By Kanau Sion and Joanne Kanau
This year's independence celebrations and the NGI group performance was the conduit for bringing the NGI community together. This is not to say that we have all never met before in the various P.N.G gatherings or coincidentally crossing each others' paths at some point. Most have but some hadn't for various reasons including being first time arrivals in Perth or that they have returned again for study purpose or work engagements...and of course, for a few who have become permanent locals. The preparations for the independence and the actual participation led us all to get to know each other on a more personal level. The need to come together was crucial for this to be consolidated. Living in a different country, among strangers with foreign ways of life can often be a cause of isolation, and one can be pushed into a dark corner and stare into the naked and unforgiving eye of depression. Those who have experienced homesickness or have been through similar circumstances can attest to this. Having people around and knowing that a community one can identify with brings a sense of assurance and comfort is absolutely crucial.This is not a promotion of 'regionalism' in the PNG political sense that one might negatively allude to. Rather, this association, however informal it may be, focuses on the positives to which reference has been made to above and this had been obvious in the few speeches given and the various casual topical discussions members had with each other.
An idea to further get together after the independence celebrations was floated around for Saturday the 1st of October and almost instantaneously received all thumbs up. Various venues were suggested through our mailing list and we eventually settled for Garvey Park along the Swan River in Ascot.
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| Part of the Bleakley family that tuned up. |
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| Part of the group that turned up for the bbq afternoon |
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| We are all in good company. We all had fun |
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| Mothers enjoying the arvo |
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| The kids had the time of their life |
We gathered there last Saturday (01/10/10) after mid day as suggested. Although a good number of our members did not make themselves available due to studies and work commitments, it was good to see a handsome family turn out. We brought various stuff for the barbie ---sausage sizzles, lamb chops, chicken, and everything that made the barbie yummy. Public amenities and kids play areas were spot on as they were all set against the awesomely meandering upper Swan River, the beautifully groomed trees, the perfectly mowed grass lawn spanning the entire park and the generally fresh greenery - all contributing to a heavenly backdrop. The kids mingled, played and had the time of their life. The adults immersed in mutual conversations while preparing the bbq with interlude of jokes being cracked and it was clear there was so much laughter in the air. As the day began to grow weary and about to say good bye and welcome darkness to reciprocate, the final sparkling rays from the setting sun reflected on the beauty of the place, reminding us of how good everything had been.Wow! It was magical. We all enjoyed everyone's company. We all had so much to eat. We all had fun and it was obvious that it was a fun filled family outing which consolidated the positives pointed out earlier. We dispersed at dusk with a suggestion by Francis Kalukal for an out of town fun day before Christmas. There was general consensus but the date is yet to be set.
