|
|
From Bruce Tizard-Varcoe in England (30 April 2007) Many congratulations to Erone Fatiaki & Elizabeth (nee Thimbleby) on their marriage, held at the Anchorage Resort, Lautoka on Saturday 17 February 2007.
The sun shone brightly as the day's formalities began at midday with a mamasa ceremony and lunch to welcome the overseas guests. Members of Elli's family and friends flew over from England and New Zealand to attend the big day. Erone's family also attended from England and Rotuma, as well as other parts of Fiji. The wedding ceremony took place later in the afternoon. Elli's brothers, Joe and Tom 'gave away' their sister and having recently passed his captaincy examinations, Erone wore his naval outfit. The service was conducted by Erone's father, Reverend Irava Fatiaki and the bridesmaids were Erone's three nieces, sisters Farovia, Ketila and Elizabeth (named after Elli) and Lilly the daughter of one of Elli's friends from England. Following the service, the happy couple were toasted by the guests and photos for the album taken. In the background and for the reception, the band 'Divine' (fronted by husband and wife Freddy Kado of 'Black Rose' fame and Hanisi Maloney) performed and they included many well-known Rotuman songs. The Rotuman traditional ceremony 'of sope preceded the couple's first dance together, the orange sunset streaking across the sky. There was a lovely buffet meal and entertainment provided by Erone's brother Pelu and colleagues from the 'Oceania Dance Group'. After the speeches, Elli and Erone cut the wedding cake, further dance entertainment...and the guests danced the night away. More photos (by Bruce Southwick and Bruce & Leilani Tizard-Varcoe) From Fiji Times Online (26 April 2007) Dedicated to science, health by Dr Joji Malani and Others Although he is known for his final role in medicine as the former Dean of the Fiji School of Medicine, he will also be remembered for his warm personality, intuitiveness and human touch. It is through these human qualities that he was able to travel the journey of science, health and medical education. Until his passing away, Dr Samisoni was closely related to the subject of science from an early age when he joined the Central Medical School in 1953 from Lelean Memorial School, after passing the Cambridge Leaving Certificate in 1949. After four years at the Fiji School of Medicine, he received a WHO fellowship to study at the University of Otago. In 1959, he graduated as a Bachelor of Medical Science (Physiology). In pursuing his interest in science, he went to the University of Queensland where he acquired his Master of Science in 1959. Following this, he did part-time studies and during this period studied for his Doctor of Philosophy which he received in 1972. He was also completing the last three years of his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degree with which he graduated in 1973. From 1973 to 1979, he worked with the South Queensland Hospital Board in various capacities as a house surgeon. Later, he joined the Griffith University in Brisbane as a senior lecturer. It is from this time that Dr Samisoni developed a major interest in medical education. He was an important part of a team that developed and established the curriculum for the physiology department. He returned to Fiji in 1980 and joined the Fiji School of Medicine as a chief medical officer and deputy dean. He was responsible for Basic Science teaching to undergraduates and primary health care students. In 1984, he did consultancy work for the UNICEF and WHO. In this regional role, he rapidly became aware of the needs of Pacific people with respect to primary health care. In 1987, Dr Samisoni joined the John A Burns School of Medicine at the University of Hawaii as an assistant clinical professor. The John A Burns School of Medicine was funded by the US Federal Government to run a satellite medical school, The Pacific Basin Medical Officers Training Program, which eventually trained more than 70 local doctors for the US-associated Pacific Island Territories. Dr Samisoni became the associate director of the program, a role he fulfiled admirably. He provided the needed direction and support in its establishment, curriculum development and program direction. He returned to Fiji in 1990 and became the academic dean of the Fiji School of Medicine. In 1991 he became the head of the Fiji School of Medicine. With the wealth of experience together with his vision for medical education in Fiji, Dr Samisoni was instrumental in implementing important administrative and curriculum developments which laid the foundation for the Fiji School of Medicine's courses today. Dr Samisoni had great interest in the process of student learning and was instrumental in introducing problem based learning to the curriculum, even earlier than most medical schools in Australia and New Zealand. Reflecting his determination, he was able to withstand the negative pressures from the medical fraternity in Fiji who were against the change in the curriculum. Today, many medical schools abroad have changed to a PBL curriculum or a derivative of it. He was able to negotiate to have the FSM administration independent and autonomous from the Fiji Government, a move that was done to improve its daily function and administration. Because of limitations in the FSM's class sizes and facilities, particularly with the increasing intake of medical and para-medical students, he initiated discussions with the European Union for the construction of a new campus. The Pacifica