Trav (Tra Vy Butcher Shop), Shag, Matt, Sam and Fabbo at the Boomarang last night..

Tick, tick… The Swannies’ Australia Day went off at the Boomarang Bistro in Saigon yesterday.

It’s TET Lunar New Year in Vietnam and so everyone has cleared out of the cities. So, Adam Zakharoff suggested to the Swannies that we defy the odds and have an Australia Day Party.

Trav Fallon from Tra Vy Butcher Shop in District 7 provided the meat including a meat tray for the raffle which was won by departing Swannie, Mark Pleiter. (Mark is about to take up a new job in the Philippines and will fly out tomorrow. So why he’s winning our meat trays, none of us understand!).

The Boomarang organised San Miguel and the Swannies cranked up some numbers. The party started at 5pm and finished at 9 – which stretched out to 10. Meat, salad and beers for $20 or, if you were a Swannie wearing your colours, it was just $10. Fantastic value.

Those who were part of the Swannies’ event, used Australia Network stubby holders. You will recall that Australia Network was the Swannies’ Official Media Sponsor at last year’s Swannies’ AFL Grand Final Parties in Hanoi (JASPAS) and Saigon (at the Boomarang Bistro).

Rowan Luke (left) and incoming Australian Consul General, John McAnulty and wife, Michelle.

Click here to view the 15 second video promo that Australia Network did for our Grand Final Parties.

As well as all the usual suspects, we welcomed the incoming Australian Consul General, John McAnulty and his wife, Michelle. Wayne Bannon, President of Auscham also attended. And we welcomed a few new recruits.

Thirty people in an empty city, with minimal promotion, was a great result on a great night. Swannies’ Australia Day is already locked in for next year.

Special thanks to Boomarang Bistro, Tra Vy Butcher Shop and San Miguel. And to you Swannies!

More Photos

For more grainy photos (high resolution photos coming shortly) of the Swannies’ Australia Day Party, click onto the Vietnam Swans’ web album.