Media Release

Melbourne, Oct 22: The curtains had to be drawn finally, after a very eventful year of activities covering all age groups apart from the prime events, mention to be made of MKC’s first ever Sports Day that was a scintillating success. A new core and a wider committee was all set to be elected to manage Melbourne Konkan Association (MKC) for the year 2019-2020.

The eighth Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the association was held at the premises of Little Sisters of the Poor in Northcote from 1 pm to 5 pm with over 100 members attending.

After a sumptuous lunch, Stephen P D’Souza, the returning officer who oversaw the AGM, welcomed the members. Priya Andrade led the prayers asking for God’s choicest blessings to be conferred on the meeting that would oversee the election of new office bearers. All joined their voices in singing a thanksgiving hymn ‘Arga Dita Tuka Somiya’ for the blessings bestowed on all activities in the immediate past year.

Thereafter, the minutes of the previous AGM was confirmed and passed. MKC by-laws and rules tailored specifically to the association’s needs were passed by a special resolution after a brief discussion. The by-laws xommittee comprising of Richard Saldanha, Stephen P D’Souza, Stevin Carvalho, Sunil D’Souza, Valerian D’Souza and Wilson D’Souza worked tirelessly to get to the final draft. The by-laws will take effect from the next financial year and will form the basis in the day to day running of the association.

In her president’s report, outgoing president Jane D’Souza gave a brief description of the activities conducted during the year which was appreciated by one and all. Treasurer Richard Saldanha tabled a detailed financial report of the association.

In the election that ensued, the following core committee members were elected:

Anvil D’Silva – President

Rony Roshan Valder – Vice President

Sharon D’Costa – Secretary

Wilson D’Souza – Treasurer

To support the core committee, Jason Pinto will be the cultural secretary; Peter Picardo the sports secretary, Stevin Carvalho the media secretary and Larissa D’Silva will look after grants. Gilbert Menezes, Jane D’Souza, Jawahar Sequeira, Manoj D’Silva, Maxim Rego, Milton Lewis, Naveen D’Souza, Richard Saldanha, Sunil D’Souza and Susan Aranha were appointed as general members. After the ‘joint oath’ administered by the returning officer, the president-elect Anvil in his ‘acceptance speech’ thanked the outgoing committee and outlined his vision for the year ahead with the cooperation of one and all.

Melbourne Konkan Community (MKC) is a registered Association based in Hoppers Crossing, Victoria, Australia. It welcomes all Mangalurean Catholics residing in Melbourne to be part of this growing community.

MKC committee members can be contacted on mkonkanc@gmail.com or via Facebook @ http://www.facebook.com/MelbourneKonkanCommunity.