The International Family Day 2017 was marked on Monday, May 15 in Nuku’alofa with a display of colourful hand painted tablemats, with the slogan "No Violence = Happy healthy families".

Hosted by the Tonga National Centre for Women and Children (TNCWC), the Australian High Commissioner HE Mr Andrew Ford awarded the three main prizes of 'Best Designed Message to Mimosa Fifita' ACT school, 'Most Thought Provoking Piece of Art' to Paea Hafoka of Liahona High School and 'Most Creative' to ‘Aniselina Nishi from ACT.

Prizes for using Tongan design, new ideas and use of colours were also awarded to other participating students.

The event celebrated the family unit stressing the importance of having a happy and healthy family free from violence. Heart-touching musical items were performed by members of the Mango Tree Centre for people with disabilities and Tupou Tertiary choir.

The tablemats designs had also included students from ‘Ahopanilolo Technical College, as well as from women from the Women and Children Crisis Centre Safe House.

The TNCWC program was funded by the Australian Government runs alongside media campaigns organized by the International Family Day Planning Committee, funded by the UN Women.