Casa de Macau Inc. Australia July 2011 Volume 23 Issue 3

Inside this issue:

President’s Report 1-2 The Right Man at the 1-4 Right Time in the Right Place Fable of the porcupine 4

News From Around 5-6 President’s Report Ed Rozario

Announcement 6 Dear Members, contro in Macau to re- in September. Based on port. I am told, organizers the enthusiasc response, A bit of nostalgia 7 All the Dia de São João are sll working with the the Commiee is acvely funcons were a huge sponsors to try and make searching for a venue Photos 8 success, thanks to the this happen but have not where we can hold this efforts of the representa- shared any details to funcon. Some members Obituary/Eulogy 9-10 ves in every State. I think date. have provided us with a Brisbane must be the en- few suggesons and we Numbers 10 vy of all of us. Not only We will be holding our are following up on them. did Melissa Fox and her next AGM on Saturday 22 We will advise more when volunteers serve up a deli- October at our Cultural we have firm details. Dia de São João 11 cious lunch of Macaense Centre in Sydenham. For- Some members have al- favourites like Empada, mal noce and Nomina- ready volunteered to help A bit of humour 12 Tacho, Minchi, they also on forms for Commiee cook but more helpers are managed to find a great posions are enclosed needed. If you can con- venue right on the riv- with this newsleer. tribute, please contact er.... I’m sure you will en- Please reserve this date any member of the Com- Special points of interest: joy reading about it in this and try to aend. miee or email news-  Page 1-4 - in 1736 the newsleer along with the le[email protected] Portuguese Government other accounts from vari- At the Dia de São João banned printing in any of its overseas territo- ous States. funcon in Sydney, we Our dealings with Council ries. floated the idea of hold- on the DA issues connue There is no new infor- ing a “Cha Gordo and Tea to move ahead albeit at a  Page 7 - An item by Ni- maon on the Youth En- Dance” event someme (Continued on page 2) na Deacon about games we used to play as kids...

 Page 11 - Remembering Dia de São João The Right Man at the Right Time in the

Right Place Stuart Braga

Father Joaquim In the long history of Ma- çalves, who taught at the Editor cau, a few people stand Seminário S. José, (St Jo- Affonço Jorge A. Estorninho out as having made a real seph’s Seminary) in Macau difference to the lives of from 1813 until his death Co-Ordinator Gonçalves others. Chief among them in 1841 at the age of 65. Lizette Viana Akouri was a Lazarist priest, Fr These were extraordinary Joaquim Affonço Gon- (Continued on page 2) Page 2 Casa Down Under Newsletter Volume 23 Issue 3

(Continued from page 1) ing ahead. In May we sub- their arcles and to our mied an applicaon to editor Jorge Estorninho President’s Report Polo Shirts Council for the building for his efforts in pung it snail's pace. We obtained cerficate to proceed with all together. Many thanks. an opinion on the fire this work, however as we We have Casa de Macau safety aspect of the go to print, we have yet to Ed Rozario Polo Shirts Sizes S (limited premises that would receive Council's reply President numbers) M, L, XL, XXL, require only the two win- although we chase them XXXL and Casa de Macau dows on the north side of every ten days. I will con- Badges. The price for the building to be treated. nue to report as this sa- these items is a bargain $7 ea. Which includes This means we will most ga unfolds. Meanwhile, postage. likely meet all Council’s enjoy the rest of the required modificaons Newsleer. If interested in any of the within the budgeted sum above items contact Mary Rigby on menoned in our last As always we are grateful rigbyfamily@ozemail. newsleer and are push- to all the contributors for com.au or phone 02 47333862

The Right Man at the Right Time in the Right Place

(Continued from page 1) some dozens of boys world. For the rest of the sixty corresponding what he saw as the ‘craft’ nineteenth century, as a members of the Academia times, and Fr Gonçalves of printing, and gave them result of his work, Portu- Real das Ciências (the was an extraordinary life skills that enabled guese printers dominated Royal Academy of Scienc- teacher. Over a period of them to succeed in a this essential service in- es) in Lisbon. Towards fifteen years, he taught harshly competitive dustry in Hong Kong, the end of his life, on 18 Shanghai, Singapore and November 1840, he was Canton. He was in effect granted the title of the pioneer of technical Cavaleiro da Ordem de N. education in the Far East. S. da Conceição de Vila More than that, he was Viçosa¸ knight of the Or- the leading Portuguese der of Our Lady of Con- scholar in Chinese in this ception of Vila Viçosa. In and any preceding era. He short, he was recognised taught his students how as a world authority in his to print in order to get field of study. How did his scholarly work pub- this remarkable man lished. He did this to such achieve all this? effect that he was the Joaquim Affonço Gon- only Portuguese to be çalves was born in Tojal, admitted to membership Cerva, in the district of of the Asiatic Society of Vila Real on 23 March Bengal, later granted the 1781. He took his vows title Royal Asiatic Society. in 1801, and left for Chi- It was the leading body na in 1812 to carry out interested in sinological the installation of astro- studies. He was honoured nomical equipment at the in Portugal too. In 1840 he was elected one of (Continued on page 3) Page 3 Casa Down Under Newsletter Volume 23 Issue 3

