Tala Toma (brewmaster) giving tips on holy communion to the family men in Brisbane 04/2004. Ron Steele, Tala Toma, John Fasavalu, Robert Konig and Elijah Mateara.
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Vavae Toma, his brother Muaausa Uati and G'daughters Olive Hogarth, Sinamoli Toma and Lauren Toma - Vaivasetai Apia Samoa - late 2002
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Farewelling Tama Vavae Toma after family reunion Brisbane Jan 1997. Standing: Fo'ilagi Leifi, Nomeneta Toma, Lua'ipou Fasavalu, Michelle Weir, Varuna Fasavalu, Enesi Toma. Sitting: Avai'a Fasavalu, Taleisha Fasavalu with Grandpa Vavae Toma, Vavae Timothy Toma and Julien Weir (on floor)
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Family Reunion in Brisbane Australia -New Year's Day 1997. Standing: Enesi Toma, Ester (family friend). Sitting Chair: Meripa Weir(nee Toma), Vavae Toma with Baby Taleisha Fasavalu, Varuna Fasavalu, Nomeneta Toma, Avai'a fasavalu, Julien Weir, Justin Weir, Ester's son. Sitting Floor: Lua'ipou Fasavalu and John Fasavalu, Vavae Timothy Toma, Michelle Weir, David Weir.
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First Reunion of Vavae and Avai'a's Family was in 1982. Family Service and BBQ at Ioane and Lua'ipou Fasavalu's Residence at Alafua, Apia, Samoa. Front: Baby Avai'a Fasavalu, Petrina Leifi, Varuna Fasavalu, Dishing up Food at the table: Peaia Aufa'i, Fo'ilagi & Hugo Leifi, Baby Julien Weir, Tama Vavae Toma, Christopher Leifi. Seine Toma. At the Bar: Julie Toma, Toma V. Toma, Njaio Toma, Oscar Fasavalu, Sita Toma and Bella Leifi
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Vavae in Hawai'i - late 70's
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Tina Avai'a Relaxing at Xmas Pastor's Residence Vaivasetai, Apia, Samoa - late 70's
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Family Unites At Tina Avai'a's Funeral 1989

Family unites at Tina Avai'as Funeral June 25 1989. Back Row: Enesi Toma, Talalelei Toma, Uncle Tuila'epa Esi, Nikolao Toma, June Toma (nee Carruthers). Middle Row: Aunty Li'a Tuilaepa(passed away 2003), Toma V. Toma (passed away 01/2002), Iulai Toma with Baby son Iulai (Jnr), Tusipa V. Toma, family friend, Aunty Maseiga (Muaausa'a wife). Front Kneeling: Lua'ipou Fasavalu (nee Toma), Faipeaia Aufa'i, Meripa Weir (nee V. Toma), Cousin Iinei (nee Va'ai), Fo'ilagi Leifi (nee V. Toma). Front Sitting: Faileaso Tuila'epa (Tui and Li'a's daughter, Uncle Muaausa (Brother of Vavae & Family Matai at Sapapali'i) Seine Hogarth (nee Toma).
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As religous Minister of Vaivasetai Congregational Christian Church since 1967, Vavae and Avai'a are nearing the end of their commitment to Vaivase - 1987 Avai'a health deteriorated resulting in her death in June 1989. Vavae Toma became a pensioner minister in July 1990. However he accepted the job of Editor for the SULU SAMOA, the Journal of the Christian Congregational Church of Samoa. The Sulu has been in existence since 1839. Vavae served as Editor until he was too ill to continue in November 2002.
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Recovering from his "near death experience" Vavae Toma with Avai'a, Seine and Niko in Dunedin, New Zealand - late 70's
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Vavae and Avai'a Toma with College friend-attending Mt Eden Theological College 1957
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Vavae Toma, Fetaui Mataafa & Rev Tuilovoni- working for Pacific Council of Churches in the 60's
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2005 Reflections on Lessons From My Parents Vavae and Avaia Toma

