Fabulous Feast

A South Sea Island Night complete with Mekee Feast provided a great evening's entertainment for a capacity crowd at the Sandown Park Motor Hotel. The event was part of a New Zealand-wide tourist promotion for Fiji by Air New Zealand and the Fiji Visitors' Bureau. The crowd helped themselves to a fantastic array of food and were entertained by the Bua Ni Lomainabua Band (or Frangipane Serenaders to you). The whole dining area of the hotel was decorated Fijian-style and no doubt many of the guests will be thinking of warmer climes and an island holiday now.

With some of the fabulous food prepared for the guests are, from left, staff members Lani Papuni, Simon Third, Pani Maxwell and chef Ngaire McFarlane.

Liz Gibbs just manages to find a place for another bowl of food which included melons, whole roast sucking pig, asparagus, a wide variety of cold meats, marinated fish, crayfish and exotic coconut dishes.

With Sandown hostess Peg Gordon (left) are Katrina Whangapirita, May Dayberg and Gillian Ellis who came from the DB Gisborne Hotel especially for the occasion.

Among those present were

Putting the finishing touches to the tables are Diane Greentree and Joy Agar.

Along on the promotional side were Barry Gardner of the Sunlover Hotel, Nandi, Anne McKay (representing the Pacific Harbour Resorts, Deuba) and Rex Vidler of the Regent Fiji Hotel, Nandi.

From left, Dorothy McCreedy, Lloma Wilson and Alexia English.

From left, Janice, John, Trevor, Richard, Min and Jim Simpson.

The Frangipane Serenaders entertained royally with their smooth beat, sweet sound and melodious voices.

Also enjoying the Mekee feast are Raewyn and John Carter, who are pictured with Bill Raikuna, manager ofthe Auckland Branch of the Fiji Visitors' Bureau

Along with June Lincoln, Jack Bain, Ted Lincoln and Rene Robertson

Garth Robinson, Pam Bramwell, Shirley Castles, Morris Bramwell, Pauline Robinson and Les Castles

Boy and Yvonne Gerrard

Lorna and Graeme Reeve

Harriett and Murray Jordan

Rex LeBas and daughter Vicki

Garth Padman, Gina Kenny, Sue Padman and Gary Kenny

On the next morning members of the promotional group gathered at the offices of NAC where several events took place.

Tevita Vuniwaqa, winner of the Fiji Arts Council Award, demonstrates his carving skill.

A presentation was made to Mayor Harry Barker(right) by promoters Bill Raikuna (left) and Joe Cokanasiga (general manager of the Fiji Visitors' Bureau). The gifts are a small kava bowl, made by Tevita Vuniwaqa, and a tapa cloth.

Members of the group singing a Fijian welcome song in the NAC offices.

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The Gisborne Photo News

No 250 : April 23, 1975

Fabulous Feast