(Continued from page 2) What was to be done? Fr at Macau that produced Sinicum. Macau’s first his- famous Peking Observato- Joaquim Leite, the Superi- many works in support of torian to write in English, ry, set up by the Jesuits in or of St Joseph’s Seminary, their mission, but it was C.A. Montalto de Jesus the 17th century. Howev- had an idea. With dwin- sold in 1620 and sent to paid tribute to his work: it er, he was not permitted dling opportunities availa- Manila. In 1736, the Portu- ‘constituted an unprece- to enter China, and re- ble, even to the sons of guese government banned dented sinological achieve- mained in Macau. Peking’s the elite of Macau, he printing in any of its over- ment among the Portu- loss was Macau’s great adopted a new strategy seas territories, a prohibi- guese after well-nigh three gain. that proved to be highly tion that was strictly en- centuries in China’. 1 In all He came to Macau when forced on Portuguese sub- he published seven books, things were bad and get- jects until 1820. However, and two more major ting worse. Macau In 1736, the British brought a works were almost ready printing press to for publication at the time had endured many the Portuguese government crises, but none Macau in 1815, so of his death. They were a was more se- banned printing in any in 1818, Fr Leite Chinese-Latin dictionary vere than the sought permis- and a version of the New steep decline of its overseas territories, sion to do the Testament in Chinese. that set in with same, to pub- Unfortunately, they re- the rapid a prohibition that lish works in mained unpublished. growth of Brit- support of The boys at St. Joseph’s ish and Ameri- was strictly enforced on Catholic mis- who assisted Fr Gonçalves sions in China. can trade with Portuguese subjects were obviously trained to China during the This permission a very high level of profi- was given, but it second and third until 1820. ciency, working on books decades of the nine- was not until 1826 that in which absolute accuracy teenth century. Increasing the seminary was able to was essential. It is not numbers of foreign ships suc- secure a printing press. hard to see this fine schol- had appeared in Far East- cessful for the boys, and Father Gonçalves then ar with his precise linguis- ern waters, competing for of cardinal importance for swung into action. Since tic standards as a very China’s trade. The the future of the Portu- his arrival more than a demanding task-master wealthy trading concerns guese community decade earlier, he had who would expect the of Britain, the United throughout the Far East. worked hard on a major same standards from his States, and other coun- This was to acquire a dis- project – a Portuguese- pupils that he set for him- tries had greater re- used printing press in Ma- Chinese dictionary, as well self. They could hardly sources than the Portu- cau to train his students several linguistic treatises. have had a better prepara- guese, and this had the as printers. The idea that By 1831, the dictionary tion for high expectations effect of reducing the Portuguese people would had been published in in the commercial work number of Portuguese ever engage in manual both forms: Portuguese to on which some of them vessels engaged in com- work in the Far East was Chinese and Chinese to would be engaged for the merce in the East. There out of the question, but Portuguese. To achieve next half-century and even were fewer opportunities the ‘craft’ of printing was a this, Gonçalves had longer. Fr Gonçalves died at sea for Portuguese different matter. It fol- moved beyond the hand- in 1841, and was buried in youths in Macau. People lowed that the practition- carved wooden blocks the ruínas S. Paolo, the ru- who had for generations ers of this craft, under the used earlier to a font of ins of St Paul’s, which had been involved with trade expert tutelage of an emi- Chinese movable type. been destroyed by fire six and shipping watched nent priest, not a trades- Further learned works years before. In the 1870s, helplessly as opportunities man, would strive to en- followed between 1836 a new cemetery, S. Miguel slipped away from them- sure that their work was and 1841, Vocabularium (St Michael’s), was selves and their sons. excellent. So it proved. Latino-Sinicum, Lexicon opened, and many graves In Macau’s early days, the Manuale Latino-Sinicum and Jesuits had a printing press Lexicon Magnum Latino- (Continued on page 4) 1 C.A. Montalto de Jesus, Historic Macao, p. 282 Page 4 Casa Down Under Newsletter Volume 23 Issue 3

who were given a career Alberto Guterres for their and a livelihood in the assistance. burgeoning printing indus- Stuart Braga try throughout the Far East as western influence rapidly increased during the next half century. The

