MERRY CHRISTMAS TO THE BROWN WHANAU
I have included my annual Xmas letter just in case the cards I sent don’t reach you all – I think some of the addresses might have been out of date, especially the Ozzie ones. I have also included some photos taken this year – the family one was taken at Mahaki’s 21st but he has changed girl friends since then so it is a bit dated. It would be great to see some photos of other family members to see how you have all grown this year – outwards for some (me!) and upwards for most.
Well it is only a year to our next big reunion so I hope everyone is saving and planning is going well (Remember, Uncle Wayne decreed that each family had to prepare one activity for everyone to do during our stay on the marae? Uncle Winston and I are starting rock and roll lessons this year especially so we can have a rock and roll activity!)
Arohanui,
Aunty Jill
Merry Christmas From the Bevan-Brown Whanau (How our 2008 was)
Kia ora koutou,
Well let’s hope I do better this Christmas than last Christmas. I actually wrote my annual letter, printed off copious copies, bought the Xmas cards and then only managed to post off about six before heading off to Oz for Xmas and totally forgetting about the rest!
Anyway, I hope you all had a happy, healthy and prosperous 2008. The Bevan-Brown’s have had the usual busy year. Mahaki continues to work at Mana Tamariki Kohanga Reo. He passed the first year of his early childhood degree last year but the second year doesn’t look as promising – with two weeks to go and many outstanding assignments things are looking a bit grim. Not that this appears to bother him – he turned 21 earlier this year and life is his oyster!
Nathan is still in Melbourne although he has made four short trips home this year – the last three were just weekend visits for family celebrations including Raukura’s christening. It has been lovely to see him if only fleetingly. He is still concreting in Oz – it’s hard work but pays really well so that keeps him happy.
The big news of the year is that Tara, Nick and baby shifted back to NZ in May. They were keen for Raukura to be brought up bilingual so returned home and baby started at Mana Tamariki Kohanga Reo when she turned one (I suspect she gets preferential treatment from at least one worker there!) Tara has returned to teaching – you guessed it – at Mana Tamariki kura kaupapa Maori. The school and kohanga share the same new, 6 million dollar building and often work together so it is an ideal arrangement. Tara’s students just love Raukura so she is showered with attention – and thriving on it. She is not a bit shy, a really happy wee girl who sings at the top of her voice and has all the makings of a kapa haka queen.
Tara and Nick have both settled well into NZ life. They are renting out their house in Melbourne and are living with us. They have the two upstairs bedrooms, shower and rumpus room so we are not living in each other’s pockets. They are involved in touch rugby, indoor netball and kapa haka (the advantages of having in-house baby sitters!) Tara is pregnant – due in early April. The present plan is for her to return to work after maternity leave and for Nick to give up work and stay home to look after the new baby. Mind you, their plans do change on a regular basis! They are enjoying being home but are struggling with “being poor.” Nick’s wages are about a third of what he was earning in Oz and they have problems with living on a tight budget.
Winston has had a busy year – although the builders moved out last December he was left with the job of painting, paperhanging and putting the final touches on our renovations. Raukura is the light of his life and he spends endless hours playing with her and taking her on walks in the back pack (I think she spends as many days at home with “Koko” as she does at kohanga reo.) In July we both went to the Philippines and Vietnam. I had a conference in the Philippines but once that was finished we went sightseeing with a vengeance – both really interesting and cheap countries to visit.
My work has been flat out as usual but the conference “perks” help. I am off to Melbourne for an Indigenous People’s conference tomorrow and in May spent 10 days in Iowa with 50 people from 43 different countries. It was an international fellowship award to study gifted education – the experience of living with such a diverse and interesting group of people was amazing. Another highlight of my year has been the launch of a DVD on Autism Spectrum Disorder. A small group of parents and I have been working on this project for years. We fundraised approx $180,000 to pay for producing the DVD and sending 20,000 free copies to schools, hospitals and organizations in NZ (and some overseas). Winston and Raukura are in the DVD along with half the population of PN – “bigger than Ben Hur” as the saying goes!
Anyway, my one page limit is up so I will sign off until next year. All the best for 2009.
Arohanui, - Jill