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We have been asked to let everyone know about the

JUMP UP PARTY coming up in Brisbane on May 12th – if you are over east, check it out!

VISIT BY HONOURABLE KAMLA PERSAD-BISSESSAR, PRIME MINISTER OF THE REPUBLIC OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO – 26th October, 2011

The Caribbean Australian Association Inc wish to thank the Honourable Kamla Persad-Bissessar, Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago,  her Ministers, High Commissioners and other members of the Delegation from Trinidad and Tobago – here in Perth for CHOGM – for taking the time out of their very busy schedule to meet with our community in Perth.  The address by the Prime Minister updated CAA members of  policies and future directions of governance in Trinidad and Tobago, and was very well received by the full audience, who maintain very strong ties and interest with affairs in the Caribbean.  The community was also addressed by Dr the Honourable Surujrattan Rambachan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Communications;  Honourable Stephen Cadiz, MP, Minister of Trade and Industry;  Dr the Honourable Glenn Ramadharsingh, Minister of the People and Social Development; and Senator the Honourable Kevin Ramnarine, Minister of Energy.  After the formalities, the Prime Minister was invited to light deyas in celebration of Divali – The Festival of Lights, and enjoy light refreshments, including rotis, and traditional sweets. The youth group from T&T, Sharda Patasar and Friends, also entertained us with some lovely music.

Here is a link to the Prime Minister’s facebook page, where you may view other photos from the event

https://www.facebook.com/KamlaPersadBissessar

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150368093704798.371374.348203869797&type=3

35th  ANNIVERSARY BALL – CAA

The Caribbean Australian Association recently celebrated its 35th Anniversary here in Perth with a Masquarade Ball held at Burswood on Swan on 9th July 2011. It was a gala event attended by 150 members and friends and a fastastic evening was had by all, with dinner and dancing to the band, Peace and Love,  and DJ Ragos until 1 am!  What a night!!! It was fabulous—no other word for it! The place looked divine, the food was lovely, the music excellent, and the company wonderful! I felt like Cinderella on the night—Everyone looked so gorgeous in their finery, and especially the blokes who scrubbed up really well! We had a lovely cross-section of the club attend—Some of the older generation—many who were our honoured guests as members of the very first committee who began the club so many years ago. But also some who just wanted to be part of the whole event, and came and had a great time. Then there were “The Quaile Up” generation (and I put myself into this group) who thoroughly enjoyed the spectacle of the event and participating in it completely. And lastly “The Young Tings” who came out in their numbers to PARTY! Everyone really looked so beautiful and it was an honour to be part of the committee who were able to make this all happen. The music supplied by the live band “Peace and Love” was excellent, and they certainly had their work cut out for them after DJ Ragos’ in-fill after the first “set”! The dance floor was “Rocking” and the comment by Todd (The leader of the band) when they came back on was, “It’s amazing to see so many people enjoying and dancing to ‘Happy music’” But they didn’t let us down and provided great entertainment for the night, and the floor was never empty, as to be expected!!! So thanks to all who had a hand in making this such a memorable occasion and you deserve all the accolades that have been pouring in from many of the membership—WELL DONE ALL!!! by Chris

The Association also took the opportunity to produce a written history of the Association for the last 35 years for the event.

Mr. Shem Baldeosingh and CAA Committee

NEWS:

The CAA Committee  recently had the pleasure of meeting with Mr. Shem Baldeosingh, (Special Advisor, Commonwealth and Parlimentary Affairs, Office of the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago) on his recent visit to Perth.  He was hosted to a BBQ by the Committee, and shown some of the sights of Perth by Association President Larry Carvalho during his brief visit.  Mr. Baldeosingh seemed pleasantly surprised by the active and vibrant community of West Indians established here in Perth.

CHOGM SNIPPETS & VIDEOS ON THE WEB
Check out the following websites for interesting snippets and videos from the T&T delegation to CHOGM held recently in Perth:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150368094539798&set=a.10150368093704798.371374.348203869797&type=1&theater
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myd159nL_Xo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gsoch7dSmQw&feature=related

The 2011 – 2012 year in brief:

UPCOMING EVENTS:-
18th March – Annual Young Tings vs Quaile Ups Cricket Match
8th April – Easter Pot
6th May – Family Fun Day
20th July – AGM

Other confirmed events include Pantomime – August 2012

2010 – 2011 Challenge: Won by Quaile Ups 2:0 – the third challenge was cancelled due to lack of numbers, and as Quaile Ups won both the first and second Challenge, we were overall winners for the year.  We are all set for the 2011 – 2012 Challenge!