Government Gazette of Hong Kong and of the This is the heading of the printed order of proceedings Straits Settlements (the Fable of the porcupine for Fr Gonçalves’ re-burial. nineteenth century name It was the coldest winter Programme for the solemn exhumation of the mortal for what became the colo- ever. Many animals died remains of the illustrious sinologue Fr Joaquim Affon- ny of Singapore), most because of the cold. so Gonsalves, and the translation of the same from newspapers, many books the old cemetery of St Paul’s to the church of St and a vast array of com- The porcupines, realizing Joseph’s seminary. mercial printed matter the situation, decided to Many old documents in Macau were eaten by worms. This was throughout the Far East group together to keep rescued by J.M. Braga before they destroyed it completely. were set up by Portu- warm. This way they cov- guese compositors, many ered and protected them- (Continued from page 3) inscribed on the black of whom were employed selves; but the quills of marble stone then placed by Portuguese proprie- each one wounded their were transferred there in the chapel of St. Jo- tors. For half a century closest companions. After from St Paul’s. However, seph’s. It reads, in English, they dominated the print- awhile, they decided to Fr Gonçalves was re- ‘Here lies the Reverend ing industry. Apart from distance themselves one interred in the chapel of D. Joaquim Alfonso Gon- printing, that first genera- from the other and they the seminary he had çalves, Portuguese priest tion of emigrants from began to die, alone and served with such distinc- of the Congregation of Macau in the 1840s had frozen. So they had to tion. Missions in the Royal Col- few employment options make a choice: either ac- cept the quills of their On 3 October 1872, the lege of St Joseph of Ma- other than poorly-paid companions or disappear 31st anniversary of his cao, a distinguished teach- clerical work. However, in from the Earth. Wisely, death, a solemn proces- er of the Royal Asiatic later generations, greater they decided to go back sion wended its way from Society, the only foreigner opportunities would open to being together. They St Paul’s, through the concerned for Chinese up for their descendants. learned to live with the streets of Macau, past S. missions. Moved by godly All this was the direct re- little wounds caused by Domingo (St. Dominic’s), prayers, he composed sult of the genius of one the close relationship with through the Largo do Sena- learned works in his na- outstanding man – their companions in order do (the Senate Square, the tive Portuguese and in Joaquim Alfonso Gon- to receive the warmth very heart of Macau) to Latin. Of the gentlest dis- çalves. He deserves to be that came from the oth- the chapel of St Joseph’s position, of excellent remembered with grati- ers. This way they were adjoining the Largo S. learning, and of blameless tude by the whole world- able to survive. Agostinho (St Augustine’s life, he rested in the Lord, wide Macanese communi- Square). Every dignitary in full of days, beyond his ty. Moral of the story: The sixty-fifth year, on the best relationship is not the the territory was present, The illustrations in this arti- third of October in the one that brings together including the diplomatic cle and much of the infor- year 1841. In memory of perfect people, but when corps, the councillors of mation are from the J.M. so great a man, his friends each individual learns to the Leal Senado and many Braga collection, National and lovers of learning have live with the imperfections more. Library of Australia. I am dedicated this monument.’ of others and can admire Fr Gonçalves well merited indebted also to Prof Hen- the other person's good the generous Latin epitaph A still greater monument rique d’Assumpção AO and was in the lives of those qualities. 2 They were carefully listed by J.M. Braga in his ‘Bio-bibliographical index’ now in the National Library of Australia, MS 4300, series 7.2. The list was then published in 1942 by Fr Manuel Teixeira in his small book on Pedro Nolasco da Silva. 3 The inscription is set out in Latin by J.D. Ball, Macao the Holy City, the Gem of the Orient Earth, p. 22. Page 5 Casa Down Under Newsletter Volume 23 Issue 3

Jorge and Pam below at the Blue Skies Restaurant was a turning point for our event. Previous years had talented members contribute their time and skill concocting fabulous