Campus was occupied for the first time in 2004 and is situated opposite the emergency department of CWM Hospital. Having achieved most of his vision in medical education for Fiji and the Pacific Islands, Dr Samisoni realised that although the needs for undergraduate education and training were being achieved, there was a severe lack of qualified local specialists. Most Fiji nationals sent overseas for training failed to return. He was then pivotal in the outcome of the WHO sponsored Yanuca Accord in 1995. In this meeting, all health ministers from the Pacific, together with WHO, requested that AUSAID be responsible for funding the historical establishment of the postgraduate training program at FSM. Since 1998, doctors have graduated with diplomas and masters degrees in various disciplines and are now serving in specialist capacities in Palau, Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, Kiribati, Tuvalu, Fiji, Tonga, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Samoa. Dr Samisoni retired from the FSM in December 1998 after achieving his visions in health and science and allowing the medical school to enter a new phase of development. He leaves behind a very large footprint in health and medical education. He travelled life through his interest in science, health and education and built the platform on which those who remain continue to realise his vision. Dr Jimione Samisoni is sadly missed by his family, his many colleagues, his faculty and his ex-students around the Pacific, and beyond. From Fiji Times Online (23 April 2007) Trip of a lifetime for Joe by Dorine Narayan
The greatest honour is achieved when you pull yourself out of all the failures and turn them into successes, is what Joe Fuata believes in. Joe, 37, was head of Fiji's delegation to the 19th World Youth Ship tour program. The group was selected to represent Fiji for the 19th World Youth Ship Tour in November last year. The slogan for this year's program was: "Achieving the hopes of youth". Being a part of the trip was the best experience of Joe's life. "The experience was awesome. I cannot find the rights words to describe the feeling," he said. "Spending 58 days with 254 young people from 13 countries was an experience I will never forget, especially when 44 days were spent sailing on the Nippon Maru," said Joe. Joe's troop left Fiji on January 15 and returned on March 9, when they received a warm welcome from the Ministry of Youth and Sports last Friday. This program is sponsored and fully funded by the Government of Japan. The 11 participants flew to Japan and boarded the 19th World Youth Ship to visit Brisbane, Sydney, Wellington and Vanuatu before flying back to Japan and then back home. "Imagine sometimes all we could see in a week was blue skies and sea. No email, no phone, no daily newspaper and no radio. "We basically were living in a world of our own. We had no choice. "It was either you adapted to the new environment, people, food and cultures or suffer in silence." Joe said there were three main objectives of the program to broaden the knowledge of Japanese youth and overseas participating youths, to promote mutual understanding of each other's culture and to foster leadership skill in young people. "Perhaps, our post-program objectives include raising awareness among youth groups and young people about the Ship of the World program, share our experiences and new knowledge that we gained from the trip so that we can help empower young people and to set up little projects with the help of ex-participants in Fiji and abroad that will help less fortunate young people," said Joe. The time factor was a key component of the trip says Joe. "One major lesson learnt during the trip was time management. "Talk about being on time, I take my hat off to Japanese people. "All programs were according to the schedule that was prepared. "It was funny how the administration staff would say the course discussion starts at 9.05. Please this is Japanese time not Fiji time". "I guess they were already well informed about our sense of time," said Joe. Joe was able to enrich himself by learning more about different cultures. "I learnt to understand and tolerate people with differences in culture. "A lot of time our communication skills were put to the test. "Not everyone on board spoke English. I waschallenged to find other means of getting messages across. "Not everyone shook hands, hugged or kissed each other on the cheek like we do here in Fiji when they greeted each other. "For some, this was an insult. So I had to actually study the do's and don'ts ofthe other 13 cultures. "There are many challenges and difficulties in life. "Some of these are what I encountered as national leader for this trip. "Sometimes we think about quitting when we do not succeed or when things don't go according to our plans. "For me the program was very beneficial. I would recommend this program to any young person. The program moulds you into a leader and brings out the hidden skills and talents within you. It broadens your view about our global society and issues that affect young people. "Such a program helps you achieve that hope," said Joe. From Alan & Jan in Honolulu (1 April 2007)
Yesterday, on 31 March, Leina'ala Breckterfield and Tupou Bosenigauna were married in a ceremony at the Waimanalo Teen Project in Waimanalo, Hawai'i. The ceremony was followed by a reception at which a delightful array of island foods were served, including fekei. Leina'ala is the daughter of Pasepa (Manueli) and David Breckterfield.
