From Fiji Times (10 December 2024)

Savea is dux of Rotuma High School

By Ana Madigibuli

Venasio Savea has etched his mark in the history books of Rotuma High School – scooping the school dux and best all-rounder awards this year.

Savea who hails from Juju in Rotuma completed high school on a high note, making his school proud.

Rotuma High School vice principal, Joseph Kamea said they will miss Savea next year.

“Savea is a very discipline student and it’s very rare to come across students like him who do extremely well both in sports and academically,” he said.

During their prize-giving ceremony last month, Savea managed to scoop several top awards.

Mr Kamea said Savea walked away with the dux prize, the best all-rounder prize and the top Physics, Maths, Chemistry and Biology prizes too.

“He is a good science student, and we hope his dream of becoming a doctor comes true.

“In sports he made the school proud by winning gold in the Coca-Cola Games and also won gold in the under-20 Oceania discus competition this year.

“Now he has been selected for the South Pacific Games trials.”

Savea has started his training for the trials.

Mr Kamea wished Savea all the very best in his future endeavours both academically and in sports.

From Fiji Times via PressReader (7 December 2024)

Shocking state in Rotuma

I RECENTLY completed a drive around Rotuma, and the experience was nothing short of gruelling. The roads are riddled with potholes, making it nearly impossihle to find even a 50-metre stretch that is smooth. Many of these potholes have grown into craters, spanning the entire width of the road.

After heavy rains the day before, these craters were Jelled with water, some nearly knee-deep — enough to pose a serious hazard, even to the most experienced motorist. This is no exaggeration; the conditions are both alarming and dangerous, to say the least.

Currently, the Fiji Roads Authority has only one employee stationed on the island. He oversees two staff quarters, an office building, and a garage that is now empty of machinery. Previously, this garage housed essential equipment such as a road grader, a backend loader, a Land Cruiser, and a tipper truck. These were vital for maintaining the roads, but now,this dedicated worker is left without the tools needed to do his job effectively. In the absence of proper maintenance, local me are now stepping in to repair the roads as best they can.

The Government continues to pay landowners for the lease of the FRA complex, but it appears to pay little attention to the actual state of the roads.

My plea is urgent: Please take immediate action!If the situations continues to deteriorate, the roads may soon become so treacherous that traveling across the island will be nearly impossible.

V. Injimo

From Fiji Broadcasting Co. (2 December 2024)

Year 8 exam results expose performance gaps

The 2024 Fiji Year 8 Examination, while recording a 69% national pass rate, has highlighted a persistent disparity between urban and rural student performance.

During his ministerial statement on the Provisional Results, Education Minister Aseri Radrodro revealed that urban students outperformed their rural counterparts, achieving a 71 percent pass rate compared to 66 percent.

He says this trend has been evident in the past eight years, with a decline in 2022.

The 2024 results also reveal disparities among different ethnic groups.

While Indo-Fijian students achieved a 73 percent pass rate, iTaukei students recorded a 67 percent pass rate, and Rotuman and other students fared better, with 76 percent and 78 percent pass rates, respectively.

30 November 2024

Dr. Tukaha Mua Dies in Automobile Accident

We are grieved to report the death of Dr. Tukaha Mua on 6 November in an automobile accident. Dr. Tukaha was an acclaimed anaesthetist. He attended Malha'a District School (1943-1947); Ratu Kadavulevu School (1948-1949); Queen Victoria School (1950-1955). He passed Senior Cambridge Exam (1955); Fiji School of Medicine (1956-1960). He won the FSM prize in Medicine and was best all-round graduate in 1960. He did his postgraduate training at Otago University – Wellington Hospital (1963, 1981); Auckland University: – Middlemore; National Womens; Greenlane; Childrens; Auckland Public Hospital (1967, 1973); Melbourne University:— Royal Melbourne; Royal Childrens; Royal Womens Hospital; University of the Philippines (UP) – (1976-1977) - Philippine General Hospital and Heart Centre. As far as Dr Mua's academic qualifications are concerned, Dr Mua passed the Fellowship Exam in 1976 and was the first Fiji FSM graduate to do so. This is the qualification for registration as a Specialist and Professor in Medicine.