Macanese fare to share

but tragedy loomed this

VICTORIABuy Now year as many of those talented volunteers were unable to contribute; una- vailable to cook or even The Victorian members of attend. The committee Casa celebrated our Dia came up with a daring de St Joao at the Mesh plan to engage the Ryde Restaurant, Crown Prom- Eastwood Club's chef in a enade Hotel, with an in- the Hobart waterfront. Hobart. Thanks again to Macanese culinary adven- ternational lunch buffet Guests were John and Casa de Macau for their ture for our celebration. and jazz, which was en- Teresa Estorninho, generous subsidy of this Committee members joyed by 31 members. Manuel, Darrie-Lee and function. formed a posse (Lizette, Thank you again to the Oliver Estorninho and Judy & Nina) who liaised Committee for continuing Marlene Cowen, Darrie- with said chef offering Birthdays - Darrie- to subsidise this popular Lee’s mother. Oriel was recipes (sworn to secre- Lee Estorninho celebrated given the choice to come cy!), tips and amusing event. her birthday on the 2nd but instead chose to at- feedback. After a test July at a quiet party Adrienne Carassellos tend a friend’s birthday meal, we felt the plan had amongst family and Victorian Representative party. Naturally, that was potential and, fingers friends. Pam Estorninho to be the expected out- crossed, we rolled with it. will be celebrate hers on come. Who would want Members and guests were 30th July, soon followed

to give up a party with presented a delightfully

by Jorge on the 15th Au-

young people for a gath- themed banquet of the

TASMANIABuy Now gust. ering of adults? The other following: garden, prawn We’ll have to watch our apologies were from Rob- & avocado plus Caesar’s waistlines after so many ert who was in Thailand salads as well as vegetable celebrations! Wedding and Michael… ... was au gratin and steamed I think a period of absti- nursing something or oth- baby Bok Choy; crispy Anniversary nence will in order for the er which shall remain un- fried Spring Rolls, Samo- next few months. FORTY YEARS ON! named(?!). sas and tasty Peking Pork

Ribs aside a steaming tur- Jorge Estorninho 12th June, 1971, dawned Forty years on, Jorge and nip cake (Loh Pak Ko), T a s m a n i a n as a very foggy day which Pamela’s marriage boat with steamed rice accom- Representative. later turned into glorious has weathered a few panying the rich Portu-

sunshine by 11.00 a.m. storms and difficulties but guese Chicken and Chi-

when Jorge and Pamela it has never sunk. So, nese style Curried Beef

were united in marriage Jorge and Pamela now BuyNS Now W Brisket plus a good at- at the Hobart Baptist look forward to the years tempt at Porco Bafassa. Church, with the Rever- ahead, however many the OK, so it wasn't exactly end Peter Stockman offici- Lord God will grant them, the traditional family fare ating. with love, friendship and Dia de São João we love but it still companionship. Lunch in Sydney warmed more than a few Forty years on, on 12th hearts with many re- June, 2011, a bright and Dia de São João Around noon, Sunday turned to the buffet for a sunny Sunday morning, little more of this or that. celebrations in Hobart June 26, CASA members they celebrated their 40th Desert that followed was was celebrated on Sunday gathered at the Ryde East- anniversary event with a a spread of fruit salad, 26th June at the Har Wee wood Leagues Club to family gathering at the celebrate DIA DE SAO creme brulee, pavlova, Yee Restaurant in North Blue Skies Restaurant on JOAO (Macau Day!). 2011 (Continued on page 6) Page 6 Casa Down Under Newsletter Volume 23 Issue 3

(Continued from page 5) traditional Macanese dish- bi's assistance through- For details please consult es including impada, min- out. Many thanks go to our homepage at cupcakes and chocolate chi, tacho, vaca estufado all of the cooks for their www.iimacau.org.mo/ mouse as well as little and feijoada as well as culinary talents and to all

cups of mango pudding or delicious desserts such as members for their help Congratulations Emeritus red and green jellies - Portuguese tarts, mango on the day especially Portuguese colours - a fun pudding Macau style and Frances and Paul Xavier, Professor Henrique touch. As tea and coffee fruit platters. Joe Vieira, his children d’Assumpção. was made available and Lisa, Jon and Steven and our group broke apart to Thank you to the won- my husband Paul O'Kane. The International Institute of clustered banter, the gen- derful army of hard work- Thank you also to Mary Macau (IIM) has awarded its eral feel was that the fare ing volunteers who Rigby and Ed Rozario for Identity Award for 2011 to was enjoyed by nearly all cooked for the day: Lydia all their support towards the website “Macanese Fami- with a great response to O'Kane, Paul O'Kane, the day. lies”. This site is the brain- give it all another go, next Frances Xavier, Melinda child of Emeritus Prof. Hen- time 'round. Two beauti- Xavier, Fernanda Da Silva, Melissa Fox ry d’Assumpção in Adelaide, ful 'traditional' Dia De Sao Yvonne Doong, Joe & Lisa South Australia, and is con- Joao fruits baskets were Vieira, Rosanna Webb, tinually being enhanced. raffled, the kids were en- Natercia Xavier, Juana Since the presentations in tertained by John Paul (& Bernardo, Rosie Godwin Editor’s Note - Kermit) and many mem- and Michella. Macau and Sydney there bers volunteered as con- Please turn to page have been numerous addi- tributors to a September The Macau Government 8 for a selection of tions and refinements. We Cha Gordo (high tea), as Tourist Office in Sydney photos of the encourage you to visit CASA photographers or kindly lent us some stun- “Macanese Families if you members of a working ning banners to decorate occasion. have not done so recently. group to help organise the hall. They also gave The link is our library but the high- us some merchandise to www.macanesefamilies.com light of the day was the give away, as did Mary flow of sated participants, Rigby from the Casa. “Macanese Families is a huge staggering home amid contribution to our history smiles." Elsa Richards and Yvonne Brendan Basto Doong entertained the crowd with their beautiful

