Aileen and her husband Peter both grew up in New Zealand. From 1970 to 1972 they lived in New Caledonia where Peter was putting up pre-fabricated houses for the nickel mine. When that project came to an end, Peter moved to the New Hebrides to build houses at Mele and, in March 1972, Aileen and their daughter joined him there.
Although Aileen and Peter initially intended to stay in the New Hebrides for only nine months (until the building project at Mele was completed), 45 years later they are still there.
Aileen’s contributions