Dr Mua's work record: Internship CWM Hospital (1961); worked in Nadarivatu, Vanuatu and Labasa Hospitals, and in 1977, Dr Mua was appointed Head of Anaesthetics in Operating Theatres. He was Head of Intensive Care, CWM Hospital and Senior Lecturer Fiji School of Medicine and Fiji School of Nursing for 20 years. Later he joined Dr Robin and Rosemary Mitchell in Private Practice: Gordon Street Medical Centre 1988-2002. He helped set up the Private Operating Theatre and the First Decompression Chamber in Fiji and the South Pacific. All this was moved to Suva Private Hospital when it opened in 2002. The chamber was later moved to CWM Hospital.

See the heartfelt tribute to him from the Pacific Society of Anaesthetists

A video of Dr. Mua's funeral is available on Facebook.

From Fiji Times (16 November 2024)

Rotuma faces climate crisis – Gagaj Manav

By Sainimili Magimagi

The people of Rotuma are becoming increasingly vulnerable to climate change because it is threatening their livelihoods and undeveloped natural resources.

Gagaj Manav Kauata Pat Samuela highlighted this during the Great Council of Chiefs meeting that was held at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva over two days this week.

Gagaj Manav said although the island was blessed with natural resources, it was becoming vulnerable to sea level rise and erratic weather patterns.

"While the island is blessed with untapped natural resources and a vibrant culture, we face significant challenges that threaten its sustainability," he said.

"Climate change looms large over our island, bringing with it rising sea level, erratic weather patterns and challenges to our agriculture and fishing resources.

"The resilience of our island community is being tested; therefore, we must address these challenges with urgency and innovative thinking, despite the factors being well beyond our capabilities."

Speaking on behalf of the council, Gagaj Manav highlighted the need to implement sustainable development to address climate resilience.

"We, the chiefs of Rotuma and our people are committed to stand with the Great Council of Chiefs, the government and the people to fight against forces that threatens our identity, the lives and livelihood of our people today and into the future."

From Fiji Times (16 November 2024)

Call for action to preserve cultural heritage

By Sainimili Magimagi

The Rotuma Council expressed concern about the declining traditional customs and languages that are important to their identity, which must be addressed.

While addressing the Great Council of Chiefs meeting on Thursday, Gagaj Manav Kauata Pat Samuela said there was a need for cultural preservation and revitalisation.

"Cultural preservation is another area requiring significant focus where the emphasis is to promote Rotuman history and customs to future generations," he said.

"There is a decline in traditional practices and languages that are integral to our identity that needs to be addressed.

"As we face globalisation and modernisation, it becomes crucial that we cultivate a lasting and meaningful program to promote understanding of our roots among present and future generations."

Gagaj Manav also raised the importance of implementing programs and initiatives that foster a sense of pride in heritage and encourage active participation in cultural practices.

"We cannot ignore the contemporary forms relating to our traditional cultural practices that are now being practiced solely for entertainment purposes.

"This highlights the importance of our commitment to preserve our identity, cultural traditions, and values in Fiji and Rotuma."

Amid these challenges, the Rotuma Council called for active collaboration and partnership among chiefs to address the key issues.

"The support from the GCC can amplify our voices as we advocate for national policies that prioritise the needs of our island communities.

"It is paramount that we convey our unique challenges and opportunities to central authorities and work collaboratively towards solutions that will uplift our people."

From Fiji Sun (17 October 2024)

Joe's Farm Makes a Comeback

The first of many Joe's Farm buildings is under construction at Ratu Mara Road, where a three-storey complex will be completed by December next year.

by Frederica Elbourne

Michael Joe is back.

Since COVID-19, he has evolved from farmer and grocer to landlord and now property developer.

Yesterday, he hosted a ground breaking ceremony for a $6 million project that is going up in the capital.

It comes after he closed his popular supermarket Joe's Farm.

Officiating at the event in Samabula was Tui Suva, Sanaila Madanavosa, who heaped accolades on the enterprising nature of the development.

The first of many Joe's Farm buildings is under construction at Ratu Mara Road, where a three-storey complex will be completed by December next year.

His testimony is steeped in reinventing the business wheel.

A serial entrepreneur, he is a man of many hats; from farmer, golfer, exporter and grocer to business consultant, investor and more.

"We set up a joint venture with Cibus New Zealand, to export locally grown produce from other farms around the country," he said.

"We're also working with the Government to set up contracts for farmers."

The rewards of one of his many business initiatives will pay off this month when he exports coconuts and dalo from Rotuma.

"A truck will go around the island to collect both products for export in what is a first for Rotuma," Mr Joe said.

"We have the first shipment coming from Rotuma for New Zealand."

Mr Joe's secret to success is simple: Fear the Lord.