A unique group of the Tongan community ushered in the New Year with full stomachs and big smiles last week.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Members of the Griffith chapter of the Tonga College Old Boys enjoyed a New Year's Day feast and family celebration to create a sense of home away from home and reminisce on the past.
The president of the Griffith group, Pasiaka Havea said the inaugural event was an enjoyable beginning for the newly formed chapter's role in the Griffith community.
"We have around 10 Old Boys here in Griffith at the moment but they come and go a lot because of work but Griffith is a place they can call home now," Mr Havea said.
"We have so many things we want to do for the community but we can't right now because of the government regulation with COVID."
The lunch kicked off with a prayer held by the reverend Leif Fungalei of the Tongan community followed by an smorgasbord traditional feast of meat and vegetables.
Vice President of Griffith Old Boys Malakai Talamai delivered a heart felt speech of gratitude to the president of the Tongan community in Griffith, Litia Kosi who has supported and helped many of the Old Boys throughout their journey's.
"We just want to thank Litia and the community for their support and the reverends from the Tongan community and all the Old Boys for coming and celebrating," Mr Havea said.
Dozens of Tonga College alumni have traveled to Australia over the nearly four decades of migration sponsorship by the Australian government. When Mr Havea arrived, it wasn't long before he started recognising familiar faces passing by.
"We migrated here from Tonga in the eighties and were just scattered around the region in seasonal picking," he said.
"We didn't arrive together but I was starting to see them around the place.
"So we decided to form a group and get together to celebrate the New Year and talk about how we could participate in the community."
The new Griffith chapter means that Old Boys wanting to come to Australia for work, particularly in horticulture, will now have experienced support to get through the challenging transition.
"If they need help they can contact to us here and we can help arrange everything to get settled here," Mr Havea said.
"Going to the same college you become like brothers so to see them here it makes me very happy.
"We talk about all old memories and how we are going to move ahead here in this strange land that we now call home."
MORE NEWS
Kat is a former English teacher to international students and has taught all over the world. She is beginning a new career as a journalist with the Area News. Got something you want to chat about? She's all ears.
Kat is a former English teacher to international students and has taught all over the world. She is beginning a new career as a journalist with the Area News. Got something you want to chat about? She's all ears.
