Tessa Naidu-Rising Mauritian Star

Name: Tessa Jennifer Naidu
DOB: 09/12/1977
Place of Birth: Glasgow, Scotland
Parents: Mary Rose Milate (Castel) and René Marcel Naidu (Port Louis)
Grandparents: Roger and Rita Milate & Samuel and Helena Naidu

Mary Milate and René Naidu met and married in Glasgow, Scotland where they had both gone to from Mauritius to study nursing.

Tessa was born in 1977 in Glasgow, but soon after, the family moved to the north of England where Tessa lived till she was 8 years old. The Naidu family emigrated to Adelaide in 1986 and then moved to Melbourne in 1998 where they settled in Wantirna South. Tessa has a younger brother Vince-Lee who was born in Adelaide and is now 18.

Tessa has always loved singing since a young age. Her first memory of singing, was along to songs from “Top of the Pops’ which would drive her parents mad. It was during her time in the choir at her Adelaide secondary school that Tessa developed her singing skills and had a chance to take part in recording in a real studio. Tessa’s music teacher used to tell her that she had a great ear for music and despite not being professionally trained in reading or writing music Tessa was able to memorise pieces of music on keyboard, guitar and drums.

Tessa enjoys a wide range of music and attributes this to her father, René’s influence who encouraged her from a young age to appreciate all types of music – from R’n’B to Soul, alternative, world, dance, rock and of course sega.

Tessa’s first memories of sega are dancing and singing for whole weekends at friends’ houses in England. Tessa says her first memory is dancing to Viré Mama. Tessa says that her favourite kind of sega is the raw, typique sega – “the kind that you sing by the beach or on a bus picnic with family and friends” she notes. And each time Tessa visits Mauritius – seven times since she was 3, she has a great opportunity to spend time with family and friends. Her mother is one of 10 brothers and sisters and her father one of 7. Tessa remarks “there are so many cousins, it’s great!”

Tessa says that she first picked up the créole language on her first trip to Mauritius at the age of 3. “ I picked up the swear words first, but then when I came home to England I spoke only créole – when we got back to England, mum had to keep me at home to re-learn English!” This has helped Tessa to be fluent in the créole language, which in turn provides that a Glasgow-born, English-raised Australian can sing sega so well!

“People are often amazed that I am able to sing sega, but particularly that I can sing and speak in créole. People often tell me that I sing in the raw style of Nancy Derogère – but on the new album my voice style is different and people are surprised,” Tessa says.

Tessa notes that she was so pleased to have the opportunity to take part in Christian Calou’s latest album “Dialsa Kréole”. Tessa has 2 main songs on the album “Zozo Malheur” and “Voyage Forcé”, but also sings back-up on a number of other tracks. Tessa says that her favourite song to sing was “Zozo Malheur” and that she really enjoyed recording in Cassiya’s studio – a group who she has always idolised. Tessa also enjoyed the time spent in Mauritius in 2004, despite the hectic schedule of doing radio and newspaper interviews – she had the chance to work with and meet great Mauritian artists such as Désiré Saramandif, Sandra Mayotte, José Pitchen, Kathy Martin and the group Kazamik.

Tessa is starting to sit down and write her own songs, with the help of her partner of 3 years Dylan Reed. Tessa says that she appreciates that the person who has most supported her singing has been Dylan, who plays both piano/keyboard and clarinet and is helping Tessa to work on the theory side of putting the music/songs together that she is writing.

Sylvio Lebret-The Quiet Achiever

Question:
Where were you born and what is it that you cherish most about your birthplace?
Answer:
Mauritius. The scenery: mountains and beaches and places of historical interest.

Question:
What is the most precious of your childhood memories?
Answer:
The day I won one of the Senior Scholarships in December 1941, which enabled me to enjoy five years of free secondary education at the Royal College, along with free travel by train and half price textbook.

Question:
When did you or your parents migrate to Australia?
Answer:
In April 1971, I arrived at Melbourne and my family joined me in July 1971.

Question:
What is it that you like most about the Australian way of life?
Answer:
The remarkable good relations among the different ethnic groups and communities.

Question:
What did you do in your first job or occupation?
Answer:
As a survey apprentice, I studied and worked to become a Sworn Land Surveyor.

Question:
What are / were your career highlights?
Answer:
In 1964, I was the surveyor of the Ministry of Lands chosen to work with a team of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UNESCO on a large project of improvement to irrigation. I won a commendation for my involvement.

Question:
What is your favourite book?
Answer:
My cross-words dictionary and Thesaurus.

Question:
What do you like most in people?
Answer:
Modesty, humility and good manners.

Question:
Who do you admire most?
Answer:
Mahatma Gandhi.

Question:
What is your favourite dish?
Answer:
Rice, chicken curry and a green (bredes).