From Fiji Times Online ( 1 April 2007) What makes Fiji unique by Akisi Bolabola ASK your average Fiji Islander to tell you what's unique about our marine environment and it's likely you will get the standard response of "coral reefs", or maybe even a blank look. No fault of the person though. While 80 per cent of Fiji's population rely on the marine environment, very few really know what is out there that sets us apart from the rest of the world. From information gathered through years of research, marine conservation stakeholders in 2003 identified 35 areas in Fiji that were unique and warranted some conservation action. WWF's Fiji Country Program and its partners further identified what can be referred to as the "seven wonders of Fiji's marine environment". These seven wonders include five globally significant areas (by WWF classification standards) and two species listed by the World Conservation Union (IUCN) as endangered. The seven wonders of Fiji's marine environment (not in any order of importance) are:
[The entry on Rotuma is as follows:] 5. Rotuma Rotuma is home to the blue coral Heliopora. While Heliopora is found in Fiji, it is found in greater abundance in Rotuma. The coral's external appearance makes it appear dull and uninteresting, however, the hue of blue within is likened to that of the deep ocean. Extensive stretches of coral reefs, new found coral species and island chains are just a rough illustration of what Fiji's marine environment is composed of. When considering the richness of this environment, one can think of the myriads of species that when combined, could boggle the mind. Fiji's waters are home to more than 1200 various species of fish, sea snakes, marine invertebrates, corals and marine plants. Two rather special species close to the heart though are the marine turtle (vonu) and humphead wrasse (varivoce). From Fiji Times Online (23 March 2007, posted 1 April) Ship owners split over route licensing ROUTE licensing could compromise the quality of inter-island
shipping services to a certain extent, Bligh Water Shipping Limited chief
executive Simon Narayan said. But Consort Shipping's Leo Smith says route licensing is the only way to fix the problems that have long plagued the inter-island shipping industry. "The new people coming into the business should go to places that are not being serviced like Rotuma and upgrade the service in the Lau Group," he said. "There is a demand for shipping service to Rotuma but you must take into account the size of the vessel and the distance. "Rotuma needs a service at least once a week and
that vessel must be able to carry at least 500 tonnes of cargo.... "Despite the fact that we are an interim Government, we are taking a bold step to introduce it. "We don't want people to suffer. We want to give people a service to improve what they are doing." "The route shipping scheme is new to Fiji. Principally any transport, whether air, land or sea, are given routes to protect them from so-called pirates that will deprive them of their income." From Fijivillage (15 March 2007, posted 1 April) A 39 year old cyclist of Rotuma died after his motorcycle was bumped by a light goods vehicle at Coastal road on Tuesday night. The 23 year old driver of the light goods vehicle was driving along the Rotuma coastal road when he failed to see the cyclist collided with the motorcycle. The deceased received serious injuries and died at Rotuma Hospital yesterday. The driver of the vehicle was charged and appeared in court yesterday afternoon. From Fiji Times Online (13 March 2007, posted 1 April) PACIFIC Broadcasting Services Ltd will reapply for a
free-to-air television licence, about two years after it first applied. Items about Rotuma have begun to appear on the blogs of people who have some connection to the island. For an example, see the blog of "Yorkshire Pudding." Also see several clips of Rotuman dancing on the Hugagesea blog site. |
|
