Two babasiga boys

from w
It was the High School swimming sports yeaterday and our two grandsons, Jordan and Andrew, aged 14 and 12, got a few ribbons so won points for their house. A week ago one decided to learn to dive and trained every day, but his first leap was a bomb!

Flying to Fiji

from w
Two 'babasiga kids' were on their way to Fiji yesterday - one a grandfather, the other a grand-daughter. At the international departure at Tullamarine airport Melbourne. Linlay has spent nearly three months in Australia, going to a local primary school and she certainly enjoyed the experience and did well in her lessons.

Babasiga kids in Oz

from w
Here are two babasiga lads - now kind-of Aussies - who have won trophies after the rugby and Australian Rules footie season for the juniors. Andrew got a trophy for the Best Back in the rugby and Jordan for the Most Improved Player in the Under 14th St Albans team and came fourth in the vote count which was something considering he'd never played Aussie Rules until this year. Congratulations boys.

Kava and lovo in Geelong

from w
Yesterday the lads cooked a lovo with chicken, lamb, pork, dalo etc. and we had a good party last night with about forty people cramming into our house. It was a meeting for the Fiji Geelong Friendship Club but also there were four people having birthdays - Jordan, George, Pangea and Andrew. Lots of kava drinking, loud conversation, kids playing on the X box in another room, and a good time. Two friends who now live in Queensland were down for the weekend so it was good to catch up with Ken and Selai. Some new friends too, Janita, Mark and Jo. Vina'a va'alevu.

Sunday School and a Farewell

from w
At Altona Meadows/Laverton Uniting Church we have a Fijian service most Sundays at 1 p.m. followed by a shared meal. It's a friendly place, a small group, with a busy Sunday School. Yesterday we farewelled a family of seven who are moving to Queensland. Best wishes Jone, Mereani and children.

Babasiga kid has a birthday

from w
We had a barbecue party last night for our grandson Andrew who is now twelve. About twenty-four people, some touch rugby or was it Aussie rules in the backyard, lots of good food, a trombone recital which caused some interest, and good conversation. Andrew's Mum, Bale, cooked the cake, and Epa looked after the barbecue. Most of the guys just drank kava in the kava saloon in our back yard. Happy birthday Andrew.

Making a lovo, again and again

from w
Two weeks ago we made a lovo for Eperama's 19th birthday, and today another one for a friend, Christine, who is having a birthday party tonight. The men and boys in the family, plus friends, make a good job of it. Here are pictures from those two tasks. Now I know where my blankets are getting to!

Lomaiviti dancers in Geelong

photo from Geelong Advertiser Monday 28th - for more photos go to Geelong Advertiser website;







from w
Today is the Pako Festa in Geelong and there are about 200,000 people celebrating diversity and multiculturalism in our city today. Including of course the Fijians and this year it is a group of people with connections to Lomaiviti - our tauvu. From 11 a.m. the parade started so here are some pictures from the beginning of the parade. I noticed one flag upside down, but of course these are Lomaiviti people, not babasiga! Peceli and I joined in for half the distance! We all adjourned to the old Uniting church hall in Pakington Street (now Bethel-Baptist people are there) and instead of eating ethnic food we ate tuna sandwiches and drank Diet Coke! The main Fijian dance program will be on about 3.30 p.m. and afterwards there'll be a barbecue here. (Peceli and I are resting for one hour at present.)

Working in the garden

from w
Even though it's about 35 degrees Fahrenheit our resident Fiji family have been working together cleaning the side driveway which has become a jungle when unattended. Here are some pictures of some working, resting, posing. The drum kit has now been placed in the garage so no doubt will be heard by neighbours! Yesterday some of us were in Melbourne and went to Footscray market, a wonderful place for buying vegetables and fish. They even offer crocodile bones for sale!