Last Monday a big bunch of Wellington Chuns got together for dinner at the Amazing 5 - a mini Chun-family reunion.
The dinner was cleverly organised by June as a thank you to the reunion team. All in all we had about 26 people including Aunty May; Aunty Doris; Ken, Jillian and family; Aunty Shirley and Uncle George; Denise and Sharon; Uncle Stan and Helen; Uncle Ray; June; Sharon and Jay; Danny and Marina; Louise; Bev; Danny Y; Katrina and Steve; Kirsten and Nigel.
It was meant to be a simple thank you dinner - but as you know, we Chuns like to have our fun!
Unbeknown to many of us, a secret but fierce contest was going on between June, Shirley and Steven (Ling's husband). Who can grow the best beetroot?? That was the question. The reunion dinner was chosen as grand judging day - and Uncle Ray and Marina were chosen as independent judges.
They did have a tough job. Aunty Shirley had submitted a rather petite entry, but it was beautifully wrapped and sported a very nice red ribbon. June's entry was the biggest - a bruiser of a beetroot still covered in good Karori soil. Steven on the other hand, had gone the whole hog and brought in his entire crop for judging. A very fine display.
After much deliberation, Steven was presented with the best gardener award. All three winners received beautiful rosettes made by Ling, and special prizes.
The fun was followed up by another surprise presentation - this time fronted by Uncle Stan. You won't be surprised to learn that his speech had already been prepared. However, other family members had also been preparing for this little surprise.
Yes, as you've already seen from Ken's entry - in appreciation of the work that Nigel has done for the community and family "elders" decided to adopt Nigel as their youngest brother. He's now Chun Hung Lai. According to Aunty Doris this translates as "Expansive good conduct or respect". The Hung name is the same generation name as the brothers in the family.
He was presented with the framed Chun character that Stan Chan did for us when he came to our reunion, and Aunty Doris did him a piece of calligraphy with his new name and also a special thing from China that has Nigel's name written in flowery things. Hard to describe but you'll see it in the picture.
Nigel was really chuffed, but a bit gobsmacked (in a good way). Uncle Stan said that it really meant he had an obligation to look after all the oldies in the family. Nigel said that was okay because he had practice.
Here's Nigel with his new Chun things.
