A LOVE STORY

Our monthly dinner at the village had a fun theme. It was a wedding reception, a real one and a pretend one. First I must tell a love story.

Some years ago a lovely lady called Margaret worked in the office of our village. She had to travel quite a distance to get here for work. As she and her husband, Ron, were over 55 they decided to move here so it would be easy to get to work and Ron had just retired. They soon became loved members of our community. 

Unfortunately, not long afterwards, Margaret became ill and was diagnosed with a brain tumour. Little could be done for her and after some time she succumbed and passed away. The funeral was held here in our community centre. Ron and Margaret's children were scattered around the globe. There were also some who lived close by. They all came to the funeral.

Ron's son, Brendan was working in Le Hague as a war crime investigator. He was divorced and stayed with his father here in the village. He helped the staff and Chiou See, the managing director, to set up the community centre for the funeral and wake. Naturally, the staff and Chiou See were very involved as Margaret had been a member of the staff.

Brendan stayed on for a few weeks holiday here. It wasn't long before we noticed that Brendan and Chiou See had become very close friends. Chiou See is also a divorcee. We all wondered how this was going to work out with him working on the other side of the world. But it did! 

After some amazing stories of travel and adventures Brendan resigned and returned to Australia and his love. Chiou See went to Le Hague to help him pack up his apartment and accompany him home. Then near disaster when Australia closed its borders at the beginning of Covid. Only very few planes were coming into the country. They had to try many different airlines before they managed to get one from Qatar costing them a fortune but they made it home and ended up in quarantine for 14 days.

So after two years they decided to marry. They organised their children to all meet in Croatia where they had planned to marry and honeymoon. Unfortunately, on the day planned for the ceremony, Chiou See's father died in Singapore. So she cancelled the ceremony but since the reception was booked for the whole family they stayed and had a holiday too.

So some months later they organised to be married here in our Zen Garden and have a reception at our monthly dinner in September. Chiou See's mother flew from Singapore and Brendan's father lives here.

Residents, friends and staff packed the community Centre. 

The entertainment was hilarious. It was a take on the play "Dimboola's Wedding."  The actors mingled in the crowd and encouraged audience participation. It was about a wedding and all the things that can go wrong.

Chiou See, Brendan and Mama

Brendan's dad, Ron and Mama. Just married.

Making it legal.

Everyone arriving.

Here's to another fun night.

Chiou See and Brendan welcome everyone. Our volunteer bar person, Nanette, makes the cocktails.

The actors mingle

The mother and father of the bride in the play

The bride and groom in the play

The best man got high and .........

The groom impersonated Elton John

This is Olivia, Chiou See's daughter, she is the village accountant chatting to Bill. She was given the naughty headwear by the actors.

Entree: Veal & Pistachio Terrine, roasted garlic & herbed tomato relish, cucumber & seeded mustard salad.

Mains: Loin of Pork Roulade, Diced apple and seeded mustard medley, Pork and apple jus, Roasted potato mille feuille, Sweet roasted potato puree, seasonal greens. Our chef Poz and the catering students from Rochedale High School cooked for and served 140 people all at the same time. They are amazing.