Quirky Mexicans

Another Quirky party (hosts Lyndon and Jodie Quirke), well themed and well stocked. The kids love a party which lets you draw on your face and have a toy gun.

New Job

My office is officially opened with the new sign on the door. I posted this photo because I think I really look like dad in this photo.

Samoa Trip

As part of John’s new job he traveled to Samoa with some of the Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee for a conference and meetings. While there he caught up with Joe Annandale, shared some laughs, many ukulele songs and far too many drinks at his house on the lagoon.

Pangiamoto Day Trip

Anny and Clancy joined some of our friends for a day at Pangiamoto Island. While there, the younger girls gave the slightly older girls some traditional dance lessons.

Melbourne Cup Races

The Nuku’alofa Club allows women once a year for its Melbourne Cup event. A few hundred people celebrated this year and it was a bit of fun and an excuse to have a drink and dance. Anny won a “Fashion on the field’ event, taking home the “Most Unusual”.

John's New Job

John strated his new job today as manager tasked with establishing the Tonga Business Enterprise Centre (TBEC). TBEC forms part of the Tonga Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The aim of TBEC is to establish a comprehensive business development services centre which provides business training and business advisory/mentoring services to existing SMEs in Tonga.

Its Objectives are

• To increase the business survival rate and profitability of new and existing businesses via providing advisory and training support to SMEs
• To increase the number of small businesses and new jobs created, including the increased participation of women in business and the strengthening of tourism-related SMEs.
• To improve the skills of entrepreneurs in Tonga
• To support the priorities as outlined in the National Strategic Development Plan particularly focusing on tourism, as well as horticulture, agriculture, fisheries and manufacturing.