In 2024, Australia will mark the 30th anniversary of the national recognition of Australian South Sea Islanders. This recognition was granted on August 25th, 1994, and will be celebrated on the same date in 2024. It is an important milestone for the community and a time to reflect on their history and contributions to Australian society.
Australian South Sea Islanders United Council Independent Rockhampton & District Inc.
2023 EVENTS
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The serious Grocery Bingo faces last night
Lucky Door prize was won by Shannon Muggeridge.
Money Board was won by Neil & Aloha Vea Vea all the way from Darwin.
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Thank you all so much for your support for this event. We continue to bring all sorts of different events to you throughout each year & can only do this from your wonderful & welcome presence & support. Your presence in the flesh, as well as here on our ASSIUC & KPC pages, both local & those that live distances... we appreciate very much. Your sharing with us both face to face or through comments here including feedback is also appreciated.
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Last but not least just thought I'd throw in some bingo snippets;
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Legs 11
No 8 Garden Gate
No 5 Man Alive
No 4 Knock at the Door
No 13 Baker's Dozen
Apparently most numbers called are 6, 4, 42, 47, 62 & 72
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Did you know, not just famous for spaghetti, Bingo originated in Italy!
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Sharon Vea Vea
Publicity Officer
Photos Courtesy of ASSIUC, Raeleen Willie & Tracy Leo-Warcon
Bunia (underground cooking) and other Vanuatu Traditional Cooking
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9th September, 2023
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Please visit our facebook page for more ....
Saturday, 02 September 2023
Father's Day Luncheon
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Today was another busy day for the ASSIUC Committee hosting a Father's Day Lunch and training session with Kanaka Proud Cup U18's Boys and Girls teams.
On that note a very Happy Father's Day to all the Fathers.
Hope your day was a happy and full one.
Photos Courtesy of ASSIUC IR&D Inc.
Lost At Sea Remembrance 2023
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I would often think about our Ancestors who didn't make it to land & perished out at sea.
I would try to imagine how precious & young they were... their deep aching & ever so lonely hearts... their lost & heavy-laden souls... their complete & utter despair...
I sometimes would look as far as I could out to the ocean... and my heart would feel a deep hurt...
About 3 years ago I thought how we can honour them & remember them... something like we do when we think back to our Ancestors in the sugar cane fields.
And so Lost At Sea came to the ache in my heart.
This year is the 3rd year ASSIUC have presented such a Remembrance to our Ancestors who never made it to land.
We also honour you, though you were lost at sea & one glorious day I pray & hope that God will reunite us forever.
Thank you to the following: -
ASSIUC Committee & Volunteers
Pawanka Funding
Aunty Sally Vea Vea - Open In Prayer & Welcome To Country
Danessa W (presenting & sharing on the mic)
Jovita C & her Pacific Pikininis Dance crew from Gladstone
Sharalee (songs) & Kenny & Klen (BBQ cooks) from Gladstone
Emerson G (food prep & cleaning up)
Enneth from Vanuatu (sharing culture)
All those who shared of updates in the ASSI community.
And to those who attended.
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Publicity Officer: Sharon Vea Vea (Please visit our ASSIUC Facebook page for more...)
Photos Courtesy of ASSIUC IR&D Inc.
Flag Raising
at RRC Town Hall
25 August 2023
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The flag raising ceremony was opened in prayer by Pastor Len Yasso. Speakers included Uncle Darryl (Tunna) Vea Vea and Aunty Roslyn Wallace. The event was closed in prayer by Aunty Betty Mae Mann.
Photos Courtesy of Elese Leo and ASSIUC IR&D Inc
Combined Church Service
20 August, 2023
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TO GOD BE ALL THE GLORY
Something about starting off any day & every day in the Lord God Almighty.
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I sometimes imagine at times of our parents & grandparents & ancestors before us... when they had nothing else or anyone else but God to rely on...
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I sometimes imagine that they prayed for their families behind them & with them & even after them...
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160 years later... their prayers & perseverance... their strength... their faith... their willpower... their everything...
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Publicity Officer: Sharon Vea Vea
The Screening of Sugar Slaves
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The month of August is not only a Celebration for Australian South Sea Islanders, it's also about Remembering and paying our Respects to our Elders and those who came before us.
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August 2023 (National Australian South Sea Islanders Recognition) began with a screening of 'Sugar Slaves'.
NASARA BUILDING - 'THE FLAT'
Construction commenced on the erecting of the Nasara building at 'The Flat'. The ground was marked out and fences erected during the week of 24 April 2023 and construction commenced thereafter.
