ONE of the largest local crowds in recent years gathered at the Kendall Community Hall on Friday November 6 for an evening of international food, music, dancing and entertainment.
This multi-cultural event attracted almost two hundred people from as far as Mitchell’s Island on the Manning in the south to Kempsey in the north.
The event was held as the final fund-raiser for the Kendall-Kadaw Friendship School Project in Burma, coordinated by Tin Hta Nu.
A final tally of over $3000 was made from the evening bringing the total funds raised to $33,000 over the three years the project has been running. These funds were raised in many ways, from contributions by community members to various concerts, open gardens and vegetable and flower sales at Kendall Market.
Students from Kendall Primary School kicked off the evening with a Burmese farmers dance followed by popular dances of Ireland. The Thai dancing of Chatlada captivated the audience with her graceful movements and elegant Thai sarong.
The Mid North Coast Asian community blended their cultures and dress in their Indonesian and Philippine dances and songs. This was followed by their version of some Aussie/American culture with line dancing which would have done Tamworth proud.
Visiting German and Austrian Woofers (Workers on organic farms) Claudia and Angelika entertained with their German farmers songs.
The audience snacked on appetizers of samosas of India, falafel of Lebanon, with Chinese prawn crackers and spring rolls while the concert progressed.
John Bannerman continued the entertainment with his superb live music as the volunteers lead by David and Rose-Marie served a smorgasbord of dishes from twenty countries. These featured chicken Adobo from the Philippines, West African chicken and peanut stew. Louise and Angela dug into their family trees to create Maltese Rice Bake and Italian Lasagna. Helena’s Polish Jallaretta and Jenny and Margaret’s Greek Spanokopieta and garlic chicken, Reggie and Rose-Marie’s German pickled pork loin and potato salad, David and Wren’s Hong Kong Honey prawns were also popular dishes.
For those favouring less spicy dishes, Aussie bangers by Liz, quiche by Nan, Dutch bitter balls by Yvonne and frittata by Cassie were served. Vegetarians were catered for by Tin, Mandy and Maxine’s dishes.
Enjoying this true multi-cultural cuisine was not complete without a range of sweet dishes. Out they came! Baklava of Greece by Melissa; Indian Semolina Halwa and Gulag Jambon from Aung Mingala farm; and a variety of cakes and fruit dishes from members of CWA, Op-Shop, The Meeting Place and residents of Kendall. Of course, the old Aussie, or is that Kiwi, favourite of Pavlova passed muster and was quickly vanquished.
Many thanks to all those who contributed to not only this evening but to all who have contributed funds, materials or their time over the past three years.
“Though communication with Kadaw village is difficult, we have been advised by the Buddhist Abbot who is managing the project that construction is near completed, with photos coming shortly,” said Tin.
“The 800 children from Kadaw and nearby six villages will have a promising life with the education they receive supported by their sister village Kendall and the surrounding district.”
They will be repeatedly saying “kyay zoo tin bar de” (Thank you all very much) wholeheartedly.
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