My parents Vavae and Avaia demonstrated a strong commitment to a faith in the Love of God through Jesus. Hence they commited their working lives to the work of the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa as an expression of their Faith and Belief.
I remember my mother as very caring to her relatives. In her own quiet ways she would give whenever there was a need as in caring for someone sick, a funeral, a wedding or whatever she knew required her help and resources. To her own kids and grandkids, she was a first resource who gave of her time and her inner love sparingly. In her role as a wife of a Church Minister, she was a silent confident figure whose presence ensures any plans were carried out always with good results and to the satisfaction of all. She was a silent but reassuring figure behind my father in his Church role.
One memorable lesson I learned from my old man is the goal of ecumenism that he promoted in his work as Secretary of the Pacific churches. As a representative to the World Council of Churches and the Pacific churches "pacific ecumenism" became his central message. The establishment of the Pacific Council Of Churches in the 1960's and consequently the Pacific Theological College in Suva, Fiji, were beginning signposts towards ecumenism in the pacific islands. I believe that my father was extremely committed to his duties to promote this ecumenism as an expression of his faith in the ONE GOD as a true road to harmony and peace in the Pacific. I remember the close relations he had with his colleagues Dr Havea of Tonga and Rev. Tuilovoni of Fiji as they worked together towards ecumenism. Reverend Valamotu Palu, the current General Secretary of the Pacific Council of Churches paid special tribute to Vavae at his funeral. Rev Palu acknowledged Vavae as the pioneer of the ecumenical movement in the Pacific.

Descendants (10)

Descendants (10) - May 2004. Back Row: Eliasa Toma, Tom Hogarth, Michelle Weir, Vavae Timothy Toma, Tracey neeToma, Varuna Mateara nee Fasavalu, Julie Leuteotifa Toma, Taumua Toma, Luaipou Fasavalu nee Toma, Front Row: Salu Toma, Family Friend, Pose Toma, Meripa Weir nee V. Toma, Faipeaia Aufa'i, and Iulai (Jnr) Toma
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Descendants ((9)

Descendants (9) After gathering for funeral of father and grandfather, Vavae Toma, 8 May 2004 - saying adios to the Aussies and Kiwis - taken Faleolo Airport, Western Samoa
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Extended Family

Extended Family by marriage. David Weir and Meripa Weir with David's Family- Brisbane, Christmas Breakfast 2004
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Descendants (8)

Descendants (8) Nathan, Michelle, Jaeden (Children of Julien Weir & Josephine Weir, Grandchildren of David & Meripa Weir) Brisbane January 2005
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Descendants (7)

Descendants(7) Malachai Mateara (Varuna and Elijah's son) nicknamed "Sole" July 2004
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Descendants (6)

Descendants(6) Varuna Mateara (nee Fasavalu) & Dorothy Kamu- Brisbane July 2004
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Descendants (5)

Descendants (5) David Weir ,Meripa Weir with Tala Toma- Brisbane April 2003
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Descendants (4)

Descendants(4) Tala Toma in Brisbane 2004..with Meripa Weir (nee V.Toma) and Michelle Weir
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Descendants (3)

Descendants(3) Niko Toma & Dorothy Kamu with Meripa Weir, Josephine Weir, Nathan Weir & Michelle Weir (Jnr) in Brisbane, Australia July 2004.
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Vavae in Brisbane 1998 with family and Vaivase friends
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Descendants (2)

Descendants (2) A typical family gathering to catch up on news from home. Varuna Mateara (nee Fasavalu), Avai'a Fasavalu, Michelle Weir (Grandaughters of Vavae Toma), sampling David Weir's cooking. Talalelei Toma (visiting from Samoa), Meripa Weir (nee V. Toma) and Lua'ipou Fasavalu (nee Toma) - 2002
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Descendants (1)

Descendants(1) Taking the family out to dinner two days after Tama Vavae Toma's funeral, Graham Hogarth and Seine Hogarth(nee Toma) extends their caring commitment, after many years of emotional and physical support to Tama. Meripa Weir (nee V. Toma) silently acknowledges their contribution - Palisi, Apia, Samoa - 10 May 2004.
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