Backyard Farmers and Students Lunch – A Celebration of Community and Connection 🌱

 


On a beautiful Sunday afternoon, the Melbourne Konkan Community (MKC) hosted its Backyard Farmers and Students Lunch, a heartwarming event that brought together students, backyard farmers, and community members for a day filled with connection, learning, and celebration.

The day began with a prayer led by Albert Fernandes, setting the tone for a meaningful gathering. Following the introductions, Stephen D’Souza kept the energy lively by conducting fun games, allowing students and community members to connect, laugh, and bond with one another.


Our incredible MKC committee, along with their families, lovingly prepared and served a delicious spread of authentic Mangalorean food, including a special treat — homemade Vorn! The warmth and effort put into every dish reminded everyone of the love and support that MKC strives to offer: a true home away from home.
We are deeply grateful to our committee members and their families who took the time to cook, serve, and make everyone feel welcomed and cared for.

A special thanks to:

  • Stephen D’Souza and Elias Mascarenhas for leading and organising the event so beautifully.

  • The City of Yarra and Jane Ward, Urban Agriculture Facilitator from Yarra’s City Works Branch, for their wonderful support. Jane generously shared valuable insights on backyard farming, sustainability, and how small efforts can have a big environmental impact.


We were also thrilled to welcome familiar faces from our MKC Backyard Farmer community, including Peter & Charmaine Lobo, Dr. Sarita D’Souza, and Francis Vijay Lobo, who continue to inspire others with their passion for growing their own produce.

Above all, our hearts were filled with gratitude for the many Mangalorean students who joined us. It was truly heartening to see so many new students, smiling and enjoying the delicious food, games, and conversations. Events like these remind us why MKC exists — to create a community where everyone feels at home, supported, and celebrated, no matter how far away they are from their hometowns.

Thank you once again to everyone who made this event possible — from the cooks to the organisers, from our students to our farmers.
We look forward to seeing you all at our next MKC gathering soon!

Stay connected, stay inspired, and keep growing! 🌱💛

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