Toko Swallow
Those who touch our lives, stay in our hearts forever.
Life story
Tokotoko Akaiti Ponga was born in Mangaia, Cook Islands on the 15th of August 1943.
She was the youngest of thirteen children born to Akaiti Ponga and Vainerua Tangianau
She was the last-born of her eight sisters & four brothers and her happy childhood was spent living the relaxed and fun ‘island life’ and going to Ivirua school.
At seventeen she headed for the main island of Rarotonga and got a job working with the wonderful McGowan family. Mr and Mrs McGowan were teachers from New Zealand and Toko joined their household to look after their sweet children and lovely home. She absolutely thrived over the next two years living and working for the McGowans in Rarotonga. Toko would ultimately become one of the family and in future the McGowans would even be known as ‘Nana’ and ‘Grandad’ to Robyn and Bill, Toko’s children. In 1963, the McGowans moved back to New Zealand and Toko made the decision to go with them. She was 20yrs old at this stage.
New Zealand was like the ‘big smoke’ back then. A world full of fabulous new opportunities and interesting things to learn and experience. They lived in Whangaparāoa, about 25km North of Auckland. Toko went on to a role as an assistant nurse at Mater Hospital, in Epsom, Auckland. While she was here, she met and eventually flatted with some other Cook Island girls. The hospital was run by a very strict nun, who would give the girls a curfew time while living there. The girls were diehard Elvis fans – obsessed with Elvis! - and would head into town to see his latest movies. Afterwards, they would sometimes go on to a dance and then miss their curfew. This would make the Sister very unhappy! When Toko wasn’t working she would go back and stay with the McGowans.
In 1965 Toko met & married Les Swallow, an Aussie who was on holiday in New Zealand. With Les, she travelled to Australia and embarked on exciting new beginnings. In 1966 she would move to Dingley, Victoria with Les. They lived in the Swallow family home in Tootals Rd, which was once home to Les’s parents. That year, Les and Toko excitedly welcomed number one daughter, Robyn, followed by number one son Bill a year later. Toko’s new life in Australia had started, and she undertook her new role as a mum and a housewife with enthusiasm. She loved to cook and was known as the “queen of the kitchen”! She had very few friends to start with, but it wouldn’t take her long to integrate and bond with Les’s family and make many new friendships. Toko would also form a close bond to Les’s lovely mother Nell. Once the kids were in school, Toko started a role at Haileybury College, Keysborough, in the Tuckshop. She eventually became the Manageress and was happily employed there for just over 30 years. She then worked at St Johns College in Dandenong, until she retired. Toko was a very hard worker, who rarely missed a day of work. She was no doubt highly respected and made many friends in both of those roles. In the mid 1970’s Toko and Les moved house to the other end of Tootals Road, then later built a home a few doors down, again in Tootals Road.
In the late 80’s, Toko and Les would part after twenty-two years of marriage. Les remained in Dingley, while Toko moved with son Bill to Springvale, as Robyn was already out on own with her then partner.
During this time, a lot of family from New Zealand and Cook Island would immigrate to
Australia. Toko reconnected and broadened her family and social network significantly at this stage. She loved socializing, laughing, talking for hours and didn’t mind a gossip! The early 90’s saw Toko with a new partner, Jim. They bought a house in Dingley and lived together for 16+ years.They then separated and Toko moved to Pearcedale and lived with her son Bill or ‘Billy Boy’ as she affectionately called him, and her much-loved daughter-in-law Susan. She would often refer to Susan, as her Susy girl. They were the best of friends. The biggest bonus of living with your kids is getting to live with your Grandkids. Toko was very hands-on in the upbringing of her grandchildren Blaise, Jake and Taya, and absolutely loved every single second of it. She adored them and they adored her.
