MCAV - Media Release

Victoria, Jun 3: The Mangalorean community in Melbourne had perhaps the best event they have ever enjoyed as a group. The Mangalorean Catholic Association of Victoria (MCAV) organised a spectacular show on Saturday, June 2nd, 2007. Over 200 people – the members of MCAV and their guests – joined in to enjoy the Extravaganza Nite.

After Midnight, a 4-piece band, was the star attraction of the evening. The audience, young and the young-at-heart alike, kept tapping the dance-floor for hours, mesmerised by the irresistible music. The aficionados of Waltz, Rock-n-Roll, Line-Dance or do-your-own, had their fill, shown boldly through their smiles and laughter well past midnight. Perhaps helped a little by the free wine provided to the audience by some kind-hearted sponsor.

The Committee of MCAV spared no effort in the planning of the event so that the patrons would have a very memorable evening. Other than the free wine, there were plenty of prizes too. The dance was interspersed with a few activities like a Trivia, and an Honesty game.

The able MC for the evening was Desmond Lobo who also happens to be the Vice-President of MCAV. Desmond efficiently conveyed the various highlights of the evening, including a brief history and culture of the Mangalorean Catholic community.

In his President’s address, Bert Naik briefly mentioned about how the MCAV was formed at the beginning of 2006, and how the enthusiasm shown by the community members since to join the Association in large numbers has proved that a long held need in the community has been met.

Bert informed the audience that MCAV has aimed to be a thoroughly professional organisation, and having been the first incorporated association in Australia for the Mangalorean Catholics, it has taken seriously its role of being an exemplary role-model to other similar Associations in the country in the interest of preserving Mangalorean Catholic culture for generations to come.

But, to be thoroughly professional in the delivery of services to the members, MCAV needs to have a totally committed group of individuals on its committee, Bert opined. However he noted with great satisfaction that MCAV already had such a committed group of individuals in Desmond Lobo (Vice-President), Irene Andrade (Secretary), Elias Mascarenhas (Treasurer), and Dinesh D’Sa (a newly co-opted member of the committee) and their equally supportive spouses.

Bert presented the five ladies – Irene Andrade, Jennifer Lobo, Alzira Mascarenhas, Roma D’Sa and Margaret Naik to the audience, drawing a huge applause from the audience.

Having seen the success of the event of June 2, many including several non-Mangalorean Catholics requested MCAV to take them aboard as members! The Committee members had to politely refuse the sincere requests from the non-Mangalorean Catholics because MCAV requires that at least one member of the applicant family needs to be a Mangalorean Catholic.

All of this augurs well not only for MCAV but also the Mangalorean Catholic families living in Melbourne