Old Year's Night 2020
Report and photos from Kelly Green and Sally Wonner
For "Old Years Night" (New Year's Eve) it is the tradition on Tristan for the "Okalolies" to dress up and visit the community during the day ... well the ones who will let them in.
The Okalolies pose for a photo in a garden during their circuit of the community.
Okalolies and greeted by the Admins at their reception...
...and then head for the drinks table!
The Administrators' and Chief Islander's Receptions
At 6:00pm in the evening, everyong was invited to a reception held by the co-Administrators Fiona Kilpatrick and Steve Townsend at the 'Residency', followed at 7:30pm by the Chief Islander's reception held at his home. Both gave lovely speeches. Admin, Steve Townsend, talked about how the difficult that past year had been for everyone, but thanked the island for their help and solidarity. James Glass's speech covered similar ground as well as future challenges, but highlighted the fantastic Marine Protection Zone set up last year, which is proving to be an example to the world.
Steve Townsend giving the Administrators' speech at their Old Year's Night reception
The Adminstrators' Speech
Thank you all for coming, and helping see out 2020.
This year has been one for the annals. I think if Sean had stood up this time last year and foreseen all that has struck the island and the world in general, then you would have accused him of possibly one or two too many Tristan tots. It has been a challenge for us all.
On the day in January that Fiona and I got on the boat in Cape Town to come here, there was a small article in New Scientist magazine about a new strain of coronavirus infecting people in Wuhan, China. The article said that there was a concern that it might be highly contagious. Over 1.6 million deaths worldwide later, I think we can say that was an understatement.
COVID has changed the world. We have been fortunate in that it has not made its way onto Tristan. But it has still impacted our lives. Islanders have been stranded in Cape Town for months, our supply lines have been disrupted by lock-down, and the revenue from the lobster has been declined. No tourist vessels have paid us a call. But we are still here, and we are still well. I would like to thank you all for your patience and understanding for the measures that we have had to introduce; especially to the staff at the shop who had to put rationing in place to ensure that everyone got a fair share. I would also like to thank the hospital staff for the work that they did to put us in the best position possible, given the resources we have available. We expect that we will be receiving testing kits and vaccines for all early in the New Year. We are lucky in one way. We can meet in groups like this, as opposed to people in the UK who are having to live under stricter quarantine rules.
No-one foresaw the loss of the Geo Searcher in October. I give thanks that no lives were lost, and I would like to give huge credit to Ian and Rodney for their work to ensure that everyone got off the boat safely and onto Gough. Without their bravery and expertise, the result could have been very different. I also have to give credit to the whole community here, collecting clothes for the crew of the Geo, and demonstrating once again the strong solidarity of those who live by the sea.
In November we announced the Tristan da Cunha Marine Protection Zone (MPZ), covering almost 700,000 square kilometres. This is the largest fully protected area in the Atlantic, and the fourth largest in the world. The new MPZ will help the global effort to protect the world's biodiversity and underlines the island's commitment to the health of the ocean. The establishment of the MPZ raised the profile of Tristan da Cunha, and has been praised by The Prince of Wales, the Prime Minister and Leonardo de Caprio - not a bad mix!
I would also like to remember those islanders who sadly passed away this year. This year the island lost Herbert, Gilbert, Stella and Donald, and our thoughts and prayers go out to their families.
But on a much happier note, we welcomed little Mikayla and also Alfie, the first baby to be born on the island for nine years. Let's wish them every happiness.
Fiona and I have been here for almost a year now. We were not entirely sure what we had volunteered for, and I do not think that anyone who has not been here can really explain living on Tristan. But we would like to thank all of those who have made us so welcome here. Particular thanks go to Beverley, as a fount of knowledge of how Tristan works, and to Cynthia and Geraldine for basically keeping us out of mischief as much as possible.
We would also like to thank all the Island Council for their hard work and cooperation throughout the year, and I would also particularly like to thank James for his support, advice and guidance.
Please can you all raise your glasses, to Tristan da Cunha, and to a happy and prosperous 2021!
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| Islanders at the Administrators' reception | |
James Glass reading his speech at his Chief Islander's reception
Post-Reception Braais
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| After the receptions, families throughout the settlement hold braais and visit each other. | |
Ringing in the New Year
Above and below: People gathered by the fishing dong around midnight, ready to ring in the New Year.
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Midnight at New Year is the only time that anyone is allowed to ring the fishing dong, which is situated behind Prince Philip Hall. | |
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Admin Steve Townsend (left) and Sally Wonner (right) hitting the fishing dong at midnight. Below: Sally and Dr Alex Wonner ready to toast the New Year. |
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