Third Challenge – to be decided in June.

Second Challenge – Cricket  held on 2oth February 2011.  Unlike previous years,  we had a limited turn out of the Young tings, the team numbers were pretty balanced  and the Quaile ups triumphed!! Quaile Ups won 100 to 74. Top scorers for the Quaile Ups were Martyn and Andrew, with a blistering 37 off of 4 overs, a pace we couldn’t keep up. Martyn’s performance on the field was brilliant, a shining example of age, (many many many years on this planet) not interfering with performance. Highest score for the Young Tings was Oliver and Dave at 23. A good effort considering the quality of the opposition. The peleau afterwards was one of the best I have tasted and it was wonderful to share it with all the spectators and players. Great job Christine and crew!

First Challenge – Lawn Bowls  held on October 24th. Quaile Ups win First round!

2009 – 2010 Challenge – Youngs Tings Triumph
Winning the third challenge – Paintball,  the Young Tings have won the Challenge Trophy for the first time, so this year the Qualie Ups need to come out in force to win back the trophy.  Although Team Captain Roger was unable to attend the AGM where the winners were announced, Young Ting Laura, full of smiles,  accepted the trophy on their team’s behalf.

2008 – 2009 Challenge. The trophy was again won by The Quaile Ups. Message from the President “Three times on the trot and we get to keep the trophy! Young Tings a tip for you all from me. Try a little harder! Winners are grinners and there are smiles all around our camp.”

Car Rally

The Car Rally was great fun – much excitement on the day with around 10 cars participating, two cars with Tiny Tings contributing. We had a different start point this time as the rally began in Kalamunda and we were lead on a merry dance along the back streets of this Hills town, exploring the laneways and views over the city vistas.  The clues were sometimes obscure, and you had to take your time, or you missed out (especially on the one-way downhill drive of the Zig-Zag Road), but it was a lovely day and a good way to explore new areas for some. For me it was “in my backyard” but a great laugh, trying to make sense of the riddles set by Larry & Dave. We made it back to the picnic spot all in one piece (with many gaps on our sheet of clues!!!) and got the sausage sizzle going. The competition was fierce and we were concerned for one of our cars, as they appeared to have disappeared off the radar – we were just about to send out a search party when they turned up to a resounding cheer!!! Everyone set up chairs & loungers under the shade of the trees, trying to avoid the heat of our first 30 something degree day…..but were all geared up for the blind-fold driving skills course. Much picong and familial discourse later, a winner was announced. The prize for the most correct answers on the rally drive was won by Damian, Mel  & Sandra, runner’s up Mark & Christine; while the much coveted skills test was taken out by Team Lounge-Abouts comprising of Giles, Michael, Aaron & Nick. So there was great overall success by de Young Tings – such a shame it doesn’t count towards the trophy competition ….. it might be your only chance!!

Ole Year’s Night
Another year has come to an end with a very enjoyable evening—over 140 attendees this year, and everyone had a ball dancing the evening away to the melodious strains of DJ Ragos’ mix. Thanks to all the decoration crew for the muted but harmonious colours of the seaside theme this year—the place looked lovely on the evening and partygoers certainly enjoyed the battery lights, which became part of the props for dance entertainment.
As usual, many members chose to spend the night  — it means a relaxed  end to the evening, not needing to worry about driving home, Taxis or pick-ups. And a lovely leisurely start to the New Year, with a wonderful spread of communal “pot-luck” breakfast of buljol, ham and hops, sausage hot-pot, salmon canapés, the leftover chicken and lamb, kindly warmed up by the catering crew—and heaps of other tasty treats– so much food we could have spent another week up there! The kids enjoyed an early morning swim in the pool too, a sure-fire way to keep them happy and entertained. So here’s to another successful event, and thanks to all those involved in making it happen.

Cricket on de green … by Chris

It was a lovely afternoon—overcast which made the temperatures a mild 25 C, a welcome relief after the 30 something degrees of the previous week! – The teams were pretty even in numbers, unlike the last time where de Young Tings were like ants on de field, and maybe that contributed to their demise!  But I got roped inthis time and partnered Roz for my 4 overs, and we acquitted ourselves with an overall score of 3 runs, after our 3 “outs” and lots of “runs” and wides – but de ole legs were certainly feeling de pain the next day! Ah really need to do some more exercise!….All the same it was a lot of fun being an active part of the team (instead of only sledging from the sidelines!) and we really had a good day! We had quite a few supporters, and the peleau was very tasty….good job ladies! Anyway, de trophy is already ours….but the competition must go on, so let’s see if we can wipe the floor with dem Young Tings in the next one too…