The 15 th Dr. Ribeiro Goan School Reunion 2023 was held on September 10, 2023, at the Autaq Banquet Hall in Mississauga, Ontario, with 206 people in attendance.
The team of Delfine Da Costa (President), Allan Rodrigues (Treasurer) and Norman Da Costa (committee member) worked together like a well-oiled wheel and it was gratifying that all the hard work paid off in the end. Everyone came out to have a good time and they did. The committee fielded countless phone calls and emails for hosting such an outstanding function.
Everyone enjoyed the toe tapping music of DJ Fatz. Joan Do Rosario was the MC and did a great job as usual.
The food was plentiful and delicious. The hall looked resplendent with helium balloons and table cloths in our four house colours - green, blue, red and yellow.
We received many great donations for the raffle which were put together by Ida Gomes who always excels in whatever project she undertakes.
The donation of a four-day safari from Heather-Gail De Souza of Visit Africa in Nairobi was a big draw and so was the 58” TV set. Unbelievably, the safari and the TV were both won by Wendy Castanha of Markham, Ontario. Heather-Gail also donated towels decorated with our school badge for the golf tournament.
Ivan Araujo did an excellent job as the keynote speaker and he took us down memory lane. Alba Ferrao said the Grace before meals.
We were all thrilled to have five teachers present. They included Yvonne Da Costa, Olive and Albert Fernandes all the way from England, Viviana Mascarenhas and Mitelia Paul.
We were pleased to acknowledge and recognize the ex-Presidents for their contribution to past Reunions. Ex-Presidents present at the Reunion were Bel Remedios, Tony Fernandes, Vivien Fernandes, Norman Da Costa, Silu Fernandes, Joan Do Rosario, Errol Ferrao and of course yours truly, Delfine Da Costa.
Our ex-students entertained us with a few songs each. Former field hockey international Hilary Fernandes played the saxophone and Raymond De Mello played the harmonica.
We could not have had such a successful grand occasion had it not been for the stellar job done by our volunteers: Bertha Carvalho, Melanie De Lima, Teresa Mandriks, Matilda Coutinho, Mitelia Paul, Astrid Fernandes and Melba De Souza. They, along with Ruth Remedios made sure they sold a record number of raffle tickets.
A brochure was produced by Norman Da Costa and Rudi Rodrigues highlighting every reunion from the first one in 1980 and an article on Dr. Rosendo Ayres Ribeiro after whom the school was named. Click here to view and/or to download a PDF of the brochure, if you wish.
A big thank you to Merwin D'Souza for his graphics and overall support in promoting this event worldwide via the DRGS website.
Unfortunately no ex-student stepped forward to take over as President. We will wait for a few months (click here to read notice) before calling it quits. In that event, the statue of St. Joseph that is held by the incumbent president will be returned to Bel Remedios. His mother Lina graciously donated the statue to the ex-students in 1980. (Please click here for an update)
Thank you to all those who attended the function. It was our pleasure to put it together for you.
Best Wishes and God bless you all
Delfine Da Costa
OUR SINCERE THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING GENEROUS DONORS: