“Bula.” That was Louisa’s greeting to everyone at the Lions’ Club monthly meeting on April 27 – “Hello” in Fijian. “Welcome”.
This welcome was an invitation to all gathered, an invitation into Fijian culture, shared through meals and memories.
Our senses of smell are one of our most powerful tools of memory. For Sammi, Louisa, Usa, and Illy, the meal prep was a gateway into a home they haven’t seen in over three years, and the Lions’ Club was honoured to be allowed a glimpse of that home.
It was Pickles’ idea to host the food culture exchange. He hoped that by offering them a space to share their community, that not only might their own home country feel a little less far away, but that they might also feel like they had more of a space in the community in Donald too.
With that, Sammi, Louisa, Usa, and Illy prepped a plethora of meats and potatoes for the night in traditional Fijian style – or as close as they could get to it, anyway – with Sandra, Jenny, and Joyce helping serve the meals.
Even though alfoil had to be used to wrap the meat instead of banana or coconut leaves, and even though the meat had to be buried in a dirt earth oven instead of the typical sand, it was all still absolutely delicious. Wonderfully tender, the smoky taste and smell reminded one of nights spent under a campfire, sharing stories and forging connections.
And what would a campfire gathering be without a little music?
The ukulele club of St. Arnaud was brought out after the main course, and not only drew the crowd into singing along to some classics, but also coaxed some people into getting up and trying their hand at ukulele playing. Putting out the request for volunteers, regardless of musical talent, a decent chunk of the crowd got to rock the club hall.
And seeing that no-one fled the building, or was left with bleeding ears, the volunteers must have all played quite remarkably.
As the last note of the enthusiastic ukulele players faded away, Harry Brindley stepped up to induct Glenn Gorim as a new Lion, reciting the pledge and receiving his badge before a celebratory dessert was brought out.
Custards, creams, quince and apple pudding, fruit salad, and meringues – all the treats one could think of. Fuller bellies also make for fuller laughter, so the crowd was in the perfect mood for the judging of the hula skirt competition.
Marylin Connell was decreed the winner after strutting her stuff on the “catwalk”, receiving a pack of Kooka’s Cookies from Shane O’Shea as a prize.
That wasn’t the only presentation of the night either. Louisa and Illy were then called to take the stage. The Lions banded together to thank them for inviting everyone into their community, and hoped that they could let Donald share its community in turn, presenting them with a traditional kava bowl.
Kava bowls are important symbols of hospitality in Fiji; handed down through families over generations, bowls in which kava or yaqona was presented for communal or ritual drinking are significant and valuable items. Louisa and Illy hadn’t been home to Fiji in over three years, so this little piece of home meant a lot to them.
To round off the night, Andrea Mason and Walter Goldsbury were called forth to celebrate their years of dedication to the Lions’ Club – 10 and 45 respectively. President Alan Berg congratulated them personally too.
All in all, it was a wonderful night of community and celebration, of laughter and learning, and everyone left the hall feeling fuller not just in stomachs, but in hearts too, from the experience.
See all the photos in issue.
This article appeared in The Buloke Times, 5 May 2023.
