March 2007 Volume 19 Issue 2 Inside this issue:- Portuguese Awards 3 to Hong Kong resi- Dear Casa Members, for generations to come, and as an invest- dents ment opportunity. Funds for this purpose, were provided by the former Macau govern- Bursary Report 5 The Holy Season of Lent is ending and Easter ment, prior to the handover in 1999. Our is just around the corner. It is a time for faith, Casa has a moral obligation and commitment News from Macau 6 hope, penitence, prayers, reflections and self to fulfill this mandate set by the providers of examination. During Lent, we are invited by the generous funds in meeting the aspirations Macau Symphony 8 the Church to make the journey inward and of so many within our community and abroad Youth Orchestra our destination is God. for a successful and final outcome. Many of visit to Sydney us will recall the trials and tribulations over an exhaustive 7 years by your Committee Obituaries 8 Refer to “Message of His Holiness Benedict charged with the authority and huge responsi- XVI for Lent 2007” website: bility in the quest for a suitable property to Committee Mem- 10 http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/ call ‘home’. Reality is that Casa cannot justify bers. benedict_xvi/messages/lent/documents/ purchasing a large ‘Clubhouse’ (in terms of Birthday/Weddings hf_ben-xvi_mes_20061121_lent- significant financial outlay, level of utilisation, 2007_en.html operations and management) but, rather a modest establishment, based in Sydney as the Macau Encontro - 11- headquarters, being the birthplace of our 2007 I am sad to report that Jose Carlos da Silva 14 Casa in Australia. has stepped down from the Committee as of th the 16 February 2007 as he felt that he was Special Points of unable to commit 100% to the Casa Commit- Following several past disappointments, you interest:- tee to see out his term of office. I know that will recall in July 2006 our Casa came close to you will join me in thanking Jose for his con- purchasing a Strata Unit at Stanmore, as re- Page 3 - An article by Stu- tribution during his tenure and wish him all ported in the October 2006 issue of our art Braga on Portuguese the best and look forward to seeing him and newsletter, which did not eventuate due to awards to Hong Kong resi- his young family at future socials. It is with unacceptable pre-existing terms of easement dents. pleasure that I also introduce you to Maria and other restrictions. I am happy to report dos Santos Lee, Casa’s new web manager in that, recently, a suitable property came to place of Michael Chan. We look forward to our attention at Sydenham matching all of Page 5 - Photos and short Maria’s contribution in maintaining our site. Casa’s specifications. An offer was made by synopsis of 2006 Bursary Casa is grateful for Michael’s assistance with Casa and the Vendor agreed. At point of recipients. the inaugural setup and launch of our website writing this report, Casa has not progressed in December 2005 and appreciate his time to any exchange of contract with the Vendor, Page 8 - Macau Symphony and interest with our Association. following searches, various inspections and Youth Orchestra will be valuation; as there are still ongoing negotia- visiting Sydney in August tions between both ours and the Vendors 2007 to play a series of Property Acquisition for Casa Solicitors. If promising, the ensuing months concerts in conjunction will be an important and exciting chapter of with the SBS Youth Or- Casa’s history. When more definite infor- chestra. Detailed pro- Members will all be aware that your Commit- mation comes to hand, this will be forthcom- tee (past & present) have, as their main ob- ing under separate cover to the membership. gramme jective and directive, been actively searching In the meantime, I would be more than happy for an appropriate property for our Casa to to address any questions or concerns from Page 11 - All you need to be used as a base, headquarters, administra- Casa member/s on this current potential ac- know about the forthcom- tive office, library, small gatherings/socials quisition. With faith, we pave our destiny. ing Macau Encontro 2007. where we can continue to promote our heri- (Continued on page 2) Expression of interest is tage and culture, apart from leaving a legacy enclosed. Editor: Jorge Estorninho Co-Ordinator: Marcus Gutierrez Volume 19 Issue 2 Casa Down Under March 2007 Page 2 (Continued from page 1) We have recently lost several prominent Macanese members 2007 Encontro in Macau from our communities. Of note is Rigoberto Paulo Jose Col- laco Roliz, father of Maria Roliz, President of Lusitano Club of Our Casa received notification from Dr. Jose Rodrigues, California, USA. Our expressions of sympathy and