Profile: Liz Cotterell 1

Where are you from and when did you arrive? Originally from Brisbane, but I lived in Canberra for nearly 10 years. I arrived in February 2014!

What brings you to Solomon Islands? I’m here to work as an AVID volunteer with the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology. I’m a Protected Areas Adviser there, helping the Ministry to declare protected areas in the Solomon Islands.

What’s your favourite thing to do here? Dive!

What’s the most amazing thing you’ve done in your life? Hmmm that is a tough one, I am constantly trying to top the last amazing thing… I can’t narrow it down to just one but my highlights so far include doing my Divemaster in Komodo, Indonesia, channelling Indiana Jones in the western desert of Egypt, diving with sailfish, dolphins and mantas in the Maldives and getting vertigo at the Priekestollen on the Sognefjord in Norway.

Mercy School Board Reply

By Leigh Pirie

Months ago a friend passed on an email from another friend who had done some volunteer work here in the Solomon’s with a woman who had built a school. I started looking into the school and contacted her and now I am on her school board. Strange development, really.

Felt Vases Reply

By Jackie Eager

I’m enjoying the tropical flowers of the Solomon Islands. Each Saturday, flower sellers come to the Central Market to sell their flowers and greenery. While you can buy an arranged bunch, most of the stalls are of one or two types of flowers that you buy with the aim of arranging at home. I walked up and down the row, picking this flower and that, and chatting with the sellers. The market is packed with people, and it’s hot and noisy – an atmosphere that I find quite invigorating (in small doses!).

It seemed to me that everything on offer was $5 Solomon Dollars which equates to roughly $1 Australian Dollar. One of the good things about living in the tropics is just how readily available these beautiful plants are, as we only spent about $10 AUD to create five arrangements around the house. Coming home from the market, I enjoyed getting my vases out and putting the flowers together to see what looked best. I think this will become a new ritual for me to do on the weekends.

Coconut Creamed Fish Reply

By Leigh Pirie

• 750 g fish fillets
• 2 cups coconut cream
• 2 tbs chopped onion
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tbs cornflour
• 1 tbs grated ginger
• The juice of 2 limes
• Tomato

Mix cornflour to a smooth paste using 1 tbs of coconut cream. Add these to a saucepan along with the balance of coconut cream, finely chopped onions, salt and chilli. Bring to boiling point and allow to simmer for 5 minutes. Add ginger and lime juice.

Cut fish into portions. Dip fish in flour and fry in hot oil until brown. Drain well and place fish in a casserole dish. Pour over coconut sauce and place sliced tomato on top. Cover and bake at 150 C for 20 minutes. Serve with lime wedges and steamed greens such as river fern or bok choy.

Snorkling at Mbike, B. Nerdal Reply

 

Thai Spiced Chicken Reply

by Leigh Pirie

• 600g chicken tenderloins or breast
• 1 tbs chopped fresh lemongrass (or from a jar)
• 2 tbs lime juice
• 1 ½ tbs oil
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 1 tbs grated ginger
• 2 tsps sweet chilli sauce
• 2 spring onions (shallots) chopped

Mix together all ingredients. Place chicken in a shallow, non metallic dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Alternatively, chicken can also be threaded onto skewers and the marinade can be poured over these kebabs before refrigerating. Once marinaded, Cook how you like!

Activities for Kids Reply

Swimming Lessons

Held for children from babies to teenagers during school term time. The timetable differs depending on the child’s swimming ability. They take place at the Heritage Hotel and the Honiara Hotel. To enrol your child and for more information contact Kelly at starfishswimmers@gmail.com

Toddler Music

Held in Panatina Ridge on a Thursday morning from 9:00 to 10:30. It is a class which involves dancing, singing and story time. All parents are required, and encouraged, to join in the fun.

Contact Kate at ed.kate.smith@gmail.com for more details

Playgroup

Held at a different venue each week and is aimed at babies and toddlers. It is held on a Wednesday morning from 9:30am until 11am. It is a chance for the little ones to interact and for parents and guardians to chat over tea and cake.

To find out locations for playgroup and more information contact Andrew at playgroup-honiara@googlegroups.com