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June 29, 2023 was the official opening day of the Nasara which is a signficant and memorable place for South Sea Islanders' families who resided and grew up, and some still reside at 'The Flat' today. 'The Flat' was once affectionately known as 'Kanaka Town'.
We were blessed to have some of our traditional food namely Laplap Chicken, Laplap fish, Waetboon and Kaofis Stew.
Thank you to the following:-
🌺 ASSIUC ELDERS SUB COMMITTEE
🌺 ASSIUC COMMITTEE & ROCKHAMPTON REGIONAL COUNCIL COLLABORATION
🌺 EARL AND LATOYA HARBIN
🌺 PASTOR UNCLE ROB MANN
🌺 THE VILLAGE
Officials and ASSIUC Executives present at the opening: Cr Grant Mathers, Cr Donna Kirkland, Cr Cherie Rutherford, Rosie Jeffery (Supervisor Community Projects), Raeleen Willie (ASSIUC Secretary), Alicia Cutler (GM Community Services), Cr Ellen Smith, Kerry Warkill (ASSUIC President), Christine Evans (ASSIUC Vice-President), Rockhampton Regional Council's Mayor Tony Williams, Damon Richardson (Acting Manager Community Assets & Facilities), Deputy Mayor Cr Neil Fisher, Cr Shane Latcham.
(see photo)
Below are progressive photos of the Nasara building up to completion.
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Publicity Officer: Sharon Vea Vea
Mother's Day Luncheon - May 13, 2023
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ASSIUC held another successful Mother's Day Luncheon initiated by Darryl Dorman with the support of Cooks - Shane Evans, Jason Titmus, Earl Harbin, Sam Kawane, Jasiah Dorman, Margaret Willie, Kerri Dorman, Emerson Godwell, Cadence Lee and Raeleen Willie and the support of all who helped with the setting up and on the Day.
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ASSIUC's raffles winner were:
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1st Prize: Joy Williams
2nd Prize: Billie-Jean Eggmolese
3rd Prize: Joy Williams
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Thank you to the ASSIUC's Event and Fundraising Committee for donating the raffle and lucky door prizes and support.
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Special mention to Shane Evans for his generous contributions.
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We appreciate our Members and Community support.
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Tangku Tumas
Photos courtesy of ASSIUC IR&D, Raeleen Willie, Panch Leo & Tracy Leo-Warcon
Easter Hat Parade
April 01, 2023
Winners of Easter Raffle
1ST Prize - Autaiah Lee-Leo (Black B94)
2nd Prize - La Raeah White (Orange A48)
3rd Prize - Sharee Willie (Orange A53)
The rain was still welcome amongst an easter egg hunt, giving out easter egg baskets, a sausage sizzle & listening to the Easter story with felts & board.
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Thank you for your support everyone and have a glorious happy and safe Easter.
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Publicity Officer: Sharon Vea Vea
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PREPARATIONS FOR ERECTION OF NASARA STRUCTURE
TURNING OF SOIL
AT "THE FLAT", CREEK STREET, ROCKHAMPTON
17 MARCH 2023
This project is in partnership between ASSIUC IRD Inc., Rockhampton Regional Council and the "Elders of The Flat" Committee.
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They will be working together to recognise the many South Sea Islanders (who were blackbirded) and ASSI families that settled in the area which is known as "Kanaka Town".
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The "Kanaka Town" area is encompassed by Pine, Simpson, Leamington and Creek Streets in North Rockhampton. The project will be undertaken on Council parkland located in Creek Street fondly known amongst the SSI community as "The Flat" and will be developed in stages. Our "Elders of The Flat" committee are very excited to see "The Flat" being developed into a place of reflection, remembrance and knowledge sharing - depicting the history of the local SSI families that settled in the area.
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"A place to sit and remember".
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Working with ASSI families to identify unmarked graves at Southside
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and Northside cemeteries.
Members from families of "The Flat"
Rockhampton Mayor, Tony Williams, Councillors and Vice President Christine Evans
Members from families of "The Flat"
TRIVIA NIGHT
February 11, 2023
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And in the words of one of the Mother's on the night who has family playing in Kanaka Proud Cup, "I came along to start supporting".
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So, keep watching this space for our events throughout this year which marks 160 years since the first boat brought our Ancestors as slaves to Queensland.
We always welcome the support.
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Publicity Officer: Sharon Vea Vea
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Photos Courtesy of ASSIUC IR&D Inc