From left, Amanda Rickman (DFAT 3rd Secretary), Jason Guo, Sally Perry, Dave Wyler (In-Country Manager), Sky Fosbrooke, HE Mr Brett Aldam (Australian High Commissioner), Sandra Tomasi, Sonia Muir, Scott McLennan (AusAID First Secretary), Gordon Muir, Una Taumoepeau (Assistant In-Country Manager) and Felicity Dick. 

Six new Australian Volunteers have arrived in Tonga to provide assistance to Government departments and the Mango Tree Centre for a year.

They form part of the Australian Volunteers for International Development (AVID) program and will join 22 Australian volunteers who are currently working here.

They will provide assistance to the Mango Tree Centre (disability clinic), the Ministry of Health in Vava’u, Ministry of Lands, Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources

The Australian High Commission said a key focus for the volunteers will be on developing “capacity, sharing skills, and building relationships in their respective assignments”.

The Director of the Mango Tree Centre, Mr In-Kwon Kim praised the AVID program saying that “having an Australian volunteers has been a great bonus for our NGO.

“Through the help of Australian volunteers, who have so much knowledge and experience to share, our local staff have trained so that we can provide professional rehabilitation therapy services effectively”.