Brisbane’s Goan community heralded the opening of its new club with a fancy-dress ball. Goa is a small picturesque state on India’s west coast, which the Portuguese colonized 400 years ago. Brisbane is home to about 35 Goan families, most of whom live in the Holland Park/ Tarragindi area. Many of these people had made their homes in Uganda until dictator, Idi Amin, expelled all Indians and stripped them of their wealth in 1975. About 90% fled to Canada – the other 10% came to Australia. Goa Queensland President, Ruth de Barros said the major aim of the club was to provide a meeting place for the Goan people. “We are all Australians now and our children are Aussies,” Mrs. De Barros said. “But we don’t want them to forget their roots and their culture. It is so expensive to take them back to India for visits, so we decided to create the club.