support to its members. It was equally important that the Associations provide a helping hand to the less fortunate ones within the community.
The proceeds of the Annual Dance are to be donated to an orphanage in Mangalore. In addition to the funds raised by the MCAV, one of the guests - who asked to remain anonymous - donated $500 to the cause.
Bert introduced the Committee members - Nigel Furtado (Secretary), Jason Mendonsa (Treasurer) and Wilson Castelino (Vice President) - to the audience and thanked the Committee members for sacrificing so much of their time and personal comfort for the welfare of the community.
The audience were treated to some really great music for the rest of the evening. And there were many great prizes too. The first of the prizes was drawn by J B Sequeira, an eminent Konkani author currently on a visit to Melbourne and present at the function.
Jason Mendonsa thanked the many people who selflessly contributed to the success of the evening.