Extract from parliamentary debates
Member statements: Tuesday, 28 March 2006


Dympna Beard, Member for Kilsyth
Goan Community Carnival


Ms Beard (Kilsyth) - It was my very great pleasure and privilege on 25 February to attend with Ted and over 400 others a carnival held at Kingston town hall. Constituents of mine originally from Goa invited me to this function, which was in many ways like our own Moomba festival, even to having a festival or carnival king, King Momo.

The carnival, which is three days of celebration, is traditionally held before the commencement of Lent. Highlights of the evening were the dances performed by young men and women of the Goan community, reflecting their Portuguese and Indian cultures. The dancers were stunning, as was the band After Dark. Everyone was requested to wear red and black, and this made a spectacular display.Melbourne's Goan community is industrious and vibrant. While fully embracing our culture they are pleased and proud to invite us to share in their culture. We are fortunate to be the beneficiaries of this group of people opting to join our community. Only the mean-spirited and ignorant would denigrate the benefits we have received as a community from multiculturalism.

I congratulate Salus Correia and Oscar Lobo for their valuable contribution to this event and all those associated with the organising of this celebration, which was designed not to make profit but simply for the enjoyment of their community. I thank Linda, Andrea, Michelle, Chris, Roger and Jean Correia, Jan and Mick Watson, and Lorraine and Boyd and Rachael and Leanne Ewing for the wonderful opportunity to join them on this special occasion.

Congratulations again to all those involved in organising this wonderful Goan community carnival. (Ends)