Question:
What is your most valuable trait / personal quality?
Answer:
Caring for others to the point of being worried that I could not do better. I am also proud of having been a blood donor for 48 years.

Question:
Tell us about your most worthwhile achievement(s)?
Answer:
My involvement within Clubs and organizations: 14 years as Secretary and six as President of the Stella Clavisque Club (Australia/Mauritius); seven years as President of the Mauritian Silver Edge Club, while being Treasurer of the Committee of Management of the John Pandazopoulos Hall in Doveton.
Question:
What is the most memorable moment in your life?
Question:
My wedding day.

Question:
If you could wave a magic wand and do something that you desire most, what would it be?
Answer:
More financial security, and passing away quietly without being a burden to people around me.

Question:
What is most precious to you at this point in your life?
Answer:
Unity within my family – my wife, our four sons and two daughters in law.

Question:
What are your plans for the future?
Answer:
To keep on helping others, specially the needy, disabled and elderlies. I would like to continue my fourteen and a half years of participation in “ Meals on wheels” project as long as I shall be able to.

Paule Collard-Community Dynamo

Question:
Where were you born and what is it that you cherish most about your birthplace?
Answer:
I was born in Cassis, a small village in Port-Louis. It was a very peaceful place. We knew all our neighbours. The school as well as the church were not very far. I used to accompany my grandmother to the 5 o’clock mass every Sunday and the best thing was the poutous she used to buy after mass.

Question:
What is the most precious of your childhood memories?
Answer:
The most important, but not really precious, event that has always stood out in my memory and I’m sure that it strengthened my character happened when I was nearly four years old. My sister had received a doll for her birthday and this doll became the terror of my life for when its tummy was pressed, a long red tongue would spring out and this scared me out of my wits; my sister knew that and she would do it just for the fun of it. One day, I took my courage into both hands; got hold of the doll, went behind a door and closing my eyes really tight I pressed its tummy and pulled as hard as I could on the red tongue. It ripped, I threw it down and stamped on it. Of course I was in real trouble with Mum but I was pleasantly relieved. Since then, I think I haven’t been scared of much.

Question:
When did you or your parents migrate to Australia?
Answer:
I migrated to Australia, with my family, on December 23rd, 1967.

Question:
What is it that you like most about the Australian way of life?
Answer:
I really like the easy going way the Australians have, i.e not interfering with others and giving everyone a fair go.

Question:
What did you do in your first job or occupation?
Answer:
My very first job in Australia was in a lingerie factory, where I worked for three months. I had to sort out the blue pieces of lingerie from the white ones; by the end of the day, I couldn’t distinguish the blues from the whites and of course I was in big trouble; so I quit..

Question:
What are / were your career highlights?
Answer:
After the bad experience in the lingerie factory, I applied to the State Education Department and became a teacher for 23 years. I was very happy and I could have gone on until I turned 100. The principals I had and the teachers I worked with were always helpful. The first day in a classroom was rather dramatic for me though .I was sent to St Kilda Park Primary school to start. When I arrived, the principal gave me a grade 5 to teach. When I stood in front of the class, I couldn’t believe my eyes. There wasn’t one dark child in the class and those kids’ eyes were so clear. The next day some parents came to have a look at me for some of the children had gone home and said that I didn’t look like them and I didn’t talk like them. Anyway, one mother said to me “I would love my daughter to pick up your accent”. That put a bit of honey on the whole thing. When the Mauritian parents found out that I was teaching at a school in their area, they would try to get their children in my class. During all my years of teaching, the parents and teachers were very supportive and friendly.

Question:
What is your favourite book?
Answer:
This is a hard one. I have favourite authors instead of books, such as Robin Cook, Jeffrey Archer, Colin Hayes, Michael Palmer, Jeffrey Deaver etc. Anyway all those who write about thrillers, intrigues etc. I also like fiction stories involving ancient history of different countries.
Question:
What do you like most in people?
Answer:
I always had a weakness for old people; I feel strongly about their needs and vulnerability. I think this is maybe because I was very close to my grandmother. I like those who are honest and reliable. I then know what to expect whether good or bad.
Question:
What do you dislike most in people?
Answer:
I really dislike hypocrites; specially the crawlers even when they don’t do it to me but one can easily detect them in a social gathering.

Question:
Who do you admire most?
Answer:
I admire those who go about doing their job, voluntary or otherwise, quietly without any fuss or looking for reward. There are quite a few that should be recognised in the Community such as Stella Hennequin and her committee giving their time to the Cancer project she has taken on; the CHARM group specially those members of the committee who have stayed on when the going started to get a bit tough. I mention the above because I have been involved somewhat closer to them than to any other groups.

Question:
What is your favourite dish?
Answer:
Favourite dish? I have never really thought of any special food or dish as I have had to cook for so many through the years. I am not fussy about food and I believe one should eat to live and not the other way around.

