Government this week paid tribute to the Island's Portuguese community at a Portuguese National Day reception.

Dignitaries attending the affair at Vasco Da Gama Club on Reid Street included former Premier Jennifer Smith, Deputy Premier Ewart Brown, Opposition Leader Grant Gibbons, Education Minister Terry Lister and Senator Neville Tyrrell who delivered a message for Cultural Affairs Minister Dale Butler.

Portuguese Consul, Dr. Silvino Ribeiro, who is on the Island for a short visit, was also in attendance on Thursday as well as a number of local Portuguese leaders including MP Trevor Moniz, Eddie De Mello and Vasco Da Gama Club president Antonio DeCosta.

"The Portuguese people, both past and present, have made invaluable contributions, and influences to the Bermudian culture," said Sen. Tyrrell.

"From a historical perspective, dating back to the mid 1800s, with the arrival of the first Portuguese descendants in Bermuda, on a ship called the Brigantine Golden Rule with its 58 Madeiran passengers on November 4, 1849.

This date marks the first official arrival of Portuguese immigrants to Bermuda, thereafter known as Portuguese-Bermudians.

"Since that time numerous contributions, influences, achievements, and milestones have been made by the Portuguese in Bermuda."

As an example, he noted, the introduction of Portuguese agricultural and horticultural workers in the mid 1980s was an attempt to enhance the development of those sectors.

"Over the past centuries, the Portuguese have made progressive and extraordinary strides in various fields within the Bermudian community.

"From new legislative immigration laws, to enriched educational, social, recreational, historical and cultural opportunities," Sen. Tyrrell continued.

"In closing, I am this evening honoured to be a part of these celebrations in sharing your rich, diverse, colourful history and culture, through connections and events, which lends itself to our annual Heritage month activities and Bermuda Day themes. In particular this year ? Bermuda Roots: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow. This bodes well for the preservation of future Portuguese-Bermudian generations to come."