Australia Day was celebrated in Tonga yesterday with an Aussie Rules football match in the afternoon and a diplomatic reception in the evening.

The Australian Day celebration kicked off at the Teufaiva Stadium at mid-day with an exhibition game of Aussie Rules football between Vava'u and Tongatapu Under-17 teams.

The guest of honour was the Australian High Commissioner to Tonga, HE Dr Bruce Hunt, and the Australian National Anthem echoed through the stadium before the four teams that were to play the exhibition games entered the field.

Two Under-17 teams were made up of high school students from Vava'u and Tongatapu.

The other two teams who played during the intermission were primary schools pupils from eight primary schools in Tongatapu where Aussie Rules Football has been introduced.

The Under-17 match was won by Tongatapu 61-55, while the primary schools pupils game, though more stylish ended in a draw.

Popular sport

Sione Lauti from the Ministry of Training, Employment, Youth and Sports said that the exhibition match showed the increasing popularity of the game among young people, since Aussie Rules was introduced to high schools in Vava'u and Tongatapu last year.

Sione said they were planning to have an inter-college tournament this year between six to eight high school teams.

The exhibition match was organized by the Tonga Australian Football Association (TAFA) and the Ministry of Training, Employment, Youth and Sports.

Reception

The Australian Day celebration was concluded yesterday evening at Mirrabooka, the residence of the Australian High Commissioner to Tonga, with a reception hosted by HE Dr Bruce Hunt and his wife, Ms Sue Tanner. The evening was attended by Australians in Tonga, including AusAID volunteers and Tongans who have attended Australian universities. Tonga's Deputy Prime Minister Dr Viliami Tangi and a former Prime Minister Hon. Baron Vaea were among the guests. It was the 29th Australia Day that has been celebrated here.