Question:
What is your most valuable trait / personal quality?
Answer:
I think I do not stand nonsense; I always tell anyone what I think but as I grow older, I try to be nice about it. If the person doesn’t like it, it’s too bad, at least I am not cheating on my feelings.

Question:
Tell us about your most worthwhile achievement(s)?
Answer:
I was very proud to receive the Senior Citizen Achiever Award of Victoria from the Governor of Victoria in 1997. There have been a few before and after that one. Though all are cherished, it will be too long to mention them all. I must stress that I was only the recipient; the members of the Mauritian Golden Age Club are the ones who have been behind me with their support and dedication through all the work and these awards really belong to the whole Club.

Question:
What is the most memorable moment in your life?
Question:
Actually I am privileged, my husband and myself have been able to reach our 55th year of marriage. We went to Mauritius for two weeks to spend that time together, very quietly and it was really great.
Question:
If you could wave a magic wand and do something that you desire most, what would it be?
Answer:
I would wish for at least another home for the Elderlies in the Community as there is still a need.

Question:
What is most precious to you at this point in your life?
Answer:
My health and optimism.

Question:
What are your plans for the future?
Answer:
Do the best I can, where it is needed, not to interfere and upset others in their work. My father used to say” Do what has to be done and do not worry about the rest” I think he was very wise.

Interview with Stella Hennequin

Question:
Where were you born and what is it that you cherish most about your birthplace?
Answer:
Port Louis Mauritius, the rich culture (music and cuisine), I try to pass it on to my kids and grandchild.

Question:
What is the most precious of your childhood memories?
Answer:
Copying the lyrics of the latest hits/songs on the radio and then learning it off by heart to sing in the back yard with my brother and sisters and the other kids in the neighbourhood in the late afternoons and going for walks after dinner. Story telling by my mother, grandmother and uncle in the evenings before we went to bed. Drinking tea at Tante Jeanne’s house ( I sometimes get a whiff of that tea fragrance and it takes me back to her kitchen when I was 8 years old).

Question:
When did you or your parents migrate to Australia?
Answer:
In 1972.

Question: What is it that you like most about the Australian way of life?
Answer:
The freedom and opportunities that you can get here and the Aussie’s attitude of “having a fair go”.

Question:
What did you do in your first job or occupation?
Answer:
I was a sales assistant at Coles Dandenong (made soft serve ice-cream and cordial).

Question:
What are / were your career highlights?
Answer:
Working on secondment at Treasury as the Secretary to Sir Ninian Stephen who was then the Ambassador for the Environment. I learnt such a lot as I was quite green in my first year in the Public Service and totally unaware of environmental issues and its impact on our lives until I went there. At Treasury Place I met many interesting people. My office was two doors down from Kim Beazley who was a young upcoming politician then and Alan Jones the political reporter worked down the hall. I learnt about the mechanics of politics and it helped me become quite clear about never wanting to be involved in politics.
Question:
What is your favourite book?
Answer:
The Magician by Raymond E Feist who got me enthralled into the fantasy/sci-fi world. The Davinci Code - it gives food for though and the whole series of Ian Irvine Tales of the Three World & Robert Jordan the Wheels of Time.

Question:
What do you like most in people?
Answer:
Their uniqueness. The fact that no two people are alike, even though we may be brothers or sisters we are all individual and each brings added value to another.

Question:
What do you dislike most in people?
Answer:
Hypocrisy.

Question:
What is your most valuable trait / personal quality?
Answer:
Patience and common sense

Question:
Tell us about your most worthwhile achievement(s)?
Answer:
(1) Having my three children and a grandchild. (2) Co-founding the Francoise Babet Leukaemia Foundation.

Question:
What is the most memorable moment in your life?
Answer:
There are many, most notably the younger years of bringing up my kids and the birth of my granddaughter.
Question:
If you could wave a magic wand and do something that you desire most, what would it be?
Answer:
Give health back to those who are suffering as being healthy is a most precious commodity.

Question:
What is most precious to you at this point in your life?
Answer:
My family and close friends.

Question:
What are your plans for the future?
Answer:
Hopefully be able to retire early and concentrate more on my grandchild/grandchildren when more arrive and help set up a Leukaemia Centre on the Island of Mauritius.

Question:
Who do you admire most?
Answer:
I admire many people in many ways. Those who strive to make a difference and a better world. Globally, I would have to say Mother Teresa as she has shown me what a difference one person can make. Closer to home I admire people like: - Olivier Anthony for fighting his battle against Leukaemia, it takes a lot of courage and it could have been so easy to give up during the dark times but he hung on because he knew others were behind and beside him all the way. - Paule Collard as I believe that she has done a lot for the elderly of our community and just ordinary people who decide that they will do good in this world and get up and do it.

Question:
What is your favourite dish?
Answer:
Fricassée Margoze & Poisson Salé - Salted Fish and Bitter Melon with Rice and lots of chilli.