Cheers for ‘Global Goan’ Chappie Lobo
As part of our 50 Years, 50 Lives series, honouring people who’ve contributed to NSA, we celebrate the contribution of Chappie Lobo.
Celebrating 50 Years, 50 Lives
In the lead-up to National Seniors Australia's 50th anniversary in 2026, Connect is sharing the stories of 50 people who have made contributions to the organisation over those years.
Chappie Lobo has enjoyed a rich and full life that includes many years of service to National Seniors Australia’s Perth branch.
At 98, Chappie, who was born in Goa, India, is retiring as branch treasurer, where his contribution will be greatly missed.
Adolph de Sousa, the Perth branch president, is among those who have paid tribute to Chappie, who he refers to as a “Global Goan”.
“He is global because, during his 95th birthday celebrations, his Facebook pages were full of greetings from his friends he has made all these years from North America, the UK, Portugal, India, the Middle East, and from East Africa as well his domiciled home in Australia,” Adolph explains.
“He is a Goan originally from [the village of] Moira. And like many Goans, he is both club and church oriented.”
Chappie (pictured with aged care advocates Amina Shipp and Yvonne Butler) was born in Uganda but was sent to Poona for his early education at St Vincent’s school, where he excelled in both academic studies and athletics.
Chappie was transferred to St Stanislaus in Bandra, Mumbai for the final two years of high school. He then proceeded to Sydenham College where he studied actuarial science, advanced accounting, and auditing.
On graduation, he was soon employed with Abbott Laboratories, an American company.
His brother Francis Lobo noted in a speech at Chappie’s 95th birthday celebration that, throughout his college and early working life, Chappie was involved with service to others.
This included being the social secretary of the Willingdon Catholic Gymkhana and a member of Young Men’s Sodality of the Sacred Heart Church.
He performed various roles, including fundraising for the school and organising cricket matches between various social clubs.
Chappie worked in Uganda for 21 years, at the Uganda Electricity Board, where he rose through the ranks to become chief accountant.
In his mid-forties, when Uganda was ruled by Idi Amin, Chappie and other Indians were forced to leave the country, and he found a new home in Western Australia.
He was employed as an accountant at Curtin University and joined the Lions Club more than 50 years ago.
He continued to serve the Catholic Church through several committees and was a founder member of the Goan Overseas Association, serving as president three times and treasurer on numerous occasions.
Chappie has been a member of National Seniors Australia for more than 25 years. As well as his recent stint as treasurer, he is a distinguished past president of the Perth branch.
As Francis Lobo said of his brother, Chappie is “an atypical nonagenarian superstar, dad, and friend to many”.
“Individuals like him are a rare treasure, like a precious gem.”