spiritual President of Associação Promotora da Instrução dos Macaen- support have reached Rigo’s family at this difficult time. Please ses (APIM) & Conselho das Communidades Macaenses (CCM) keep Rigo and other recently departed in your prayers. Standing Committee, that the 2007 Encontro (Macanese Gath- ering) will be held from Monday 26th November to Monday Please note the proposed social Diary Dates for NSW mem- 2nd. December, with a special welcome reception on Sunday bers in April (BBQ at Tempe), May (Bus trip to Wollongong) 25th November. Members will be kept informed as soon as & annual national event in June (24th June, for Dia de St. Joao). more information comes to hand in regard to the programme. Members are encouraged to show support by attending these We do not know at this stage when the subsidy would be forthcoming from the Organisers. The Committee has ad- socials, organised for the benefit of you and your family. dressed this and are in favour of providing support to inter- ested qualifying members (i.e. two years continuous financial Wishing you all a Holy Easter with your family and friends. membership), with emphasis to encourage the younger gen- eration to participate; trace their roots and gain some insight into Macanese history. It is expected that participants will be “I have learned in whatever state I am to be content: I know obligated to attend all the official programme functions (e.g. how to live humbly, and I know how to live in prosperity. Eve- opening, closing, launches, etc.) accordingly. Poor attendance rywhere and in everything I have learned both to be full and is a reflection on our Casa and I ask that participants give their to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all commitment on this matter. An initial “expression of inter- things through Christ who strengthens me.” (St. Paul, Philippi- est” is attached for completion to be returned to Casa de ans 4.11-13) Macau, PO Box A908, Sydney South NSW 1235 or on line via Casa’s website. Please refer to preliminary travel and accom- modation information for those interested. More information is to follow. Watch this space !!! Kind Regards, Yvonne Macanese Communities Council (Macau) Members are advised of the establishment of a Confraria de Gastronomia Macaense in Macau following the signing of Stat- For Sale utes by CCM in January 2007, with the specific objectives to CDs by preserve and promote Macanese cuisine. Armando Santos Casa Presidents recently received an email request from the “Lembranças de Macau” Secretariat of the Macanese Communities Council in Macau to Armando, a native of Macau, started supply an update of all new and current term of office Boards singing at a very young age and has of Directors; including each Casa’s Committee representatives for both the General and Standing Committees. Our Casa will performed at several Hotels in Singapore and be officially represented by the President and Vice President, Macau and on radio. both on the General Committee with the President on the On this CD he sings in Patuá some old Macanese Standing Committee; in keeping with the other sister Casas’ favourites like ‘Mufino’, ’Chapa Cherâ Chipi representatives. Chuchu’, ‘Ai Qui Saião’ and many more. Casa de Macau has secured a limited number of Macau Symphony Youth Orchestra 9th – 13th August 2007 these CDs which are for sale at $10 each plus $2 postage. A reminder to members of a request received from Mr Ian Hamilton, Honorary Secretary of the SBS Radio & Television All orders with payment can be sent to Youth Orchestra, for assistance with a scheduled reciprocal Casa de Macau Inc. visit by the Macau Symphony Youth Orchestra to Sydney on PO Box A908 9th to 13th August. The visit will also include a special Concert on Saturday 11th August at the Conservatorium of Music. I Sydney South, NSW, 1235 refer members to Ian’s write up within this newsletter for a positive response. Volume 19 Issue 2 Casa Down Under March 2007 Page 3 Portuguese Awards to Hong Kong Residents INSIGNIA by Stuart Braga The badge of the Order is a gold-edged Mantau cross Over many years, several members of the Macaense enamelled red. The star of the Order is a nine-pointed community of Hong Kong have been honoured with gold star (silver for commanders) with plain rays, awards in one of several Portuguese Orders. charged with a smaller nine-pointed star, having in the centre, upon a silver field, the badge encircled by a black Foremost among these Orders, band, having thereon the motto, TALANT DE BIEN despite its recent origin, is Ordem FAIRE ('It Is a Gift To Be Able To Do Well') in gold let- do Infante Dom Henrique, the Or- ters, within a garlanded laurel in gold, measuring 75 mm der of Prince Henry the Navigator.