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Sing to Yahweh, sing to the music of harps, Highlights of Issue 6, October-November 2009 Balgo - 25 years of Luurnpa Catholic School On the shores of Mission Bay KCP again successful at the ACPA awards |
KCP Magazine - Issue 6, October-November 2009 ON THE SHORES OF MISSION BAY
Photo: Matthew enjoys the companionship of his mutt ‘Dollar’ – so named as he often hangs around for a hand-out. Photo: CAS Top Photo: Matthew Waina shows off some Second-World War fuel drums marked USAAF while the waters of Mission Bay glisten in the background. Photo: CAS |
Matthew Waina lives near the beach at Pago, not far from the original site of the Benedictine Mission established in 1908. His modest house is a stones-throw from a dump of old 44 gallon fuel drums. That doesn’t sound too enticing until you realize that they are American drums from the Second World War clearly marked USAAF - United States of America Air Force. Then you remember that you are not too far from Truscott – a secret air base from which bombers flew to South–East Asia flagging the Allied advance in the offensive spearheaded from Australia. And you also recall that the Japanese over-flew the hills near here to bomb and strafe the Mission at Kalumburu wreaking death and destruction, some ten kilometers inland. Pass the drums and look through the pandanus palms to the pristine Mission Bay and you can see why Matthew and his family find the place so charming and soothing. With his dog ‘Dollar’ walking alongside him Matthew often heads off, past the drums, and over the brilliant white sand, to catch a feed of fresh fish knowing that he lives a life many people only dream about.