It was a lively community fund raiser event and seemed to become an instant hit with participants of all ages, who enjoyed Goan music and food until midnight. It was a party not just for Goan migrants but also for their new Indian and Australian friends who were treated to some excellent Goan hospitality.
The event was held to raise funds for The Beth-Beth-Lehem Association, a not for profit organisation situated in Karwar– a rural area just near Goa. This residence cares for dozens of homeless and mentally ill men rescued from the streets of the big cities.
Chief Guest for the evening Rev. Fr. Salvador Gomes Coutinho, the Superior General of Beth-Beth-Lehem in his address thanked the gathering for their generosity and care shown to the association.
Fr. Coutinho offered prayers and blessings to the people of Australia and thanked the Goan community in South Australia and the Australians for having undertaken the project to raise funds for the association. He said that the funds would go a long way in providing basic amenities to the residents of Beth-Beth-Lehem.
Fr. Coutinho informed the gathering that money collected during the previous two years of World Goa Day Celebrations in Adelaide went towards the construction of the hospital project.
City of Charles Sturt, Councillor from Findon ward Chev Joe Ienco, OSJ, CMC, JP present for the function in the capacity as a special invite appreciated the work carried out by the organisers to support a genuine cause that has so many people affected.
During the event, youngest Goan, one month old baby Bernice Silveira, along with her parents Serling & Janice Silveira and their daughter Swizel Silveira presented a purse containing the handsome profits from the show to Rev. Fr. Salvador Gomes Coutinho to help in carrying out the good work.
During the event a kaleidoscopic toon titled “Good Old Goa” by renowned Indian cartoonist Alexyz Fernandes was auctioned to raise funds for Beth-Beth-Lehem so also the popular Goan Cashew feni bottle was auctioned.
Well-known Goan doctor based in Adelaide Dr. Agnelo DeSouza and his wife Mathilda picked up the kaleidoscopic toon during the auction while Daniel Colaco picked up the Goan Cashew feni bottle.
The capacity audience was treated to a sumptuous Goan spread which included the famous Pork Vindaloo and other Goan delicacy.
Leonard Carter, Shelvin Roswan, Ashton Dsa, Allan Pinto, Ghyan Pinto, Peter Lobo and Tony Hendricks enthusiastically relived the Goan musical past with their band “The Music Revival” formed just for the evening The old Konkani songs so popular in Goa, brought back nostalgic memories of Goa until DJ Nick Fernandes brought us up to date with some top dance tunes to end the night on a high.
WGD is intended as a day for Goans worldwide to focus on and take pride in their identity, culture, language, traditions, music, cuisine, etc. The first World Goa Day was held on 20 August 2000 in UK. Its objective was to unite Goans all over the world in a day of common celebration.
Today WGD is celebrated by over 40 organisations, across the globe including Goa, Canada (Toronto, Vancouver, Quebec, Montreal, Calgary), Australia (Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane, New South Wales), New Zealand, United States (New York, LA, New Jersey, Houston, California), Kenya, Mombasa, Tanzania, Mozambique, Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar, Tanga, the Middle East, Portugal, Spain, Pakistan and Germany.