Celebrating Portugal Day in Perth

Portugal day is celebrated on the 10th June in Portugal, but in some Portuguese emigrant communities around the world, it is celebrated on the weekend closest to the day.

This public holiday commemorates the death of Luis de Camões on the 10th June 1580.
Camões was a poet that wrote "Os Lusiadas"  (The Lusiads) - an epic poem that celebrates Portuguese history and achievements of the 16th century.

Here in Perth, it was celebrated in both Portuguese clubs on the 8th June - The WA Portuguese Club in Hamilton Hill, near Fremantle and the Portuguese Social Club, which has no club facilities or headquarters but hires a couple of halls for it's functions throughout the year, usually in the Northern Suburbs.
There are around 8000 Portuguese in Perth, and the first club caters more to the older generation that came from the Island of Madeira and from Portugal, while the Social club has a younger membership, that lived mostly in the Portuguese African colonies or South Africa.

Last night's dinner/dance was attended by about 200 people, and the food cooked and served by volunteers was quite delicious. We had Caldo Verde (Kale soup) with chourizo, then Grilled chicken legs, Baked potatoes, Slices of meat and salads.
The dessert tables were covered in wonderful cakes and puddings, baked by some of the ladies that attended the dinner. I baked a Gluten Free Chocolate tart, that was well liked as it was almost finished by the time I collected the plate when we left at midnight.
In both clubs a lot of wonderful volunteers give their time to make sure these events run smoothly and are enjoyed by us all.

The club's President giving a speech, before we sang the Portuguese Hymn

Kale Soup with Chorizo

Grilled Chicken, Baked Potatoes, Vegetables and Meat (hidden under the salad)

Dancing after dinner

One of the Cake tables , with my Chocolate tart on the left

The other Cake Table

The Coffee and Tea table

My chocolate Tart

Looking forward to the next event in September.

On Sunday, 9th there was another celebration, this time I was to meet up with with a group of young Portuguese who have recently moved to Perth, for a beach barbecue. Sadly the day dawned gray and rainy, and I was later informed that the celebration had moved to the backyard of a couple that lived nearby.
The day was spent barbecuing, eating and talking about our experiences of life in Australia, jobs, visas, kids, marriage, etc. I met some new people, and so the circle of friends grows...

The newer generation of Portuguese in Perth (I am the fifth on the left, with the pink scarf)

If you are Portuguese living overseas, how did you celebrate Portugal Day?