OUR COMMUNITY HELPS
VANUATU
In recent years, our community has been
very much enhanced by the presence of some Ni-Van (Vanuatan) families
living and working among us. Therefore, when Cyclone Pam caused such
damage and loss back in those lovely islands recently, many of us
here on Norfolk Island felt we wanted to help out.
Some members of the Christian-Bailey
family, who count the Vanuatan people among their good friends,
decided it would be a good idea to organise a fundraiser. The idea
really caught on, and many people in the community expressed interest
in participating and helping.
The chosen venue was the front lawn of
Bounty Lodge, and what a beautiful setting it turned out to be.
Tables and tents were set out among the trees, From 1 p.m. On Sunday
afternoon, people began to arrive, both locals and visitors, to be
part of a very special experience.
There were raffles. The major one had
nine prizes generously donated by local businesses. There was also an
Easter Raffle, and a Raffle for a quilt made by Mary C-B.
Throughout the afternoon, entertainment
was provided by a number of local entertainers, and even after the
planned programme of items was exhausted, there was no shortage of
people willing to step up and keep the music going.
There was a special moment when Tet,
who acted as the Master of Ceremonies, interviewed Julie Mansen, who
was visiting relatives back in their home village near Vila when the
Cyclone struck. Julie was able to give us a first hand description of
how frightening it was for everyone. Following this, Tet suggested
that if sufficient funds were raised, he may be persuaded to sing the
song written by Darren Coggan for Tet and Lyn's som Mitch, who died
of leutaemai in 1995. In no time at all, $135 was produced and we
were treated to something really moving and special.
Lynlee Sanders, local Rotary President,
spoke for a while of some of the projects being undertaken by Rotary
to enable the people of Vanuatu recover from the Cyclone damage and
get back on their feet.
However, the highlight of the afternoon
was definitely the wetls (food.) Over both Saturday and Sunday,
various "ground ovens" had been put to use cooking
succulent pork, beef and chickens, whole fish, and other island
foods. Some wonderful salads, vegetable dishes and coconut bread had
been produced. The Fish Fryers kept up the supply of fish and plun
fritters. And if that was not enough, there was an enormous dish of
Tahitian fish (made by John C-B), and a huge pot of delicious curry
(cooked by Fasiu Jone).
Our visitors expressed great delight at
the opportunity to sample some of our island dishes, and vegetables
such as Taro and Cassava. Of special interest were the "tuluk",
small parcels of grated cassava with a centre of shredded pork, then
wrapped in banana leaf and cooked slowly in the bunia (Ground oven.)
They were also able to sample "kava", as well as other
drinks from a well-stocked bar. After the main meal, trays of
refreshing fruit salad and icecream were brought around by some of
the young people.
While the adults relaxed, ate and
laughed , and enjoyed the beautiful ambience of the occasion, the
mild autumn day and the picturesque setting, the children happily
played through the trees, riding biles and scooters, playing hide and
seek, and generally enjoying being children living on Norfolk Island!
People were enjoying themselves so
much, that it was quite late in the evening before many started
heading for home. Everyone had feasted so bounteously that there was
not a soul who needed to think about cooking dinner. It had been a
magic day.
At this stage, it seems as if we raised
almost $7 000. The credit goes not only to those who worked hard and
donated goods, but to a very generous Norfolk Island community,
always happy to pull together to support those in need. We hope the
money can be used to help villages in Vanuatu get back on their feet
after suffering such losses.Many people lent a hand for the occasion,
but there are some who should have special acknowledgement.
Joanne and Ernie -
Contributed Bounty Lodge venue, prepared all the food, donated half a
pig
Foodland - Contributed $500 worth of food for Lunch
Jamie Ryves, Scotty Greenwood –Contributed Large quantity of Fish
Dean Fitzpatrick - Contributed Sweet Tatie
James (Speed) Partridge) - Contributed Pigs Head and Other meat
Sam Sheridan – supplied Fish Fry equipment and helped with cooking Fish Fry and meats
Teddy and Farmer Lou’s - Contributed Half a pig.
Fijian Community - Contributed 15 chickens and Cooked Hangi
Vanuatu Community - Contributed Traditional Tuluk
RSL Club - Contributed Alcohol
TET - Master of Ceremonies
John and Margaret Smith - Contributed Vegetables
Pacifica - Contributed Salad mixes
Diddles - Contributed Vegetables
Hotcrust Bakery - Contributed Bread
Mat Bigg - Contributed Vegetables
Charles and Kim C-B - Contributed Kava
David Bigg - Contributed green banana Fritters
Big Al and Pinetrees - Loaned chairs and Tables
Burnt Pine Travel - Contributed Marquees
K.C.I. - Contributed Mobile Refrigerator and Power
Kim Davies - Contributed P.A. System
Norfolk Radio - Contributed Free Radio Advertising
Agnes Hain - Contributed prizes for Children
Raffle
Donors
Tropic
Bird Art and Craft, Avanti, Hilli Restaurant, Christian Bailey
Agencies,
K.C.I.
Industries, Dial a Digger, Paradise Resort,
The
Valley, Rusty’s Butchery, PawPaw’s, Wild Hi-Hi, Mary
Christian-Bailey
The N.I. Vanuatu community, all the unpaid Waitstaff, helpers and local musicians. Many other generous individuals and businesses who have dropped off food, donations and assisted in setting up and clearing up.
IT WAS COMMUNITY AT ITS BEST!!
