Two Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme workers recently shared their unique talents with their sweet harmonies entertaining the residents of a Taree aged care facility.
Storm Village played host to Kaho Tupou and Timo Havea who both work for PeopleIN’s labour solutions business FIP Group, at the Wingham Beef Exports. The two performers have both sung, played and performed from a young age in their native Tonga and FIP Group’s Onsite Account Manager Kosema Puliuvea says they were thrilled to be invited to perform.
“The boys have a love of music and are always keen to perform,” Kosema said.
“They sang a variety of traditional music along with gospel and songs the residents may have known.
“We also cooked a barbeque for the residents and received feedback that they really enjoyed it and would like to see us come back. We also have some women from Solomon Islands who dance so we’ll get them involved next time.”
Kosema says music is an important part of the cultures of Pacific Island nations and has proven a successful way to help the workers integrate to life in Taree.
“Some of the guys get together to play when they’re not working, and we’ve even hosted a cultural day for the community where a number of our workers sang and danced.
“We currently have 85 workers in Taree Fiji, Samoa, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Tonga. Performing and sharing their cultures is a great way for them to develop ties with the local community.”