"The Goan Overseas Association Vic."

Click to read: G.O.A. Vic. 'Roll of Honour' from 1979 to date!

The Association known as G. O. A. Vic. Inc. was founded on the 12th of February 1979, to further the Social, Sporting and other needs,

of people of Goan Indian origin, related persons and friends, residing in the State of Victoria, Australia.

(where Melbourne is the capital City) 

The G.O.A. VIC has come a long way, and has completed 25 years of fruitful association, in February 2004, celebrating Goan culture.

The Association is affiliated with G O A clubs worldwide, and is a founder member of  The F I A V too;

(Federation of Indian Associations of Victoria) and is an active member and participant in the affairs of the Federation to date!

The G. O. A. Vic. is Incorporated and is registered with Business Affairs, Govt. of Victoria, Australia.

The Management Committee constitutes the President, the Vice President, the General Secretary, and the Treasurer;

 (plus other Committee members to assist) all of whom are elected at the Annual General Meeting held every year.

Also appointed are the Financial Auditor, the Public Officer, a Returning Officer and the Delegates for the Committee of the F. I. A. V.

Annual General Meeting: 9th September 2007

Members are reminded to bring their annual subscriptions up to date as early as possible.

Membership Fees are meant to be paid in advance by 30th of June for the new financial year starting 1st of July.

The 29th AGM was held on the 9th September 2007, from 2.00 PM!  At this meeting, the President made his opening remarks

and the Financial Statement was presented and adopted.  The 'Agenda' was also successfully carried.

Read:                           AGM Annual Financial Report and Reports from the Management Committee .pdf

A Committee of Management was put in place, and the Public Officer, Financial Auditor and  others  were appointed.

Andrew Mendes is now the (repeat) President, for the year!.

The other members (same as last year) were also proposed and elected into the Management Committee for the current year,

until the next Annual General Meeting in August / September 2008.

The new list (?) is, on Home Page of this site.

ABOUT GOA : The smallest State in India

The Strengths of Goan Life.  C'est La Vie!

  Sports, Dance, Music and Gourmet Food!

In GOA  Sports Activity borders on the religious, which has been a part of good Goan life since the beginning of competitive Sport.

Hockey had long been the mainstay of Goan Sport more so in Bombay and Africa which were our first migrant areas.

There have been many players of international repute and so many have been Olympians as well. This can also be said of Athletics. 

But "Soccer" has always been the main sport in Goa! This obsession with football has spawned many skilled players

and numerous international caliber players. Goa is one of the two champion States in Soccer (in India) even though we are the smallest(and tiny) State.

The State team as well as the Goan Club teams have proved their mettle in national and other worthy championships.

Goan Soccer Captains and other skilled players are admired and toasted around India. It puzzles me though as to why Goans in Australia,

North America or Europe do not go for Soccer and shine!

Music both Western and Indian has flourished since time immemorial in Goa and among Goans, wherever they may be. From the initial violin

classes at the hands of the Parish Maestro, to 'Escola de Musica' and then to accomplishments in Bombay, Lisboa, London and Paris,

Goans have excelled in this art of composing, singing and instrument rendering of Music.

Maestro Antonio de Figueiredo, born in Lutolim on 20/8/1903, was instrumental in organising and conducting the Goa Symphony Orchestra,

perhaps the first of its kind in the whole of Asia. He also founded the "Academy de Musica", the first institution to impart Western Classical Music,

in India. In his honour stands unveiled, his photograph at the "Kala Academy" in Panjim Goa. Also a framed manuscript of the

Maestro's composition is in the museum at the 'Kala Academy'.

The Folk Songs and Dances are great! They are lively! The Song "Aum Saiba" is the very Soul of Goa. Goans play a major part in the

Bombay Symphony Orchestra, the only such body between Tel Aviv and Tokyo, at the time. I believe there is now a Symphony Orchestra in Goa too. 

Above all, Goa has produced India's first Pop Superstar in Remo Fernandes. Remo composes and sings in Portuguese, Konkanni, English

and now in Hindi. He plays a host of musical instruments.  And there are many others too who have achieved excellence in music and the arts,

and much more has been achieved in this field, than I can tell of.

I can't end on this note without mentioning the Tiatrists  of Goa, the actors and singers, who have excelled and do produce the

second highest standard of Theatre in India. Viva Goa!! Goa has also seen eminence in other fields of endeavour too! World renowned

Artists and Architects, not forgetting  the famous 'Charles Correia!' 

Goan Food delicacies, be it table meals or sweets, they abound! And they are famous internationally! Then there are the 'Chefs' who have used

their talent and been very creative in their profession and have become famous! And so, an exquisite Goan Cuisine has prevailed!

   Contributions on the topic of Goa etc. are invited for publishing on the web.

NEWS and the Goan Diaspora!

 Heard of World GOA DAY ?

World GOA Day was observed on the 20th of August 2000 for the first time, by Goans in Goa as well as the Goan Diaspora around the world.

There were suggestions and discussions before arriving at this date. All this was made possible because of the Internet activity.

It is I believe the Day when the mother tongue "Konkanni" was made the Official language of Goa. So the Day was selected, and will be observed

around this date, every year on, as "A Celebration of Goan culture". Renee Barretto (London) has taken it upon himself to co-ordinate

World GOA Day observance and activities aroud the world!

 Read: World Goa Day website thru 'Internet links'  page.

Basilio de Magno was approached and he composed and rendered first, the now famous song: "Proud to be a Goan".

The words are beautiful and so is the music. Basilio lived in Goa, Portugal, England and Germany, and is now resident in Spain

with his Spanish wife.

The Song can be downloaded from goa-world.net/music/ in MP3 format. The download is inclusive of the words and the music score. Try it.

We got to now  celebrate around this day as Goa Day with much Fun and Festivity from next year on.

You may also surf  the following for news and views on Goa and about Goa and Goans everywhere.

They are also our Web Hosts!  Who?  www.goacom.org/  and/or  www.goanet.org/ ; also www.goacom.com/

An excellent and 'first site' for the Goan Diaspora!

Some interesting sites in Goa, namely: "ancestralgoa": It is from the Araujo family in Loutolim, Goa. This place is like a Theme Park and has an area called "Big Foot" enclosing the huge Dance Floor and ancillaries, for 2,500 people!

Also, Heritage listed "Braganca House" is another 'Must See!'

VIVA! GOAN People and the Land of GOA!

Goa and India related web links have been provided on 'Internet Links' page.

Contributions for Publishing and Suggestions are invited!

This site was last updated on 25th August 2008 by Webmaster