renditions of traditional

songs and poet-

QueenslandBuy Now ry. Younger members enjoyed learning to play mahjong.

Queensland Dia We welcomed the Casa's newest member, 9 day Henrique d’Assumpção Rogerio P. D. da Luz de Sao Joao old Oscar, son of Angie luncheon 2011 Walton-Godwin and We are happy to announce and a wonderful gift to our Scott Walton. Four gen- that "Macanese Families" community worldwide. Almost sixty members erations of his family at- and "Projecto Memoria tended our event, includ- and friends of Casa de Macaense", both electronic We also congratulate Rog- ing his grandmother Rosie Macau gathered on Sun- erio da Luz in Brazil on re- Godwin and great- sites, set up and maintained day 19th June at the respectively by Em. prof. ceiving the same award for South Brisbane Sailing grandmother Sue Soares. Henrique "Quito" D'As- his website “Projecto Me- Club, to celebrate Dia de Sao Joao. Grateful thanks go to sumpcao and Rogerio da moria Macaense”. The link Michella Xavier for her Luz, were declared ex ae- to this site is Overlooking the Brisbane assistance in organising quo recipients of this year’s www.memoriamacaense.org/ River, families enjoyed an the day, as well as her IIM Identity Award. index.html array of home-cooked sons' Alex, Daniel & To- Page 7 Casa Down Under Newsletter Volume 23 Issue 3

children was the making of Game 5 – Put all the sacks Chiquia with the inside of the SACO’s themselves; a on the back of your hand one foot in the air and re- neat little pocket of material piled up like a pyramid, turn peat, no hands allowed. filled with rice grains and your hand and grab the lot. The game is over and it’s then the opening sewn over At any stage the player someone else’s turn when and you are ready to play. the Chiquia drops on the drops a sack their turn is over and it ground. moves onto the I’m sure the two games next person, if by above were unique to us as Games we Played yourself then start kids in Macau, however we again from the did share with children beginning. around the world “TAPA” - As anyone who met me Later as we hop-scotch, “SALTA COR- along the way in Macau will strolled along the DA” – skipping and “BOLA know I had a great time at streets, another VENENOSA” – softball the Encontro; dancing, eat- great memory where the wrist is the bat ing but most importantly came back to me and the ball is a Tennis ball. catching up with loved ones How did we play Cinco Sa- as we noticed a group of Who wants to play at the from around the world. cos: boys playing Chiquia (Tek next function, I have two (2) Excitement and sadness was To Start – someone throws In). So what is Chiquia, it is spare Chiquia’s and will also a part of our time in the sacks in front of the the name given to both the make some SACOS, maybe Macau as we noted the pro- player game and the toy – the toy we could have the commit- gress being made, some- Game 1 – the player takes being similar to the shuttle- tee give a demonstration times at the expense of the one sack, throws it in the air cock used in Bad- places and buildings of my and grabs another sack, minton. The basic memory. continuing until the other exception is that On one particular day we four sacks have been gath- the base is usual- ly made of old visited Taipa and as I ered up and put aside. walked a back street we bits of Game 2 – the player tosses came a cross a group of paper one sack in the air and school age children. They cut grabs two (2) sacks and were playing games that I into played when I was their age, puts them aside. circles the memory of those good Game 3 – the player tosses and bound to- times came flooding back as one sack in the air and gether with four (4) I gazed upon these children grabs three (3) and puts chicken feathers at- playing “Cinco Sacos – 5 them aside and then tosses tached. The more bags”. I remember we again and grabs the remain- colourful the feath- played this game every- ing sack. ers the better and the base needs to be where; at home, at school Game 4 – the player tosses quite thick preferably with and then compete with anywhere really. one sack in the air and tries an old bit of leather on the to grab the remaining the members. Cinco Sacos is a great game top and bottom of the paper that can be played alone or four (4) pile. A simple game, where with any number of friends. the idea is to kick the Nina (Pequenina) Deacon Part of its magic for us as