Daughter Robyn then also went to live in Pearcedale with the family and stayed with Toko. Initially this was only meant for a short time but ended up being around 10yrs. Bill and Susan then decided it was time to move to the suburbs. At the same time, Robyn was working and living midweek in Colac, where she would eventually reside. Bill and Susan sold their property and Toko moved to Colac with Robyn in 2017. It didn’t take long for Toko to find her own new tribe in country Victoria. She loved living in Colac and enjoying her days with her new little dog Birdie the cavoodle, spending lots of time gardening and doing crosswords. She loved walking too and went for a walk every day, sometimes twice a day.
Toko didn’t like to think too hard about things, she had a very relaxed attitude and preferred to focus on the task at hand, and on the most important things to her, her much-loved family and friends.
Unfortunately, cancer came back to visit her again. She had fought and won a battle with it back in 2010– 2012. This time it was a four year on and off battle, but during that time she never gave up.
Its toll proved too much for her body and she succumbed to it quickly and quietly in Geelong Hospital. Robyn, Bill, Susan and her grandkids were with her, surrounding her with love as she passed gently away.
Life Celebration & Wishes
Remembering Toko
Memory wall
Several times she lost our dog Cody and we were looking for her everywhere, once she was in the back of the car and once, she was locked in the shed. On hot days we would go to the beach and sometimes we would go to the school canteen that she worked at and get free ice creams.
She also made the best Anzac biscuits every year.
One time when she came to pick us up from school, her car engine had overheated. We had to get water from the school taps and pour it on the engine to cool it down.
She always wanted to help everyone, when we played footy, she would make scones for everyone. When we were at BMX, she would volunteer and work in the canteen.
We will always remember the fun times we spent with her and how much she cared about us. Grandma did so much for everyone around her and always put others before herself.
We don’t know how we can fully express how much of a beautiful, kind and loving person Grandma was and how much we love her. We will all miss you forever.
Thank you for being a part of our lives. Love Blaise, Jake & Taya.
Shortbread Biscuits…
Fried Rice…
And randon Sunday morning call at 10am for a glass of Champagne… These are just few things that will always remind me of you.
But most of all how much of a social butterfly you were. Firstly, you would lure them in with your big smile and hit them with your cute sense of humour. But ultimately win them over with your generosity. By which I mean food and lots of it, a drink or two and you would just love them. No matter who they were.
Our little life in the country for the past five years didn’t stop there. Even with the last 4 of those years filled with doctors, hospitals, treatments and test after test, somehow you still managed to make friends. You had more bloody friends that I did. On the odd accasion I would come home and find strangers in the backyard. You were showing off your garden, having a cuppa and feeding them. A couple of time you bought them & their dogs home from your walks around the lake, so our little dog Birdie would have a play friend. One time you just came home with another dog!
We both talked about this and knew this day was coming, when you would no longer be here. But it still doesn’t prepare you for it. I know that at last the fight is over for you, no more medical bullshit. You are free to fly.
I am sure you are busy right now, catching up with old friends & family. And probably making new friends. The universe & beyond will now have a touch of that Toko Sparkle.
Our little dog Birdie & I will miss you so much. I love you and will see you again some day.
Love Robbie xo
Best Mum in the world
Always there for me and Robyn
Always there for family & kids
Always there for our friends
Nothing was ever a problem or issue
Mum, we will miss you
We love you
Thank you for being the BEST MUM IN THE WORLD!
Love always
Bill xoxoxo
One time when you were minding the boys before you moved in with us, you decided to cut their hair. They came home with a “Granny haircut”. I was quick to get to the hairdressers to fix this.
You were always there for us and nothing was ever a problem or too much for you.
I will miss you so much and am so glad that you were such a huge part of our lives.
LOVE YOU
Susan xo
Family tree
Akaiti Ponga
Ponga
Turiongo
Araturi
Karangareka
Kapitirua
Vainimakimaki
Mataorakore
Roiroi
Turiongo
Araturi
Karangareka
Kapitirua
Vainimakimaki
Mataorakore
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