Mr Sulieni Layt and Mrs Christine Moala of Brisbane, MCs for the Inaugural South Pacific Islands Christmas in the Park 2013, Brisbane, Australia.

The Inaugural “South Pacific Islands Christmas in the Park 2013” on Saturday December 14 in Brisbane, Australia, brought a South Pacific twist to a community Christmas celebration with dances and prayers.

Matangi Tonga Online reader, Sulieni Layt, shares photos of the event at Mulbeam Park, Boondall, with dancing by the Heilani Polynesian Dance Group, choirs and Christmas carols by various Pacific islander churches, a brass band concert by the host, Virginia Tongan Wesleyan Methodist Church Brass Band, 
Melekamu Manu, solo artists/singers from the  Pacific islands, and other activities, with food stalls, making the event a great success with the community. Miss Samoa Australia 2013-14,  Kristle Vaigalepa Leo opened the show with her Samoan ‘siva’.

The event received funding support from Brisbane City Council Deagon Ward through the Tongan Wesleyan Methodist Church where Pastors Sakalaia Satui and Sitika Lemana-Satui worked with Councillor Victoria Newton who was the guest of honour at the event.

"I'm excited the Tongan Wesleyan Methodist Church based at Virginia has been working with other local South Pacific Island groups to create our first ever South Pacific Island Christmas in the Park," Cr Newton said, and announced on her website that the event had been supported for three-year funding from the Brisbane City Council's community festivals program.

 [ Matangi Tonga Online readers: You are welcome to send us your photos of the festive season, from wherever you are around the world. - Editor. editor [at] matangitonga [dot] to  ]