EDITOR’S DISCLAIMER The Editor reserves the right to screen, accept or reject material for publication and takes no responsibility for any errors or omissions as provided by authors and contributors. While items from the Membership are sought and encouraged, the Editor reserves the right to edit articles as considered necessary. Publication of contributions is at the discretion of the Editor, and opinions expressed may not necessarily be those of the Editor nor of the Governing Committee of Casa de Macau Inc. Australia. The Newsletter is not to be used for any member’s own discourse. It is not intended to promote any propaganda nor sup- port any political or religious affiliations. The contents are produced in good faith as a service for the benefit of Casa de Macau Members and as a method of communication within the Macanese community in Australia and abroad. Page 8 Casa Down Under Newsletter Volume 23 Issue 3

Page 9 Casa Down Under Newsletter Volume 23 Issue 3

My earliest memories of that it was enough to fill Uncle Leo are of living in Sydney Harbour! Anoth- Austin Road in Kowloon. er time he swallowed a I shared a room with Un- white decorative pebble cle Leo until he migrated thinking it was a 'Minty’. to the United States, as These thoughts bring did so many of our people tears to my eyes, but also looking for the streets reminds me of my sense paved with gold; Cum San of schadenfreude (delight - as the Chinese de- in another person's mis- scribed San Francisco. fortune). When he arrived there he He was a refugee in Ma- worked for Wells Fargo cau during the last War Bank, and travelled every- with Mom and my grand- where seeing friends and parents Avó Sarita and family. He struggled fi- Avô Georgie. Avô nancially, as he did most Georgie passed away of his life, but that didn’t there during the War, and stop him helping others. when Uncle Leo last Uncle Leo was an upright went back to Macau he man, straight in character, looked for Avô’s grave, honest with warm per- only to be told it had sonalities, very giving by been moved without noti- nature and brave to a fication. Then the Os- fault. He was one of those mund determination and people to whom the stubbornness really came word ‘NO ’ was not in- to the fore and he found

Alfredo Maria cluded in his vocabulary, the relocated remains. he always said Yes, even passed He served in The Hong Dos Santos Eulogy for to his detriment. Nothing away on July 5th 2011 af- Kong Regiment, and I last Leonard Vincent was too much or too ter a short battle with saw him on Anzac Day Osmund hard; he would put him- thyroid cancer. He was 80 2011, he was one of the 5/4/1024 to 29/5/2011 self out for anyone and years old. Last four members Uncle Leo was born on everyone. marching in respect to the He was strong and well the 5th April 1924 and However, despite all this, many past veterans. up to a couple of weeks passed away aged 87 on he was no saint. He had In his younger days in before he entered hospi- the 29th May 2011. Avó Sarita’s wicked sense tal, and was a devoted Hong Kong he worked in A citizen of the United of humour, and he was a carer of his wife Teresa. Hong Kong for the Stand- States; a resident of Syd- bit of a klutz (a clumsy ard Chartered Bank until dolt). I never forget his Alfredo’s last moments ney, Australia; a proud his emigration to the land were peaceful and he filho de Macau, born in mistaking Wasabi sauce of the free and home of passed away in the pres- the then British colony of for avocado dip at a Japa- the brave, of which he ence of his beloved Hong Kong of Sarita Brit- nese dinner, to his cha- was very proud and grate- daughters Beatriz and Ma- to Osmund and Georgie grin he swallowed a lot, ful citizen. Uncle Leo nev- ria. Osmund, brother of Mil- then broke out in a cold er married, and not having dred Marie Osmund No- sweat. He ended up hav- any family in America he He will be greatly missed ronha and brother in law ing to drink so much wa- decided to move to Aus- by us all. of Antonio Eduardo ter to cool his innards (Continued on page 10) (Eddie) Noronha.

