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.

Halloween

With time spent in Jakarta and Cambodia, Clancy is well versed in the American tradition of Halloween. This year we missed the Tuk Tuk ride around Phnom Penh, but still managed to get into the pumpkin spirit and do some treating around the house.

Derby Day Races

The girls used Derby day races as an excuse to come over, discuss clothes for the Cup, dress black and white and drink cocktails. Clancy was at Elly Rose’s and Harry’s Birthday party and we all headed there later in the day to watch the Rugby league final and continue horse racing games with Lincoln and Rachael.

Launch of Tonga’s new Ferry

Tonga's new inter-island ferry the MV 'Otuanga'ofa was commissioned today by the Princess Regent HRH Princess Pilolevu Tuita. Given Anny’s role at the Ministry of Transport, we were invited and brought Clancy along given his love of boats. After the ceremony we sailed around Nuku'alofa harbour for an hour.

A Bali Wedding

Beau and Amelia were married in Bali today at Kayangan Estate where we all stayed for 3 days. Clancy was a ring bearer along with his nephew (Beau's son) Kane. Tane' was the flower girl. The Bishops were in attendance which Beau very much appreciated and I think for the first time in history they were outnumbered by another clan. The wedding was fabulous with dancers, doves, fireworks and music and a great time was had by all. We are all very happy for Beau and Amelia. Karen and Andy traveled down from Jakarta and joined in the festivity, always good to catch up with them.