Friends and facebook

In 1996 a young hairdresser came to Norfolk Island from England. She was quite lovely and we became good friends. Many years later a search of facebook turned up Lisa. We emailed and have since caught up with life. I'm delighted to say that Lisa is now married to Lee and they have the most beautiful daughter, Ava May. Maybe one day Norfolk will welcome the three of them for a visit of Lisa's old stamping grounds. Without doubt, Dids and I will be delighted to see them.

Lisa and Lee

Lee and Ava May

The wedding cake. Oh Lordy, yummy yum

A beautiful photo of a beautiful couple

Lisa and Lee. Congratulations to the two of you. We in the Pacific Ocean, Southern Hemisphere wish you three every happiness and good fortune.

Our girl is doing us proud!

Honours Symposium 2013 Griffith University Chelsea Evans is currently completing her Honours in Sociology at Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus. An Honours Symposium is being held on Monday 16 September, and will include the Gold Coast and Nathan (South Brisbane) campuses. Chelsea’s studies are based on Norfolk Island culture and Dids and Gaye are delighted that she was one of the twelve students chosen to speak at the Symposium. Title ‘Norf’k Wetls: The use of traditional cooking practices and ingredients by young Islanders living in South East Queensland’. Abstract Food is a cultural expression that conveys ideas of comfort, familiarity and shared experience and is part of the ‘ongoing practice of culture and custom [that] serve important social functions, including the maintenance of ties’ (Lui, 2012, p.149). By doing so it emphasises the need to keep cultural practice alive. Given Norfolk Island’s history is a mixture of two distinct cultures – English and Tahitian – the Island’s food is rich in cultural meaning. Traditional foods of the Island work to reaffirm cultural and historical bonds that play a crucial role in defining island identities. This research will explore, in particular how traditional cooking practices and ingredients for Norfolk migrants living abroad in South East Queensland, provide a way for them to feel and remember what it means to be ‘at home’. This is portrayed through a series of semi-structured interviews that depict how dishes strongly convey nostalgic references, after the loss and lack of familial nourishment is created due to distance (Alexeyeff, 2004, p.69) as these foods encapsulate intimate notions of home, security, belonging and familiarity.

Postgraduate Symposium ~ 'Identities, ideas, ideologies'. The Griffith Centre of Cultural Research (GCCR) is hosting a Postgraduate Symposium titled 'Identities, ideas, ideologies' on Friday 1st November and again Chelsea has been invited to address the Symposium. Title Torken Norf’k: The use of the Norfolk Language by young Islanders living in South East Queensland Abstract Cultural identity and a sense of belonging are “forged through a variety of attachments, which include links to pasts and persons, as well as to places” (Edwards 1998, p.144). For young people from Norfolk Island who have moved to Australia these connections could not be stronger. By using the Norfolk language or Norf’k they are able to retain a sense of island community and identity when living overseas gaining higher education and new job opportunities. This research conveys how people from this small place use their colourful and lyrical language to affirm their deeply embedded past histories that include present links to their families, with the strong cultural traditions that make them feel at home. A series of semi-structured interviews depicts how the use of Norf’k spoken by Islanders is by force of habit, which strengthens familial ties to home, family, friends and key notions of belonging. Wael dan auwas biebi, yu se miek orl aklan hied! …en thaenk yu Maa Huge thanks to Miss Alice I. Buffett OAM for publishing her book Speak Norfolk Today in November 1988. Chelsea, a Norfolk Islander, is completing her Honours and is able to write her language because of you. Gohd Bles yuu Maa. Wi lauw yuu f’aewa. Gieh en Didams.

Sarah's Baby Shower

Sarah and Bergs are expecting their first child and of course, we the family are very, very excited. Yesterday, Sharyn arranged the most amazing baby shower for her sister, to surround Sarah and the Bump with family and friends. What a wonderful afternoon of fun, laughter, eating, drinking and generally, making merry.

An invitation to family and friends to welcome Baby Quintal Bergagnin

...and in real life!

A Wishing Well made by Grandpa John, specially for the special event

Bear and Rabbit were there joining in the fun. Why not? They were featured on the invitation.

Sarah and Sharyn. Both should be pleased with a wonderful day I think. Sarah for having it done for her and Sharyn for doing it. It was a wonderful afternoon girls and we all enjoyed it. Thank you. Can't wait to meet you Bump!

A Teddy Bear cake, waiting to be eaten

A portion of the gorgeous spread laid out by Governor's Lodge

...and because the camera couldn't fit in the whole table, another photo of the food

Heather standing with Maggie who's practising

Joy, Wendy and Mrs Ruggie talking big talks

Maggie still practising with Keydon giving her tips

One of the tables ready to go to work

Sue, Andrea and Rozzie saying "...How come we didn't have baby showers?"

The baby duck sleeping bag, on loan for the day for Sarah to be Mom!

Hah! Now there's a trio

Corinna, Susan and Kym. Have you ever seen anyone looking so innocent! Fools no-one ladies.

Carli and Aurora checking out the helium balloons

Hmmm. Sharyn and Megan. Not a couple that one usually let's loose together

Sarah, Sharyn and Megan. No further comment

The Bump! A celebration of the fantastic coming event

Carli, Aurora and Heather

Nadine and Susie - looking very chic ladies

Haley and Shaz - ensuring that the world is turning as it ought to

Cari, Sarah and Lisa

The beautiful Jenkins sisters

Nadine giving Sharyn a run for her money on how to give orders

Granda Ma's and First Teacher

See! We do eat in Norfolk Island

Evidently the world wasn't turning as it should, so Shazzi's setting it to rights

Haley and the gorgeous Megan child

Sarah, Lisa and Saz - this is actually part of the naughty table

Not too sure what Corinna's up to here. It'll be something

Sarah, Lisa and Saz again. Is Sarah looking at me with pity?

Aunty Joy, Kaye and Sue in deep conversation on the particulars of cream versus custard

Keydon and Grandama Quinley

Sue and Andrea discussing the merits of boiled water versus green tea?

A table of friends, fun and laughter

Haley and Megan's Baby - can anyone tell me how to remove red eyes?

Sisters! No! Not Obadella and Grudzilla!

Sarah and the Teddy Bear cake

Sarah and Kari - old friends

Sarah and Aunty Gaye

Sarah and cake again.

Mrs Ruggie and Baby Autograph Bear

Haley, Megan and Baby. ><

Just received three photos from Saz. This is Carmen with the incredibly useful HCB (Handy Carry Bag) for all of baby's paraphenalia that a Mummy has to cart around

...and this is Flame. Specially made by Sarah for Baby Quintal Berganin

...a close friend of Billy Rawfire's who's a little bit jealous! >< A great afternoon Sarah. Top work Shazza. Well done to the two Grandama's, the two Great Aunts, Corinna and the many friends. Thanks to everyone for coming and a Huge Thank you to Raewyn Maxwell who loaned us the gorgeous spotted picnic cloth for Bear and Rabbit, and the lovely decoration we stole straight out of Sweetie's!!

T wo beautiful ladies enjoyed birthday celebrations this weekend

Some gremlin has slithered into my computer and I can't blog in the usual way, so although I can upload photos, I don't seem to be able to separate them or write in words. Both Bella and Leonie had an evening of great friends and excellent food. If you look at the blog, when you get to the bottom of the post, please press the words "OLDER POST" because that will take you to the next party. Please enjoy!