Page 10 Casa Down Under Newsletter Volume 23 Issue 3

(Continued from page 9) when he told us stories of count or measurement Have you ever considered our forbears and our past. and life. It has many sys- or asked when is tems and traditions and ‘numbers’ more than co- tralia to be with his sis- I am confident as Uncle beliefs, some document- incidence, fate or of a ter and her family. He Leo was such a good ed, some esoteric”. We higher order. Here is a lived with Mum and Dad man , he is in the pres- know that a number is a snap shot of my family’s until they passed away ence of Our Lord. As my mathematical object used historical relationship and it was then that he mother use to nag him to count and measure - with the number 17. In- was a great comfort to something terrible, I hope great for basic arithmetic terestingly, as new set- us all, leading the pray- Our Lord was correct or advanced science cal- tlers, our ship from HK to culations. With reserved Sydney departed on the ers with saying of the when he said there were rosary, to which he was fascination, I must confess 17th July (delayed a day many rooms in his house, I’m no expert in numerol- due to dock strike), also very faithful each day . maybe Uncle Leo will not He was educated in La ogy and never had the both my birth year and have to be in the same time to dig further. Be as that of my husband Ma- Salle College where he room , but sharing such it may, we are surround- nuel is 1952, when added played soccer. He also with other friends. ed by ‘numericals’ from = 17. Add 1 + 7 = 8 played the mandolin and our birth date until we which according to Chi- Alberto (Al) Noronha sang, and he was like all nese tradition is a very the Osmunds, a good lucky number. Here are a eater and very musical. few celebrative 17th dates (birthdays and anniver- After Mum's passing, I saries) listed in Calendar had asked him come to month: live with us in Maitland a city of some 200 Kilome- March – Mum’s birth- tres north from Sydney, day but he declined as he June – Son’s birth- wanted to be independ- day ent, he felt he didn’t want August - Nephew in law to impose on any of my birthday sisters or myself. September - Nephew NUMBERS leave this world when our birthday He had this encyclopaedic (contributed by Yvonne time is up. Dates are im- October – Dad’s birth- knowledge of our com- Herrero) portant e.g. birthdays, day munity. We spent hours Christenings, weddings, December– Cousin birth- going through the two No - this piece is not anniversaries and death day volumes of ‘The Portu- about the NUM3ERS TV We all record and cele- series. In the April issue guese in Hong Kong, brate important dates e.g. ======(page 4): By God’s Grace accounting the various February – my wedding where he knew of almost - ‘Four Scores & 17” on stages in life, from child to July – Parents wed- everyone pictured there- my Mum, Betty Cruz 97th adulthood, including sen- ding in; who was related to Birthday, there was a ior years; our children’s whom, where they lived footnote on the signifi- birth, their 1st - steps, Our whole life is struc- and where they worked, cance of No. 17 words, day care, kindie, tured by numbers from in a sense he was our ver- (dezessete) in our family school, high school, uni, calendar dates to the sion of Wikipedia. We and hence I am sharing a then moving out, moving hands on the clocks; have lost a real historical brief revelation. back in, drivers license, whilst waiting for your connection to our past they become adults or number to be called at and I only wish I exploited According to Wikipedia, parents too, or they move the bank; deli; RTA or “Numerology is any study overseas and so it takeaway. In sports a dec- his knowledge more as it of the purported mystical goes….!! imal of a second can mean was a lot of fun especially relationship between a a new record or a defeat. Page 11 Casa Down Under Newsletter Volume 23 Issue 3

We cannot underestimate In the ensuing The Dutch on seeing their the importance of numbers skirmish a Portu- commander Captain Ruffijn and how it rules our daily guese musket killed by a musket ball and lives. Be it used on bets, lot- shot hit Admiral terrified by the furious on- to or personal pin number Reijersen in the slaught of the defenders for easier recall when using stomach compel- turned and bolted. The ATMs. Whichever way num- ling him to retire Dutch sailors manning the bers manifest in your life it’s to his flagship. longboats took fright and still something that can’t be His command put to sea leaving the troops ignored. Do you have a fa- was taken over either to the cold steel of vourite number? This page is by Captain Hans the Portuguese and their numbered and so I end. Ruffijn. Although African slaves or to a watery taking casualties grave. Every good and per- the Dutch fect gift comes from pressed on with It was a total victory for the above. their attack forc- Portuguese and this was James 1:17 ing Cavalinho and attributed to the interven- Yvonne Macau the Dutch decided his musketeers to fall back tion of “São João” who’s to attack and occupy the to a position within artillery Feast Day it was. “Dia de Portuguese Colony in 1622. range of the city. São João” the 24th of June They sent a large invasion has since been celebrated in fleet of thirteen warships The invaders then came Macau with a special Mass Dia de São João, its with 1,300 men under the under fire from a heavy at Sé Cathedral. significance and what it means command of Admiral Cor- cannon manned by the Jesu- to us, Filhos de Macau. nelius Reijersen. it soldier-priests on Our President Ed Rozario was Facing this mighty assault the half-finished for- going through his email force was some hundred tress of Sao Paulo de archives and found the follow- Portuguese regular soldiers Monte. A well placed ing article written by our friend and a similar amount of shot by Jesuit Padre Bosco Correa some time ago. Macaenses volunteers, in Jeronimo Rho blew As we have all just finished total no more than 300 up a wagonload of celebrating the Dia de São men led by Captain-Major gunpowder in the João in June I thought it would Lopo Sarmento de Carvalho. midst of the Dutch be appropriate to remind our formation with dev- readers why we actually cele- The Dutch made their land- astating results. Oth- brate this particular day. Our ing at dawn on June 24th er guns from Monte sincere thanks to Bosco. Enjoy. the Feast Day of Saint John opened fire causing Editor the Baptist (São João) at further casualties Calcilhas beach. Opposing a amongst the Dutch “Dia de São João” landing force of 800 Dutch and demoralising the 24 June 1622 troops there was a group of invaders. In the past we celebrated Portuguese musketeers this feast day by partaking commanded by Antonio Commander Sarmento de of our Macanese desserts To break the Portuguese influ- Rodriguez Cavalinho. Carvalho seizing the oppor- and sweets and all varieties ence in their lucrative trade tunity gave the order for a of tropical fruits. This was with China and Japan through counter attack and shouting one night in the year accord- the Portuguese battle-cry ing to folklore that we need “Sao Tiago” (Saint James) not be concerned about WRITE TO US led his eager men who getting a bad case of stom- MAIL: P. O. Box A908, Sydney South, NSW 1235. hurled themselves at the ach upset – as the legend E-MAIL: [email protected] Dutch. They were soon goes that São. João was Letters should be brief, preferably no more than 200 words. They must joined by Macaenses citi- looking after us, as he did be signed and must include name and address for publication if required zens, their African slaves on that fateful day back in and telephone number for verification. While letters and articles from readers are sought and encouraged, the Editorial Committee reserves and armed Jesuits and 1622. the right to edit them as considered necessary. Letters and articles are Friars. published at the discretion of the committee and its decision is final. Casa de Macau Inc. Committee Members Australia President: Edward Rozario

Contact us Vice President: Lizette Viana Akouri

Casa de Macau Inc. Secretary: Mary Basto Rigby

P. O. Box A908 Treasurer: Therese Alonco Sydney South, NSW 1235, Australia Deputy Secretary: Brendan Basto E-mail: [email protected] Committee Members: Josefa Coelho Cesar Pereira We are on the Web Judy Rocha Nina Deacon www.casademacau.org.au Interstate Representatives: Carmen O’Brien (SA) Macau Cultural Center Melissa Fox (QLD) Adrienne Ozorio Carasallos (VIC) 244 Unwins Bridge Road Margarida Grills (ACT) Sydenham Daniel Badaraco (WA) Jorge Estorninho (TAS)

The cat thought a God answered, "It is The cat replied, "Oh, it is

minute and then said, done." All the mice had wonderful. I have never "All my life I lived on a been so happy in my life. beautiful little roller- farm and slept on hard My pillow is so fluffy, and skates. Give me a sense of humor, wooden floors. I would those little meals on Lord, Give me the grace to like a real fluffy pillow About a week later wheels you have been see a joke, To get some to sleep on." God decided to check sending over are deli- humor out of life, and pass it on cious” on to other folk! God said, "Say no more." Instantly the cat the cat. He found her The story of had a huge fluffy pillow. sound asleep on her

“To catch the reader's attention, place an interesting fluffy pillow. sentence or quote from the story here.” Catus & Micus A few days later, six mice were killed in an God gently awakened accident and they all the cat and asked, "Is went to heaven at the everything OK? How same time. have you been doing? Are you happy?" God met the mice at the gates of heaven with the same offer that Casa Down Under he made the cat. Newsletter The mice said, "Well, A cat died and went to we have had to run all heaven. God met her at NEXT ISSUE of our lives, from cats, the golden gate and dogs, and even people said, "You have been a is due out end October, 2011. Anyone wishing with brooms. If we good cat all these years. to contribute articles are requested to submit could just have some them no later than Friday, 14th October, 2011 Anything you want is little roller skates we yours for the asking." would never have to to [email protected] run again." Ooops! Omissions with apologies…..

Greetings from Adelaide:

Our Casa celebrated Dia de Sao Joao by having a Chinese banquet on Sunday, 19 June 2011.

Those who came to the lunch enjoyed the variety of food commencing with Peking Duck.

We congratulated Henry dÁssumpcao on his receiving the 2011 Identity Award from the IIM in Macau. This was awarded for his contribution and hard work in establishing the website Macanese Families.

We also congratulated Zachary Kockan (Guterres) who had just returned from America where he had been selected to play soccer for Australia in the Under 13's competition.

Carmen O'Brien SA Representative

FOR SALE The Portuguese Community in Hong Kong Volume II

If you are interested in purchasing this book by Antonio (Toneco) da Silva, the Casa still has some copies available at $50 per book inclusive of postage. Contact Mary Rigby at 02 47333862 or email [email protected]